Man with his 2 dogs

THE
MAN
WITH HIS
DOGS
1

This is a story about a middle aged professional and his two four legged furry friends
Murphy & Jaggs. A story about their friendship which became eternal during the
pandemic. All three came together to give up their baggage of past and live life fully…
It was never planned, it was the outcome of choice made by the man who is the
author… or should I say, it was destined.
Apart from our handsomeness, if there is anything else common among we three, then
that will be our disturbing childhood, optimism and “love at first sight” moments…
Let me first introduce the only two legged creature here, myself. A middle aged
professional whose life had been always struggling from childhood and continue
to be…But I consider myself as extremely successful and content though all worldly
parameters suggest otherwise.
2

Entry of Murphy…
Now let me introduce the most important character of the plot Murphy a four-yearold
Golden Retriever who was adopted by my wife from an abusive young couple
when he was barely six months old. He entered to my life when I was in an extremely
low state and completely denial state. I had just lost my 2 years old Labrador dog
Oscar primarily due to my inability to not sense his health condition. Murphy was
underweight with limping back legs when he kept running to me… It was a love at first
sight! I got the echo… Dude ! I have arrived… !!
Murphy never liked any human touch… He had lost all his faiths on humans due to
the trauma he had to go through from previous parents. Today except me, he even
growls at my wife and daughter when they accidentally touch his nose. Murphy was
aggressive with other dogs due to his bitter past. I kept a walker to take him out twice
3

a day as my wife could not mange him on roads. I felt good as he was better off than
his past but he was not a confident dog. But he always gave me his generous hug and
obedience. When I am in official tour, he will become sad and wait near the door till
I come back even if it is in months. Life continued till the pandemic hit. The walker
stopped coming. I had no option but to take him out twice a day for 30 minutes…
In fact, I made it 15 minutes. Apart from basic commands, he was not trained and
attacked other pedigrees multiple times. Those were a very embarrassing moments
for me. By this time, Murphy had earned his bad name beyond my building in entire
township. We both had similar temperament, hence my wife used to tell me, he is a
complete reflection of me. But we both were happy and content in our own company,
we never felt the need of any other friend.
4

Forced Entry of Jaggs…
More than three months into pandemic when me and my wife were completely drained
both physically and mentally without help of any maid, then entered a black two and
half month puppy a mix of Mastiff and Labrador.
A teenaged kid of two high flying corporate executives had made puppies by mating
two of his pet dogs to make some quick buck. Things did not go as per plan and his
business plan got doomed due to pandemic. One day he got frustrated with continuous
nagging of his parents in absence of help. In a moment of madness, he left all the
puppies [ waiting for sell] on road and one of them was killed by strays. This was the
time lot of humans abandoned their dogs on road as it became a burden on them and
they just wanted to get rid of this additional responsibilities. Today I see lot of new pet
parents in my township who now realizes dog can take care of their kid’s emotions…
In this urban jungle everything is a transaction. Jaggs was adopted by my wife for
fostering. She never had plan to keep him forever. But for me, it was a Love at first
sight again !! I again got the same echo… Dude ! I have arrived…!!
I could never let him go, in spite of my wife advertising multiple times for his adoption.
Jaggs has a tremendous power in his eyes… which always told me silently… “I am in
your life with a purpose…”
5

Formation of Boys Gang
Jaggs the tiny fellow dominated Murphy from day one. The most aggressive Murphy
the alpha male was behaving like a puppy in front him. First he took possession of all
Murphy’s belongings including all his toys. Whenever I gave any treat Jaggs will finish
his and take away Murphy’s share. He was more focused on Murphy’s plate than his
own. However, whenever I gave biscuits to Murphy, he will not eat till Jaggs eats. First
time I realized beneath the tough exterior and bad name he has earned for himself
a highly compassionate and generous dog. He truly is a royal dog like his look. I just
recalled, he is a true reflection of me…
Initial days were very tiring both for me and my wife…taking both the untrained dogs
out in turn, their grooming…etc. But it was a Man’s word to his Dogs which made me
rise to the occasion. Keeping two large breed dogs in a flat was not an easy decision,
but then it was a decision not transaction which can be reversed.
6

Coming together…
We all three are so different like the three points of a triangle but are
always connected.
In spite of me knowing my health condition [High BP & Sugar] since last decade, I
could never motivate myself to walk to the next room and switch on the treadmill.
Rather I preferred to pop up the pills. I could never motivate myself enough.
Born and brought up in Pandemic Jaggs was never socialized and became very
aggressive. He thought it is his moral responsibility to safeguard his mom [my wife]
24X7. He started charging the watchman, any dog or human he met on the way. Even
a dog trainer could not calm down him.
I had never spent time in understanding Murphy. So, he had accepted the life as it
is. For him, ok to growl at other pedigrees, given a chance, attack once a while, get
forced fed and sleep. The only thing Murphy could not share with Jaggs is his world,
that is “me”. Jaggs had an undue advantage of cuteness being a puppy. He was getting
away with all his mischievous acts making Murphy blamed every time. Murphy knew
life is not fair.., but what he could not accept the undue partiality of mine. That hurts
him the most. He tried his level best to stop dad connecting with Jaggs but that joker
knew how to make space for himself.
One fine evening, we all three were roaming in a car aimlessly, and we saw some
visibly happy pets playing unleashed in a park with their sport dads who looked much
fitter than theirs. Both of them looked at me, and I realized… we deserve much more
than what we have… We need to unleash our life from that 100 sq ft. AC room. We
need to walk on grass, wet in rain, sweat in sun, play and celebrate life as if there is no
tomorrow. We realized, if there is one thing which is standing between our happiness
and us that is our not helping to each other.
7

Helping to each other…
From that evening, life had been never been so boring again… Now every morning
comes with new possibilities, possibilities to learn new things, unlearn, realize,
correct, trust, respect… possibility of Jaggs being a Therapy Dog, Possibility of Murphy
becoming famous for all good reasons in the town. And I becoming a more responsible
and sensitive person, fitter, content and happy. The aching muscles no more could
stop me from showing on track. What more lesser mortar like we three could have
expected in this life??
Next day, we all three were same, the strays, the pedigrees, humans around us
nothing had changed… the only thing that had changed was, we consciously becoming
reflection of each other and learning / unlearning from each other. Charity begins at
home… the first change that happened in me is, I gave rest to my mind while walking
with Jaggs or Murphy. Instead of analyzing I started observing. One smart thing I did
is, I tagged myself to Murphy & Jaggs for both morning and evening walk. As a result,
I started walking 10Km average in a day. Both Murphy who was becoming obese and
me became fitter day by day. Even today after the walker came last month, I still walk
them in once in a day by turn.
I trained myself on Dog behavior more through observation rather than reading. I
realized like humans, dogs has their own personality. Like a twins which are so
different, Jaggs and Murphy are completely poles apart. I started my training during
8

the walk. It was a continuous unlearning and learning process for me. I knew one thing,
I do not have luxury of giving up. There were very low days when Jaggs or Murphy will
behave horribly not listen commands. Soon, I realized if I cannot expect from humans
why am I expecting too much from them? I took Jaggs and socialized with all strays,
pedigrees, watchmen, housekeeping staffs and small kids. I knew Jaggs is a highly
sensitive dog and can be trained as a therapy dog… I realized the purpose with which
he came in my life. Today Jaggs is an extremely happy confident Dog getting trained
to be a certified Therapy Dog soon.
Murphy is having the best days of his life. Roaming in the entire township off leash…
sniffing objects, peeing on all plants on the way, looking back at his proud dad. He is
the most desired dog among all bitches. Same people who hated him want to pet him
and want their pet to learn few things from him. There are some people who knew
him from past can not believe their eyes.
9

What Murphy taught / teaches me….
The top 3 things Murphy taught me, rather teaches me are…
1
Your insecurity should never affect your loyalty [ There was not an iota of
drop in his love for me knowing, Jaggs shared my span of attention with
him]
2
We always prepare to live but we never live. Live in the moment. Enjoy
what you have. Life is a celebration.
3
You will always have a reason and choice to be generous and
compassionate. Find your reason.
10

What Jaggs taught / teaches me…
1
In life, do not take anything for granted. Be loyal to people who helped
you when you needed them most.[ Even if he loves our boys gang, he is
still more loyal to my wife than he is to me…the hands which fed him
first time]
2
Observe more, Judge less…[ Today I will encourage an obese person
walking instead of ridiculing him as I would have done in my earlier
version].
3
There is a tremendous healing power in love. It is more powerful than
medicines. It may not help you live longer… but it will help you live fully.
11

What Jaggs & Murphy learn from me…
1
2
3
4
You can still believe a two legged. You just need to find the right one.
I can keep writing on this, but just wanted to end the story with the
caption I read during the cremation of my previous dog Oscar.
“Dog do not stay your full life… but they make your life full…”
Somebody asked me, what is the toughest thing in keeping a Dog, I said
“to let them go…”
5
6
Every time, Murphy gives me a hug, I repeat to myself, “the fear of losing,
should never stop you from living your life completely….”
Every time I pet Jaggs, I tell to myself, Love has the biggest power to heal…
12

Finally, today
we all three are
known for all
right reasons in
the township…
THE
MAN
WITH
HIS
TWO
DOGS.
13