Doggy Lessons

Noticed how a Pack of Dogs chase boys on fast cycles? Extremely aggressive, focused and 'this-is-the-end-of-world' attitude. But they slow down, stop barking and take a quick U-turn as soon as they reach the end of their territory (end of a road, typically). An invisible line sends them back. Survival strategies.. :-)

Mud on your Nose

Google Images

Reading Peanuts reminds me of my first flappy-eared friend. He was phenomenally smart and perpetually hungry. We'd cleverly drop a biscuit into one of the dozen flower pots when he was sleeping or looking elsewhere and then shout 'FETCH!!' with a straight face.

He'd get up in a jiffy, his eyes popping out, and run over to the pots, sniffing hard. Every pot was sniffed from all directions, sending some hibernating lizards scooting all over the place in the process (the only thing I didn't like about our game). Our flappy-eared friend meanwhile would intensely focus on finding the biscuit and inevitably find it soon. He'd munch on it or rather gobble it down and look up to see if we would say 'Fetch' again. We'd giggle and guffaw. He probably imagined it was because we were proud he had found the biscuit. Little did the fella know it was because of all the wet mud smeared on his nose. (Evil us)

PS: Obviously, our game left us soon with half-broken flower pots much to the dismay of the elders of the house.

Peanuts by Charles Schultz - Google Images

Android Animal App

Check this page for more info and some cute pictures.  

I'd have loved Pandas, Dolphins, and more Birds to be included in the list. And don't remind me of today's date please, for all you know this may even come true in a few years' time. Go Google!

(Bow) Wow! Wag Wag...

I've seen this list plenty of times but it never fails to bring a wide smile to my face and cheer to my heart every single time I come across it.


A dog teaches us a lot of things, but we never seem to take notice. These are some of the lessons you might learn… (My favorites in blue) (Courtesy: http://www.pravstalk.com/)

· When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

· Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

· Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

· When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.

· Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.

· Take naps and stretch before rising.

· Run romp and play daily.

· Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

· Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.

· On warm days stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.

· When you’re happy dance around and wag your entire body.

· No matter how often you’re scolded don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout. Run right back and make friends.

· Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

· Eat with gusto and enthusiasm, stop when you have had enough.

· Be loyal.

· Never pretend to be something you’re not.

· If what you want lies buried dig until you find it.

· When someone is having a bad day be silent, sit close by… and nuzzle them gently.

Bow-led by Nonsense

Haww. I wrote a pretty sober and 'important' post on my office blog earlier today. Wondering if it'll be nice to make up for all the strain by babbling about something lighter on this obviously much-abused blog. If Aa..ha! had a mouth, it would cry aloud (and cry its heart out, if it had a heart) and ask to be adopted by some nice soul, if there are any left in this nasty world. Funny....just realized that the description of this blog reads "This blog's soul...". So, Aa..ha! does have a soul if not a mouth and a heart! Ha ha ha! Somewhat wickedly poetic, eh? Talking of wickedness, here's what I did this evening....it suddenly occurred to me that it would be a good idea to have a quick chat with the doggy at home about this blog and its soul (topics). So I went over and fired my questions in quick succession.

Me: What do you think about Life?

J (Doggy): Supplies me with a silent and empty stare.

Me: What do you think about Spirituality?

J: Retains the silent and empty stare and cocks his head to one side.

Me: What do you think about Knowledge Management?

J: Shakes his stare off and turns his head away from me.

Me: What do you think about Nonsense?

J: Supplies me with a distinct "Bow wow"!

So, that was that. Interesting and intriguing interview, what? Every dog has its day. Going by this interview, it seems like every blog, too, has its day!

PS: Hey, most of the stuff above is made up except perhaps the bit about being supplied with a silent and empty stare. But I am sure this is exactly what would happen if I were to attempt to conduct this interview when J is in a more receptive mood.

Docs and Ducks....Promises Fireworks! ;-)

Time for a "nonsensical" post. They charge me up...these so-called nonsensical posts!! :-) So, here goes. Just wondering.....would Vets who are brought sick ducks to be cured, lose their temper very soon? That is, the minute the duck decides that its voice ought to be heard by the doc? ;-)

When the doc meets the ducks....
(Beware...!)
(Because)...there may be a lot of fireworks....!
Even if the duck spends many a buck...
It may soon run out of luck....!
For a duck has to say something to the doc...
And what else can a poor duck say other than "Quack"?

(How to) Make a Dash for it....

Dashchunds making a dash for it. :-) How cute, eh? Inspires me to imagine....and attach a meaning to the picture. PS: pic sourced from here

- Discover what you want from life

- Pump in all the energy and enthusiasm you can and make a dash for it, but be careful not to run down others on your way ;-)

- Be positive and confident and put that grin or smile on your face as you run down the track (Avoid looking at others and just go your way ;-))

The Long and Short of it All :D

Talking of laughter (previous post) reminds me of two things that don't fail to gift me this wonderful....well...solution. Plum's wonderful work and a special Dachshund's character and misadventures (episodes of which have been featured before on this blog ). And I knew of the connection between the two laughter generators quite some time ago. Plum was a dog lover, perhaps with a soft corner for Dachshunds in particular for he had one. And....to my pleasant surprise, as a proof of this connection, I recently discovered this wonderful pic (reproduced below) on a blog devoted to Dachshunds! Wow! :-) How cute! Go here to read the full post. And hey, I must add that they've thought of the most appropriate name for the blog - The Long and Short of it All ! :D Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. LoL

The World's Best Acrobat

Time for another "pet" story. It's been a loooong time since I indulged in narrating a story about such 'small' but unequalled joys of the world. The VIP at home - my doggy - was enjoying the evening breeze just outside the main door and seemed to be getting into some sort of a trance (though, if asked, he might like to call it divine meditation). The door was open and the fella knew he was not encouraged to enter for he had the tendency to destroy all objects he found interesting and amenable for destruction. I decided to conduct an instant meeting with the chap, on an impulse, and went over to the door, bent down, patted and tickled his head for a while and then babbled everything I could think of, into his ears. He listened with part amusement, part suspicion and part ridicule. After a while, I decided to get back to my "Things to do" list lest my doggy return my favour in cash or kind. So, after emitting a sigh of satisfaction about a job I thought was very well executed (I rarely have problems with tickling and babbling), I started walking back in my room's direction albeit lazily.

The next moment, the world came to an end....or so I thought. I vaguely realized something was whizzing past me at break-neck speed and into my room. If you're somewhat smart you'd have surely realized the nature of the whizzing entity described herein. (Wo)man's best friend. Full marks. To you and to the world's best acrobat who happens to be a part of my family. He went into my room and picked up the door mat and flung it high in the air - directed at the ceiling for the door mat couldn't possibly go through it - and it landed in the middle of my room. Meanwhile I was shaking from head to toe wondering whether I'd be run down beyond recognition. Even as I tried an escape route into the kitchen to avoid going through experiences that roads are subjected to when being tarred, the world's best acrobat rushed back to the main door and then followed it up with two additional runs in the same route and in the same style. The door mat, luckily, was left alone after its first shocking and unexpected engagement with the gravitational forces of earth. If you believed that all I did was just escape into the kitchen, you are way behind in terms of common sense. Of course, I also shrieked my head off which contributed to the quick ending of the wonderful acrobat's performance.

When the acrobatics subsided and came to a stop at the main door after a few seconds, I approached the world's best acrobat with the strangest mix of emotions - confusion, respect, anger and ideas for improvement. Even as I shook like a feather caught amidst a combination of a hurricane and a typhoon, I gently held the main door (more because my grip had weakened than because of love for the door) and told the hero of the story what I exactly thought of him. To his credit though, he seemed to have performed such heroics as a gesture of gratitude in response to my flawless performance in the recently described 'meeting at the main door'. So, he was probably expecting another meeting involving petting, tickling and babbling and was justifiably surprised at the lack of appreciation. So, as I warned him about the consequences of a repeat performance, he raised a confused eyebrow (or should I say eye?) and looked away perplexed. I don't know if I am reading between the lines but his expression seemed to suggest that he did not understand why humans are so mad, stupid and illogical (ok, you can change 'humans' to a reference to just yours truly, if you are a stickler for accuracy). Anyway, before I recovered completely and decided to make up for the lack of appreciation and encourage him to continue his energetic performances but in a more controlled and predictable manner, he made a move and decided to bark at the dogs on the road.....

When I shared this with one of my friends, she looked at the whole thing from the other's perspective (obviously, I am not so important) and exclaimed that humans do not have the energy and enthusiasm to match that of animals. So true!!! Sad for them, eh? Sigh.

T.I.G.E.R.R.R.R

Thanks to my blog-friend here :-) I ran into this wonderful YouTube video on her blog and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you love Tigers, you simply should not miss this one. Ooooooh! What magnificent creatures, what charm, what beauty!!! Aaahhhh! Tigers are simply marvellous! I can watch them for many hours, I really can!

Speaking of which, this (the third photo) is one of those photographs that people would find hard to believe I clicked - one I am therefore quite proud of. I happened to come across this chap when I'd been to a nearby forest and I promptly (and politely) requested him to pose for a snap and he obliged with an ambiguous roar. The way he settled down into a perfect posture, you'd be surprised why he isn't a common sight in movies that involve wild-life. Thinking thus, I clicked away, shook his dirty paw with gratitude and also contemplated asking for a pally-pally snap together but finally decided against it as I have no right to create a dent in his reputation. (Those of you who can't stand such nonsense, very quickly, before you get violent....this chap can be found in the Mysore Zoo...don't tell him I told you....he doesn't like too many visitors)

Are you OOF or WOOF?

I made up something during an idle conversation with a friend, yesterday. A wise-crack, people sometimes call such things. Okay. Agreed. Maybe a not-so-wise-crack in this case. ;)

The friend had set her Out of Office Reply - OOF - on as she was in a marathon meeting. It just occurred to me that if dogs were to use Office Software, they'd rather call it WOOF. And if you're a person who is very particular about acronyms and would prefer that every alphabet does stand for something sensible, then WOOF could be Way Out of Office. What? If you're a dog-lover, I am sure you will not object to this post and will not label it as another one of those nonsensical posts. Woof! Woof! :-)

I've discovered a new animal...!

Look what I discovered today! A new animal!!!! I've always wondered how some people happen to be in the right place at the right time whenever I see an amusing/rare photograph. Today, I managed to catch something realllly amusing!! :) hahaha!!

Petty, What? ;) :D

I’ve been confined to my room for a little more than two weeks now. No office. No engaging or absorbing work schedules. No business. No busyness. No loud and sans-reason laughter (the gangs that I am a part of are infamous for the Nitrous Oxide effect). I need to wait one more week for the binding plaster to be removed. It’s quite awkward and unsettling for me to stay away from regular work – at least for as long a time as two weeks. As some of my friends figured out, I haven’t so far stayed away from work even during weekends except while on vacation. So, it has definitely been boring to not go to work. But, admittedly, there were occasions in these two weeks when I quite enjoyed a nice spot of silence and solitude, some non-work thinking and a hilarious second-reading of one of Plum’s books. I probably deserve such a break…to sample life beyond work while not on a pukka vacation...and the fact that there’s nothing very inspiring about my work-life at present helps ;). Nevertheless, I’m hoping to be more productive this week – like read something good on KM! :)

So, when a friend called to find out how I was doing and what I was doing, I did not have too much to update her about. She then asked me whether I was spending time with my doggy (name withheld for reasons that will be obvious later). I winced at the thought (you’ll know why very soon) and told her that I wasn’t getting to spend time with him because he has his own room on the terrace and my movement (unfortunately for me and fortunately for my doggy) is restricted to my room. What I did not reveal to my friend was that I had indeed set up a meeting with my doggy and the consequence was an insulting (for me) episode that is better forgotten.

Before I go into the episode as such, (if you’re wondering why I am revealing it on my blog, think of writing as cathartic) I think I was right in suspecting that my doggy was secretly celebrating my absence from his life. Because, no me meant there was no one to disturb his siestas or babble continuously into his tired and already drooping ears or unnecessarily shake his paw when he had much better things to do in life like chase cawing crows.

So, after a week of hopping and dragging my feet and feeling bored, I arranged for my doggy to visit my room despite such dangers as my room being turned into a place for dog-poop. First of all, he trotted into my room and looked around and actually saw through me even as I kept calling out to him. I did not know dogs bought into the philosophy of tit-for-tat (of sorts). I almost choked but withstood the insult like a true woman and continued to vie for his attention. Once he had sort of settled down and had taken a critical look at all the objects in the room (excluding me), he grudgingly looked in my direction and showed slight signs of recognition. I took the cue and offered him a view of my plastered leg. Maybe he’d find it to be better than my face?! Though I wasn’t really looking for him to sympathize with me, I thought showing the plastered leg would help me communicate why I’d been out of action and out of his life for sometime. He gave it a quick questioning look and shifted his gaze to my face and immediately realized he had made a mistake and looked away as if hurt. Happy that he had at least reacted to my gesture, I misinterpreted his thoughts and expressions, as usual, and moved the plastered leg a bit closer to him so he could investigate it further if he wanted to. Moreover, I believed in his healing touch. To my chagrin, he seemed shocked and withdrew himself with a twitch of his nose and politely (to his credit) declined to have anything to do with leg, plastered or not.

I wonder if I am even half as good as he is when it comes to reading the other’s mind. His initial questioning look, I now understand, must have meant “Why are you getting weirder by the day? What’s this hard stuff around your leg? Have you replaced the contents of your leg with that of your brain?”

Dogs, they have to admit, for some reason are not very creative and versatile when it comes to facial expressions. They rely on their eyes and tails to do all the talking. Given that the whites of their eyes or more or less hidden under normal circumstances, there are just two scenarios for us to weigh - when the whites are visible and when they aren’t. That way, my doggy showed me the whites of his eyes frequently as he kept rotating his eye balls in the opposite direction as if afraid that he’d be spotted in my room of all the places. After a while, it got worse. I got to see his tail and had no clue what he was doing with his eyes as his back was turned towards me. Extremely offensive, to say the least. I gave up and kept the plastered leg to myself. When a woman’s best friend refuses to play with her, perhaps, the next best thing is for her to play with words? That’s why this post. And, I am contemplating a new society a la SPCA. This is to be called Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Humans. Want to lend me your paw? :D

PS: Whether you know me or not, you will have no doubts that this story is an exaggerated narration but it is certainly true that my doggy was more interested in the wall opposite me and noises of some quarreling dogs outside than my plastered leg or me for that matter. Grrrr. :) Every dog has its day. :D :) :D

The Doggy and the Donkey

As I sat listening to some amazing music and watching the world watch me as I went past it this morning, I spotted a (cute) little donkey that was, unfortunately, limping along to nowhere in particular. It’s amusing when you see the rest of the world fear something you know is harmless because you know you yourself have been in situations where you’ve feared things that are harmless and have entertained some lucky souls in the process. Anyways, as the donkey limped along harmlessly a doggy that was sauntering in from the opposite direction mistakenly believed that there might be a confrontation of sorts and shrunk a bit, looked the donkey up and down and quickly turned around and ran for life. Unfortunately, I went past this part of the world too quickly to be a witness to the rest of the story. Presumably, the doggy may have then looked for cover and watched the donkey go past and then convinced that he was out of danger, returned to his original route. So, let’s say that I may not have missed anything sensational. But, the scene was quite cute and inspired me to concoct a dialogue between the two aforesaid characters…given that I am a fan of animation movies and the like. Here is the imaginary dialogue for your consumption……

Doggy (surprised): I haven’t seen a donkey in donkey’s years!

Donkey (angry): You dogs outnumber us donkeys in Bangalore and we don’t-key like it. I came because I’ve got a bone to pick with you on that front. Please note the figurative speech. I personally hate bones on my plate and would prefer paper on the wall any day. So, eat your own dog food…..and I mean that literally, by the way.

Doggy (angry): Grrr. Every dog has its day! And I am determined to make today, my day. I am going to kicka--, literally!

Donkey (angry and surprised): What? That was a very mean thing to say! What do I say now…? Err….my vocabulary has gone to the dogs!

Doggy (determined): That’s because I am doing all the donkey work! Watch out, I’ll get all the other dogs who have a dogged determination and be back in a tick. You’ll soon be in a doghouse…and that my friend is figurative as well as literal speech.

Oops. An overdose? But I love playing with words……English is such a beautiful language, sigh!!! :)

:-D ogs

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down. -- Robert Benchley

:):):):) BTW, why do they go around in circles before settling down? Assessment of the territory?

Bedtime Stories and Lullabies

After a post that dwelt upon some bitter truths linked to knowledge environments in organizations, I feel like taking a frivolous and lighthearted break. So, here goes. :D

My doggy sleeps through the day only to sleep again at night. As the day draws to an end and it is time to go to bed, he has this funny, nay, hilarious habit of drowsing while in the sitting position. But that’s because of me. Just before he retires for the day (for the nth time), I appeal to him to sit down and listen to my perspective of KM and life in general (hey, you don’t believe that, do you?) for a while and he normally obliges though he feels sleepy. Or, honestly speaking, one would think he feels sleepy when I start off. So, while I talk, he starts drowsing and his head keeps gravitating towards the left where there’s a wall or sometimes in the downward direction. He miraculously manages to avoid hitting the wall or the floor though. This happens for a few minutes but on seeing him drowse off, I can’t help guffawing so loudly that I hear from friends in Kerala that the elephants there awaken from their slumber and start trembling. This guy here too obviously awakens from his slumber and realizes he’s been entertaining me without getting paid for it and just rushes off to his bed in a jiffy to sleep more comfortably…and thereafter ceases to look at me irrespective of whether I dance on my head or spin on one toe. Clever doggy, what?

Tigerrrrrroar

This guy apparently knew I've a reputation to protect. So, he obligingly posed just as I walked up to his abode....

Isn't he a beauty? :)

PS: Mysore Zoo

Dave's Post on Dogs

I am gradually back to reading some of my favourite blogs...and boy oh boy...i found a post on something that is very close to my heart on Dave's blog - dogs! :)

PS: What would a blog post on dogs be called? BLdOG (Sorry...no pronounciation key available ;))

Me too - Tissington

These guys know better than their mom when it comes to publicity and marketing...They posed for photographs for about 10 minutes while the mom continued with her raw-material gathering process...

The Mystery of the Shrill Cries

Time for a ‘fun’ post. I am in the mood for it. So, here goes…. :)

Every day, when our doggie walks into the house to settle down for his nap in the evening – which is normally after I have returned home from office - our neighbours hear shrill cries emerging from our house. As you may have guessed, they originate from me. The joy that I experience in inviting our doggie into the house and watching him snuggle into his bed comfortably is what is manifested in the form of shrill cries. The shrill cries get shriller when followed by our doggie’s endeavour to jump on to me and bite my head off, at times. When the ritual of me screaming my vocal chords hoarse began, our doggie was, I think, utterly confused and dazed by my behaviour (he conveniently forgot that sometimes the noise was deafening only when he tried to ‘behead’ me). If I were to interpret his expressions, they would be a combination of one or more of the following: “Errr….I hope you are all right?” / “I just don’t believe it!” / “You drunk?” / “Do I hear you right?” / “Can I help you in anyway?” / “Err….is it something to do with me?”. (I can go on, but I guess I ought to know where to draw the line as no one including our doggie is going to stand up and tell me what the expression really means). So, the ritual continued unabated for a few days till the people at home began to warn me about the repercussions of the same.

Despite the warnings I continued with my habits (old habits die hard) but there was a sudden change in the environment from unexpected quarters. Our doggie who gave me his undivided attention until then - more with a view of solving ‘the mystery of the shrill cries’ a la timothy or buster (Enid Blyton’s dogs from The Famous Five and The Five Find-Outers respectively) than out of sheer kindness for a person who would otherwise have had no audience whatsoever - suddenly seemed to get bored with all the hallabullah. Of late, he listens in for a while and then quickly runs up to his bed and falls asleep (or maybe pretends to be asleep, I’d imagine). He gives me a few customary glances and rolls his eyes around the room while still managing to keep a watch over me before running off. I can only attempt to read between the glances and conclude that he perhaps has decided that The Mystery of the Shrill Cries is an unsolvable one and his beauty sleep was anyway more important than shrill cries (or fries or whatever) that anyway wanted a change in tune among many other things like being done away with per se, or maybe he got on to think that he would rather not be associated with me and the shrill cries for his own protection from the neighbourhood early-sleepers. Whatever…..woof…woof. BARK. STOP.

Well, the bottom-line news for the reader is that the ritual has now been reduced to a few short notes (An abrupt break in the communication between doggie and yours truly is not advisable, you see) that I use to indicate that I am glad he is home and safe and getting on with life - which is but mostly a combination of eating, sleeping, chasing cats, squirrels and children and star-gazing that closely resembles the act of introspection. EEEEEEKS (read: short shrill cry)