Some bonds in life do not need to express with words, they are felt deeply in the heart. One such bond in me is with my pet dog Golu, the white Pomeranian.He is not by my side anymore, but his presence still lives in my heart and memory. The beautiful moments we shared when he was alive, is what, will remain with me forever.
The day Golu arrived in our house remains one of the most unforgettable days in my life. He was a tiny bundle of fur standing hesitantly. With trembling legs and innocent eyes he looked around as if trying to understand his new world. He looked at me and sniffing the floor he came close to me. His fear turned into comfort and he wagged his tiny tail. I held him by my hands and realized that he had accepted our house as his home. Laughter, warmth and happiness entered our lives along with him. From that day onwards, our house was never the same, because Golu didn’t just arrived as a dog but he arrived as a family.
One of the strongest qualities of Golu was his loyalty. He followed me everywhere around the house. He never liked to stay away from me for a long, whether I was studying, resting or walking outside. When I returned home after a long day, his excitement knew no bounds. He jumped, wagged his tail and expressed his happiness in the sweetest way. This love made me valued and I felt the unconditional love of my dear little friend.
No alarm was needed to wake up me in the morning. Golu knew the time. His quiet padding of paws on the floor and the pause beside my bed and then the nudge. His nose lightly pressed on my arm was sufficient for me to understand, it was time for walk in the park.Whie walking, he would often halt and sniff at some insects, leaves and stones. His interest in small things amused me. I began to notice things which I ignored previously.
He was a constant witness to my life. He saw me at my best and also at my worst. At times when I felt low, he would sit close to me and looked at me as if saying, “dont worry. I am with you”Silence never was empty when he was nearby. I didn’t experience loneliness when parents were not present as he was ever present with me.
There were moments of joy, feeding him and watching the simple happiness in it. I enjoyed brushing his fur and calling his name and seeing his immediate response. “Golu ” was not just a name, but that meant safety and familiarity to both of us.
As he grew older, my care for him deepened.I noticed changes in me.My patience grew, so also my gentleness. Loving Golu taught me responsibility, empathy, and how strong a bond could be without words. My father became very happy and he told maa, “my gift of the puppy on Prateek’s 13 birthday had brought good changes on him”
Golu wasn’t my pet dog, but he was my quiet companion and my source of comfort. In his eyes I saw trust without question and loyalty without conditions. He knew my moods before I spoke. He celebrated my happiness with wagging tail and sitting close when the world felt heavy. He taught every day that love needed no words, but just presence and a shared heartbeat.
We both were growing together. I finished my graduation. I joined Infosys and did job there for two years. The time came for me to leave home to do my MBA at Hyderabad. Saying Goodbye to parents and Golu was the hardest part of leaving. Parents understood but how could I made Golu understand my degrees and destinations.As I knelt beside him he first looked at my bags. His familiar eyes searched my face, full of trust and quiet questions. I assured him that the good bye was not the end, but only a pause.
After one year I heard the heartbreaking news of Golu’s tragic death. He was outside on the road while a drunk driver crushed him.The lesson I was learning in classrooms had already been taught me at home by Golu, loyalty, patience, resilience and unconditional love.
Golu is no more, but the bond we shared remains untouched by time and distance. His love shaped me, comforted me and will continue to guide me as I move forward. I carry him with me, not in my arms but in my heart.
