|
|
|
Jupiter is the sweetest dog in the whole world (my biased, one-sided opinion of course). I got Jupiter when he was about a month old. My friend couldn’t keep him anymore, so I volunteered to take him in because I couldn’t bear to think of the little pup roaming the streets by himself. He was smart for his age. At one month, already understood the command ‘sit’ and he could also ‘shake hands’ with his little paw.  We were told that Jupi was a cross between a mongrel and a rottweiler but some said that he was a cross between a mongrel and a doberman. But Jupi could have been a mutt for all I cared, I loved him all the same. As he grew, Jupiter began to get really hyperactive. He would jump with joy whenever anyone came out to play with him and he loved it when we scratched behind his ear. At first, Moo was really jealous of Jupi. After all, a new pup had invaded his territory. The first time he saw Jupiter, Moo’s eyes grew red and he started barking his head off. Jupiter, however just carried on playing, enjoying all the attention he was getting from us. We petted him and shook his paw and the pup was really happy. He wandered around Moo’s territory, drinking from Moo’s bowl and eating Moo’s biscuits. That drove Moo into a fury. He yanked hard against his chain with the clear intention of wanting to bite Jupiter to pieces. But of course, he never got his chance. Jupiter was well protected. To ensure harmony in the house we had to split both the dogs up, Moo lived in the front compound and Jupiter in the back. I made Jupiter’s home myself from some wire fencing which I bought. It was so frustrating and by the time I was done I was ready to strangle someone with the cage. Anyway, little Jupi was happy with his home. He immediately went in for a test-snooze and by the way he slept, I think he approved 100%. Once, one of us accidentally left the front door open and Moo came bounding in ready to go for Jupiter's throat. The funniest thing happened then. Moo stopped right in front of Jupi and started growling but Jupi, being the sweet boy that he was, put out his tongue and licked Moo on the nose. Moo was taken aback. He really didn’t know what to make of the situation. Then Jupiter started barking playfully and charged at Moo. Poor Moo! What a site it was, a two month old pup chasing a 1 and a half year old dog around in circles. All of us just burst out laughing. Jupiter grew into a walking food disposal. He just ate and ate and after that, he ate some more. He was always hungry. No matter how much he ate, he always hoped that more food would come his way. I joked with my aunt that if I were to feed Jupi from morning to night, he would still have room in his tummy to carry on until the next day. What a dog! When Biscuit came to live with us, Jupiter had to move to the front compound to live with Moo. He was one and the half years old by then, big enough to carry his own with Moo. We expected a big blow-out between Moo and Jupiter but there wasn’t one. They just chased each other around for a while and then they were pals. Sure, they fought once in a while but none of them got injured. I guess it was all in fun. Moo and Jupiter are nothing alike. Moo has all these human behavioural patterns but Jupiter is pure doggie. For instance, once, when my Mom scolded Moo, he retreated to his corner and lay down. And later, when my Mom (who was on her way out of the house) called out good bye to him, Moo just ignored her. He even turned his head and looked the other way. Jupiter on the other hand, is the total opposite. No matter how much he is scolded (especially for tearing up the plants and chewing up the shoes, which Moo never did by the way), Jupiter never held any grudges. He always made up immediately, tail wagging and all. That is why I call him my sweet boy. But the biggest mystery that plagues us till today is : How is it that the older Jupiter got, the dumber he became ?  |
