My mind was still registering the fact that my pet pug had just peed on me and was running past me to join the family as they frolicked in the waves. The warm liquid trickled down my back evoking mixed reaction — intense anger coupled with inexplicable laughter. To my dismay or rather disgust I was laughing hysterically as I narrated the incident to my daughter who had magically appeared on the scene to literally pull me to join them in the waters. Refusing to budge, I shared the nasty episode, which send her squealing down the beach and proclaim loudly to whoever cared to listen the brave deed of the pet canine.
I could sense eyes turn in my direction, familiar as well strange followed by incontrollable laughter and if this did not suffice, the pug came rushing back to me, probably thrilled by his daring deed and enthusiastically started licking my face. I pushed him away, threatening to murder him. Perhaps, all the rebuking and scolding did not evoke the required response, on the contrary, he came back with renewed vigour rather with vengeance.
Defeated, I just sat, permitting the creature to do what his little heart fancied. Oh mamma, my daughter quipped accusingly, he just claimed you. Dogs pee to mark their territorial boundaries, she disclosed. Consider yourself fortunate, that he deemed it fit to urine mark you. Oh, I’m blessed I retorted with folded hands namaskaram.
It has more to do with his male ego, the wretched bigot, I hissed. No, a wretched bully I corrected, before I could add some more decent expletives, the wet pug deemed it, it is his right to jump and settle in my lap. It was the most natural thing to him. Claim his right.
Before I could blow my lid, he shivered involuntarily, all the frolicking in the waters had left him tired and cold, instinctively I covered him with my stole and held him close to my bosom to give him warmth. He licked my face tenderly and all his follies were forgiven in no time.
My daughter shrugged her shoulders leaving the two of us on the shore and joined the family in the waters. I could hear the puggee snoring, oblivious to the world and the crimes he committed, I sat transfixed, daring not to move a single muscle lest I wake up the little monster on my lap. I just prayed that the family would return from the waters and we would proceed home. I needed a bath more than anything in the world. I sniffed the air, not certain if it was urine stench or marine stench either ways it did not uplift my spirits.
I watched my kids, now young adults in the waters, while this four legged baby slumbering in my lap had rightfully claimed his right over me, my time, my emotions and perhaps whatever little sanity I had salvaged over the years. Involuntarily I cuddled the irresistible devil who snapped out of his reverie and got back to his business of licking. I quickly jumped up and literally ran into the water not risking and speculating with the prospect of being reclaimed by this canine monster.
