A Dog Named DOT

Dogs like Dot are found a dime a dozen on Chennai streets. Diya could never understand why that one particular dog who was just like any other brown and white dog, chose to pull at her heartstrings...

- K Geethanjali

Was it because Dot was such a scaredy-old chap and she wanted to protect him with all her might? That was how she had met Dot, trembling all over. Her dad's car had nearly run over him a week ago. Dad and Diya were on their way to get a dog from a pet shop's dog sale, for Diya's birthday.

Diya could hardly wait. Dad was buying her a Shih Tzu puppy. Ever since her friend Pari had bought a Shih Tzu, Diya wanted one, too.

"Shih Tzu's are so small and cute. They are so gentle and don't keep barking like the Indies do. It will be fun to groom him and show him off to all my friends! I'll name him Prince because he will live like a prince in our house!" She chattered happily as their car sped towards the kennels where the dog sale was happening.

The November air was smoky after Diwali. A procession passing through the streets had scared a little brown and white puppy. He ran helter-skelter, until, in an intense moment of fear, he leapt right in front of their car.

If Dad hadn't braked in time, the little pup might have been hurt. Shivering with fear, he let out an agonized yelp and crawled dismally into the nearest gutter. There he lay, howling so terribly that people began to stop and stare accusingly at Dad and Diya. They quickly got down to check if the pup was hurt.

Dad, who was good with animals, jumped into the gutter and lifted up the little pup, who let out another volley of high-pitched, ear-splitting yelps.

Dad gulped as the crowd grew. People stared with baleful eyes. "I am going to call the People for Animals helpline," Diya heard someone say. Dad hurriedly jumped up from the gutter. "Open the back door, Diya!" he instructed, making a quick decision.