Friendships are made in heaven but Bebo created heaven for me right here. The day still can’t fade away from my memory of when I met Bebo for the first time. Shit scared I am of dogs and Bebo was no exception. Her eyes staring at me and her lips slowly and steadily oscillating with a greater speed than my eyes could match. I pushed myself back on the sofa, crumpling the pillow with my hand and trying to offer whatever prayers I could recollect to save me at that moment.
Bebo’s genes had never to give up characteristic which was showcased through her refusal of looking elsewhere except me. Her expression fuelled my imagination of getting immersed in the water with Ganpati Bapa that day.
She suddenly started wagging her tail and her cheeks started dropping. She turned cuter than before and somehow I forced myself to wave my hand and atleast greet her with a “Hi” to make her feel safe.
I wished I would have learned mind reading in my engineering days when one of my friends claimed to have done it, which was mocked by me always. Atleast I could have tried to gauge Bebo’s thoughts and react accordingly to have harmless escapism. She suddenly increased the frequency of her waggling and lowered her forehead slightly towards me. I somehow managed to squeeze my legs more and more.
My friend who was enjoying my expressions and Bebos hospitality towards me, suddenly said “She wants you to pat her back. Do it.” My hands started shaking and my mind forcing them to head start towards Bebo. I touched her soft and silky hairs and she kind of jumped in rejoicement. I could sense that she was liking my touch and she tried harder to push herself more towards me.
This was giving me mixed feelings with anxiety as well as happiness. Patting her gave me a sense of delight and I realized the connection to her was so simple. She like we human beings did not need gifts or any materialistic possession to be felt cared for or loved by someone. A simple and true touch of a person was enough for her to make her feel good.
She suddenly jumped and turned her back. My friend exclaimed “She likes you. She wants you to massage her back.” My hands still shivering touched her back bit by bit and I made up and down movements with my fingers. Gently I started caressing her and moved my legs downwards.
I felt like I was massaging someone very special in my life. Bebo made me her friend without any terms and conditions, maybe with little expectation that I would caress her whenever I meet her. Why don’t we humans appreciate the little things we have and get in life? Bebo taught me gratitude and how simple things can bring happiness in life.
Why don’t we stop being judgmental and make friends with open minds and hearts? She taught me friends are made with genuine connections and don’t require any materialistic outlook to it. Friendships are made in heaven but Bebo created heaven for me right here…..
