What's in a Name.

Another post on my four legged friends. We take so much pains to name our children, just a word of advice to pet owners, - do put in the same amount of effort to name your pet as well, reason being they're stuck with that name for the rest of their lives. Not that they care, still wouldnt you want your pet to have a nice name!

We have a German Shepherd in my in laws place. We had to take him to the vet to get his shots and for some problem with the ear. R and i took him. R parked the car while i got Foster (the German Shepherd ) out and waited on the platform. Even before R could take the leash from me, he looked kinda shocked. I wasnt sure what i had done but R was looking else where. Turned around to see what he saw - outside the clinic was this humongous creature for a dog. It bore more resemblance to a bear though.

I handed over Foster to R. Went to the beary dog. She was on a leash, not that it was needed as i realised later, and the caretaker was sitting with her. My first question - does she bite. Thankfully not. She started playing, jumping and licking my hand. When she stood on all fours, she was upto my waist. I stand at 5'10 so you can imagine how tall this dog was. She was a pure bred German Shepherd. It was evident. Each of her legs were like tree trunks and she was needless to say huge!!

She was extremely friendly though on first glance anyone would have retreated a couple of steps. Like i had earlier mentioned she was just one huge teddy bear. I struck up a conversation with the caretaker. Including the dialogue verbatim so you can figure out how many watts the bulb on my head should have shone!

From the beginning, here goes:

A : Kadikuma (Does she bite)

Caretaker: Kadikadhu Ma...ana romba vaalu so gudhikalam ( She wont bite but she is naughty so she may jump)

A: Whistle whistle. Chamathu kutti. Enna vayasu achu. (Good girl. How old is she?)

Caretaker : 11

A: Ohhh you're 11 years. Irundhalum vaalavey irukiye. ( inspite of being 11 years, you're still naughty)

Caretaker: Ma..11 masam ma..11 varusham illai (ma she is 11 months not 11 years)

A: *Shocked* Ennnaa...11 masam dhana!!! (What...11 months only!!)

Caretaker: Ammam Madam (Yes Madam)

A: Enna sapadu kudukareenga. (What do you feed her). Veedu enge. (Where are you put up)

Caretaker: Chicken dhan ma sapdum. Veedu vandhu ECR le oru farm house., ( She eats only Chicken ma. House is on ECR ..its a farm house)

A: Hmmm...seri per enna..( Ok whats her name)

Caretaker: Kuttima!!

A: *Bulb bulb bulb* *Stutter Stammer cough* Enna Kuttima va!!! Idhukka!! (What kuttima..for this one)

Caretaker: *Chuckling*..ammam Madam ( Yes Madam)

A: Enga...nalla dhaney irundheenga...ivalo periya nai..yaravadhu kuttima nu kupada mudiyuma!!!..(You were alright nah. For such a big dog, would anyone name it Kuttima. Kutti meaning small)

Caretaker: Nan enna madam panna mudiyum..naana per vechen ( what can i do madam, did i name her?)

Never mind! I turned around to see R laughing at the super bulb that i got. I'm not one of those people who can disguise my expressions. If I'm shocked it would show on my face. Looking at my expression, both R and the caretaker had a pretty hearty laugh.

In my mind...this creature was the size of a full grown lion and she was stuck with a name called Kuttima, an oxymoron, for the rest of her life. And she was only 11 months old!!!

Can you imagine standing in a huge farmhouse. You whistle and call out "Kuttima come here". You would expect a Pomeranian or a rabbit to come jumping not a 50 Kg German Shepherd!!

Rising up to the Occasion!

Titles can be deceptive. This has nothing to do with any heroic event. Another of my Buddy's, lets just say not so pleasant experiences. Preferably not readable for children!

Buddy turns two years, next month. Having had quite a few dogs before, we've never really taken the trouble of getting them crossed. Perhaps since all our dogs have in some way or the other been crazy, the fear of seeing generations of craziness freaked us out. With Buddy we decided to take a chance. Those who know Buddy, personally, I can see the horror on your faces! He is a growing fella give him his space!

So Buddy turns two. Through some known folks in the veterinarian community, we found a mate. She was 5 years old and her name was Chocolate. Surprise Surprise - she was Chocolate Brown ;). Buddy was to be taken to her on Monday. Timing issues and it got postponed to Tuesday. Damn, i had taken trouble to give him that extra pat while grooming him. An extra puff of powder. I even put some lacto calamine on him so that he smelt good.

Tuesday arrived and with the evening Chocolate arrived. The act was to be performed in our house on the terrace. The option was some open ground in Adyar. No way was i going to allow that spectacle. Actually I'm thankful it was our terrace. Chocolate was taken up to the terrace with her master and a trainer. Buddy was taken as well by the chap who takes him for a walk, our version of trainer.

Buddy has this collar which I got him a month ago. It sort of warns us before he comes. With a half choke, the chain has this distinct chal chal sound as he runs. We sat anxiously watching TV. i heard a yelp and a squeal. I felt really bad for Chocolate. I was sure Buddy was at his worst behaviour. Within seconds, i heard the familiar chal chal and Buddy was back home literally cowering down. Following him was his trainer/walker. Buddy was petrified and had come running all the way back home. The yelping and squealing was not Chocolate, it was Buddy!!!

Chocolate's Master simply took her back home. Buddy looked ashamed and still a little freaked out. My justification - he is still a baby and he has all the time in the world. Maybe Chocolate growled at him! News spread fast and wide and everyone knew of Buddy's experience with adulthood. R cannot stop torturing me that this chap was useless and should be castrated - hah! you wish!!!!. He is a baby, he will grow up!

R chuckles - Buddy boy...you sure did not 'rise' up to the occasion. Pun intended.