"Embracing Joy: A Puppy’s Lesson on Living Fully

Life Lessons from a Little Dog  

Happiness always felt fleeting to me. I’d hold back from fully embracing joy, afraid of the inevitable sorrow that could follow. I lived cautiously, in a gray, cloudy state—neither sunny nor stormy—just existing. 'Bhagavath Geetha', a guiding presence in my life, echoed this philosophy: don’t aim too high, don’t feel too much. And so, I followed.

Then, one day, a small, fluffy puppy entered our lives. My father brought him home, hoping his love and innocence would light up our moody household. At first, I hesitated and even asked my father to return him. What if I became too attached? What would happen after 10 years, knowing his life would be so much shorter than mine? My previous experience with pets as a child made me even more hesitant. But my parents didn’t listen to my pleas or commands—they decided to keep him. I declared I wouldn’t participate in any activities involving him and insisted he not enter my room.

But his cuteness broke through my defenses. The way he looked at me with those innocent eyes and made those tiny sounds drew me in. At night, he cried for his mother, and my parents, who woke up early, struggled to sleep. Since I had no problem sleeping with the light on, I decided to take him into my room at night. That decision changed everything.

I, who once loved dogs from a distance but couldn’t bear the thought of touching one or dealing with the mess, slowly began to change. Bit by bit, this tiny creature transformed me. To my own surprise, I found myself cleaning up after him, laughing at his antics, and rushing home from work to spend time with him. He became my buddy, my confidant. Without words, he taught me his language through wagging tails, playful nips, and those soulful eyes.

For the first time in a long time, I felt free to show love and affection without fear of judgement. I didn’t realize how much I’d been holding back until this little bundle of joy showed me how to live without restraint. Our home, once a place of muted emotions, was filled with laughter and light.

He would wake me up in the morning when it was time and follow me around during my daily activities. He treated my parents as his own and me as his buddy—I don’t know why, since I’m a full-grown adult, but he seemed to sense a connection. His innocence and playfulness resonated with me, and I began to wonder if the facade I’d put on myself had penetrated so deeply that I’d forgotten this part of me. I started buying things for him—toys, cleaning kits, and playing tools for dogs online. Even these actions surprised me. My dad would come home calling his name, and when he was a month older, he took him for walks to familiarize him with the neighborhood. Dad trained him every morning, and he quickly learned to recognize our house.

But joy is often fragile. In a single tragic moment, our puppy’s life was cut short by an accident. My father was going somewhere on his bicycle, and the puppy ran after him, hitting his head on the cycle. My father didn’t see what happened. The puppy made a sound and returned home, sitting outside and lying there, breathing heavily. I was sleeping and heard it all but thought it was just his playful antics—he was such a drama king. But when he didn’t stop, I went out to check. Something felt strange. My dad said it was nothing, that he was just playing. I examined him for injuries and found nothing. I googled the sounds he was making and the symptoms, and it suggested taking him to a vet.

Since it was a holiday, it would have taken a long drive to reach an open clinic. I went to change my clothes to take him, and my mother stroked him, worried. Dad was also concerned. Suddenly, Mom called out, saying he was losing weight, and two tears fell from his eyes. Just like that, his life slipped away. He was in my arms as I prepared to take him to the hospital, but it was too late.

It had been less than a month since it came into our lives, yet it had left an indelible mark. In those few short weeks, the puppy reminded me of the person I used to be—the carefree, playful version of myself that had been locked away by years of overthinking and fear. I used to worry about losing it after 10 years, and fate laughed at my plans by taking it away in just one month.

And yet, even in grief, I find solace. Geetha was right in its own way: life isn’t about the destination, but the journey. I wouldn’t trade those moments of pure joy for anything. I didn’t feel tired or burdened when I was with it—I felt alive.

This little puppy taught me that love is never a weakness; it’s a strength. It breaks down walls, dissolves fear, and teaches us to embrace life’s messy, beautiful chaos. I don’t need to forget this as a painful memory. Instead, I’ll cherish the love and the lessons it brought into my life.

To my dear Pluto: I loved you with all my heart, and I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. If there’s an afterlife, I hope you know how much you meant to me. You’ll always be a part of me, a reminder that love can heal even the deepest wounds.

Rest in peace, my sweet little friend. You were only here for a short while, but you changed me forever.

“Life, like our little furry companions, is fleeting. Embrace the joy while it lasts.”

    Pluto, in loving memory





What's one simple, everyday joy that an animal in your life has taught you to appreciate more fully?