A dog’s love and the requital

Mahesh Grover

GOOFY was a handsome German Shepherd with sharp piercing eyes and the right colours to his fur to make him stand out. He had a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde trait to him. Though playful and angelic, he betrayed the devil in him on being left alone. He was at his destructive best, chewing all that caught his fancy, to convey perhaps, ‘This will teach you not to leave me alone!’

Carpets, furniture, telephones, shoes, wires, all fell to his fury. On being confronted with his work of disaster, he would own up his mistake, crawl meekly and beg for forgiveness, whereupon our anger would dissipate.

We decided to leave him on the terrace, so our stuff would be out of harm’s way for few hours we were  away  in connection with our engagements. Just as we locked the door, Goofy, sensing his banishment, barked in protest, but we, firm in our resolve, confined him to his solitude.

I left first, and as the lady of the house sauntered into the driveway, Goofy decided to take his protest to a higher level and jumped from the terrace to land with a loud thud and a louder yelp, with my horrified wife gaping at the sight. 

Desperate phone calls to me made me hasten back, to rush him to a vet, who declared that Goofy was fit, but under shock and trauma. On return, I shared the vet’s analysis with my anxious wife, who heaved a sigh of relief, but then, a strange look crossed her face: ‘You used to say, but you never did it,’ she stated. ‘What?’ I asked, not comprehending the statement.

‘Jumping from a rooftop, you said you could do it for me, but I guess dogs are more sincere,’she said and  lapsed into a sulk. 

‘Listen, you can’t say that,’ I stuttered as I struggled to meet this unexpected onslaught, even as the impact of the emotional blackmail sunk in.

‘Goofy, you know not what you have done,’ I said, for once understanding  the import of Newton’s immortal words when his dog destroyed his works in a fire by knocking down a candle.

‘Friends betray, but et tu Goofy?’ I hissed at him, but he merrily wagged his tail with a twinkle in his eye that seemed to say, ‘Well, what of this?  You deserve it. I am sure you will not leave me alone ever.’

I now had to restore my domestic bliss — so heartlessly shattered by my best friend. I resorted to the surest way to win over a woman’s affection — a trip to the jeweller.

Many grumbling trips and some grudging necklaces later, with a gasping  bank account, I finally managed to win back my domestic tranquility and Goofy, his sedateness with age.

Requital came, years later, when I needed resources for an investment, my wife offered those very ‘artefacts’ I grudged her. So next time, don’t grumble when she demands a gift of value. Just remember she and her wealth are there for you, all saved for a rainy day.