Whoever in this world said "a girls best friend are diamonds" never met my Simba.
Simba, simba my little black monster, a cuddle of a Labrador who was non less than my lion king. True to his name, he was a king like no other.
I don't even know how to start telling my story with Simba. I am not sure who found who? But i know the moment i saw him, my heart melted and i knew he was coming home with me. Cute little two month old Labrador pup was sitting on my lap while i was trying to manoeuvre the car. I guess it was his first ride which made him realise that the best place to sit in the car was only siting in my lap while i am driving. This is something he did till his last ride on his last day.
Our worlds became one, he became my shadow. Wherever i would go, right behind me just few inches away he would walk. If i made a 180 degrees turn by mistake it meant that i would trip on him as he would be right behind me. We saw many tumbles on the floor together and he would just climb on my chest and start licking my face if i fell down. He had made it clear that i was his world, and i was clear he was my child. So this was our relation for all his life. My friends and colleagues understood this, and for the first year Simba practically grew in my office. He was cuddled and hugged and loved by all. So there were times he came with me for meetings and my clients were drawn by his lupid eyes and shy behaviour . He was an actor par excellence and knew how to get his way.
I still remember when he was two years old i got another cute little cream lab pup. Thinking Simba needed company. We named her Nyla. It was perfect Simba and Nyla. But my little spoilt child was not willing to share his home and his mom with anyone else. He ran away and i behind him. Sandals in my hand as no way i could run any further with my high heel sandals on. He kept looking back and stopping for me to catch up with him, for him to sprint again. This was his way of telling me that we don't need any company other than ours at home. His doctor was laughing at this and that's the day he told me that Simba's world is you, and with his behaviour and reactions its very clear that he is not willing to share you with anyone. So it was clear that only Simba stays the king of the house.
I remember when Rolf and i had got married. Simba was difficult for few days, and then Rolf and he made peace.
Its funny my running habit is thanks to Simba. He would jump on my stomach in the morning and with his nose on my one eye he would be looking if i am awake. We both would go out to parade ground early morning at 6 am for a run together. There were times i used to call him my little healer and my little monk. One could not throw food on ground for Simba. He would only eat food with respect and from my hand. He was a strange one, never greedy for food, it could be lying but Simba would not be bothered. Oh my mutt loved his beef and biscuits. I remember when he was a puppy, i tried giving him milk and bread which he just refused to eat and threw it out of his mouth. He was a meat eater not a vegetarian pup. It was so cute, he used to eat everything that i would eat. There are so many memories that its difficult to remember them without a tear.
All i know is that my husband, my friends and colleagues they truly loved Simba like they loved me. I thank them all for caring for my mutt. It was clear way to my heart was Simba. Home was where Simba was, that was my motto.
He taught me unconditional love. He could speak a thousand words with one look and that's what he taught me. At times one does not need to understand the language, as love has no language. Maybe that's what he came in my life for to teach me how to live life, as whatever happens... life goes on. He also taught me not to be selfish and be caring. Invariably when ever i used to be super hungry and had a snack in my hand, he would want it too. And not another snack but the one in my hand. Therefore it has happened that sometimes not even a bite i have fed him the snack. he taught me some very beautiful things which we as humans seem to have forgotten in our lives. Unconditional love, care, compassion and non selfish attitude are a few which i learnt from my best friend my cuddles Simba. I did not have it in me when he was diagnosed with tumour in mouth to put him to sleep. The human in me was not ready to let him go. But the mother in me did not want him to suffer too. We humans just for a few more breaths will fight till end , without any dignity , as we are so scared of death. This probably was the last lesson which Simba had to teach me. Death is the beginning of life, and any life has to come to an end. So i put my child to sleep with dignity and no pain.
My love for Simba is a memory, a memory which has now become a treasure. As the old saying goes; who finds a friend finds treasure. I found a friend who cannot be compared to anyone i know.
Rest in peace my baby, when i see you again i'll tell about my long day.
