Those Days': Autobiography Of A Dog

By Snigdha Saxena

Sometimes I just want to go back to the days everyone was with me. I would vow everyone into my friendship and I was always happily accepted into their arms. I do not find those days anymore. In the scorching afternoons when days are dull yet bright and the roads heat up appearing delusional and like lava, I stretch my feet in the soft cold cement and slowly curl up into a ball of wool, subtly smiling and reminiscing those days. Those days, 3 years ago.

“It is 6 in the morning!” I exclaimed in my head. It was time for many uncles and aunties of the colony to step out of those tough colourful cement buildings where they live to buy some milk and maybe eggs too. Some would just come out in their ragged pajamas or some would wear perfectly fit joggers and sturdy shoes. All these people would navigate their way through the streets to their different destinations but for once all of them would pass by their one common point, me. Honestly speaking I am an attention-seeker at the finest. I had the aura, as people say, to grab attention of my enemies as well. I am certainly the charm of the street. None of these people could resist the innocence or charm of my orange Arabic eyes. My coat is a rich blend of browns which gets perfectly well settled and eminent with each stroke. Each stroke was a gift for either one of us. My tough jaw would relax and I would rest into their palms fondly as the strokes followed.

Although in the morning they could never open their eyes properly, I could see a twinkle as soon as they held me. After 15 minutes of falling in hypnosis they would suddenly remember their work and leave me in my spot. As soon as this session was completed, however I rushed to my own works.

This week a huge murder of crows had arrived in our territory. It became a trivial matter of concern for all of us. They would be present day and night in this area until they achieved their victory. This was unacceptable! It was certain that if they took over, they would feed on our biscuits, our water and scatter in our holy majestic park. I headed on my rounds in the park to examine the conditions of the running path, the grass, and the trees for their nests. It turned out to be a peaceful wander since I did not find a specific piece of evidence so I decided that I must return to the headquarters and rest for a bit. As soon as I reached the steps, I spotted a black figure in the distance.

I pushed myself ahead with all might and core. I howled in the distance as to alert my peers. Two of my soldiers arrived in time and we sped up to that black figure in synchrony. The crow tried to escape through the trees but we fearlessly and ferociously jumped to the tree on our legs until we lost sight of the crow. Not a victory but certainly I good save! It was a tiring start of the day but a great warm up to even face my enemies in the future. We examined the ground once again for an traces when suddenly I noticed everyone exiting the park and I just realized-it was time for breakfast!

My care taker and sweet aunt was waiting at her gate with a bowl of water and bread for each one us. I hurried and took my plate. I gulped down the water first since I was exhausted after the run. My colleagues sat next to me and then it just got chaotic. I took a bite of my bread but it was not dipped in the milk as much. However, my little cousin- Dodoni’s bread was dipped in the milk just right, just like my chicken curry yesterday. I pushed her aside and started eating up from her bowl. Aunt tried to end the quarrel, shouting at us but then she fondly looked at us and made us sit back and complete only our bowl.

“Ah, those were the days...” I almost teared up thinking about all of it. Although people still pet me and give me food, somehow, they have lost the fondness and selflessness they had. Many of them feed us for their own wealth and luck and others just seem obliged. All the love has seemed to have vanished.

“Hero, it is already 3 pm. Aunty is calling us back. Let’s go” Dodoni came up to me and spoke. Alas, I broke from my sweet dreams and rolled down onto the road. It was time for our evening meal already although I still had not caught up with my sleep. We all sat down in our positions and peacefully had our snacks. No quarrels and no petting. Just us with our last days in hand.

By Snigdha Saxena