Other dog-lovers had warned me beforehand, but I went ahead regardless and read the book Marley & Me by John Grogan. I mean, how can I not, when I have a sort of Marley-replica at home?! The first suggestion that Luci is Marley-sque came from the sis and brother-in-law. I had already watched the movie by the same name (but had not read the book yet) and with a gnawing fear growing inside me, I agreed it seemed so. Luci was at the time not yet one and was already one huge bundle of unbridled enthusiasm, affection and energy.
Later, when I came across the book Marley & Me at the sister’s place, I started reading it and found it absolutely riveting and delightful. Grogan has a way with words (the style of writing ALWAYS matters to me), his honesty shone through and he loved his dog, a deadly combination to make a book an excellent read, especially for a dog-lover like me. Besides, I owned a dog much like his own in looks and temperament. So I really flipped over the book so much so that I stopped reading it after a few pages. That’s strange behavior for someone who liked it, right? Not at all. You see, I am quirky enough to want to own the books I love that much.
Finally, one day the book I ordered online arrived, and I took it with me on my journey. Big mistake. Whenever I read from it, I longed for Luci and she was miles and oceans away. I was (and am) already missing her big time and here was Grogan going on and on about his lovely dog. What was I to do? Not much except mope in between the outings, the movie watching and conversations with the First Born. I sighed a lot remembering her Mary’s-little-lamb-ish ways of following me everywhere.
She never likes to have me go out of her line of sight. (The dog that would be lolling comfortably on the bed would jump down and wait just outside the bathroom door which is where I would find her after my bath, every single day. It bothered her if I was upstairs and the L & M downstairs, because then she couldn’t keep an eye on both of us. She’d pester me, push my hand off the keyboard with her snout forcefully, till I gave up typing and went back downstairs with her, where she would sigh heavily and settle down, satisfied to have both of us in her line of vision). And then the L & M told me during one of his calls, how in my absence, Luci went upstairs daily, sat outside my bedroom door and whined, coming down only when he sternly told her, Amma is not there inside the room.*A bigger sigh*
When I came to the last but one chapter of Grogan’s book, about Marley’s last days, was when I appreciated the warning from my dog-lover friends. It will break your heart, they had told me. It did, especially when the realization hit me that some day, Luci and I will have to go through the same phase and at the end of it, part ways forever. I have been very stoic when I lost Goofy (link), but I wonder if I have it in me to be so when the time arrives to say goodbye to Luci. Funnily enough, I also worry for her in case I should be the first one to leave her. Will someone love her as much as I do, in spite of her hyperactive self, in spite of the way she crashes through life Marley-sque?
I have NEVER been the typical indulgent Indian mother to my own children. But when it comes to Luci, I am a puddle of mush. Nothing Luci does makes me angry. She might chew things up, pull out my plants, step into her water bowl and spray everything around, dig and roll in the dirt, and then walk into the house leaving muddy paw marks all over the white-tiled floor. I find it absolutely cute and hilarious. No, I am not just saying it. It is something I did some introspection about.
I asked myself if I would be angry were she to chew up my reading glasses. You see, I am practically blind without them. No internet, no reading, a daunting prospect. But the answer is still, NO. Though it would definitely inconvenience me, I can never be angry with her for that. I do scold her and try to mend her ways by disciplining, but nothing she does irritates me ever, not even when she barked in such a high decibel tone right into my ear when she saw her ‘Dad’ arrive, in the process making my ear ache and ring for hours afterwards.
There is one good thing about Luci being such a hyperactive dog. Grogan says in the last chapter of his book about how they have the most well-behaved dog named Gracie at present. He says he tells Gracie often enough, that no book will ever be written about her. You see how it is? The naughty, hyperactive, crashing through doors, spectacles chewing, toffee-stealing, food-swiping, muddy-pawed (and all the rest) canines get written about. But the good ones must make do without a book in their honor. What is there to write anyways?! Sad, but there it is, an undeniable fact of life.
Now you understand why Luci gets written about a lot (link). In fact I do wonder when days go by and Luci becomes more of a goody-goody dog (unlike Marley, she is showing a tendency to sober down) if I will have anything to write about her. But that’s not really a worrying problem because I have imagination at my disposal to make up stories about her. All I want in return is for her to be there, to hug her and in return be slobbered with kisses.
So here I am, lack of proximity to Luci being the only factor that intrudes on my otherwise happy trip. I really hope she does NOT miss me as much, because missing someone you love is really, really hard on you.
Luci’s Facebook page: Luci Shail
Luci’s picture blog: Luci the dog.
Awww…that’s such a sweet one..full of motherly love. 🙂
Thank you, Rekha 🙂
Like you, I too love dogs and cats.
I don’t have one for two reasons.
1) The L&M (lady and mistress, in my case), does not fancy them and refuses to share her home with them.
2) I know I can’t do justice to them. Love is not enough. You have to spend time with them.
I therefore content myself enjoying the pets of others.
Regards
GV
Yes, they do need time and attention too, 🙂
Luci is so lucky to have you in her life! You both are blessed to have each other, actually! 🙂
I am so lucky to have her, really! 🙂
I teared up while watching the movie…I’m such a soft touch in these matters! The thing that breaks my heart about dogs is that they leave us so soon. They have just a few truly active years before age begins to stiffen their joints, their gait, and their enthusiasm. So no…I would never get angry with dogs. Their life’s too short for that. And when the time comes, we’ll look back at the early years and realize that they can’t do anything that we won’t look back at and wish that they could do it all over again…
Sigh. So very true. The book has such wonderful moments. If you have a dog at home you will find yourself nodding in agreement and also laughing right out. The leaving part was too hard to take.
Honestly, I’m not a huge dog fan and yes, I am scared of them!
But Luci darling seems different. I have come to love her from your stories and pictures and I know when I do meet her, I might be a bit apprehensive, but I wouldn’t be scared!
She’s adorable! 🙂
She is full of love for everyone except the cats and crows 😛
Awww, that is so cute! I can imagine your love for Luci. I love pets and would love to have one of my own…maybe some day 🙂
I hope you do get one some day! 🙂
Ahh…labs..they crash, smash and chew their way into your heart (and books, shoes, clothes, glasses, and every single thing you own) 🙂
You put it so well! 😀
I don’t have a dog but I was bawling after reading that book, And, this post is equally touching. HUgs.
Yeah, the book has that effect! Thanks Nandana 🙂
cute:)
😀
The picture of you and Luci together says it all. You really did it this time, Shail. Had me go all sentimental. For losing Pablo is something that I worry about too. He can be irritating as hell, needy and clingy, but something about him just melts my heart.
If Luci could count, she would be ticking off the days, waiting for your return.
Only another dog-lover/owner can understand one. Thanks Corinne. 🙂
“but I wonder if I have it in me to be so when the time arrives to say goodbye to Luci. Funnily enough, I also worry for her in case I should be the first one to leave her. Will someone love her as much as I do, ”
You said it there. What if we went first? It has been the same with me and Chinnu, and it broke my heart when she left. I still have Kuttan though, but it isn’t the same. It never is. In fact Kuttan is the lamb in the Mary and her lamb story… all the more now that only he and I are around 😀 He misses her terribly, and me all the more when I have to go for work/shopping/a movie… It is tough.
I shall not ever watch or read Marley and Me, though I know I ought to. I don’t think I’m that brave enough. 🙂
I loved loved loved this one.
You ought to read the book, Usha. You will enjoy it so much. Just leave out the last two chapters. But what is before that is something you will love! 😀
Awww 🙂 🙂 Thats such a sweet one…. the intensity of you missing Lucy comes right through… I’ve watched the movie and LOVE it!! Have been meaning to read the book for a while now. I remember seeing your update on FB when you got the book and ever since then, I had been waiting for a post… but honestly.. I did nnot expect one this emotional! Lovely…
Oh I really, really missed her while I was away. I kept worrying about her. When I am here she is with me 24×7. But when I am away she is all alone during the day time. I love traveling, but am sad about leaving her behind.
Guess what Shail. Soon I will be moving into a home where there is a 5 year old lab… any tips? 😛
Eh? Already 5 year old? 🙂 Carry tissue always he/she will drool all over you 😉 😀 They are droolers par excellence 😛 They like nothing better than some attention!
Awwwww…. I truly related to this piece about Luci because, first of all, I too am a pooch lover. Second, I felt every emotion you expressed because I have the very same relationship with my “Brownie”, the love of my life. She brings me joy 24-7 — no matter what! Can’t imagine my life without her. What a blessing to have such unconditional love.
The TurtleQueen
Welcome to Shail’s Nest and sorry for this very late response. It is indeed a blessing to have them in our life. I agree wholeheartedly! 🙂
Reblogged this on Luci the dog.
Oh Shail… what a hearty post… I am tempted to order the book. But if the last chapter is what you described, then maybe not. Or maybe I can skip it. LOVE LUCI. MORE PICS PLS…
Skip it if you want, but at least don’t miss the rest of it. Will definitely add more pics. Have you checked out her picture blog or FB page?
I have been thinking of picking this book. Too many books reviewed or talked about in UBC that I wanted to take 🙂 Well what can I say, I have read a lot about Luci this UBC in bits and pieces here. I can for one know how hard it must be for you.
Richa
It’s a good book. Let me know how you liked it when you read it 🙂
Luci looks like a darling.
She IS! 🙂 Welcome to Shail’s Nest and thank you for the comment.
A dog lover myself, I cried so much watching that movie. Ofcourse only in the end. I’m yet to read the book. I don’t think I have it in me to read it. I don’t like crying so much. I’ve made a pact with hubby that we’ll get 5 dogs when we have our own home. He being a dog lover wanted more, but agreed for 5 one each of the breeds that we like. And you know which is my favourite? Labs. No dog can be cuter than them. You see into their eyes and feel that they understand exactly what you are not saying.
Oh, now you made me long for my own dog or to pet a dog, any dog for that matter. Luci is so cute. I love her golden coat that matches her gold eyes. I can understand it would feel terrible to leave behind such a lovely dog while you’re on a trip. That my biggest concern for when I actually get a dog.
And I really want to watch this movie. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachi:_A_Dog's_Tale
Oh Labs are the best! They are so expressive! You actually can see their thoughts and reaction to yours on their face! And 5 dogs? Good that your husband loves dogs too. I tried telling mine we’ll get another one, a companion for Luci. No way. If I insist may be I will end up in the doghouse 😛
You know you could read the book and leave out the last two chapters. It is so funny and you fall in love with Labs all over again!
I wanna watch Hachi too. 🙂
Can see Luci has you wound around her little finger…er paw 😀 Her photo blog is adorable!
That she has, wound me perfectly around her paw! 😀
Reminds me of the phrase about well-behaved women!
Luci is adorable and I can quite understand why you miss her so much!
I am so glad to be back with her 😀
Shail your post reminded me of my two beautiful dogs — Patsi and Cindy. I lost both of them within a space of month’s time couple of years back and even today I miss both of them.
You will always miss them! I miss Goofy too.
Awww! Yes that’s true — I can’t forget all those dogs I had since I came into this world starting from Patsi (my first dog who was equally protective of me, as I was of her), Sheru, and then Rocky.can’t forget any one of them
You are right “missing someone you love is really hard” felt the same while I was away from Gucci.
🙂
Shail, this is soooo lovely…soooo touching, so much of love mixed into the words of a mom for her Luci ❤
Just loved it…of course, a tear here and there hid some words, so what ??? 😉
Aww thank you!! 😀
I read your story to my mom. She is 85 years old, but still vividly remembers HER black Labrador – Lucy. Lucy would keep watch while I was in the cradle; and would come to call my mother, when she sensed me waking up. She would NOT let share anything with the neighbours ! And it was heart-wrenching when she went. I have some memories as a 5 year old, seeing her off to be put to sleep !
Dogs are great friends !! Thanks for the pics, and reminding us of our own Lucy !!
Oh wow Lucy must have been a wonderful dog. I am honored that you read this out to your mother. 🙂
Dogs are indeed wonderful!
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