Don't stop Retrievin'

We brought Alton, our Golden Retriever, home on February 14, 2014, when he was just 28 days old. He was the sweetest, the cutest little puppy I have ever seen. He would just drink milk and sleep all day.

We used to have a German Shephard earlier but he was already a year old when he first came home. So Alton was the first puppy experience, and boy, was it a lot of fun!

When he was around six months old, he picked up the habit of chewing all our slippers. His favourites were the branded ones too.

Our house is about 200 meters from the main road. Every single day, when I take a turn towards the house, he would start jumping up and down and let everyone know that I will reach soon.

He makes sure to greet me at the gate. I must say, it’s the best welcome anyone could possibly get.

My wife Ashwini wasn’t a fan of dogs; she was scared that they will bite her. But to her surprise, Alton was the sweetest and calmest dog she’s met. He would jump with excitement but she soon understood that it wasn’t to harm her.

She soon got accustomed to having him around that he’s become attached to her as well.

We took him for drives as often as he can. He loves car rides, but only in my car. He doesn’t get into anybody else’s car — he will start crying, scratching and backing off. Weirdly, he knew well enough to get into when we bought a new car.

We also have two cats at home — a three-year-old mother and six-month-old kitten.

Alton was very curious when the mother first came home. He would often go near her as if he wants her to accept him. She’s a little miss attitude though (laughs).

Now that the kitten is also part of the pack, we pour three bowls of milk for the fur balls.

The felines finish theirs first and run to have Alton’s share as well. Being the sweetheart that he is, he doesn’t push them away.

The best part about having pets at home is that you’ll get to experience unconditional love. Alton doesn’t eat if one of us isn’t home.

He will wait for us to be back — sometimes we will have to feed him.

He can’t express emotions like humans can but his actions towards everything we do and don’t do is just amazing. I guess it’s true — some angels choose fur instead of wings.

Vikram Narayan