An Ode to Pixie

Pixie came into our life way back in 1996 as a birthday gift to my son Rohit. I used to work in an animal welfare organisation in Vadodara, when we got s call from a client saying that they wanted to give away puppies. So off I went with my colleague (who worked as an Inspector) to check on the puppies and the owners. When we entered the house 3 powerful and active Pomeranians ran to us. Apparently one was Pixie’s father, one Pixie’s mother and the other her aunt. We were taken into a room where 3 puppies were kept in a carton with a small fan to keep them cool. Vadodara is quite warm throughout the year. I just sat down on the floor when I saw the 3 adorable puppies.  I beckoned to them and one (which I picked up) jumped out of the carton and ran towards me. She was a female (while the other 2 were males), I swooped her and decided to take her home.

When I brought her home my parents were with me, my mother was an ardent animal (doggy lover-we always had a dog at home- Sheela, Danny, Priya, Toffee) while my father was a silent animal lover. When my son came home from school, he jumped with joy when he saw this small fluff of wool wagging her tail ran towards him. My husband Ravi was not too gung-ho and he did have his reasons. He stated 1) I work in an animal welfare organsisation the whole day-will I do justice in taking care of this little pixie? 2) If we need to travel who will take care of Pixie? I did agree with him, but did not want to give Pixie back and stated that we will handle these situations when required.  That is when friends like Neeta, my sister Uma and her family, Veena, Parul (though she is not very fond of animals), my neighbor Shilpa came to our rescue.

My mother was Pixie’s 1^st foster mother, she bathed, gave her Vydalin drops, brushed her and ensured that she was fed well. When my mother died in August 1996 I had to rush to Bengaluru. I left Pixie with Veena and family, I remember her ears were still floppy (not standing up) when I returned to Vadaodara, I found this excited pup with one ear managing to stand erect.

There are several instances which we will never forget thanks to Pixie. Her patience, love, kindness and the most obedient person.

She even turned Ravi around to love and adore her, so much so, when he went on his official tours, he would call to enquire if Pixie is fine, did she eat, dis she go for her walk etc. etc? Pixie also ensured that   she made people Pixie lover, if not dog lovers.

Every evening her routine was to wait for us to come back from work, Rohit from his school while she used to be the companion for my father who lived with us. She was a possessive and self-appointed care taker of my young niece Arundathi (who was then 3 years old).

One incident I will never forget is when we moved from Vadodara to Bengaluru, she flew with us. The airlines (Jet Airways I think) did not allow her to be checked in with us. So I had got a special cane basket made for her, slightly sedated her (so that she is not scared of being alone) and checked her in. We had to change flights in Mumbai so I sought special permission to go and check on her. When I opened the basket to feed her some water, she looked away and as probably angry with me. I tried to take her for a walk, trying to find a small piece of grass on the tarmac so that she could relieve herself. She refused to be walked. It was time for us to get on the flight from Mumbai to Bengaluru (perhaps a painful 1 hr. 20 minutes’ flight for both Pixie and I). Once we landed in Benagluru I rushed to bring her, placed her on the luggage trolley. She proudly sat there with full of glee (and perhaps forgave me instantly-since that was her nature).

She dies after living with us for over 14 years. Personally she taught me patience, thankfulness, kindness to name a few. I miss her a lot but have my brownies, whiteys and several other strays I meet every day.

Thank you Pixie for coming into our life. I will always miss you.