My little fur ball of joy ...

My mom has never been able to match any of the gifts that she has ever got for us to the one she got for the Christmas of 99.

When she came back from her grocery shopping that day there was an impish smile on her face which almost certainly means that there is a surprise in store for us.
After some theatrics on her part, when she finally did outstrech her palm ,we couldn't help but squeal in delight.
Two of the cutest little eyes were looking at us from between a clump of soft white fur.We realised incessant nagging did work and we finally had our very own pet.
I instantly fell in love with the most beautiful living creature I had seen in all of my fifteen years. :) :) :)

Unfortunately, he didn't seem quite taken by me as I was with him :(
Thankfully after a jittery start to our friendship we got along like a house on fire.

And though we had not expected this ,our lives were never the same again!!
We began to plan our family outings around him - any place which did not welcome him was promptly ticked off the list and the ones which did became our regular haunts.
Our social lives too were being defined by him.Any of my friends who liked him always scored brownie points and the rest could choose not to be friends for all I cared !!

Ginger became a focal point of all our affection and he returned the same with much more gusto.
My brother was still too young to be a confidante and Ginger fill into the role to the T.
I had the perfect audience for telling stuff right from the chemistry debacles to the latest crushes. My very own 'Agony uncle' would just need to look at me with those liquid eyes and a muzzle or lick later i would be back to being happy again.

And how could I forget his zesty spirit , the personality of an Alsatian in that petite Spitz body of his...how he would take on the larger of his species with equal ferocity and a never say die attitude.

But all the best things in life come with a expiry date and Ginger's came all too soon.
It was heart wrenching to see our bundle of joy lying lifeless on a cold table.
He had brought infinite love and joy into our lives and with him gone, it was all too glum, all of a sudden .

Every morning had been a blessing when he licked my face and forced me to get up.
Every night had been all that more comforting when he snuggled on to my pillow.
Every moment with him around was just perfect .

Oh what would I not give for just one last cuddle from him.
And you know something , this time I am not going to mind any of that fur he so loved to leave behind.