Bruno: the love of my life

Diwali with Bruno

17 December: the saddest day of my life. Bruno, the best living creature I knew passed away. After a brief battle with pneumonia (lung congestion).

He was just 7 years old (50 years as per the human scale). 

Bruno was the most joyous and pure hearted spirit I have ever known. He brought fortune and happiness to our house from the minute he came into our lives. 

He was truly a golden retriever in that sense. One who time and again ensured me and Shivani are retrieved to the house (just to meet him) and one who retrieved golden luck to our family. 

Bruno lived a wonderful life (atleast I believe he did) where he was pampered a lot, loved a lot and taken the best care of. 

But when something like death happens it makes you wonder what went wrong. 

Bruno’s final days were painful to see. He had some kind of chest congestion which no vet was able to diagnose properly. Such is the shameful condition of animal healthcare in India. 

Seeing Bruno in so much pain and yet seeing him trying his best to break the illness was tough. It made me feel HELPLESS.

I have never felt such helplessness in my life. 

Watching your baby dog struggle for life and there’s nothing you can do about it. 

I like to believe that when Yamraj would’ve come for Bruno, he would’ve given a big smile to Yamraj thinking he was just this person who was coming to pet him. That’s how much love and affection Bruno had within himself for each and everyone who came to his house.

And when old age was just around the corner for him, god did not want him to struggle or get caught in old age sickness and hence took him to a better place. Giving him and us the best 7 years.

Bruno was always the bundle of joy, energy and happiness. That’s how god wanted us to remember him. Even in his final days. It was time that Bruno moved on to supposedly better things in life. But god you forgot about us. How are we supposed to move on to better things in life? For us there is nothing better than Bruno. 

Here’s a little note for you Bruno, I know you will get this message:

“I know you loved all of us with all of your little heart. I know you enjoyed roaming and sniffing around each corner of your house. I will miss seeing you get all excited and jumpy every time I come home. It is going to be super hard coming home and not seeing you. I will miss seeing that beautiful face you make when you wanted to get pampered. I will miss how you slept on my hand and gave me the immense pleasure of having you by my side. I will miss you every time I eat because now no one will come and constantly ask for food. I will miss how excited you used to get for our evening walks. How you were the reason for our entire family to walk around and spend quality time. I am really sorry I couldn’t be with you for your final days. I will carry that regret with me always. I wanted one final chance to pet you, to experience your warmth and to give you one big hug. I am sure the heaven just got better with you there.  I will miss you a lot. I’ll never stop loving you.” 

Bruno on his couch

Bruno's experience opened my eyes to the predicament of pet healthcare industry in India and I hope that one day I am able to contribute something for its improvement.

The world is already harsh, and it shouldn't lose angels like my Bruno.