In the little life I had so far , I came across good and bad moments in mine as well as others life . When I hear about good experiences, I see people coming up with different words , expressions and sometimes there is no limit of words for expressing happiness . But , In all intense situatuons of expressing tough and bad moments , one would hear people ending up saying -" I was literally living a dogs life" . And this term has always fought with my conscience. I seldom asked myself what does "Living a dogs Life" actually mean . And why is that it is always typecasted to express negative things ?
I would like to tell you a small story . A very short one this time .
" Veterinarian John ,has been called for examining 10-year labrador named "Snowy".The house owner , his wife and their 7-year old boy ,Charles were expecting a miracle.John examined and found that he was dying of cancer and informed they hardly have time for its death.He said he could give mercy killing for it . And the pets owners accepted it , not seeing the dogs pain.
Charles was petting the dog for the last time and his parents thought it is OK , for him to stay coz he wouldnt understand much . Charles Mom asked him to say bye to the dog and he went and kissed it and whispered something in its ears. John did his work and Snowy quietly slipped away. Charles Mom was disturbed and she was in tears . And Charles dad and Mr John were convincing her that after all its a animal and explaining the sad part that it lives shorter than human lives . John observed that Charles was unmoved and he wondered whether the kid understood anything. Charles Mom continued to cry and she screamed "Why ? Why ?".
Charles who was quiet till then piped out , he said "I know Why". Everyone stopped talking and were looking at Charles . He was petting the dog with his little hands and said these words - " People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life , and then they try to be good , like being nice and loving everybody . Right ?". He continued -" Well, dogs already knew how to do that , so they dont have to stay as long ".
I too once had a cute little puppy . I saw it probably when it is just out of its mothers womb , I found it on the road side . I never knew what it feels like breeding a dog . But the way it saw in my eyes , I guess it was Love at first sight . I brought it home . Seeing its milky white face and fur , we named it as "Snowy" .
I witnessed its life totally . Snowy sees you as if it can understand you .It plays with you as if it has got no other friend.It eats only when it is fed .It shares everything it has got without even uttering a single word . Of course, it barks out when we(humans) ignore or cant understand what it is saying .I still remember the way it jumps/attacks on someone , who even for a joke acts/tries to beat my mom even if it was me .My mom is everything for it .It lived as if its life is not for him but for the people around it .When it went off , it created a huge void in me ,for days and for years. The impact was such that I never dared to have a pet dog again.Everything happened like in those so many movies we see , but to tell you long story short ,it was with us for 1.5 years and when it took its last breath , it was in my arms and we both were drenching in the rain . The rain washed the happiness we shared forever but not the memories I had with it.
I feel the greatest life led is when you live for others . And that is what humans also preach. And that is why people like Mother Teresa ,Nelson Mandela or Mahatma Gandhi are treated as Gods. They all said that's what we call "Living a Life" means .And when a dog shows it how to live a complete life ,it is called a Dogs Life . No doubt , it sleeps outside , it eats only when someone throws food , but how different are we ? . Im also eating coz some one feeds my bank account, which I call it as "My Money" .Unfortunately unlike me , dogs dont have call centers to query -"Wheres my money?". But still it does what it does better , most of the time not expecting much from you.
Sometimes I think , Did human beings give higher status to any other living being in this world apart from human beings ? . The answer is NO ( Have We ?) .We have never given it.We always made sure that we being intellectuals , with the growing science and with our fast paced lives have ensured that the greatest living being on this planet is only "HUMANS" .and I am not surprised , we calling its Life as "Just a Dogs Life". All the Good things of a Dogs Life are kept aside , and what is being projected is just the incomfortbaly comfortable life .Isnt this a hippocrisy ? .
When I think the way it lived its life , its great and its a dream for me . I wish I could live so nicely in such a crisp short time . And having experienced such a life , I never came to terms with people saying "Living a dogs Life" to express their dejected,sad or tough moments in life .
I am not writing to show my outburst nor I am emotional ,but I am just sharing my thoughts that touch me on the fly and next time after reading this , if it makes you think once before calling a "Dogs Life" ,then the very purpose of this post is satisfied.
Even though I share the same sanguine of humans , I am buoyant enough to say that I would like to Live a Dogs Life and Next time someone calls me a Dog [ I have a friend who calls me so :-) ], I will instead think that I am on track. What About you ? .
Miss you Snowy ,
TRYING to Live your Life,
Love,
Vicky
