Oh god, I am nervous about this.
It’s a nervousness that comes with worry and doubt, packed with layers of “What are you thinking?! and topped by years of insecurities.
I decided to start a series that you must pay to read. Phew.
Last year, when Khushi Bun came into my life, she did so amidst tumult and chaos. I was forlorn, lost, and broken. My trust and belief in life were at an all-time low. Then, wags, boops, paws, and drool happened. Life started to happen again.
And I want to remember all the moments with Bun. A dog’s life is short. Excruciatingly short. If there is a Maker above, I am going to ask them why humans live longer than dogs. I am aware of time’s slender fingers each time I pet her. I know that the joy she gives me isn’t permanent. That finitude is painful. But the memories are permanent and infinite.
I don’t want to lose them to time. I want to cover all the love with all my words. And so, here it is, the memoir I started writing, but serialized for now in a column:
The Paws & Pause.
This is as unfiltered as I could be. Life, loss, loneliness, and yes, love.
But more than anything, pause a bit. There are lots of things to rush about. But pause. Just a moment.
Bun will be pleased.
