Pets don’t talk or so we believe, especially
those who cannot communicate with animals. But animals are the human being’s
best friends. Not only are they good companions on the lonely days but they can
also heal. They help lower blood pressure, promote a feel-good factor and help
patients endure difficult medical procedures.
Do you have a dog at home? No? Or maybe your
friend has one?
I once had a friend called Sunil. Everyday I saw
him in the park sitting in a wheel chair. I used to play with my friends on the
swings, seesaw and run around the park, sometimes plucking flowers. But Sunil
just sat on a wheelchair, staring at the sky, at the plants and at the flowers
but not really focused on anything. He never smiled at anybody. He could hardly
move his neck because he had poor muscle control. He was very lonely and he always looked so sad and quiet.
One day, his daddy got him a gift- a lovely furry
dog. They named her Smally. She was a
very special dog; she was trained to be a good friend to lonely people. She was
trained to put off the lights and throw away the thrash.
Smally was also trained to play with him. They used to play a game of ball. Smally
would bring the ball and drop it on Sunil’s lap. Then she would wait patiently
for Sunil to move his stiff neck, focus on the ball, finally grab it and fling
it for Smally to bring it back to him. They played this game over and over
again.
Soon Smally and Sunil became good friends and developed
an emotional bond with each other. Sunil wanted Smally by his side all the
time. Even when he was sick, he felt good when Smally slept next to him and
cuddled up close to him.
One day he came to the park with Smally. He had a
smile on his face. Smally was very pretty dog. She had black and white fur. I walked to where Sunil was sitting on his wheelchair. I ran my fingers through Smally’s
black and white fur. They were so soft to touch. As soft as cotton puffs. Many
other children also came to play with Smally. I would sometimes hold Sunil’s
hand too.
Everyday Sunil and Smally came to the park. We
played together, sang songs together and sometimes, we even prayed together.
Sunil started showing improvement. He learnt to focus his attention to what we
sang. He started to enjoy my company
too.
Sunil had Smally to play with him at home. He had many friends to sit around him in the park too.
Sunil was never ever lonely again.
