Leo

By Keyur Patil

“Heyy, can I come in?” David asks.

“Yea, dad why'd ask?” Harry replied.

“You okay now?” David inquired.

“Not really, no. I miss him.” Harry opens up.

“So do I, but if he was here he would not be happy to see you cry.” Said David.

“I know, he would jump all around me trying to cheer me up.” Harry replied with a smile.

“It's okay to cry dear, let me tell you something though.”Said David. Harry listened attentively.

“Your grandfather also had a dog, she was a german shepherd and her name was Carrie. She died when I was your age, I had just turned 18.” “Really?” Harry asked curiously, “I never knew that.” He added. “She was amazing, I loved her a lot but I always knew dad loved her more than I ever did. The same way, I know he loved Leo more than you and I ever did.” David reminised. “I am, in a way glad that dad isnt here today, it would crush him to see Leo leave us.” He added.

“I guess you're right.” Harry sighed.

“Let me tell you an incident, I didn't know that dogs could have nightmares. One day Carrie got a little eratic somewhere around midnight. I overlooked it, I thought she was just a little uncomfortable.”

“But the next day I found out that there are things like dog nightmares, I don't know the scientific term for that.”

“Neither do I.” Said Harry with a smile.

“Now mom did not allow dogs on bed, but that day I somehow managed to get Carrie in my bed without them knowing, and I stayed up all night because I wanted to help her if she had a nightmare.”

“And in the morning mom saw us and she was furious, so the next day, I slept on the floor with her to make sure she's okay.”

“Aww, I didn't knew about your soft side.” Harry said.

“I don't open up a lot.” David added.

“Son, when I got Leo, I was the happiest person in the world. I trained him myself, played with him, we had a lot of fun together. One day I decided to show him what empathy is, I thought if he could develop empathy then he

could probably help some other dog having a nightmare, or maybe even me; I was in a bad state back then.” Said David.

“So, what did you do?” Harry questioned.

“I would act like I was hurt, I'd say 'oww', or 'ouch', but Leo wouldn't care, he would bite me, it didn't hurt because he was just playing, but I wanted him to know it might hurt somone else but he didn't care.” David replied.

“But one day, I was actually hurt, I didn't know what do to. Leo came to me and sat on my lap. He cuddled with me all day long and to be honest, I forgot what I was upset about. It's like, he knew I was upset and he didn't like it” He added.

“I realised something, you can't just teach a dog the feeling of empathy. They already know it, but it's not empathy, it's help.” Said David.

“That's soo cute.” Harry replied as he cried.

“Do you know why dogs don't live a long life?” David asked. “No.” Harry replied.

“To show us that even in 20 years roughly, they can be happy. We live for 60 plus years, and yet many of us are unhappy, we still haven't figured out happiness.” Said David.

“What have dogs ever asked for? Food to fill their bellies, the same old dog food everyday. A shelter to stay in when its raining, a little yard to play on when it isn't raining. The same little toys every day. Some pets, treats, a little attention. They cant even speak, yet they show us that to truly love, you don't need to speak. All they need is a hug once in a while, a little treat, being called a good boy.” He added. “True happiness is coming home to a dog. I will never change my mind about this. They never get bored of you, the same faces everyday, playing with the same people everyday, taking a walk on the same path, same leash, yet that's all they need.”

“We had Leo before we had you, and somehow I felt as if I was ready to be a parent. When you walked for the first time, it reminded me of the time I realised that little Leo had grown up. He couldn't jump on our couch, so I used to pick him up and we would snuggle everyday. One day he just jumped, straight on the couch, I cried tears of joy seeing him grow up. And when you spoke your first words ever, not flexing but you said 'Dad' first. It reminded me of the time Leo got used to us for the first time. When we brought him home, he was missing his mother, I too was heartbroken, but on the second

day itself, he came to me all by himself and started playing with me.” Harry couldn't speak as he cried.

“So don't cry son, he came to us to tell us to always be happy. And just like your grandfather and me, you'll also have a dog of your own someday.” David calmed Harry.

“I will.” Harry replied.

“You got a breed in mind?” David asked.

“I don't know, all I know is I'll love him the same even if he's a labrador, pug, a little daschund or a husky. But I always loved the sound of corgis.” Harry answered.

“They sound nice, little and cute. What name have you thought of?”David asked.

“I don't know, I haven't thought of one.” Harry replied.

“Come on, everyone has thought of a name for if they have a dog someday.” “I guess, Rambo.” Said Harry.

“A corgi named Rambo.” David smiled.

Harry and David laughed.

“Everybody needs a blessing from time to time. I believe in the science behind it, the positive vibes and all that. Back when I was young, the elders used to mean it when they blessed us. Nowadays it's just become a formality, but do you know who will bless Rambo someday?” David asked.

“Who?” Harry questioned.

“Leo will.”

By Keyur Patil