The charming ways of little Cheeku

IT was in 2017 that my daughter, walking through a shopping complex, spotted a pup being carried hurriedly from a car to a nearby pet shop. The little fellow appeared to be less than a month old — it had not even opened its eyes yet and seen its mother when it was being sold at the shop.

A fortnight later, my daughter had to again visit that shopping complex. While passing through the labyrinthine corridors, she was startled to see the same destitute pup gazing in awe through the glass window of the pet shop. It was sitting by itself, appearing disoriented, staring at the passersby. She went inside the shop, struck a deal and bought the Beagle-breed pup. It was named Cheeku by my wife because of its resemblance to the luscious fruit of that name.

Thereafter began Cheeku’s eventful journey. It soon became the favourite of every military station that it stayed in with my daughter during her postings as an Army doctor. Beagles have winsome ways and Cheeku is no exception. With innocence writ large on the face, the sparkling eyes, the shining smooth chocolate fur with milky white patches, the tail pointing skywards and deftly using its charm to have its way, Cheeku gets readily accepted as an adorable, cuddly pet. Adapting and moulding its behaviour to suit the occasion, this little playfellow can be aggressive, ferocious and even exceedingly charming and docile — a noticeable manipulative trait.

As a two-month-old pup, Cheeku accompanied my daughter during her stressful tenure in Dharamsala, where the lightning flashed threateningly, tearing across the horizon and the floating clouds roared menacingly in the skies. Cheeku stoically endured the dark, lonely nights and lived alone in my daughter’s secluded apartment located close by. Undertaking her responsibility cheerfully, my daughter would visit Cheeku during her breaks from work, even at night, to ensure its wellbeing despite the incessant torrential rain.

The mischievous Cheeku had a gala time with an infant monkey as they went frolicking around, giving jitters to the onlookers. But it brought immense amusement to the mother monkey. Cheeku was much sought after by the military men as they went past him during their morning endurance runs.

Cheeku’s fame grew when the General Officer of the formation, having an amiable disposition for animals, acknowledged its presence. Known to be benevolent, considerate and down-to-earth, the officer, during the morning stroll, would beckon, caress and pat Cheeku and place him astride his horse.

This General Officer, whose touch Cheeku was fortunate to have felt, is now the Army Chief — Gen Upendra Dwivedi.