06/08/2025
107 or 76 — whatever 15 years of dog’s life is, that’s how old Beagluu would have been today.
He must have been around 7-8 months old when Beagluu came into our lives. A family was leaving Delhi and had three dogs. They couldn’t take all of them, so they were looking for someone to adopt the youngest and most mischievous one. And this kind of news always reaches Mallika first. So, just like that, off we went. On a weekend afternoon, we headed to a government housing complex near New Rajendra Nagar. A boy came out of the gate with two dogs — a Lhasa and a Beagle.
And the moment he saw us, that little white-black-brown fur body stood up on its hind legs and wrapped itself around mine. On our way home, Mallika did take him to the passenger seat, but he wanted to sit in my lap. As a child, I used to stand in the front space of my father’s scooter, but this was the first time I had to ride with someone in front of me.
That was the first time he climbed into my lap. And 15 years later, he was in the same lap…
Later, I realised, he wanted to be in ‘the driver’s seat’. Because for the next fifteen years, wherever he steered, we went. If every step you take for fifteen years revolves around just one being, it becomes an overwhelming habit... something like breathing. Wet nose nudges waking you up early in the morning; half-asleep eyes checking if he’s lying on the slippers before getting out of bed; he gets his biscuit first, then I dip mine in tea; the sweeper’s piles of springtime leaves — his favorite potty spots; his meals before ours; buying tender carrots first during grocery shopping; saving a piece of mango for him in the last serving; making roti for him every day; keeping yogurt packets stocked…
He's the pillow, and he's the carpet; one who's messing up the house is also the vacuum cleaner beating the 3-seconds rule in a flash; whose eyes we must avoid while leaving the house, but be mindful to open the door slowly -- he'd be sitting right there...
..it’s like accounting for every second of your life.
In the last 14 years, we changed four houses, and the first condition for each was the same — no objection to Beagluu.
In Delhi, throughout the year, especially during the 3-4 months of winter, it used to be a packed calendar of gatherings. And every party began with a ‘Beagluu-proofing’ drill. But, no matter how much we tried, stealing a piece or two of grilled chicken or pork was a given — and hence factored into the overall kilo-calculations!
By the end of 2022, we were moving to Bangalore. People might think it was for work, but the real story was different. Beagluu ‘had to’ go to Bangalore… 15 years ago, he had left behind two friends — who were then leaving for this city.
And honestly, everything fell into place one after another. We couldn’t get a coupe in the Rajdhani, but by sheer luck, we found another young family with the same predicament. Right there on the platform, we decided to share a larger cabin with our two dogs. And honestly, I’ve been traveling by train since childhood, but I’ve never had such a wonderful two-night long journey — and I doubt I ever will again.
And truly, this journey, this city, gave him a new life. Beagluu took dips in the waters of the Kaveri and Bhadra rivers, took long walks through coffee plantations, napped by Kanva Lake, ate fresh coconut every day… in the last two years, four new houses came up in our neighborhood — Beagluu’s DNA is in the sand & cement mix of all of them!
And today, he has claimed a tiny patch of land in Bangalore as his own. Under a tree, amidst the play of sunlight and shade, Beagluu rest as tiny saplings sprout out.
He came to this city searching for his friends… and Bangalore didn’t disappoint. In Delhi, he never stayed alone at home — whenever we traveled, someone was always there for him. Beagluu had this strange ability to make it happen for him — Sayan, Debashis-Swarnali, or Rajni, he always found a companion. But in Bangalore, there was no one. What do we do now? At this age, could he stay alone anywhere? With these worries, we started searching… and found — Petropawlis and its owner, Kishan. And this became his second home, where the old Beagle – ‘Scarface’, that’s what his name was there -- strutted around like an old don. He’d literally sulk for two days whenever he returned.
Today, Beagluu turns 15. We wanted to spend some time at his second home today, but we had travel to Howrah — the other old don’s health hasn’t been great lately. Oh yes — my father and Beagluu, another pair of old souls… but that’s a story for another day. We wanted to throw a little party for him at Petropawlis with his entourage (and admirers). But since we couldn’t stay, we visited him last week before leaving.
And oh boy, what do I see? Ten days ago, when we had laid our old baby to rest, that spot in the cemetery had only him. Now, it’s a full house — at least ten more little graves… Beagluu had arranged an advance party for himself, with plenty of invited friends!!! Chalo, we raised him well!!
Seeing this, we felt a little relieved — at least he’s not alone. His birthday will be well-spent.
Since July 20, it’s been a bit difficult to reach for the biscuit box in the morning… so that morning, I gave him a biscuit and had one myself.
Happy birthday, bubbles boy. 🤗🐾🐶🥰
