GEJJE - A GREAT FEELING

if you are out of sight briefly. When it sees you again, it greets you as though it is meeting for the first time, jumping all over you.

by EnKay

How many people truly miss you? Maybe your wife, children, friends, probably someone you borrowed from. But there is one soul that misses you every moment and loves you unconditionally.

Guess who? Yes, you are correct. The tiny puppy you brought home some time back misses you, even

You cannot get that from anyone.

My daughter wanted to adopt a dog from a shelter, and she toured multiple centers in the town and shortlisted a few of them. Before finalizing, we all visited the adoption center and picked one with a combination of black, white, and brownish coats. She is a pretty active, well-behaved girl, so we brought her home. We called her

Gejje, which means - musical anklet.

On our way, we went shopping for Gejje. My daughter said we need at least two beds for her, one upstairs and one in the living room. Sure, she is my daughter and is always correct. She selected a couple of beds for Gejje to sleep in and all supplies, including poop bags, ‘dad, what do you think? We have $9 and $13 bags, which I should buy’.

Gejje brought back memories of another dog my mom adopted decades ago. My parents had constructed a new home, and we had just moved in. Maybe in a few days, we spotted a stray dog in front of the house one evening. He was a brown dog and looked very weak. The guy hung around for some time, and after we all finished our dinner, my mother took some leftover food and fed him, which is the most usual practice. He ate his food and disappeared.

The next day evening, around the same time, he appeared again. My mother told me to give him some food which I did. That night he did not leave after food. He lingered around. Our house was on a sizable plot, and he lay close to the gate where some shelter existed. And he stayed with us for the next ten years. My mother called him ‘Rama,’ and he loved her. I used to do a lot of work for him, like showering, taking him for a walk, and even sharing chocolates and biscuits, and he liked me. My mother used to say she would know I was coming at least one minute before I was home. She said Rama’s behavior would suddenly change, his tail would wag in a particular fashion, and he would make strange noises, very similar all the time, whenever he sensed my arrival.

But if my mother is around, his whole persona will change. He will smile ear to ear, behave most obediently, follows her instructions, and never care for anyone else. He stayed loyal to my mother for ten years before getting into a road accident. That was a sorrowful day for all of us.

Gajje is doing well, and I remember Rama whenever she comes rushing after missing me for some time. And it is a great feeling.