I never believed in planning my sleep, because I had to wake up early the next day. I am sure it has happened to most of us, if tomorrow is a big day we could never sleep well the night before. This past Wednesday night was no different, I just could not sleep, I went bed at around 1am, and I remember looking at my phone at least thrice through the night. Finally at 5:45 I wake up ( No efforts to drag myself out, I had a spring in my step) and guess what I am in the office before 7, so I can take off early. I run through what would have been 8 hours worth of work in less than 4, and at 11 I am out of the office. Me and Bobby start heading to Dallas, and 636 miles are covered in just under 9 hours, no unforced stops, Gas was the only thing that could force us to, and we took a 7 minute pit stop.( Trust me when I say, I would not have if I did not have to)
I walked in the door, just to catch my brat off guard. I walk in through the foyer, to the kitchen to the Family area and still no Vito!! I am like is the dude sleeping already? and then I see him staring in from the glass door leading to the back yard. I see his mind racing at what would have been at least 100 miles an hour, a quick look which almost said ” Is the jerk back”, but then I knew he wouldn’t say it, we Indians are just not brought up that way ;). Impatient that he is, he cannot wait that extra second I took to give my buddies at home a quick hug, starts banging on that door, I rush to the door, open it and lo and behold, he jumps on me with all his might in a bear hug. He would not let go of me, a quick leap on Bobby, like to say Hey man..Long time! and back on me. I stepped out into the patio for a quick smoke, and he is all hyper jumping and hugging and nibbling and whining…Pure UN-adulterated Love and nothing else. Vito has grown a little bit, just the normal, except his tail is more like one of those garlands of flowers we got in India. His tail is capable of sweeping what ever the contents of the cocktail table in one quick swipe. I sat on the ground next to him, and he lies in my lap, the Laadla that he is, he is very happy at the moment. I said Vito…and that set off a rythemic movement of his tail, I say he is a happy puppy, but this happiness was nothing like anything I have ever seen. I was actually waiting to see him misbehave! Dinner was served, and I took a spot on the couch, and boy! O’ Boy! I was in for a surprise, My li’l boy was well behaved, he sat by me, and waited for me to give him something, no jumping no snatching.
I went into the bedroom to go change, and there comes my li’l soldier by my side. I step into the bathroom, and I say STAY! and he does not want to listen, the look in his eyes tells me, I dont trust you dude! What if you escape from the window!!
I let him in, and he sits there waiting, until I finish up. Then I want to go in to answer a call of nature, and he wants to go in!!! I said STAY again, and this time he does, but guess what starts scratching the door, whining and Woofing until I oprn the door, and with an abundance of joy leaps on me when I step out, I felt like a War Hero who came home!! He followed me everywhere I went, I wanted to get some stuff out the car and he just did not want to stay in, the scratching and Whining follow. I am in, and again the leap. I bet you even the QB of the Super Bowl winning team would not get that response.
I said time to sleep Vito Boy, and I am walking towards his crate just to see his reaction, (I am not that evil ;)) and he is not interested, he is standing at the Master Bedroom door, like saying isn’t this where you sleep? I did not know you liked sleeping in the Crate! We go in and I slip under the covers, and open a book I wanted to Read. I didnot believe what followed, he whined and leapt on me, and wanted to take the book away. I said dude, you cant eat books..Another whine! It wasn’t until I put the book away that he relaxed. ( He probably meant You are back after this long, and now you want to read a book? While I am here, are you retarded or something..started to act like a possessive GirlFriend at this point ;)) Then I pet him, hold him in a bear hug, and talk to him for a while, and he lay down next to me, his hand on mine, like holding it, stayed that way for a few minutes, and then goes sleeps with his head on my calf and snoring away to glory. Now Move! I decided to continue reading, as I had nothing better to do, until I woke Punnu for her 5AM Flight.
The following day, I left early for work, and came back a little after 8, and left again to meet with a couple old friends from Cisco, got back home late, on a high, and decided it would be better to sleep. I get on the bed, and close my eyes, Vito comes over and starts breathing right into my face, Licking me all over and trying a million ways to wake me. Punnu goes Vito let Prasee sleep, and tries to pull him away. No luck, he comes back with all his might and leaps on me, and again starts finding new ways to wake me. I am like Vito Boy time to sleep, NO! come the whine, and he finally gives up.
Vito is the same old, always by my side, the only difference this time he did not trust me even with the restrooms, every time I went he had to go in as well. I went out for a haircut saturday morning, and stayed out a little longer to meet with a few friends. I get a call, Vito ate a Sock! The dude actually ate a whole sock! Not sure what he was thinking, may be Vito’s special YOGA or something? Who eats a Sock guys c’mon now!! I guess his tummy said, dude this is inedible, since he threw up an hour later. Had me worried there, for a brief bit, Good heavens his tummy is smart!!
Vito Was so Mad when he was left in, while the other guys were playing Cricket, he barked constantly close to an hour or so, before Punnu brough him out, he skipped lunch, and did not even drink water. Talk about perserverance!! Then I took him for a long walk, just Vito and me, Very well behaved on the leash. We came back home, and after he relaxed a bit, he drank water, splashing it all over the place, he should have been so tired. He ate like he really enjoyed his food, long time since I’ve seen that.
It was a Wonderful weekend, got a lot of things done. Spnet time with Punnu, spent time with Vito! God I wish I dint have to leave!!
Sunday, the day I was going to leave, Vito probably understands the days of the week, I dont know but as always, he was on the low side all morning and would give me a very sad look, like saying Thussi Jaare Ho 😦 I cannot say for sure that he does know the days of the week, but makes me wonder. I pack my bag and say A’right my man, I’ll see ya soon! Give him a big hug, while he plants a wet kiss on my cheek, put him on the leash one last hug and said Bye Vito!! He tried at least 6 times to get into the car, while I told him Sorry Vito I need to go alone, another hug, a quick whine from him and I closed the door. I rolled down the window and he jumped up, and gave me a sad look which said Thussi Naa Jao!! while I said Bye Vito Take Care! God I dint want to leave! But then I knew I had to!
I dedicate this one to You My Boy!!
Rehna Thu..Hai Jaisa Thu..Thoda sa Dard Thu..Thodaaa Sukoon!
Take Care Vito Boy!! Ciao!!
Singaraju 