Chronicles of a dog walker – 1
Most of us are one of them – the dog walkers, and those of you who think this is a boring job, you can’t even imagine the interestingness that we encounter in our walks everyday. This chronicle remembers some such memorable incidents.
People here in India are not at all accustomed to seeing INDogs being walked around the neighborhood in a leash. They are street dogs – PERIOD. Even if they live in someone’s homes, they are street dogs.
A nice lady had once stopped my father and me during one of our dog walks and asked “Eta ki kukur?” (What breed of dog is this?)
To which my father had replied “Eta Indian dog” (It’s an Indian Dog).
The lady reacted “Ema! Neri pushechhen? Chhi Chhi!” (Neri = bald = short haired).
What she said meant “Oh my God! You have adopted a bald street dog? Shame shame!”.
My father, who is great with words had rebuked her: “Apni shokale uthe aainaai kon memshaheb ke dekhen?” (When you wake up in the morning everyday, which fair skinned foreigner do you see in the mirror?)
Let me just say, the lady did not take it very well.
However, we have since formulated a defense strategy, for as long as we are dog walking, the questions are bound to come.
Now, if someone asks my father what breed the dog is, he says it’s a ROADESIAN (inspired by dogs that live on roads). It’s an old moniker – a lot of people use it when jokingly referring to street dogs.
But then again, we came to know that a lot of people do not know about it as well.
Sample this: The local postmaster – a very jovial gentleman observes Aru defecating bang in front of the post office (I know sometimes his potty manners embarrass us terribly, but we try to put up a straight face in front of outsiders).
My dad puts on his most dignified smile and greets the postmaster: “Hello! Long time no see!”
In reply, he asks: “What kind of dog is this?”
Dad: “Oh! He is a Roadesian.” (smiles proudly)
Postmaster undergoes a miraculous transformation.
Postmaster (gushing): “Oww! Hunting dog, is it? Which country? Look at his ears… it is evident he is very brave and spirited. How wonderful!”
Dad (completely failing to mention the fact that dog in the leash is scared of butterflies, cockroaches, horses, ants, grasshoppers and his own shadow) puts on his most sparkling smile, and then jaunts away with the dog.
Related posts:
- Chronicles of a dog walker – 2 I was walking the dogs a couple of evenings back....
- Chronicles of a Dog Walker 3 – by Dr. Manik Godbole Hi! I couldn’t stop myself from replying to this post...
- Chronicles of a dog walker – 4 One thing about being a writer who gets paid to...
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