Have you ever grown a pet? I had one. I never bought or adopted one. But someone I thought was a well-wisher, gave me his pet’s leash and told me – “this is yours. Please take care of it like your own.” I was surprised, but I happily agreed.
I had recently moved out of a neighbourhood and was looking forward to a new place to dwell when I bumped into this well-wisher. He was a familiar face from an earlier neighbourhood. I knew he had a keen interest in pets. He probably heard about my passion for taking care of things and offered me his pet’s leash.
I’ve never had a pet of my own. I have only seen others take care of pets. So, when the well-wisher handed me the pet’s leash, I had to learn how to handle it. I was a fast learner and put all my energy, effort, and time into learning and taking care of that pet. I got so invested that I started looking forward to things the pet might need, want, and wish for. I made a support group to make sure the pet received the best care. I would be watching some movie and suddenly remember; oh, my pet might need this. Quite often and quite consistently, I would go back and recheck with the support group I had created to help me take good care of my pet.
One day, the pet got a new caregiver. It’s only to help you out, I was told. Just a higher level to add to your existing support group. I was happy and continued to take care of my pet. Soon came another, when the first was gone, and they continued to come in and go as my bond with my pet grew stronger. I felt proud, my happiness had no boundaries as I saw my pet growing healthier and getting love and affection from everyone around. People around me appreciated my ways of taking care of my pet. Of course, that’s what I was supposed to do and I would go to any length to make sure my pet was happy.
People were noticing how passionately I was taking care of my pet and many came forward to ask if I would take care of theirs too. Some even offered the sun, the moon, and the stars. I neither had the time nor wanted to spare any risking my attention away from my pet. It needed my complete devotion, or so I thought. After all, it was ‘my’ pet!
One day, the well-wisher asked – How’s my pet? How do I trust you with it? It struck me a little hard – oh yes, it was his pet. Never mine! I felt a throbbing pain. I decided to give back the pet and walked away, half-heartedly.
Even though I walked away, I continued to keep checking on the pet. I was concerned, the pet was young and I knew it wouldn’t be the same. But I was happy it was getting along with a new set of caregivers.
One day, several months later, the well-wisher came back and asked if I could take charge of the pet once again. I was worried for its safety and quickly gave in, though deep within I knew it would never be ‘my’ pet anymore.
The pet had grown up and I had to find newer ways to nurture it. My bond with the pet grew stronger and it was definitely making good progress. Within months, it was a much happier pet and was getting noticed by pet admirers. With more admirers and more appreciation showered upon, my joy doubled. I started pushing myself stronger, often stretching beyond my limits. There came many more ‘caregivers’ to ‘add to my support system’ but I saw them all leaving without much contribution.
Sometimes, that made me wonder and I eventually asked, “If you’re not happy with my ways of nurturing, please find someone whom you trust”. But I was told, “Oh, you’re the best. We have a bigger plan for you. We’re just trying to get you a few more pets.”
I trusted that and continued to push my limits. I could see through some of the support recruits’ growing grudge. That only got me worried about the quality of care my pet would get. My personal issues or feelings never mattered! But I invested in strengthening my shields for the sake of my pet. A few months later, I started noticing the foundation of a wall being laid out. When asked, I was told it’s for protection. I felt better. The wall grew bigger and wider and it was soon a cage.
I realized that’s for my pet. But why in the world would someone think of a cage when it was doing so well without one. They must have some plans, I thought. I decided to wait and watch to get a clearer picture. I had promised, not to leave my pet again, till it grew big enough to be independent.
One day, I saw my pet’s pictures in the support group. It was a new place and I never knew it was being taken there. It pained me to know I wouldn’t have known if they hadn’t put it out there, in the group. I realized; that my pet was growing up. It felt good that the pet could be taken around without me. I guess I did good.
Then, I saw the pet being taken away more often to meet newer admirers and caregivers. They seemed to like it even more. I realized; it hardly needed me. I realized the well-wisher hardly needed me with the pet. I realized; it was time to accept yet again – it was NEVER ‘my’ pet in the first place. I was only made to believe so, in the best interest of the pet. I took some time to make sure everything was in place for the pet to continue without me and said goodbye.
The pet, the well-wisher, and the support group, no one noticed.
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