3 weeks of Lola

<Now that its almost 1 year of Lola, re-sharing what I wrote in March 2021, 3 weeks after Lola's arrival>

 Weather prediction systems are so advanced nowadays that scientists predict cyclones and hurricanes with the exact dates and accurate intensity. We humans can plan our lives, take the preparatory steps and take evasive action if needed, so that the storm doesn’t impact us.

And then there are some storms which come completely unplanned and change your life so much, that it is difficult to imagine how things were before.

I am talking here of Tropical Storm “Lola”, a 3-month-old pup that adopted us on 8^th February.

To be frank, getting a dog was not entirely off my mind. I’ve grown up with dogs, and my boys had started asking for a pet. However, an 8^th floor apartment – even one with a terrace garden – is not an ideal place for a dog, as I thought. Hence my dog explorations were restricted to watching YouTube videos of dog rescuers and of adorable puppies. I had no intention to take it any further.

But that Monday morning, fate had other things in mind. On one of my increasingly infrequent morning jogs, I ran past a parked car in a side lane, and to my surprise the driver let a frisky little puppy out of the car – without a leash or a collar! I heard the pup running after me. Stopping to see what was happening, I saw the car turn around and head off quickly, ignoring my shout.

The little puppy was exploring the surroundings happily in the meantime, oblivious to having been abandoned. It was not interested in me at all!  Had I left it alone, it would have maybe survived on the streets, or maybe not. I could not bring myself to just walk away. So, I picked it up and took it home, unsure of the reception I’d get.

The wife – who had never had a pet as a child- was stunned to see me with a puppy in my arms! And she  immediately fell in love with the tiny female puppy. My mother superior has vast experience of handling baby animals, including leopards and hyenas, thanks to my forest officer father. Mother was equally thrilled. Our dog-loving friends found a foster home for the pup within half an hour, but the two powerful entities of the household were unanimous in their quick decision – that our family had gained a new member. Our boys woke up to find a curious puppy wandering around the house, not traumatized in any way by the way she had been dumped on the road a few minutes ago.

As new pet-parents we quickly started experiencing the different aspects of this subculture. An immediate visit to the vet pronounced the dog to be in good health. Apart from advice on feeding and deworming, we were also given valuable information of the psychology of ‘indie’ dogs – they are extremely intelligent, mistrustful of humans and are masters of dominating the home! You have to be alert and patient in asserting the human/parent dominance! The extremely capable and articulate vet gave more and better practical tips in ten minutes, than I had picked up in my past years of dog ownership.

Now came the question of feeding the dog. The vet had advised 2 days of dahi-bhat – curd rice – but this pup showed no interest in it at all! Our family driver then offered to get a packet of puppy food from the neighbourhood general store. I enquired about his seeming expertise on dogs – to find out that he has been a longtime dog owner, of a pedigreed dog no less. Our maid who was dusting also nodded knowledgeably at his points, and I enquired whether she was a dog owner as well – yes, she was, and she too had a proper ‘pure breed’ at home.

The pup was all excited to see the pet food packet and ate the chicken with relish. Meanwhile, I had circulated the number of  the abandoner’s car to our local residents group and duly, someone traced and spoke to the driver – who claimed that it wasn’t their puppy, it had come into their building and refused to leave, and so not knowing what to do, they decided to leave it somewhere else. Well, karma will catch up with wrongdoers – and as far as our family goes, it was our good karma due to which we gained a new family member that day.

The boys were fascinated with the pup and immediately started an argument over naming rights. She has the black-and-tan colouring of a Dobermann and picking up on the brown, the younger boy wanted to name her ‘Coco’. His elder brother thought “Nola” was a better name. So, we compromised between the two and started calling her “Cola”. But as a couple of days went by, we realized Cola wasn’t really rolling off the tongue. I don’t know how exactly Cola morphed into Lola, but that is what she has been from Day 3!

Indie dogs are reputed to be very intelligent – and indeed, the potty training has been amazingly easy. Over the past three weeks, there have only two or three accidents. She goes out onto the terrace lawn and does the job. You just must leave the door open for her.

Puppy eyes have evolved over millennia for dogs to be able to manipulate humans better – and Lola is an expert at manipulation! She is not content to sleep on her own cushion in the living room, and she finds her way into our bedroom sometime in the night. The wife is besotted with Lola and has become a complete “dog mamma”. Lola can rip a slipper to shreds, can chew up multiple things – but as far as mamma goes, it is our fault for leaving temptation in her way. The dog grandma claims to be an aloof disciplinarian, but I catch her often speaking to the dog, and trying to feed Lola supposedly healthy food such as the disdained curd rice.

The most pleasant surprise is the way the boys have taken on their job of carers. One does the afternoon meal and the other does the evening meal. Vitamins, protein, carbs, all mixed and served to Lola on time without anyone needing to remind them! Are these the same boys who must be pushed to clean their room and do their homework?

The community of dog owners or ‘Pet parents’ stepped in to help us through the initial days. We were connected to the nearest Indie owner, and that is how the lovely 1 year old “Gaya” came over for a playdate with Lola. What a time Lola had! After non-stop running and jumping with Gaya for an hour, Lola was knocked out for the rest of the day (as were we all!)

Today the wife and I were thinking, it has been just three weeks since this storm came into our lives. For all our efforts to ‘dominate’ this tiny pup, the fact is that Lola has taken over and become the focal point of our household. And frankly, it has been great fun. I wouldn’t have it any other way!