Prathima's Miles & Milestones

Story narration from the POV of a dog

I am Pablo, a playful and happy-go-lucky dog. I share a home with my pet parents, who frequently take me for walks. The way I feel adopted & loved by my pet parent is the same my pet parent has his mother. Earlier, my pet parent was proactively taking me for a walk. As a dog, I love fresh air & my freedom. But off late, my pet parent delays my morning walks until being instructed.

I woke up early to the sound of raindrops outside and was looking forward to spending time outside. As a dog, I have a heightened sense of smell, and after rain, the world smells entirely different to us. The rain washes away familiar scents, replacing them with new ones. This makes their environment more stimulating and exciting for me. Moreover, we dogs are social creatures and enjoy spending time with our pet parents. Going for a walk provides an opportunity for bonding and social interaction, which we crave. Additionally, we are energetic and need regular exercise to stay healthy and happy. A walk after rain can provide an excellent opportunity for us to expend our energy and explore our surroundings.

As a dog, there’s nothing quite like the joy of jumping over puddles after a good rain. The smell of wet earth and fresh grass fills my nose and I can’t help but feel rejuvenated. My tail wags uncontrollably as I look up at my pet parent, hoping they’ll understand my desire to frolic and play. I take a running start and leap over the first puddle, feeling the splash of water against my fur and the sensation of weightlessness as I soar through the air. I land with a satisfying splash and my pet parent cheers me on.

I can’t resist the urge to do it again, and I am bound forward with renewed energy. The puddles become my playground, each one offering a new challenge and a new opportunity to revel in the pure, unbridled joy of being alive. As I continue to jump and splash through the water, I feel an overwhelming sense of contentment and happiness wash over me. At this moment, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than right here, playing in the rain with my beloved pet parent by my side.

When I looked at my pet parent with pleading eyes, he seemed to be ignoring me, and I wasn’t sure if we were going out today. Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice — it was my pet parent’s mom. She was up early, and she needed some help from my pet parent. That meant we were going out! I couldn’t contain my excitement, and I started jumping up and down. My pet parent rolled his eyes and got up, but I knew he was secretly happy to take me out.

After some discussion, my pet parent got up and opened the door, allowing me to roam on the veranda. We didn’t seem to be heading for our customary walk, but I was still optimistic. My pet parent’s mom wanted him to get some milk from a nearby store, and my pet parent was grumbling about it. But then my pet parent’s mom said something that made me very happy: “Take Pablo with you. He hasn’t gone on a walk today.”

I was ecstatic, but my pet parent appeared less happy. I was confident I could persuade him to accompany me on a long stroll. We stepped outside, and I could smell the wet earth and fresh air. My pet parent was grumbling about something, but I didn’t care. I was outside, and I was ready for an adventure. As we made our way to the shop, we ran into our neighbour Khalid. My pet parent gave consent when he asked to join us. More friends to play with — I was over the moon!

We were enjoying our strolls and neighbourhood exploration very much. We walked down the street, and I started wagging my tail at every person and animal we passed. I was socialising with kids and other dogs. As we walked, we explored the neighbourhood, sniffing around and chasing each other. But then my pet parent pulled me back, reminding me not to go near a group of kids with bikes. I didn’t understand why he was being so cautious, but I trusted him.

As a dog, watching cyclists is a thrilling experience. Seeing them whiz by on their bicycles, with the wind in their hair and the scenery flashing by, it’s hard not to get caught up in the excitement. The sound of the spinning wheels and the rhythmic click-clack of their pedals is like music to my ears. I love to watch the cyclists go by, feeling the rush of air as they pass, and feeling my fur ripple in the breeze. I can’t help but feel a little envious of their freedom and speed, but also grateful for my own unique vantage point.

Sometimes, I even get to run alongside them for a little while, my tongue lolling out and my tail wagging in excitement. It’s such a rush to keep pace with them, to feel the wind in my face and the thrill of the chase. Watching cyclists is a great way to pass the time, and it always leaves me feeling energized and alive. As a dog, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of being outdoors and watching the world go by.

We arrived at a store, and my pet parent went inside to get some milk. I waited outside, socialising with other dogs and kids. Then, I smelled something strange. It was my pet parent and Khalid — they were smoking behind the store. I didn’t like the smell, but I was having too much fun to leave. Even though they always buy cigarettes, which I don’t like the smell of, I still enjoy the time we spend there.

I can’t believe that walking the pet has become a metaphor for cigarettes for my pet parents. As a dog, the smell of cigarette smoke is overwhelming and unpleasant to me. It’s a pungent smell that seems to cling to everything, including the people who smoke. I can smell it even from a distance, and it often makes me cough or sneeze. The odour of cigarette smoke is also quite strong and overpowering, which can make me feel anxious or uneasy. Sometimes, it even makes my eyes water or my throat itch. It’s a sharp, acrid scent that lingers in the air, and I often try to avoid areas where people are smoking. Overall, the smell of cigarette smoke is not a pleasant experience for me as a dog, and I find myself hoping that people would choose not to smoke around me. My pet parent understand me so well that he and Khalid were smoking behind the store. That’s a kind gesture of how much my pet parent cares & is protective of me.

While I didn’t want to go because I was having so much fun, we ultimately had to leave. Eventually, it was time to head back home. On the way back, my pet parent seemed distracted, but I was still happy. I had a great time on our walk, and I was grateful for every moment. As we walked back, I barked happily, letting everyone know how much I enjoyed our adventure.

We arrived home, and my pet parent’s mom was waiting for us. She asked if we had a good time, and I barked even louder. My pet parent smiled, and I knew he had fun too.

As I lay here in my cosy bed, I can’t help but drift off into my dreams of future walks. Oh, the excitement fills me up inside as I imagine all the places we’ll go, the new smells I’ll get to sniff, and the people and other dogs I’ll get to meet.

I see myself running through lush green fields, chasing after butterflies and rabbits. I feel the cool breeze on my face as I stick my head out of the car window, eagerly anticipating our arrival at the park. I can almost taste the fresh water from the nearby lake as I splash around and play with my human.

I dream of exploring new neighbourhoods, and walking through busy streets, with all the different sounds and smells that come with them. I imagine myself wagging my tail, greeting everyone who crosses our path, and receiving endless pets and belly rubs from friendly strangers and even Khalid.

And as I dream on, I know that these future walks are just around the corner. I can hardly wait to see where our next adventure will take us. Rain or shine, I’m always ready for an adventure with my pet parent. Woof woof! We had a great cloudy morning walk.

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