R@J aur Sweety ka Scribble Pad

I've often heard about certain numbers being considered lucky or holding significance for individuals. Today, I found myself reflecting on one such number - 23. As I reflect on it, the number 23 seems to be woven with a thread of delightful memories in my life. First and foremost, both of my children were born on the 23rd, There's also that one girl with a pretty smile whose birthday falls on the 23rd, and then there's Cookie, who found her way into our world on the 23rd. Today marks a significant milestone – it has been three months since Cookie came into our lives and found her forever home. Watching her grow and blossom into a fine young dog, Cookie never fails to leave an impression on everyone in our building. Over the past three months, I've come to realize that having a pet is a profound responsibility. It has the power to bring out the very best or the most challenging aspects of one's character. The journey with a pet demands discipline, patience, and a dee...

Three weeks have passed, and Cookie is settling into a routine. As it grows, its weight and height increase and it resists being swaddled. Its sleeping patterns have shifted, with daytime naps and nighttime alertness. We confine it indoors at night, where it remains vigilant, attentive to sounds like distant dogs, cries, or sirens. At times, it vocalizes fear, hunger, or trouble it's gotten into. Starting its day at 5:30 am, Cookie rouses us with noises, and I take it out for its morning routine. By 7:00 am, it's back, bounding around the house, especially as the kids leave for school (7:15 am) and later when my wife departs for work (8:00 am). Afterward, it enjoys an idli or dosa meal from its grandmother, followed by intermittent power naps. During these breaks, Cookie has grown accustomed to my presence while I go about my day working, offering belly rubs, hugs, and treats between work. Last month, after a lengthy exchange of emails, I finally decided to let go and meet Div,...

Observing Cookie's behavior, it's evident that the attributes of each family member have found a place in its demeanor. From my son, Cookie inherits the love for Idli and Dosa. Despite today's kids leaning towards pizzas and burgers, my son's preference for idli, dosa, and curd rice remains unwavering. Even in upscale restaurants, my son would order Idli or Dosa and finish with curd rice. If the breakfast is not idli or dosa, Cookie would rather stay hungry. From my Daughter - selective and extremely picky eating. Cookie does not like to eat her own dog food, it pushes the bowl away if the food does not live up to her expectations. Sometimes we got to pretend we eat the same stuff. Like my mother's extroverted nature, Cookie thrives on social interactions. Anyone entering our home is greeted with enthusiasm and a demand for a belly rub. I kind of recall the BACKSTREET BOYS song from early 2000's. Cookie's motto seems to echo, "I care not of your origins...

On the pup's first night with us, uncertainty and curiosity filled the air. Some quick online research suggested milk as the primary sustenance for the initial days.  Resourcefulness took center stage as we fashioned a snug haven from a spacious tub and repurposed textiles. Nestling the pup within, we couldn't help but notice its striking resemblance to a human baby—a craving for comfort and an affinity for the warmth of close quarters. A significant portion of its meals seemed to fuel an internal furnace, generating the precious body heat it sought. In a natural setting, nestled beside its mother and other pups, this warmth would be collectively shared. Drawing a parallel to infants, the pup settled into a pattern of intermittent wakefulness, nursing sessions, and extended periods of slumber. This new chapter wasn't without its challenges; the initial nights tested my resolve as I tended to its feeding demands. By the fourth day, a spark of vitality ignited within the pup....

With the puppy home, we had to name it. We debated multiple names, two stood out Cookie and Spotify. Cookie because the shades and color reminded us of Choco chip cookies and Spotify because of the black and brown spots on the body.  My daughter had the final say, she said if it is kukka (dog in telugu) its name should be Cookie. Well nobody could argue with the logic. So the pup was named Cookie.. My mom has a different view, she believes that there is something divine, universe has sent us a family member with a Lord Venkateshwara Namam ( V ) on the forehead. Either way, as I have mentioned in my earlier blogs, Lord has full control over every aspect of our lives. Cookie could be his way of ensuring we always keep the lord in our thoughts.

" Hum Do Humare Do" was a family planning slogan started back in 1960's and 1970's. Over the years, this slogan was very successful. Most couples in urban India in the 1980's and 1990's restricted themselves to just two kids. Both me and my wife were born in the late 70's and probably the slogan did impact our judgment.   On June 23rd this year, I had to drop someone off at the Bengaluru airport, my cousin accompanied me to the airport and while returning, he wanted to take a detour to attend to something at Shamshabad. The detour involved getting off the highway into some dusty village roads. As our car approached the village, we saw at least 6 to 8 puppies suddenly emerging from the nearby bushes and running onto the road. My cousin slowed down the car and parked it on the side to avoid any puppy getting hurt.  We got down from the car. The puppies were running in all directions, but there was this one who made a dash toward me. It ran hard and ended up ...