Saw two movies- The Ugly Truth (gerlad Butler!!!!!!) and Marley & Me. And the movie of the day is –Marley & Me…simple movie, and Marley has touched my heart. Marley, the wild wild dog that would have scared the hell out of me-if I were to face him in real…off-screen..
Well, I am not so much of a ‘dog-hater’. I would stay a good 10 feet away from any dog that cross my path. I am pretty scared of dogs….well, it’s a story that dates back to a misty morning of some month in the year 19xx, when I was a school-going kid- who had to fulfill the duty as a PA to her grandfather. On a weekend, when I was relishing the last few hours in my cozy bed, I was woken up by my boss-my granpa, and was asked to go fetch-Paappchan, the man who taps our rubber trees. I woke up- muttering things I couldn’t tell on his face & left the house in a hurry.As I neared his house- picked up speed and started running. I felt light steps behind me and saw him…a dog, his tongue out and legs-much faster than mine. Before I put forth my next step, I let out a scream- one that echoed till my home…and started running, faster- cursing the dog, Pappachan, granpa, my fate….The chase was almost coming to an end- I could feel the dog’s breath on my leg and all I could think of was a ‘blood stained Me’- fighting, to let go off the animal’s claw. Yes, it had caught hold on my frock-my beautiful black frock- and where would the next bite land!!! I kept screaming and more footsteps and voices- felt the hold on my frock release. I was free……god…no blood, am not hurt- yeah my throat did hurt from the screams…The dogs owner apologized and I remember-staring at her so hard that she stopped apologizing. I started walking to Pappachans house, woke him up. News travels faster than fire and so did my scream. At home, I was inspected for wounds. There was a scratch on my foot, one that was definitely not the work of the animal. Yet I was taken to hospital- & injected!!! Since then,I can never remember me being nice to dogs, or vice versa.
I always stay-away from dogs. If I see a dog coming towards me, I would cross the road. I am scared to go out on walks as I am scared of stray dogs. My friends-who know my phobia of dogs-, would play with stray dogs- to taunt me. Things change, don’t they? I met Pluto, my buddy Ashu’s dog. The first time Pluto came running to me, well, I did not scream- but was terribly scared. I shuddered at each barks, got petrified -having him around. I got used to his presence under the same roof- and started being friends with him. I was no more scared of Pluto. It’s Pluto who made me think of the positives of having a dog. Back to Marley & Me… it’s a wonderful movie for all dog lovers. Wont it be nice to share your roof with someone-who would love you unconditionally, who would wait for you-however late you may get, one who wouldn't complain and would listen to all your stupid talks and would never interrupt???
Well, I think it would be wonderful to have a dog. A buddy who can always be trusted. Now I guess, I should stop getting scared of other dogs as well!!!
