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Sultan is the little prince of Captain N (our current next door neighbour in Devlali).
Cptn. N found Sultan in an almost fatal state and nursed and fed him back to health again. Now Sultan has recovered and is growing naughtier by the day.
The first day we had shifted into the quarter, Sultan barked at us constantly. Then I went to him and started talking to him from afar. He seemed to like me talking to him. He began initiating playful tricks when I went near. If he found anything which looked remotely similar to a playball or water-bottle or slipper, Sultan would hold it into his mouth and pretend to be possessive about it. If I did not pay attention, he would throw it at me and bark slowly, provoking me to get near it. If I tried getting near, he would steal it right under my nose and run away, challenging me to catch it. That was the beginning of a successful relationship I'd had with Sultan and slowly introduced him to my hubby. While hubby smoked his morning cigarette, Sultan would go near him and try to catch the smoke rings but when hubby said 'down' or 'no', Sultan would instantly follow and obey.
Our months of a glorious summer in Devlali were spent basking in the glow of literal puppy love while training and establishing new routines for Sultan as his real owner had no time to devote to the pup. In fact, most of my time was spent incorporating him into my life and me into his. Most of my days were spent in quiet, loving solitude with Sultan. While I sat reading in the easy chair in the balcony of our quarter, Sultan would lie relaxed at my side and sigh with contentment. We were a happy couple. My heart was nourished and I felt content and full. We spent almost a month this way, until Captain N and his unit got ready to move to a new location, Sultan in tow.
During this 1 month I spent with Sultan, this is what I learnt from him:
1. Look innocent and lost when you need some extra care and attention.
2. When it's in your best interest, always practice obedience.
3. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
4. Run, romp and play daily.
5. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
6. Take naps and always stretch before rising.
7. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie in shade.
8. Be loyal but be open to making new friends.9. Never pretend to be something you're not.
10. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
11. Delight in the simple joy of taking long walks.
12. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
13. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
14. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
15. Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
16. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
17. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
18. When you are happy, dance around and let it show.
19. To be mischievious, yet to know when to give it up.
