What I learnt from my dog

[Dudla]

My 11 year old pet Tinkerbell had to undergo a hysterectomy in 2017. Unfortunately, she didn't recover from the surgery, mainly, I felt, becasue she was too scared. The accusing look she would give me in the days after the surgery, I will never be able to forget.

On her last day, she just sat in the middle of the room, refusing to move or get up, and followed me with her eyes as I went about my morning activities quite unaware that there was something terribly wrong. When it was time to go to the vet for her injection, I picked her up and was shocked when she went all limp. During the two minute drive to the vet's clinic I kept willing her to keep up her strength. But when I picked her up again as we reached the clinic, she totally crumpled in my arms and I was fully aware of the exact moment when her soul left her body. It was as if she was only waiting to be held by me one last time before she crossed over.

Tinkerbell was my first pet and her death left me gutted. I have never grieved so deeply at the death of a person as I grieved Tinkerbell's death. Even today when I think of her last day, I am overcome by emotion.

So I began reflecting on what is it about our connection with a pet that we feel their loss so acutely? What I realized is that a dog (or maybe even other pets I'm not experienced enough) is the only being that loves us unconditionally. Human love in all its forms has some conditionality or expectation attached to it. Even a mother's love for her children has some expectation attached to it. But not a dog. They just adore you as you are. They expect nothing in return and care nothing for who you are, what you do or what you think.

As I progress on my spiritual journey, I recall Tinkerbell's unadulterated devotion and love for me and every day I strive to infuse more unconditional love in my relationships.

Om Shanti