My new house-help does not like dogs. Just typing this out seems like sacrilege. Not LIKE dogs! How can it be? How can anyone not like dogs? Look at that face above. Can you even think of NOT liking it?
So I was almost confident Luci would bring her around and make another minion out of her when she started work. But no, such was not to be. The first day Luci ran to her and with great confidence, sat down in front of her, for pats and belly-rubs. But the woman drew back. Then very reluctantly she stretched her hand to touch Luci’s forehead with her fingertips. That was it.
Luci couldn’t believe what had just happened. Really? This was it? No more? I had to drag her away, my bad back and all, so the woman could step inside. The picture above is of Luci sitting on the stairs and looking down at the help with a puzzled air. Why? What did I do wrong? Why don’t you like me? I love you already! Labradors, I tell you, such drama queens.
Luci sulked for two whole days, didn’t touch her food, and finally on the third day, she accepted defeat. Even then, she goes running to welcome the help every morning. But when the woman waves her hand to indicates she should stay away, and adds “Po! Po! Po!” (Go, go, go) for good measure, Luci turns around and quietly walks away.
My heart breaks watching that scene. I realized it is not fear, which could at least have been overcome, but the woman actually disliked dogs.
Difficult as it is for a dog lover like me to understand how anyone can ever dislike dogs, I have to accept we are not all alike. I love dogs, she dislikes them with the same passion. I dislike spiders and lizards, but I know there are many, Count Bawa being one of them, who find them adorable.
So there it is. No use exclaiming over these things or getting worked up. We all have our different likes and dislikes and it would be easier on all of us if we accept those differences and move on. Luci, wisely so, has. Two days later, there she was, eating her food, wandering with the squeaky toy in her mouth, trying to tempt us into swiping it from her and not letting us, a game she relishes.
She still runs to welcome the help, her tail wagging for all its worth. But when shooed away, she walks away with dignity, and instead of moping, gets busy with other things. Dogs are wise, so very wise.
©Shail Mohan 2016
Day 6 NaBloPoMo 2016
Update: Luci with her old friend. This is what she’s missing now.
Shail's Nest 
Yeah, it is difficult for an animal lover to understand how people can not like or be indifferent to animals. My husband loves cats. I am indifferent to all life forms – humans included, sometimes. I don’t hate them, but I’d rather not live with them. He has finally thrown his hands up in the air and accepted me for what I am, after trying for many years, to convert me.
My neighbour has a dog, who looks a lot like your Luci, and she gives me the same puzzled look that Luci has on his face – how can you not pet adorable me. I merely smile at her and pass on.
Hehe. Labradors are very interested in those who don’t fawn over them 😛 I have heard it from different people. 🙂
I have added a video of her being petted by her fan, the previous help, who came to visit her recently.
Actually I dislike some dogs, but I like most of them.
I would melt for Luci’s eyes … 🙂
Yes, she has lovely eyes 😀 Thank you.
Ha ha ,I can imagine your help’s plight. I don’t dislike dogs , I fear them …or any animal. The touch gives me goosebumps! But I can surely send love to Lucy virtually;)
Oh yes and she thanks you 😉 😀
🙂
Reblogged this on Luci the dog.
Everyone who comes in this house knows that this is my dog’s house too and, if they don’t like it, they can leave. I like my dog way more than I like people. LOL At least your sweet pup knows that you love her! 🙂
The help tried telling me that dogs needed to be left outside or tied up. I told her Luci is my child, she stays indoors and with me. There was no talk on the topic. 🙂
Welcome to Shail’s Nest and thank you for the comment.
I know I couldn’t resist giving Luci lots of pats and hugs and play time! 🙂 She is so sweet!
Ahh, you love dogs too 🙂
This is totally like how Pumbaa reacted to my aunt and cousin who visited from Delhi. In their defense, though they knew I had not one but TWO dogs, they thought the dogs were tiny (like in the pics). OK this is a post in itself 😉 let me do that and link here 😀
Eagerly waiting to read about Pumbaa. Lol @’they thought the dogs were tiny’ 😀
😀 😀 😀
Well, the household help is such a necessary element of the ‘making-the-house-run’ (ghar chalana) that you have to make compromises. Luci knows that too. I am also appalled at how people can not like cats and dogs – but there are such people. I think it is because they are taught from childhood that they carry germs.(Like humans don’t…hmph.) That’s the answer I have from most of them.
Not if it had been a couple of years back 😉 But there is no compromise actually. Just that Luci is losing out on some pyar vyar 😛 Look at her lapping up all the attention when her old friend visited today 😀
Yeah, many people have hygiene on their minds, others simply don’t like dogs or cats. And yet others have a phobia.
Awwww…my baby Luci…big cuddly hugsss from me ❤
My mom was scared of dogs and she used to shoo away Kathu, my brother’s dog when he tries to come near. Now she loves him so much – the fear gone but she still hesitate to touch and cuddle. Each one is differently made!
Yeah, I know some folk like your mother too 🙂
Luci sends hugs right back at ya, Uma 🙂
Luci girl ❤
I dislike (except as characters in films and books) and fear dogs. Earlier if a dog comes too close I would freeze. A couple of times I have fainted too. Thank god, its not so anymore. Most dogs go away if you shoo them away.
I don’t go to places where they have dogs. We would meet outside home. It’s not fair to expect people to lock up their pet just because I am visiting though some are ready to do that while some take offence that I ‘dare’ to dislike their dogs.
We need more pet lovers like you… Understanding and accepting.
I have someone close who freezes on seeing dogs too. She stopped coming over after I got Luci. Thank you, I especially hate it when those who love snakes and lizards act as if I am somehow lesser than them because I dislike reptiles. I’d never want to be like them.
‘All five fingers are not the same’
Applies here, tho’ it may sound lame
‘To each his own’
Is another drone
Best — and beautiful — of you not to blame!
Indeed 🙂
Love or hate
is so very innate
Luci can now only wait
the day the help will appreciate..
She hasn’t given up hope and goes running to welcome her 🙂
Though I love dogs, I really don’t have any issues who dislike dogs (to each their own) as long as they don’t disrespect/insult me. There are several reasons why people may dislike/afraid of dogs, and it’s understandable. I do admit, I do love it when I see more Desi dog lovers 🙂
🙂 🙂