A Happy Dog in Cancer Hospital
January 21, 2020 Adyar, Chennai
My mother and father were working that day, and I was free. My Grandmother is suffering from Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and undergoing chemotherapy(she is well now). I have to accompany my Grandmother to the Adyar Cancer Institute, Chennai. It was about 30 minutes from our home. Some tests had to be taken before the next chemo. I can assure you that this story is not about my Grandmother, me or cancer.
We reached the hospital at 9 am. In the morning, she took some tests, and I was waiting in the waiting area. The area is semi-open. We had a roof under our head, but it was semi-open. It means we have monkeys and dogs for company.
At about 1 am, my Grandmother went to take a test. I was hungry, and there was no sign of her coming back. So, I decided to eat. I washed my hands and started to eat. That time, a dog approached and sat beside me. To add some background, I am not just afraid of dogs, but super afraid of dogs, and I am 22 years old. It sat there looking at me. It was a street dog, but unlike any stereotypical street dog, it was healthy and clean. It was not terrifying as a Pitbull neither cute like a Pomeranian, something in between. It was quiet. I thought it want some food. Due to my fear, I never even thought of approaching it, even a little. My heart was beating fast.
To my rescue, my Grandmother came after finishing medical tests. She tried to shoo the dog away, but it didn’t move. But she started to eat. Since I was restless, she took the dog to the back and put some rice with some prawn curry in a rock. But it didn’t eat it and came back to us and just sat there. This dog reminded me of the dogs in MCC. They never eat rice. They only eat if we give them meat. I can confirm this from my personal experiences in the playground. But this dog doesn’t even eat prawns.
Oh my god! What does this dog want?
It just sat there for another 15 minutes and then moved to a young woman and her Mother. Her shaved head was covered with a red scarf. I think she is undergoing chemotherapy too. I would say this story is not about that girl (and definitely not about her mom).
The dog approached them and sat before them, looking at the young woman. The woman noticed the dog and got excited. She started to brush the dog’s head and neck. She did that for few minutes, talking with her mom occasionally. And then dogs laid down and slept very happily. I can see it is blissful from the way it is sleeping. I was both intrigued and amazed in seeing the dog playing with that girl and sleeping.
Yeah, this story is about that dog. A happy dog in a cancer hospital.
Among death and fear, there was this happy dog that is content and happy.
The dog’s first need is food. Next, the dog seeks love. It lives a content life without any worries. It just looks for love. The dog lives day to day, looking for only food and love and living a happy life.
Why can’t I live like that? What do I need for that?
OMG! How to live a content life? I am seeking answers.
Have you ever thought of what you should do to live a content life? If not, should we think about it? Leave the answer as comments.
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The movie cover is from Wikipedia.