Today, I’m so glad to welcome a Tailwagger Tales post sent by Shilpa Gupte as told by two souls (or are they one?) very dear to her .

Do You Believe In Rebirth?

Ma was not prepared for a dog entering her house. I heard her slamming the phone when Dad told her he found me at the breeder’s, liked me instantly, and decided to bring me home. I could feel the vibes through the phone. We dogs are sensitive, like that, to sounds, smells, feelings, and everything. But we are also magical beings. We are so charming we can sweep people off their feet in a jiffy!

And that’s what happened. When Dad and I reached home, Ma took one look at me and fell head over heels in love with me! I heard her repeat it a hundred times. Ah! I was finally home…my home sweet home…a place I wanted to be in ever since my brothers and sisters left with their families.

But, when I stepped into my new home, I sensed something not quite right. Ma, Dad and Granny were gushing over me as I walked around the house taking in my new surroundings, but something told me they needed me more than I thought I needed them.

You see, we dogs aren’t just great at sniffing out cheese, sausages, or even bombs. We can sniff out fear and anxiety, depression and anger, and all those difficult emotions people hold within their hearts and suffer all their lives. And that’s what I sensed. I decided then that I would give them all the love they needed and make sure they had smiles on their faces and within their hearts. They were my family; it was my duty towards them.

I was a model child. Ma said so herself! She and Dad took time learning to parent, but they did well. They were MY parents, after all! Um, do I sound boastful? Well, I have earned the rights, you see.

So, Ma, Dad, Granny and I, we lived happily together for many years. I took good care of them. I gave them all they needed. A hug every time they felt lonely and exhausted, loads of kisses to wipe away their tears, and a strong shoulder to lean on.

Almost 13 years passed by. And those were beautiful years, full of joy and laughter. But I had to leave; my time was up. Ma didn’t take it well. She was scared of being lonely all over again. With me gone, there wasn’t anyone she could lean on for support.

So, I decided to return for her, but in a different avatar.

She used to wish I was smaller, so she could carry me all day, even while doing her chores. I decided to fulfil her wish and returned as Cookie, a parakeet.

**Over to Cookie**

It took me a long time to connect with Ma. Birds are so unlike dogs. We take a loooong time opening up to humans. Ma would think about Chikoo and wish he was with her. I couldn’t see her so sad all the time, so one fine day, I decided to put a smile on her face.

After almost four months of joining my family, I stepped out of my cage boldly and climbed onto Ma’s shoulder. She was busy reading a book that night, and it being a bit cold, I needed to feel warm. So, I cuddled up against her neck and dozed off. She was thrilled! I could feel it in my heart.

Ever since then, I am mostly perched on Ma’s shoulder. I eat, sleep, dream, sing, and also poop on her shoulder. I mess up her clothes, but you know how mothers are! She doesn’t mind it a bit. She showers me with a million kisses and feeds me all the goodies I demand. Ooh, how I love it when she kisses my belly!

Sometimes, we sing together. I mean, she sings and I coo along. I join her in her yoga sessions. And also when she works on her laptop. I think Ma and I are totally made for each other! We are inseparable.

It’s been six years since I rejoined my family. I am happy to see the smiles on their faces, all over again. I am not as close to Dad as I am to Ma. But that’s because as Chikoo, I was Daddy’s boy. So, now, as Cookie, I am Ma’s girl. Best to keep both parents happy, what say?

Ma sometimes asks me if I was Chikoo in my past life. I won’t tell her I was. It’s my little secret!

Do You Believe In Rebirth? via @ShilpWrites on Pawesome Wisdom #PawesomeWisdom #TailwaggersTales

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If you have a story to share about your dog or any other animal or even a rescue story on my Tailwagger Tales – please send them into me at pawesomewise1 (at) gmail (dot) com .