Momma’s Birthday!

It was such a sleepy boring Sunday, and me, Pappa and Momma were getting bored at home. They made me eat the same boring dal-chawal and we all went to sleep. Just then I heard some familiar noises and got excited that we were having visitors. But no one turned up for a long time!

After sometime, the doorbell rang, and I went running to peep and see who it could be. I saw Rachita Aunty looking at me from the window and Preethi Momma standing behind her! Momma opened the door and I was sooo happy to see them. Thank God, it wont be a boring night!

But man.. it was not all that! We had more people coming over. Preethi Momma, Sharanya Uncle, Santosh Uncle, Rachita Aunty, Geetu Aunty, Poohar Uncle came in.. and then people kept on coming. I was soo happy and excited that I picked up my bone and ran round and round in circles. Then they all took out this nice smelling thing, which I later understood to be Momma’s cake and Momma cut it. She let me lick her hands and face and the cake was yummmmm…

Happy Birthday Momma!

When I stayed in a different house! – Part 1

Preethi Momma clicked this photo of mine (Oh, she would roam around with the camera on her neck to click my every move, but let's talk about that some other thime!) when I was relaxing in her balcony, taking in the fresh and cool breeze. She thought I was waiting for Sharanya Uncle, my then-foster-daddy and even named this pic that way. Little did she know that this is one my favorites places in her house, and I was just relaxing there. Sharanya Uncle had just left with huge bags after hugging Preethi Momma and telling me a Bye. I was a little miffed that he did not tell me where he was going, and just left leaving Preethi Momma with tears in her eyes. I tried to console her a bit by licking her face, but Preethi Momma being herself did not let me lick and show my love. This also miffed me a bit, but only after staying with her for a while I understood that she has a totally different way to show love towards me, and I adapted to it.

Okay, a little bit about Preethi Momma and why I had to stay with her then, in spite of me having a great set of parents -

When my Momma and Pappa had to get married, they were not sure where to leave me. Yeah, they had me much before they got married(I sometimes laugh and also feel bad that Pappa calls me a bastard, but then, that's true! *knowing smile*) and we were a very happy family - me, Momma and Pappa. Yes, I was growing up, and Momma was taking care of me because I was still a kid and Pappa was teaching me all good habits(No wonder, I am such a good boy now. I know how to behave in every place, and I can take care of myself! *proud look*), but Momma had to leave after a while to her parent's place. She wanted to spend sometime with them before she can come and stay with me and Pappa forever! Pappa handled me all along. He managed to teach me good habits, and take me for my regular walks and still play with me. I did miss Momma but me and Pappa did fine by ourselves.

After some blissful days of guy bonding, Pappa also had to leave to Assam, and he wanted someone nice to take care of me. He could not just leave me with some random person and least of all in a kennel. After all, he loved me. So he spent a great deal of time in figuring out just the right person to take care of me. And all this while, I was unaware of the fact that Pappa also would be leaving me for a while. I was being a kiddo, and I was having all the fun being by myself in the house, with Pappa's friends visiting, and partying with me.

One fine day, Pappa took me for a walk, and got onto the main road. I was clueless as to where we were going, but I was excited because it was an outing. We got into an auto, and I was in a very playful mood. We then entered this very strange place, and I had never been there before. We met a strange lady near a shop, who apparently was waiting for us, and we walked together - me, Pappa and this strange lady with specs. There was a man following us, from a distance on a very big bike. We all went into this strange lady's house. Pappa tied me in the balcony and sat down on the table near by. All of them started talking. I could gather that it was about me staying there, and I began to become restless. After all, I was just a 8 month old baby, and Pappa was already talking about leaving me there. I could not imagine what I would do without Pappa also, with Momma having gone. So I started telling him that I would not stay with the strange lady. Pappa knew what I was saying, but he covered up by telling her that I was probably hungry, and she immediately went and gave me milk. Now, who doesnt want some extra milk. So I had that milk and started telling Pappa that we should better get going. This strange lady looked like she had plans to keep me there, she was being nice to me, doing baby-talk to me and all. And I did not like the strange man in the corner of the room. He kept on looking at me as if I would pounce on him, and the strange lady had to convince him again and again that I am harmless. Hello... How can I harm anyone? Couldn't he see that I was a cute kid who was bothered that his Pappa was leaving him? Okay, he did mention to that strange lady that I was extremely handsome and Pappa gave a proud smile also, but I wasnt calmed down. I did not want Pappa to leave me with her. But he eventually did it. The strange lady diverted me into doing something and Pappa slipped off. I went around the house with her holding my leash sniffing for Pappa, but there was no trace of him.

I then understood that he probably went for a short while, and began to make myself comfortable in her house. After all, they did not leave me with another option, right? All the while, the strange man was in the bedroom.

Now, Pappa and Momma had taught me some really practical habits-

- I was not to enter anyone's bedrooms.

- I was not to pee or poop anywhere inside the house or in the building premises

- I was not to enter anyone's kitchen. If I loved what was being cooked there, I can stay by the door and make a cute puppy face.

Since these have been ingrained in my head, I did not enter the bedroom, but stood by the door and looked at him. He started speaking and told that strange lady that he was very comfortable if I stood by the door and looked at him, and also that he finds me all the more handsome this way. I had mixed emotions at this time. At the back of my head, I was looking for Pappa, I was trying to figure out if I would love this strange lady, and I did not like being called Handsome. I was a kid and kids dont look handsome. They look cute, that's all. Then, the strange lady got onto her knees in front me and started talking to me. She said - Boomerang, I am Preethi. And I am your foster momma! Do you like me?

And she smiled. Now, I might be a bit pissed at Pappa for leaving me there, and a bit defiant to consider any other lady as my Momma, but when I saw her smile, I realized that she really loved me already. I decided to give her a chance, though I knew she would never become my real Momma. After all, she decided to try. I had also resolved that I would give the strange man, some time to get used to me. I would not bother him with my kiddish antics, and I would stick to this lady who insisted on being called Momma. So I resolved to call her Preethi Momma.

She then introduced me to the strange man, and told that he was Sharanya, my foster pappa. Now, this man looked no way like my Pappa. My Pappa was soo friendly with everybody like me, and loved everyone of my species. This man looked so wary of my species and was also talking to me from the other side of the door. So I decided to call him Sharanya Uncle.

After the initial set of introductions, we all got on to the task of knowing each other. Since I had resigned to the fact that if this lady was nice to me, she might be really get to be my foster Momma, I decided to be good to her. Momma also had called and spoken to Preethi Momma and gave her a set of instructions. She and Pappa had apparently liked Preethi Momma and Sharanya Uncle and so decided to keep me with them when they would honeymoon!

Over the next two days, Preethi Momma played with me, took me for walks and attended to my every whim! I got to tear a couple of papers in her house and play with a couple of doormats too.. and I had begun to enjoy it all.

After a couple more days with Pappa where Pappa gave me a thorough bath, and told me repeatedly to behave myself in Preethi Momma's house, I finally came to stay with her, with all my belongings - my tie-leash, my walk-leash, my bowl, my favorite chewies of all flavors and a big bag of Pedigree(I wanted to yell and tell Pappa that I do not like Pedigree, but he wouldn't listen.) He told Preethi Momma about my eating and peeing habits and left after Preethi Momma distracted me again. When I finally realized that he had really gone, and would come back only after another 20 days, I decided to calm down, and enjoy my stay at Preethi Momma's house.

In my next post, I will tell you guys what all I did in Preethi Momma’s house! And how much we both had together! Of course, and how I bonded with Sharanya Uncle eventually, and even thought momentarily that I could call him Sharanya Pappa.

Yet Another Foster House experience!!!!

For the last few days i've been noticing that my parents were packing their bags.... i could sense something fishy... within few hours i realised they are definitely going somewhere and have made arrangements for my stay at preethi mammas house.... though i love her place i was very apprehensive about how long would my parents take to come back... i'll miss them!!!

things like i would'nt be able to see them everyday, staying away from home etc., kept bothering me but somehow i had to come to terms with the reality, be a smart, sensible son and make my parents proud... so i was all set to face it....Finally the time has arrived where mamma was packing my stuff and getting things ready for me, so i have a comfortable stay... daddys gotten the car out and ready.. i was super excited about the drive.... we kept driving and driving... suddenly i realised preethi mammas house is'nt so far.. the drive continued for a good one and a half hour... i was just wondering what kind of a place this is with so much traffic and so many humans around...finally the car stops!Right infront of me i see Rachita waiting for me.... i was very excited seeing her and jumped all over her licking her everywher possible.... while im doing this, suddenly my eyes caught the sight of another dog that was very short and looked cute... however the dog didnt seem happy on my arrival.... me still being the sweet and friendly Boomerang approached the dog to strike a deal and get friendly (as by now i realised i had to stay here) .... But No!!! the dog had some other intentions... he almoust pounded on me to attack and bite me.... phew!!! i was so scared.... so was everyone..mamma had turned red with fear and started screaming... daddy still looked confident but didnt know how to handle the situation.. finally the watchman of heritage apartments came to my rescue and shooed the dog away!!! phew!!! i could see a relief sign on everyones face.... :) and now i poopy right infront of the building gate putting my mamma to a slight embarassment... but thats ok as long as i can relieve myself... u see sometimes i have no control over my bowel movements specially if im brought to a new environment.....

Now i enter Rachita's ( i am not sure what this woman wants to be.... i just hope she doesnt call herself my third mamma, as handling three mammas would be like the toughest thing dude!!! well, only time would reveal what's in store for me.. another mamma???!!!?? NO WAY!!!) flat.... WOAH!! this flat is small... but hey there are so many people in the flat which means i would have the company of atleast one person all the time.... i see an elder person sitting in the hall.. i go to him sniff him all over and try kissing him but nobody would lemme do that.... then i go all around the house checking and sniffing the minutest of details... i first enter rachita's room then i enter the huge open balcony that looked awesome , i obviously cant enter the forbidden area the kitchen.. and there was a mystery room i was not allowed to enter.... i could also smell that ther was someone inside the room but could'nt meet that person... and being Mr. Boomerang Saikia Das my curiosity levels rose!!! Puff!! i gave a look that meant --- "now im tired... can someone get me water?? " mamma understood this and got me some water...(this is what i love about her she understands all my looks.... awwww im gonna miss her real bad!! sob sob) by now i had a new problem to deal with.. a new house with a stupid dog that almost tried to bite me... new foster parents!!!!????!!!! NOOOOO!!!!!!!

I see mamma, dadda, Rachita and the elder man talking to each other when slowly one middle aged woman enters from the room to the hall taking small scary steps like a chor!! and since i never met her i started barking loudly... and she just ran back into her room .... she looked so suspicious.. what can i do, being a good labrador i bark at anyone who looks suspicious.... NOT MY FAULT!!! anyways by now my dad was planning to sneak out quickly without my knowledge... "hahahah daddy u think im so dumb!!!" however i let him believe i was'nt noticing a thing... then mamma gives Rachita(i still dont know what to call her....) all the instructions... by now i can see Rachita was tensed about my arrival she did'nt look as confident as she looked when i arrived.... mamma was worried not knowing if this was the right thing she's doing... daddy being confident like ever just left the room... mamma gave me a gyaan on how i shud be a good boy, not trouble Rachita, blah blah blah!! and left crying :( while i wanted to jump on her and tell her "please dont cry mamma i'll be good!" .... Thats it they were gone!!!... now im in a new place... not sure of when i would see my parents again.. not sure of how this woman would take care of me... not sure of anything... once all these feelings sunk in i started crying and whining for my mama and dadda... with a look that says "I"ll miss you both love you so much please come back REAL soon this time!!!" SOB!!

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Now i just didnt want to speak to anyone and just be on my own for sometime..... Rachita understood this and left me alone in the balcony while she was sitting in the hall almost into tears.. not sure if she'll do a good job, she was talking to her husband this time... she actually had plans of making alternate arrangements as she was very scared the stupid dog would hurt me sometime.... and she was scared that i would hurt the Mystery woman!! HmmmPhhhhh!!!! Humans and their worries!!! Now it was time for the mystery woman to come outside the room and i pretty much understood the rules of this house by now... as long as this mystery woman is around Boomerang CANNOT be free.... he has to be chained... its either her or me!! I was pretty cool with it.. as long as i have people around me i dont mind being chained 24 by 7!! Everyones finished their dinner... and have gone to sleep... by now the mystery woman was so irritated with me and wished i was'nt here... but thats fine... Boomerang's charm comes handy for all these people!! how long can she keep herself away from me... someday she has to fall into my trap and love me!! suddenly i dunno who's idea this was but they chain me to the balcony grill in the balcony... and i couldnt see anybody infront me... i went mad!! i just kept barking and barking for 15 mins... this worried Rachita and she thought if she was stubborn and strict i would bark for a while and keep quiet... but she failed to understand that i need people infront of me.... finally she got the message and set me free... while the elder people of the house were locked inside their room and were asleep.....

Now the whole house is quiet and Rachita comes close to me.... she starts talking to me... "Boombu baby how r u??? liking this place baby.... R you happy out here?? You know what im your aunt... so im gonna pamper you real bad and promise you we'll have a Blast!!" and she kisses me on my nose... starts rubbing me all over... i felt good!! so she's my aunt eh??!!?? suppacool!!! she suddenly opens the door for me and i see a familiar man infront of me... that was Santosh... phew more ppl... great!! I was again super xcited seeing him, finish my usual style of greeting people...... he walks into the house and they chain me again.... this time i wanted to pee and poopy so badly... nobody got the message, aunty called mamma to check why i was barking, and they were even planning alternatives.... suddenly somehow it struck them that i might want to poop or pee... we go out for a walk, this time i looked for that stupid dog.. but couldnt find him anywhere.... good for me... we go for a nice long walk and they let me loose in the building with the gates closed.... there was this huge mud area called garden where i really freaked out -- digging sniffing digging sniffing!!! Woah!! i love this area..!! now it was time to go back home and fall asleep.. since it was my first night here and mamma gave loads of instructions on how i would chew things... i was chained!! but i was cool with it as long as aunty was infront of me... she actually converted the sofa into a huge bed and both of them fell asleep with me... with a fresh bowl of water next to me and the balcony door open for some fresh air for me!!! ZzzzzzzZzzzzzGoodNight and Sweet Dreams! :) (However i and Santo never slept well that night...hehehhe)

To be Continued.......

PS . Pls ignore the grammatical errors... this is straight from the heart for Boombu!!!

Post by papa

Bringing up a puppy isn't a piece of cake. Among the pains, include the poop and pee at every nook of the house. Boomer has probably been given basic toilet training. So we can actually make out when he is about to pee or poop. He looks all confused and tries to find a place to do it. But being the size he is, he excretes.
Being humans it appears that we know what it should do, but trust me it just appears like that. Living in an apartment on the 6th floor, even we don't know what it should be doing. After referring to a number of training manuals and podcasts and after long discussions with Neela, we have come to the conclusion that he pees and poops in a litter box. Because it is impractical to take him out of the apartment complex 500 meters away just to pee every time. And trust me, at 1 month age, he pees every half an hour or 1 hour. Every time he wakes up, eats or plays.
So first we train him to pee on a news paper. Whenever he wakes up we call him on the news paper. And he pees / poops. Later we spread the news paper on the litter box and teach him commands, "Pee" and "Poop".
Once he learns the commands and grows a bit older, we take him outside and command him to "pee" and "poop". That would be practical because an adult healthy dog can hold his pee or poop for over 9-10 hours.
Though it is a little irritating and stinky, when he plays with you, the cuteness that he displays makes you forget all the pains you have to go through. Life looks beautiful again. It is a whole set of new feelings that we are going through these days.