I am Snap!

Have you ever lived on the street? Let me tell you it’s not an easy life for a pup! Food is scarce and the two legged who dominate the earth are mean. Well, maybe not all of them but …. Funny things seem to entertain them like kicking out at passing strays or just kicking the morsels of food out of reach. I had to really struggle for survival. Once my mother decided that I was too old to hang around with her, life took an ugly turn. I had to fight for my food and almost everyone seemed to be bigger and tougher than I. So I often went to bed hungry and frightened.

One day I spotted a piece of bread lying under the cart of a chaaiwala. I crept towards it hoping nobody would notice me. Just when I thought I had got it I felt the impact of a boot landing on my ribs. I shot off with a yelp and the next moment I felt a wheel of a car going over me. I cried out in pain but no one came to my rescue. I managed to drag myself to the side of the road and waited helplessly. Three days went by. Some passer bys tossed biscuits at me. I know they meant well but of what use were biscuits? My pain was too much for me to eat. Forever hungry, I was in no position to eat now.

Just when I thought my end was near (my hip was shattered and my belly bloated) I felt someone stop near me. I wondered apprehensively whether another kick was in store when I felt gentle hand stroking and asking me what had happened. She gave me a couple of biscuits too and I thought she would move on.

Imagine my surprise when I found myself being lifted into a waiting cab! Thoughts rushed through my head. Could it be that I was being kidnapped? Would she demand a ransom? Perhaps, she was a dog breeder and had recognized me as an exotic breed? Maybe, I was a ‘dog princess’ something like a ‘frog prince’ and I was being whisked off to meet my prince!

Surprise! Surprise! I landed up at the vet.  Not a bad guy but that did not mean I wanted to stay at his place while my benefactor went home! Next time he reached out to clean me, I gave a sharp nip. He retreated with a scream. I felt elated – my first victory over a two legged creature. I found to my delight that it was quite easy to scare this guy and wonder of wonders he never retaliated! I quite enjoyed being the boss. I stayed at his place for a day frightening both him and his assistants. Well, to cut the long story short, he told my benefactor that he could not keep me for too long as his place was haunted!

Well, I must tell you this vet actually dropped me to my benefactor’s place that very night. He was, oh so nice- he patted me warily on my head and told my new family that I was a little snappy and they could find it difficult to integrate me with the rest of the animals. I could have given an indignant nip but I refrained-basically I am an intelligent dog and know which side of the bread is buttered!

The entire family came out to see me. They were soooo… sorry for me. I did my best to look as pathetic as possible for therein lay my welfare. The mother was persuaded to wake up and welcome me. She stepped in bleary eyed. When I let out a menacing growl I  got named Snap deal.com by her.

A  new chapter in my life began. Though I was still in pain (and the doc fixed a hanger so that I could walk) I quite enjoyed the fuss. I could do a lot of things without any repercussion as long as I was hurt. I ate through an entire cane set, a mobile, cushions, books etc. etc. Some things are fun-destruction-like pillows and newspapers. What a mess you can create in no time! The exasperation, irritation and resignation on the face of the ‘discoverer’ is fun to watch. You can’t take action against a for injured dog, can you?? Thank God for the mobile though!  It belonged to an aunt who promptly burst into tears. To avoid further catastrophes, I was put in a cage till they left. That is when I found my dream home. My safe aboard. No amount of trickery, coaxing or chiding could take me away from my den. I dug my heels in.

I love my cage. It’s my very own place and I feel so safe!  Barring few, I still don’t trust human beings. Nobody can harm me when I am in my cage. The family has tried to lure me out but I always dash back to it once my outing is done.

I have a handsome boyfriend, Yanny. We love to play out in the garden. At times I forget I am supposed to be a three legged dog and run on four but never forget to correct myself before anyone notices.

There are so many advantages to being a handicapped dog. Can you believe it I was the only one taken to the beach because I am a ‘poor little thing’?  Of course, there is yet another possibility, I am rather special. One ear up, one year down, one leg up, three legs down. Anyway, here is documentary proof of the very special trip –