Pet Me

The resort was bursting with guests out to enjoy the year-end celebrations. A pet-friendly place. Dogs on leashes were happy to be in the open and enjoy the company of other dogs. Some of the aggressive and unsocial ones stayed at a distance.

All five Manisha was fond of pets. Her parents had not thought of having one. Keeping a dog in an apartment was not an easy task. They would need to potty train, discipline the pup, and put rules into place. Moreover, with live-in grandparents who needed their space and quiet time, it would pose a real problem for the household.

Watching the dogs, some big, some small, increased her desire to own a pet. The first to convince would have to be grandpa and grandma. Once that level was cleared, it would be a cakewalk to have her parents agree. The opportunity presented itself at this resort.  

Manisha asked a family with a pug if she could play with their pet. The elderly couple agreed with a smile. "of course dear, Bingo loves interacting with children.". Cautiously Manisha stretches her hands while her parents and grandparents looked tense. Bingo was all over the girl, licking her face, and rolling on the grass to her amusement. The dog and child developed a rapport in half a day. At every meal gathering at the resort eating place, Bingo would be looking out for Manisha to play with her.  

At the end of the two days stay, Manisha was sad to leave Bingo and threw a tantrum, insisting on taking home Bingo. "Now that's being unreasonable" she was told.  

Sulking, she refused to communicate with others on the drive back home.  

Her school was to reopen in another two days. Grandpa and Grandma decided to surprise her with a gift. "Here open your New Year gift, Manisha," they said handing over a wicker basket covered with a perforated lid. On opening the gift, to her delight, Manisha found a little Indie four-week-old Indie pup, with the gentlest eyes staring at her. Woohoo! She screamed in happiness.

"It's all yours. You will have to take care of this pup and get him potty trained." Manisha was willing to do anything to hold onto her new year gift.