In 1964, Subodh Gupta and I, both bachelors, were Divisional Officers in the NDA and found ourselves staying in adjacent cabins. We had shared some links in the past: he was from the 13th course and I from the 14th, both in ‘Fox’ squadron during my first term in the NDA. More significantly, his Mama, Justice PN Shinghal, was a close friend of my father. In fact, on one occasion, I was visiting Justice Shinghal’s house in Jaipur and as I entered his living room, my eyes fell on a photo on his mantelpiece and I was stunned thinking the photo was mine! It took me a few moments to realize that it was actually my late father’s, so great was the resemblance.
Finding ourselves as neighbours in the Officers Mess brought us even closer and we used to spend a lot of time together. Then in the summer break, Subodh went on leave to Delhi and came back with two very cute Pomeranian pups, a female and a male. He was wondering what to name them. Recalling Walt Disney’s movie and cartoon strip, I suggested Lady and Tramp and so they were named.
Many happy hours were spent playing with the two pups and, being fond of dogs, I inquired from Subodh if I could get a kin of Lady and Tramp. Subodh had acquired them from his brother-in-law in Delhi and readily agreed to get me one. Luckily, I soon got transferred to Delhi and during his next leave, Subodh took me to his bro-in-law’s house in Daryaganj where we were surrounded by a number of pups and dogs. I was asked to choose one and while I was trying to make up my mind, one cute white pup approached me with the most loving and unique gait, something like a fashion model walking on a ramp! The pup had chosen me rather than the other way round and I knew straightaway that that was the one for me. Bro-in-law told me that he had no objection but wanted me to know that the pup had earlier broken its right foreleg which had healed but given it the peculiar walk. I said that was fine by me and I lifted the pup in my arms. I was also told that it had generally been called Lucky because it had survived the fall and got away with only the leg injury but I could give him a name of my choice. I said no, Lucky was a beautiful name and would stay.
Lucky was my companion for the next 7 years and travelled with me all over including some sailings on Betwa and Trishul. Of course I could not keep him with me during long cruises when he would be left behind with either my uncle in Bombay or some friends. Lucky was very popular due to his sweet and friendly nature which, I suppose, he acquired as he had to adjust to different people during my absences. His gait remained his main attraction and my friends’ children would spend hours playing with him fascinated by the way he walked. Once while walking past some kids I overheard someone saying, “there goes Lucky Uncle”. I realized that Lucky’s popularity had far exceeded mine and I was known more by his name than my own!
During the day, Lucky had to be locked up in my cabin while I was away at work. Lucky generally accepted it gracefully but sometimes showed his dislike for being left alone. On one occasion, I came back from office and was aghast to see that Lucky had turned brown! I just could not understand how that had happened. A torn cloth bag containing brown suede polish powder solved the mystery. Lucky had been playing with it and had bitten into it spreading the powder all over. It took a long bath and shampoo to make Lucky white again!
Apart from house training and simple things like fetching a ball, I didn't train Lucky to do very much as I lacked the patience for it. My friend Jack Suri who we sadly lost on Khukri in the '71 War, insisted on teaching him something despite my protests. Whenever Jack asked Lucky, "What do naughty girls in London do?", Lucky would roll over on his back, spread his legs and flail them in the air.
At the end of 1971, I was in Cochin when war clouds started gathering and I was suddenly transferred to the newly formed Eastern Fleet on the staff of the Flag Officer Commanding the fleet. My earthly possessions consisted of a suitcase, bedding, music system, golf bag, car and Lucky. The suitcase and bedding accompanied me while the car with the music system and golf bag were left with a friend to be transported by train at a suitable date. There was a tussle for Lucky but Vijay Prasada’s kids won and took him along with the understanding that they would despatch him when I was ready to receive him.
The war and its aftermath kept me busy till early 1972 when I went on leave and got married. Akhila and I came to Vizag and settled down in our small borrowed flat in Amzari Park and were finally ready to call for Lucky. Alas, we learnt that Lucky had passed away a few days before. Both of us were very dejected as Akhila had seen him earlier and had also been charmed by him.
Almost half a century later, Lucky is vividly remembered by me and my friends and often comes up in our conversations. My grandchildren love to hear the story of his turning brown for a day!
