Blame it on technological advancement. Age-old foes: the mouse, cat and dog endure forcible co-existence. One is handy, literally, the second remains hidden and the third right now is tracking every move I make.
Munna was my closest friend of all the mongrel pets our household has possessed over the years. The black and white Allauddin and other street dogs I’ve befriended have all been lovable but Rocky, currently my sole canine companion, is unique in many ways.
He sits quiet and expressionless in a corner now but Rocky might growl any moment in protest because I clubbed him with mongrels and street dogs. He is neither. His little feet have never touched the ground even at home, let alone on the street.
His golden coat looks clean, though he raises a hind leg occasionally to scratch himself vigorously. Could it be because bugs break through complex defences and annoy him?
I must rue that he cannot jump into my lap and give my face a thorough wash with his tongue. Though frisky, he does not chew up pillows and footwear or tug at my pant cuffs to demand to be taken out for a walk.
If he feels that most people around him ignore him, he is mistaken because whatever he does, Rocky is most amusing.
He cocks his head often, raises his ears, wags his tail, taps the ground with his paw, sniffs and blinks a lot, besides scratching himself. Once in a while, I suspect, the instinct to play guard dog seizes Rocky. He then sits with his back to me and scans the distance. At other times he makes digging motions at a little click from me. Similarly, he will not bark or emit little yelps unless I help him with the right connections.    
Amid all these positive features, Rocky leaves me unhappy on one count – I have to share him with millions of computer users worldwide. Also, Rocky is destined to remain a puppy all his life.
He will certainly not gang up with other canines and attack urchins. He will not need annual shots to protect him from rabies and distemper. I’ve found no need so far to carry him to the vet for de-worming and god forbid, to get him neutered. Who wouldn't love to have his puppies crawling all over the computer screen?