Susanta Misra - The World of Buddy: A Memoir

Notion Press

No.8, 3 rd Cross Street,
CIT Colony, Mylapore,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004

First Published by Notion Press 2021
Copyright Susanta Misra 2021
All Rights Reserved.

eISBN 978-1-63745-546-3

This book has been published with all efforts taken to make the material error-free after the consent of the author. However, the author and the publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

While every effort has been made to avoid any mistake or omission, this publication is being sold on the condition and understanding that neither the author nor the publishers or printers would be liable in any manner to any person by reason of any mistake or omission in this publication or for any action taken or omitted to be taken or advice rendered or accepted on the basis of this work. For any defect in printing or binding the publishers will be liable only to replace the defective copy by another copy of this work then available.

In Memory of Buddy

Our Educator, Caregiver, Entertainer, Playmate, Soulmate and the pampered Baby of our family.

With loads of LOVE from all of us. Miss you Buddy.

Dada, Maa and Baba.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS

PREFACE

It was audacious on my part even to attempt writing a memoir of Buddy on his behalf. It is far beyond my ability to capture his expressions, feelings and emotions in words. Bu what other options did I have to share his stories with all the people who knew him, loved him and cared for him? I felt it as my obligation to his hundreds of fans and thousands of others who didnt get an opportunity to meet him.

I seek forgiveness from you (the reader) and Buddy for my linguistic inadequacy and my inability to articulate his emotions in the best possible way. My sincere hope is that the reader will be able to feel Buddys love on every page she reads.

Buddy came to us when he was a pup barely three months old and stayed with us close to eight years before leaving for his abode in heaven. He showed us and everyone who came in touch with him what unconditional love means. He left behind millions of sweet unforgettable moments.

The book is written in a way that resembles Buddy narrating his stories, the way a human child does to his parents and family members. The stories are organized in chapters to cover different aspects of Buddys life. May the reader find Buddy through his stories. May Buddy live forever in the mind of his readers.

Susanta Misra (Buddys Dad)

Hyderabad, 1 st January 2021

HOMECOMING

I am not sure where I was born. Baba said I was born at Chandannagar, near Kolkata. But he was not very sure either. He was told that my father came from Bangkok for a dog show and met my mother at Chandannagar. Apparently, I got my looks from my father. He was a show dog.

I have no memory of my Mom and Dad. Dad must have left for Bangkok after the show was over. He might not have seen me or my siblings. How many siblings? I dont even remember. There must have been a few. In dog families, we tend to have 3-5 pups taking birth at the same time. Sometimes it goes up to 8 or 10. We used to live and sleep together, sharing breast milk of mom before I was transported to Hyderabad.

Thats how I got my new Mom, Dad and elder Brother. I call them Maa, Baba and Dada. I am lucky to be part of this family. Many people have told Maa that in their next life they would like to be born as Buddy, provided they get the same parents. I want the same parents and the same Dada in my next life too.

One day during our morning walk I asked Baba, Please tell me how I landed here, in your house?

Honestly speaking, we dont know who lands up where and how. Some people call it destiny, Baba was philosophical as usual. When I insisted Baba said, The first person you should be grateful to is your Dada. From his early childhood, he loves animals all kinds of animals including goats, calves, dogs, cats, everyone. He can relate to them so well. In fact, they all love him and relate to him so easily. I have never seen any animal being afraid of Dada.

Thats so true. I can vouch for it, I interrupted Baba.

Baba smiled and continued, We never had any pets before you came to our house. We were worried about all the inconveniences of keeping a pet in a flat and we kept postponing the decision of getting a pet for Dada. But when Dada passed class X and we knew that he might go to the hostel two years down the line, we thought, it was time to get one.

Then what?, I was getting impatient.

Baba said, We were visiting Gautam uncles house just before Durgapuja and we met Ginger there. Ginger was barely 6 months old.

I know Ginger. I met him recently. He is too big in size but very childish.

Then what?, I asked again.

Baba continued, We made up our mind right there. Gautam gave us the contact details of a local kennel and we went straight to the kennel. There were so many dogs out there in different sizes and looks. There were large breeds like German Shepherd, Golden Retrievers, Labradors and even a Rottweiler and some of the smaller ones like Pugs, Cocker Spaniels, Pomeranians. We wanted a small dog, not a heavy or an aggressive one. We had a liking for the Pugs. They were cute and small in size. But when we saw a Beagle, we fell in love instantly.

It was a three years old handsome and playful Beagle. We wanted to get him home straight away. But the kennel owner said it was someone elses dog. He asked us to take a puppy and promised to arrange a Beagle puppy for us. We exchanged phone numbers and came back home.

Baba paused and looked at me.

Thats when your fate was decided. The kennel owner talked to his friends and found a ten weeks old Beagle puppy in Kolkata. They sent me your picture. It was love at first sight. You were just too cute.

I smiled back at Baba. I looked really cute when I was a baby.

I asked, Where is Kolkata? And how did I come from Kolkata?

Baba said, You were packed in a small cage and sent by cargo air to Hyderabad airport. You flew when you were less than 3 months old. Dada and I went to the airport with Ibrahim uncle to pick you up.

Was Maa in school at that time? Why didnt Maa come?, I asked

Baba smiled, We kept it a top secret from Maa. We wanted to give her a big surprise. It took us a couple of hours to get you home from the airport. Once we reached home, Dada quickly got you out of the cage and let you own the house.

I thought, I am so lucky. I could not stop myself asking, What was the first thing I did?

Baba laughed, As usual, you went around the whole floor and peed in one corner. You made it your house.

I couldnt stop saying, I am so grateful to all of you. Thank you.