I never had a dog growing up. I’m Southeast Asian and culturally, it’s not commonplace for us to grow up with a cat or dog in the household. Animals are generally considered unclean or for outside living only. It’s only recently that you see in traditional Indian households, dogs living indoors as domesticated pets. My parents just always felt that a dog was too much work and responsibility and that my priorities were school and homework.
When I was in college, I had no time for a dog or a cat; I was too busy having a good time with friends to bother about responsibilities. Later, in graduate school, my time was not my own—between studying for exams and getting ready for the real world and a real job, it was all I could do to make macaroni and cheese for dinner. But I always had this desire to have a dog. I imagined it would be so wonderful to take long walks, play on the beach, and fall asleep with a good book and my dog to keep me warm and safe.
When I bought my first home in the city, within a month, I got a dog. I’ll never forget scoping out breeders, animal shelters, and the want ads, daily, weekly, monthly. My mom and I drove all over Illinois in search of a dog for me.
When I saw Paru, with her little toy bone in her mouth leaping and jumping and wagging that tiny tail a mile a minute, I knew she was the one. She was so cute and furry and so wiggly-she could barely sit still. And forget about being a lap dog! Despite her terrier size, she was all Labrador Retriever in her personality. She was eager to fetch, play hide and seek and run outside in the grass. That summer, I walked Paru (and she walked me) all over the South Loop, through Grant Park and Printers Row. We were the talk of the neighborhood. Here and everywhere, I would march, with a long red nylon leash, no thicker than a silk ribbon, with this small 3 lb puppy charging ahead. It was my out of shape legs that were struggling to keep up.
But that’s not when I realized I’d fallen in love with Paru. My mom thought Paru was cute. She was this little silky terrier, a ball of fur with dark beautiful eyes and a penchant for peeing on her hardwood floors. My dad-he just never had time for Paru and when I brought her home, he thought it was a mistake, believing I didn’t have time or energy to take care of a dog and not wanting it to take away from what he prayed was my next focus in life after graduate school—getting married!
But my dad was wrong. Not just about me. He was wrong not to think that Paru was a boon. Because that first year, I devoted more time to life, my personal goals, and my mental and physical health and well being…all because I had a dog. Paru and I took long walks by the lake; I read outdoors with Paru playing near me in the park; I sat on my balcony and enjoyed the city life. And Paru was always with me, sharing her zest and simplicity for life.
And my father—he saw the sheer joy and delight Paru displayed the minute any of her family members returned home. It came to be that my dad would look forward to our visits to the suburbs and to their home, because Paru would always rush to the door to welcome him with a wet nose, warm lick, and speedy tail. And soon, he began to take Saturday afternoon naps with Paru and read the Sunday paper (she likes to sleep on the Perspectives section).
But that’s not all. Since Paru came into my life, I’ve been happier and healthier. I’ve begun to exercise more often, getting out for long walks in the mornings before work and in the evenings before bed. I’ve grown more at peace with myself and my goals and my life. And I’ve been happier and more alive since I got a dog. I even managed to take time from my busy hectic work life to focus on my own heart, fall in love and get married. And I honestly think that Paru was a big part of that. She reminded me to take care of myself and her and to make time for what was really important in life. No more late nights at work, eating stale pizza and working till dawn—Paru needs a walk and fresh water, and a set schedule. I needed that too. Paru taught me that.
When I think about how much my life has prospered since Paru, I’d be foolish to say my own determination wasn’t a big part of my individual success. But I’d be a liar to overlook the peace and calm and happiness that has blanketed my life since Paru came into it. Into all of our lives-my dad, who works hard every day and comes home to a happy heart in Paru; my mom who kisses Paru constantly, till Paru gets sick of it J; and now, to my husband, Ravi, who is Paru’s newest conquest. She snuggles up to him in our bed every morning for a tummy rub. I think she believes she got herself a husband too.
Any way you look at it, Paru is not a dog in our household. She is family. Her photo, in black and white, sits in my parents’ entrance hallway, right next to photos of my brother and I, my husband, and my grandparents. And in our home, Paru is our treasure, having traveled with us on vacations, celebrated our wedding, and sharing each evening with us on the couch. For a family who never knew what it meant to have a dog, we certainly have expanded our hearts to take in one of our most treasured family members.
So when did I truly realize just how much I loved Paru? When on a spring day last year, my husband proposed to me and amidst my joy and happiness at the future, a wedding, and that beautiful ring, I still managed to say what only could be the truest words in my heart and the first thought in my head—you, me, and Paru too, right?
I love Paru. She is my best girl. No doubt about it.
Sona
Chicago, IL
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