Maya turn a year

It’s since a year Maya came home, arrived as a 20 days kid. A pup that could fit within our palms and sounds such short and sweet to fade slowly reaching ears. With pretty eyes and nose, she attracts everyone’s attention by her soft cotton candy mass and to sound that greets. The way she tickles in her tender gums to bite and to lick to disclose her care, affection and confirm her security by sniffing our existence was new then. She gradually began to understand to whom she belongs to and finding out familiar persons and very cautious about outsiders and those strange being. It was something she got not to attach with anyone so easily, even she had met those uncountable times. Today, even she have grown to an adult stage, she was indifferent in her behaviors and activities such as sleeping only under the closet, even though she struggle to enter the space; drinking almost milk and rarely curd rice if there was an egg; and to not spit anything she nab in her mouth – one of the toughest problem with her. Though absence of training, she catches up with her mind to live and tied to wayward.

Even it was so pleasure having her and love those innocent behaviors, she was at same time disturbing our peace and to move nowhere easily like back, as she hasn’t practiced to live alone or on someone’s care, and need my mom or bro so to be calm. At everyone’s surprise she was very kind towards me, and not allows those unfamiliar to her to get near me or touch, and it goes to my mom and bro too. Seeing me approaching her and understanding my comfort, she used to climb on the couch to allow me to caress and embrace her. Days have run fast against my opposition to having her with us, thinking about our future and circumstance to avoid stress and annoyance could create by her. A year was completed now; she was traveling along with us wherever we go and staying all nights together. Even today, my profound says we have taken a wrong decision allowing her inside our life, which almost struggles to survive in anxious and physical stress. If we are happy and comfort enough, we could allow anyone to share our lives to make it more pleasure, but we’re already in stubborn and who would love to add more burdens.

Actually she was a scared pup for anything variant. She barks like non-stop nonsense until her scare was cleared, and she dislikes being left alone to go and do our work at next room. Like a child she needs our attention often when unchained, to stop her from tearing something, and in frighten nothing important was left to her to easily grab around, but sometime being alone with me and mom she sits quietly near our foot. She likes fondly calling her by ‘maya kutty’ - young maya, and it was some words to melt down her and anyone calls her that name she goes behind them by moving her tail. We really no need an alarm to wake us early, because she does that work perfectly by whining every early morning by calling mom to take her to bathroom. This was something she does to get our appreciation and somehow she has begun to follow this rule now.

One thing strange about maya is ‘she doesn’t like kids’! Any kids come across our home she barks continuously and it was uncertain curious whether she wants to play with kids or rush them, but we are very cautious about leaving her to kids. Lately she faced the problem of more ‘losing hair’. So after weeks of arguments and disappointment, finally she got her hair cut last week. It must have done months before to avoid the annoyance, but none could get properly advice from doctors, that could had stopped early the hair lose. By cutting those twist hairs; the newly growing ones would stand strong without pieces of hairs. These days it was so funny looking at her appearance in skin and bone, like a shaved sheep without woolen. From calling her maya kutty, we started to call her Aattu Kutty (young goat), and it gives a feel of touching a young goat. With ears lifting tall and in thin body, she got much names like young deer, fox, rabbit… and more than before, in her new aspect she gets much attention.

Anyhow Maya is balanced between sweet and harsh, hate and like; fought and fond! So she remains with us in this journey of life, with distress and happiness.

Check here the poem i wrote last year about Maya

Maya and Mysore pak

Our dog Maya loves anything that taste sweet (which I’m not sure all dogs come under this category) and whenever we have something she used to bark which means she needs some bit too. We rarely offer her some piece of sweet or cakes or cookies made of chocolate to satisfy her unending desire and to make her have medicine or tablet we used to hide it inside the sweet or chocolate because she never took easily orally a medicine. Sometime we voluntarily drop a tablet in front of her and pretend to pick it up where she swiftly act and take the tablet in mouth. Rarely she eats the sweet alone and split the tablets separately.

We don’t keep down things Maya is interested on when she was on loose and sometime she behaves senseless picking anything from the house dustbin. Two days back, relatives visited us and they brought a sweet box and some fruits which mom had left on the floor in thought Maya were tied and forget to shift things from there. When we saw later everything was fished off the sweet box. Maya had eat 1/4kg of the Mysore Pak and looked with a weighted tummy as if having offsprings and also found difficult to walk. We really thought/worried what going to happen to her as she already have wheezing and weaker heart and this heavy loaded Mysore Pak (made of generous amounts of ghee and sugar) could cause anything. But glad she’s doing well and turned normal next day after couple of toilet visits.

About Mysore Pak: It was originally called as Mysuru Paaka, in which Mysuru indicates the city of Mysore, in the Indian state of Karnataka and Paaka means sweet syrup, is a popular Indian sweet made of ghee, sugar, gram flour and cardamom.

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Life along with Maya

Though she is seven years old, Maya remains to be a child for every one of us and even for those visitors. Maya, our pet dog, has undergone a hysterectomy surgery a day before yesterday as she suffered from serious infection in uterus, we decided to let her some relief and remedy to lead further ease. We had two options then: one was to let her deliver some pups or go for a surgical removal of uterus. Though we had space outside the living home to let her breed, taking care of things mattered much and been (she) ever stayed out of certain seemed practically impossible.  So we went for the other, and she is showing very positive note on recovery within a day of surgery and   hope to see her back in normal attitude at a week’s end.

She never stayed away from us in the last seven years, and we had left her at home at only fewer occasions of traveling that too in charge of my brother. She spent two days and a night at the veterinary clinic and we heard that she was very quiet throughout the process and responded so well post surgery. We were so surprise towards her behavior, which perhaps because of fear and the new environment with other dogs (barking) around she couldn’t do anything rather accept whatever happens. Though it is not our intention to threaten her like this, certainly it gives a guilty feeling as we well know her attitude; it perhaps could have got her hell feeling. That’s what could be the reason for her to show dull feeling toward us and not responding quickly like before.

Maya is a very sensitive dog and allows no one to touch her unless she’s familiar with that person.  Being an untrained dog (and coming from a branch of wolf family), she is very aggressive toward strangers but once she smelt there fragrance she won’t do anything unless they take advantage and will also behave friendly if she likes them.  And if not, she maintain a distance and also ignore them rather inquire like other. Although she shows affection and love, she is very protective on family members, esp. she has a special care for me and allows no unfamiliar person to touch me or thing related to me in front of her.

Lhasa Apso is the name of her breed, which originate to Tibet and so has the name of the capital city of Tibet, Lahasa, and Apso is a word meaning bearded or long-haired in their language. Maya too would have flourishing hair if we allowed her to grow, but due to maintenance and hair falling we make certain cutting her hair after a period of time. Actually it is a dog not belong to hot weather conditions like Chennai, since inherent an ability to withstand bitterly cold winter of the Himalayas they have trouble with summer heat. We had no idea of rearing a dog, but it’s my brother who brought her home against all our wishes and being adamant to give up, made her life into ours.

Rearing dogs are not a bad intention and I have no different thought on it, but not everyone could afford a pup. There are certain things that need to give hand and rearing dogs is a burden for people who are already exercising enough. For a person’s desire, is it right to leave a whole family to suffer? If someone loves to have a pet, they have to be certain about their adequate and should never ignore their responsibility just because they brought it to home and things will happen on its own. Apart sparing time to take care on their (dogs) needs, the most difficult thing about rearing pets was if anything goes wrong with them we can’t tolerate easily. I think just having a kind heart isn’t enough to accept a pet, but need a very brave heart to withstand vibrations that went wrong with them. 

She is Maya

Maya, just a month old pup was the new arrive at home. Late weekend my brother brings home this cotton candy like pup, which is behind yesterdays post about her (she). It is one of a prankish and overactive dog, except sleeping time it was fully in playing mood, running everywhere and behind wherever we go. Having only baby drink, she was eager to bite without teeth and most of the time trying to bite anything found. Because of this someone should always watch its movement and to take care like a baby and it behavior was too.

It was tickling and caress with the soft hair and buss with mouth; some times try to bite which is also like ticking until it have no tooth. I could not avoid calling mom to take her away, just in little fear ever she comes near my foot in manner of biting. This little has increased the burden of mom, while it irritate her doing mess everyplace and where it was more fondling with her, as well mom too. But everything was not right having maya with us, we lack for spaces in the apartment, where it could stay only inside home and can’t pose caution leaving her behind gateway.

What I was really thinking is to give away this pup from our home and leave where it was before or to those wish to have it. Understand the situation I urge more for the pup to take away and not to put unnecessary disturbance for both of us. Being very small and runs boundless, it’s hard to walk incase looking around always to avoid stamping and all above I was to fear suppose of unpleasant happens that could be distress. When moving on wheels, she come around biting wheels or entering under chair and I can’t sure it was safe. So I left the decision to my parents and bro, to keep her with us or to leave some where the pup to be greed place. Till then I could enjoy watching her playing around.

Surrounded by grief

I don’t know how to express myself first, the squeezing grief of losing a furry friend who cared and loved unconditionally for nearly 12 years of relationship, and bonding that could not define in words, an attachment invisible to eyes;  Maya, the magic wizard of our life has vanished (on Nov 16) for ever.   I realize fully and consciously that the departed had happened though I still couldn’t console myself she’s no more and I feel really sick to digest, because we hadn’t been closer with anybody like her in the decade and she was there every day in our life and part of our journeys and this separation brought a great void in us and I don’t know how to cope without her further. Though I feel better now, getting back to the regular activities which I forced myself to keep away her thoughts (temporarily) but I know it’s not possible to block her all of sudden, as I was conscious about her every move and tiny sounds, I get disturbed when I hear anything similar to… because I was the only person in our family to have spent much time with her when everyone goes out on their business, she would be on my side.

Maya and me at my uncle's woodhouse, during a family vacation

As you all know from the previous post, the treatment Maya had been undergoing couldn’t make any improvement at all and the creatinine level has elevated up to an extreme high where dialysis become impossible because of her age and weakness. She had turned half her weight as she stopped eating from the beginning of the month and the last two days to her demise was greatly troubled her. I didn’t want to narrate further about her demise and it was really a painful moment I noticed ever, even I have lost some dear ones in past, their final moments were apart from my sight and this departure is something I really want to forget to retain only the cheerful memories  and brushes  of furry. 

Maya is an unplanned arrival and was forced to stay into our lives when we have any idea about adopting a dog or any other animals as pet, slowly she become unavoidable as a trouble as well a pleasure to increase and decreases stress. We had never been harsh with anybody, and this little furry ball/doll took it as a favour, tagged her in us and secured a quicker place to immovable. We couldn’t plan anything without her that let to miss a lot of opportunities and many a time I give damn but ever thought of denying her or lack in prior and to be certain she hadn’t been away for a day in last 7 years except that one day she stayed in clinic for uterus removal.

It is very hard really to swallow the truth that she shut her doors permanently and how close we’re to depart this way… she cared and was conscious when it comes to me and I enjoyed this care and affection what I even miss from human. From the conscience I could tell, she trusted me lot than anyone else and was certain I would hurt her ever, because she mostly sleep comfort by lying head under the wheels of my wheelchair!  Hope I lived to her faith and she shares a bond that had any doubts… Maya the word I frequent has turned whisper into ears, and I understand she’s no more but the practised tongue would take time to change.

Birthday to Maya – 7 years old

March 8 marks the birth anniversary of our pet dog, Maya, although she was 20 days old when she arrived home, we decided to count from the day she become a part of our lives. Against all our wishes my brother brought the cute little pup to home, which looked like a white cotton candy with three pretty black dots as eyes and nose! Not that we don’t like dogs (we have adopted few stray dogs in past), but our situation was not comfort then to support any other as we are already experience difficult with life and need of someone to assist, the pet dog only seems to be burden.

Now 7 years have passed and we don’t see her as a troublesome anymore as we adapted to her quite heartfelt and understood that it’s impossible to keep her away from us, all our future plans weren't without her. Our pet was so precious when showcasing love, protection and companionship and at same time annoys when she feels strange or found her enemies like cat, lizards, and any big insects and for last one year the monkeys. She’s always fond with certain people and like who are humble towards here but there are few, how many times she see/spent don’t mingle and make a point to stay away.  

My brother was mentioned about her birthday for last two days and came up with an idea of cutting cake on her behalf celebration. He used to remind us ever year about her birthday and it used to pass before we plan anything. This time he was serious doing something and ordered my favorite black forest (of course I am not the only one like this flavor) and it came along her nick name, that we dearly called, Maya Kutty – which refer to anything little in Tamil. No one was invited except my sister (cousin) who stays a street away and it was mom cut the cake and the first piece went to the birthday girl J

Here I share some photos from the little eve: 

Maya's yummy birthday cake

As she love cakes, was curious sitting around the table to get me capture both... 

Ready to blow

Enjoining her share from mom

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A beatific experience

Families get together at home on Monday, where close relatives were invited for lunch on the memorial day of great grandfather. Not often I could get chance by having everyone at same time, every year on this day and on least some other time we (no, I) get-together with close relatives. Not every time my dear cousin sister would joining with us on occasion like this, where she mostly would be away with her parent, but it was rarely and I was happy on her presence when others come. She is one, more than anything to me, and not to miss for any reason, but I would agree for what ever reason she has to be away from us. I feel I could understand her, but fail mostly where I can’t and she well knows me how I react for what and what could be my thought on which. I was been on thoughts about her these days and some imaginations of uncle being alive, living with her and the existing happier life more than before. This is only a desire now I know which won’t comes true, but no one can stop it flowing into mine, which are some beautiful thoughts I enjoy whenever it flows.

Maya is more attentive with others, esp. my sis was so fondling on her and was playful. It was uneasy for mom and aunties to get her away from disturbing the preparation of lunch and harder to change her interest from biting the vegetables. She never is silent being left alone inside rooms, with in seconds starts to make loud noise in tender throat. Cousins who are more wished to see maya, but haven’t been because of annual exams, by now they have seen the pictures of maya taken last evening. The weekend was truly bored, and I was feeling Monday as Sunday where I can’t concentrate particularly and to increase the moment, rain was poring heavily and the cool climate in evening sends us pleasant.

My sister and pup maya

Most of the relatives left before evening and without steady I was expecting to take dear ones to beach. No more, they have there own plans to reach home and tried to not disappoint and to disclose my wish, asked grandpa who is likely to come with me. After dropping sis and aunty at there stops, we drove to beach where it was covered by cooler breeze and waves of low pressure into sea. There were clouds passing above sea like steam train yet release smoke and looking beyond to wonder is space and sea that never ends. Like my sis, I love my grandfather whom I wish for a healthy long life, but it disturbs me from his heart troubles. It was long time wish that exist today being alone with grandpa and grandma the place I loved almost. Beach is the only place I often visit and those times looking at children with grandparents it desires me in replacing them, but it was too late I have grown and situation not left to play. It was there occupation that never gives opportunity for entertaining in those days. Today they are occupied with television and resting inside home, where they never moves out unnecessary; and I feel it is necessary for them to come out for a change and enjoy what they forget in life.

My grandparent's

I am more interest having both of them with us and taking care to give trouble free life, but they are not willing to move from the place they lived almost there lives. The evening was beautiful for me, is the weather to add the platform of beach paradise and grandparents to give company. I will always looking for such circumstance to come often and you dear friends pls wish me for that.

A pet tag

Dear Anya tagged me just for a play. She is someone very sweet to tag me into this game and she has a beautiful cat named Kareltje, and her blog is almost about her pet and none can beat her in receiving awards from friends. Anya had brought her pet Kareltje’s picture on her tag post, so I thought to break the rules so that similarly I can also post our pet maya’s picture.

Thought the rules are to open your photo folder and select the 6th folder, and then select the 6th photo in that folder and post that photo along with the story behind it on your blog and tag 5 people.

The picture above is maya. The time I shoot this picture was about 8pm on a rainy day and u may think what her position stands for?

One thing I haven’t said before was, maya was a superb hunter of ants. Now u may know for what she is waiting near the door. Sometime ants used to enter our home in-between the gap of door and she would wait for them to arrive to catch and eat. One day a leech entered through the gap and maya seen it and started to bark aloud and before she catch we drew her away. From then on, she used to keep her face down near the door, so that she could catch anything that comes. But something opposite to that happened to her recently and what it was a leech had been biting her leg for sometime when we were in kodai and we only saw it later bleeding. Even couple of our family members got sucked by the leeches when we visited a pine forest.

Trial Period

Our puppy Maya wasn’t well for last two weeks and was going through heat (oestrus cycle) and kept bleeding. It’s a normal thing for any female dog to experience it twice a year, but Maya was not supposed to have it since her uterus was removed in 2014. But even after the surgery she had bleeding sometime and when inquired the vet, he said it’s perhaps due to production of ovum she continue to have the heat. So it didn’t matter us then and it doesn’t last than a week. But now it wasn’t the same and she continue to bleed for more than 15 days and it wasn’t red in color, but turns brown, yellow and white lately. Without delay we showed her to the vet and he gave antibiotic and tablets to stop bleeding but it didn’t help much and even injections couldn’t obey. He was sure it was infection since all other symptoms shows her normal… and she was active as well.

Picture was shot during my travel to Cloud mountain

But since we aren’t content with his treatment we showed her to another vet and on his advice, scan was taken on Thursday and it revealed that the uterus wasn’t completely removed and some parts continue to stay within her and that’s giving trouble now. She got sever infection now and pus has formed and that’s what continue to exit. Glad the infection doesn’t spread to the kidney but still we need to wait and see any improvement on her stage before going for blood test. The doctor has suggested that removing the remaining parts of the uterus could be the only solution for her to remain healthy and peace. Maya is 9 years old now and going for another surgery doesn’t sound bad though there isn’t an option if she wants to be stay happy.

The situation wasn’t bad for her alone but also for us, who has to go through the odour and making certain things are clean around all the time.  Mom has to keep checking her and clean the places she moves, even though we placed cloth at where she lies. It was indeed difficult time for us and was it coincides or not, I was glad for the decision of purchasing an air purifier last month keeping our puppy in mind. The Philips air purifier doing an amazing job right now (not because it was purchased from amazon) and with advanced HEPA (Nano) and carbon filters we experience odourless sleep during the night and breathe healthy air. I could obviously see and feel the differences before and after air purifier and I think now, I should have gone for this earlier. But it’s better late than never. Hope things will be normal soon and Maya stays healthy and happy along with us. 

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Upset with Maya

For past two weeks, our pet dog Maya isn’t well and it’s been a week she had ate any and vomits whatever she takes in oral.  In September she had a severe wheezing and cough and was taken for x-ray and blood test revealed fluid in lungs and a bulge heart. Later she turned normal but couldn’t say she recovered fully. The one thing that always trouble us with her is she never take medicine easily and we use to apply tricks to let her pick the medicine or hide tablets in sweets and chocolates but this time we quite failed to do it either ways which perhaps led to a serious effect and kidney fault. We consulted the .vet when she refuses to eat or ate less and then a scan was took regard the signs, which exposed a gel like substance in the gallbladder but the dog refused to take a pill  and the injections also didn’t respond well. So the vet suggested taking her for a complete exam at the government veterinary hospital in Vepery, popular for treating animals. The amount for treatment is also considerably less at the veterinary hospital compared to pvt. clinics.

Maya look so tired sitting on the sofa

Again another round of scanning and blood tests confirms kidney fault in Maya, but this time she quit eating and was forced to put on DRIP as she turned weaker. For about a week she had been taken to the vet hospital for Drips, where medicine is injected as well and a blood test would be taken next week for further treatment. We really worry about her condition and she looks so pity now and had lost much weight and lie down sadly all the time. Last night she was vomiting for every two hours and mom had to wake up all night cleaning and comforting her. Though kidney fault had identified I see the gallbladder should be responsible for preventing her eating or digest the food. But we all hope she recovers and with that hope we bear all the difficulties. Though she’s almost 12 years old we hope for the best.

Threatening moments

I wake up to mom calling ‘maya maya’ in unusual hurry tone, from which I aware that our pet dog is creating some trouble outside and she also calling my brother to come out immediately. I only thought then that our pet might run out of the gate and some stray dogs chasing her or she may run chasing them, which is the situation many a time with her in case of unchained when outside the home. But things were different this time and she was running within our house compound walls chasing a cobra that came into ours. We have no idea where the cobra came from, but the garbage collectors were said to see the snake entering our house from the roadside.

Encountering snakes aren’t new for us, as we have seen snakes in our early apartment area and the people resides here have also seen snakes many a time around. The open ground behind our house with number of trees and a broken workshop, could be nothing that a better hideout for snakes and only a 7 feet wall protects anything enter our compound. The heavy rain and wind lasted few days back, broke our water pipe from the over tank and only a day latter it was fixed by plumber, mom when to check if it was ok this morning, was followed by our pet who found the snake got chased. She was trying to bite the snake tail while pursing around, for which it protests by hissing and few strike attempts before tough climbing the wall  and crawled though a Neem tree to a safe high.

It was exciting and adventure for us this morning and the story still spreads from one another, Maya becomes heroin by her daring act against the snake. Lol!  There’s another terrific story to share with u here, was as never like before, a lightening stroke very close to our house on Wednesday evening results in killing our LED TV. There was heavy thunderstorm in our area that evening, but a lightening came very first without warning had a loud blast and threaten to cease heart beats… which was the situation lasted for half an hour. Our pet also exposed to frustration for the loud cracks and it was like thousand fluorescent lamp blink at a time, and along with it the transformer also celebrated a pre-Diwali producing sparkles.

We once again tuned to our free television set, provided by government, until the Led TV is back after its major transformation of motherboard. It was a situation similar to 2009, when our CRT TV shutdown, we went on watching programs on govt.’s free color television for a year before bought the LED… it was too exactly on the season of Navarathiri. Even we used set top box for cable television, the lightening took the life of our led TV and there were number of TV sets in our area lose to the lightening. We are always cautious and switch off television and unplug wires when there was thunderstorms, but it fall quite unexpectedly and it is our fault indeed.

         Not to forget, the cyclone Phailin is on its way ready to sweep the coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in hours… let all hope and wishes there wasn’t much damage to our neighboring states. The cyclone is expected to be very strong storm, where experts guessing the wind could touch 240 km per hour when it landfall between Odisha and AP… the tides could rise up to 3.5 meters and rush 600 ms in land. 

Maya’s new avatar

She got her hair cut last week and looks cute and different now. She didn’t allow cutting the hair on her face, so it turned her appearance and look into different style.

After the hair cut she got cotton candy like fur and I love caressing her these days and she also improved in her behavior, but still the mischievous and stubbornness bitch.

With a body like young goat and the left over beard now inspires me to call her again as aatu kutti (goat kid). Sometimes back dad passed my wheels on her tail and from then whoever pulls my wheels she used to hide somewhere and it’s one of her weakness now for us to take advantage while she behaves arrogance. But she never fears when I drive on wheels and she trusts me that I won’t strike her and always sleep beside my wheels in hope and safe.

Gonna miss you, Achu!

Just a year back Achu’s family shifted to the house behind us (as we reside in row house) and within a couple of months we become familiar and friends later. Though Achu become my best friend, I really wonder how I miss writing or sharing photos (except on Instagram) of him here, but I think we become too close to write something specific about him and he was there even at times unexpected. He’s very special to me in many ways and he’s someone always knock at the door with pristine love and he becomes so attached to me only lately but now he’s supposed to move on L

Achu’s father was transferred to Bangalore and he will be leaving us in a week or some time. For about a year I have been watching him (and now he’s 2 ½ age), he’s been growing though best parenting I could say for sure. He’s very quiet and approach things at easy and patience. I really amaze at his attitude even at this little age, which is indeed comes from his parents who has been friendly and down to earth. He never took anything from others and even as friends he refuses to take anything from us unless showing it to his mom and we never discouraged him on this front.

His parent’s trust us, as well as Achu agree to be carried away only by mom. He developed an attachment very soon with mom and even our puppy Maya become familiar with his sounds and smell; almost maintain silence whenever he enters our home freely.  We even unlock the little gate when Maya is tied so that he don’t find difficult in opening and  he is fearless coming close to Maya and she’s also forceless. Achu is a great observer and watches things patiently and try to apply it through his innocent pace. Even my relative’s kids who has the rights to call me mama (uncle) doesn’t calling or visiting me but each time he utter the word,  with sheer innocent, I quite feel connected and content. I actually feel Achu’s approach fills the crave for a kid at home and we treat him as our own kid and he keeps calling mom (as grandma) and take her to his house and ask to sit-down.

The entire scene used to be sweet and his parents watch his attitude with admiration, and if my wheelchair ramp is laid at the doorstep he call me to come down to play with him. He likes seeing me coming up/down the ramp (and he calls this swwing, the sound of sliding) and then he used to bring his cycle and try the same. He note how I put into the wheelchair and how footrest and board is placed and try to do same. He likes bison (Indian guar) which he had seen during his trip to Valparai and he wants me to show bison on laptop and leaning on me he keeps asking for other animals and birds. The way he takes rights on me truly make me feel happy and thinking now, that he will be away soon I would really miss him, as well as my family.

On  his  little bike

His innocent giggle, smile and cry for silly things make me watch light-hearted. And something very sweet about his cry was he sound like a newly born.  Absolutely he’s a gifted child and I am really glad to share his giftedness though their stay as next door resident. Like I said above, Achu’s parents are very friendly and used to share their happiness and grief with us and only because of their pressure (to the landlords) a ramp was built in front of the house to prevent water entering the house. It was an unexpected move even for them and they too feel unhappy for gonna be parted. I know nothing is stable in this world; and this move too will have something better for both. Let’s hope. 

Achu's  sketching around mom's kolam

Pets, need or not?

There is a talk show (Neeya Naana) in TV on every Sunday, which takes a topic weekly and discuss. It’s one of an interesting and best known show telecast in television, and last Sunday the debate was about those who want pets and those don’t want, argued with a reason.

What made the show special was the debate that’s very similar to what is happening in our very home and those opposed to have pets expressed what’s in my mind and recorded their voice in our means. Whoever followed the show would truly agree that whatever kept against having pets causes a lot of trouble which much isn’t cared by the pet owners and their only wish is to have pets! Being a pet home come person, I hit the very trouble everyday from her (Maya) and not alone I; even my parents and visitors get disturbed from the prime reason as barking at everything. In case there is cat or lizard on the wall, we can’t stop her from barking until they are driven away and most of all she never shut her mouth if a child is visiting home. And because of this, no child in the apartment comes near our home and just takes the backyard route to reach their homes, which is adjacent to our block.

Just like everyone, I love kids and there are many kids in our apartment, and since the scare of maya we miss the joy of children at our doorstep. When maya was pup, all the children would gather at our home in amaze and to play with her and much before, the children used to visit our home to play with our visiting uncles kids.

Except very few, no one could cross our home with no bark from her when she is tied to the gate and many of them pass in hesitation whether the dog is tied or not nor gate closed. I quite realize what we cause is a state of fear and interrupting their independence to move freely in their own apartment and creating noise. I feel so bad of the situation that I couldn’t do anything to stop this cause that create by our pet, except expressing my distress and oppose to have pet in such circumstance esp. in an apartment. The bro who brought the dog home and refused to give back and not realizing the situation, ignores the opponent and I would say the people in our apartment are very nice to not to complain about the dog and the immense noise.

Just being four of us, we can’t leave the pet anywhere and it never stayed without us, esp. she needs mom and for me there isn’t a travel without both my parents and we need to think a lot before going out anywhere and the bro who is lately ignoring in taking care of the dog, adds burden to mom’s work, but he don’t want to give the pet. Sometimes I get irritate and anger because of such irresponsible people like him, where I see many in the talk show, who don’t seems like giving much importance to mans feeling and just concern at their passion and love on dogs. There were many in the show blamed the people for being scare or not liking dogs attitude. I wonder how few people could be unmindful about others feeling and only showcase their desire for dogs.

Having pets might cause happiness and give satisfaction to mind and act as a close associate, but overall have a pet isn’t a easy thing and we need to sacrifice a lot in maintaining and taking care of their needs and being sure about others security . Having pets isn’t wrong and I’m never against it since having one in home, but we need a right situation to console everyone from causing crisis. For example ‘we are not in a situation to have a pet, as my parents are not capable of handling even myself, the dog has come as a burden to them and pets are something interesting, fun and loving only when we’re enough to handle the situation and relax to spend time and take care of them.

Not every wish get exist or completed! So wish to have pets quite depends on situation and its unfavorable for a family alike us, that’s not well enough to support a life physical and someone who’s truly depend on their parents who can’t sustain much. More than thinking about myself I always think about others and never what to give any trouble to anybody, but still I can’t bear it since I’m supported by someone, which might cause trouble to them. Again I like to say, having pets isn’t wrong and those love to have pets should think a lot and discuss with others such as house members, neighbors (if those in apartment should think serious about the crisis and almost try to avoid having pets) and close relations those visit often.

I think those go for dogs aboard or the fair ones are particularly just for show and those who are totally in love and passion for dogs could easily go on anything from country dogs. I wonder how many of them still have and go for the famous country breed Rajapalaiam! This is something shows people are more interested on fair breeds, and I don’t say it is wrong, but seeing dogs as a display dolls and just for amusement alone should change and if we treat and feed dogs rightly they are our best friends and if we train properly they are our lifesavers. The intention of having dogs should be love and reliable and not causing trouble!

Dog-tired Maya

Our pet dog Maya isn’t well for last few weeks and she looks exhausted all the time. She restrain herself from regular activities and was not even barking what she regularly do with house maid, guest, my therapist, insects… and started to wheeze after going through a medical check-up at govt. veterinary hospital. She did have wheezing problem already and if she barks intensely she experience cough and pursue wheezing which would take some time to settle or need some medication. We do remember she’s already aged 11 ½ and perhaps this should be age related despite her unchanged attitudes. She was injected medicine and put on drips for some time at the hospital and they took blood test and x-ray to examine her condition but once at home she started to wheeze immensely so she was took to the regular veterinary clinic where an immediate x-ray revealed congested lungs and swelling at a part of the heart. Dr injected her again after seeing the x-ray and next day she was taken to hospital and to get blood test report but gladly nothing alarming was defined instead a slight injury at intestine which caused the infection. She’s doing well and improving much right away and slowly backing to normal and barking her regular way but not that louder or energetic to make feel normal.

Picture shot from our vacation this year at uncle's woodhouse in mountains

Maya was brought up like a kid in our family and for last 11 ½ years she travelled all our lives through many up and downs and seldom departs us at few road trips. So it wasn’t easy to see her suffer, though we understand that we can’t expect her to be like earlier and her energy level and level of activities will strike as she almost lived her life. I hope and wish her further stay with us is at peace and happiness as long her destiny.

Listen to noise of rock - Irachal Parai Falls, Valparai

Perfectly titled for a waterfall that makes noise of rock, called Irachal Parai (an adaptation of two Tamil words meant noise and rock) is one of natural paradise of Valparai, in Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu. 7km from Valparai town, Irachal Parai Falls lies very close to the popular Balaji Temple in Valparai on the base of Akkamalai (Grass Hills).

The water to the falls is originates from the springs in the Grass Hills (which is called the green carpet of Tamil Nadu) is source to perennial Nadumalai River, which flows through Valparai and also quench thirst the town people. The waterfall lies inside the Pachamalai Tea Estate and on the edge of dense forest, is allowed to visit on the permission of the tea estate management. The estate’s tea factory is where one could get permission, which is also on the left-hand side of the road that leads to falls.

Thanks to our relative who guided us there and also a resident of Valparai, had hesitated first in contacting the manager but glad he did it for us, if not we couldn’t have got a delightful opportunity getting our eyes treated in green and snow-white waterfall. Throughout the way was almost pretty shimmering in green and once crossed the check dam (that stores the water and sent it through the pipe for drinking purpose of town); the waterfall get into our sight amid lush green tea plantation and oak trees.

The road was narrow and partially tarred, took us windingly to a newly constructed bridge across the creek where we stopped the car and enjoyed the sights of waterfall. The place was quite silent except for the noise of rock, even the quantity of water was less makes a nice fall. It is not advice to visit this place alone because of its frequent visit by wild animals from the nearby Shola forest. An old man we met there said, even a week early to our visit, a herd of elephant had broke down the estate’s bus shelter there.

The climate was cool and water was pristine to make visible underwater creek, I enjoy the view from the bridge while others get down wetting their foot in cold creek. The most excited was our pet (Maya), who shows curious drinking water from creek. Generally, she holds affair for getting wet in water rather hate taking bath at home, was eager to enjoy in water but only we didn't allow her to do so. After sometime we find four boys come down the other side, showing their bare body was evident of their relish showered from fresh waterfalls.

Maya drinking water in creek and mom holding her from getting into water; grandfather watching them from behind.

It seems one really needs daring to take bath in this waterfall with sliding rocks around and during its full fledge its highly dangerous… this waterfall and river is prohibited from taking bath because of its drinking water purpose of the town. The water flow as stream here, make lovely pools near the check dam and mound of tea plantations around create scenic pictures. Down from the check-dam, the Karumalai Church got my attention.  The pretty white church stands between tea plantations, on the hill other side wasn't clearly visible for photos and to get there we really need to make way through steps (will post few picture of the church later).

Cat and Dog Relaxing Together

There’s a thought generally that dogs and cats don’t come or go together and making it approve I haven’t seen them roaming together and at same time not dog chasing a cat. But I don’t want to take what’s happening with house dogs alike our puppy Maya who don’t like cats and not only cats, she also chase other dogs when seeing them. Just having her as example I couldn’t come to a conclusion. But breaking the general thought I come to a scene where one of our stray/street dogs and cat lay side-by-side in front of our house.

I shot the scene right outside my doorstep, with the dog on the left and cat at the opposite relaxing under the Neem tree while facing each other. I’m seeing both of them for some time now and there’s no wonder they decide to take rest together, because both are very patient animals and ever hurt anybody intently. But the dog has bitten a boy lately when he went close to her cubs just to take a ball! I think it is a precaution any animals or birds used to take. And the cat has almost become our house cat as he always lazy around and sleeps mostly on the portico.

Even if we touch he used to keep quiet and unlike the former cat, which we have no idea where it gone, that used to make noise and keep disturbing the Maya. This cat comes only when mom cleans fishes and sits quiet and eats away what has been left. The dog on the right has given birth up to 7 pups lately and all were cute enough and brown in colors. Some were taken by the people to grow and others were still roaming around and a family seem to protect them at next street. I have only few photos on them and will post later… 

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

A week with cousins

The days go by obvious is a change is need and learning process that never ends; even I get nothing to think serious and enjoying with cousins. These guys never give me chance to be usual and just want me to share there space and time. As I love this move, I keep everything next to them and I know everyone have there business to do and it’s a brief occupation that comes occasionally. Being away in time spent on computer and reading, I balance a pleasure between us depend on there moods which don’t stay with a thing for long and get bored soon, and I ask often what can we do next. They are more fascinated on dogs; and even a Google could get tired but not there searching ends. Sometime I even want to scold them for been irritating me talking about dogs and the younger one was scare about dogs, but he talks much and goes on tears often clashing with his brother and he keeps a distance from Maya and uses the chance to hold her chain to make everyone know he is not fear, but it becomes illusion at next minute Maya behaves mischievous.

One night we went to beach, wandered through chitchats after some long time, tasting something spice from a sea front shop. I was warned by dad, but goodness it does nothing to me. The southeast wind began to blow is an addition to the pleasure wanted me to spend the afternoon and nights outside home by playing cards, carom and extending our chat beyond the cool breeze. These guys often make fun by teasing each other, and i manage to make them calm, but yesterday it went beyond our control. It all begins the day game boy was brought and trouble starts by who plays it often. Both of them held each other and decide to apart, but none want to leave me, so either had went to granny’s place to come next day leaving me alone today. I do tell these guys made my days these days and helped in many way with my activities and exercise; and not alone for that I wish both of them return calm early. This short separation wants me to claim that, even I can’t understand some well known people and how far these teens and kids are. How often could I learn and examine the misery without experiencing it as positive? Sometimes I do feel the relationships haven’t come for me and not at interest, but I can’t deny there wasn’t love and care. For whatever the reason they wish to stay with me, I greet them always and came to a state in late that I won’t urge anyone to stay with me.

We watched Slumdog Millionaire, and I do wonder what makes this film into Oscar, but there was something I view it tells the world, that practical experience teaches someone more and to see illiterate doesn’t less to anyone. There was something we amaze upon the areal view of dharavi. The childhood parts are funnier and felt how well they captured the face of India esp. the rag picking scene which still exist around our cities. I really loved the beginning and end, and I wish these types of movies comes more and more than fantasy, we need movies that capture the truth. What can we expect and enjoy in quality of sound and vision when watching it in local DVD!

:)

Last night dad missed his cell phone somewhere within home, so he dialed the number from another cell to find where it was. No were the ring tones, after sometime I felt the vibration sound and then everyone to search accordingly behind pillows, bed, shelves, around computer ect… but the place it lies been secret. We hear the buzz from left-hand side of the room, were closet, cot and pc table stable, and we know the sound come somewhere here and there. Just in searching maya barks, then slightly a doubt raise is she taken the cell somewhere. It always does this, whatever she got gets under inside the cot end and begin to bite, some days back too she took our cell and gone inside the cot and it stressed to bring her out. And every time someone bends to glance under cot she starts to bark, and this time too like, but it was not the cell found, just false idea. To dial again the buzz sound, where else it was suddenly thought to check the closet, open the doors it ring tones inside the drawer. It was laughter moment nearly to sleep and felt maya was innocent in this case. Her naughtiness going limitless these days and everything were shifted out of her stand, every night begins an argument on disagree with bro about her and turns away the talk end in sleep.

The picture was taken on Monday beach visit, it was four days of holiday here, first time a govt. holiday for Onam and Anna Durai’s century birthday. Sunday night uncle visits home for dinner and they had a function in morning of ear ring wearing for there kids I was not attending, so they came home and it was nice moments spent with kids, more smiles and pleasure.

Cottage Gate and Pet

One of the cottages gates in Kodaikanal, where we stayed during a visit.

The picture was shot on a morning hour before we move out on sightseeing the pristine mountains, leisurely.  Our pet dog Maya was also ready to accommodate us and I was outside shooting some photos around, and Maya’s present on this photo is unintended but I liked it later revealing. Anywhere I go, I chose to be outside rather taking rest inside the room and not only because I believe life begins outside the window, I was always attract to the environment more than the structure we stay inside.