Tommy
Pets come in all shapes and sizes…!
I want it! I want it! I want it! I promise to look after it, Daddy. Don’t you trust me, I asked. I could see the look in my dad’s eyes. He did not believe I could look after anybody let alone myself. Not that I wasn’t capable, but, at that time, I was all of 7 years old! And I was asking for a pet for myself.
My parents usually got me whatever I asked for, but, for some reason, they were refusing to get me a pet. As I understood in my little boy brain, pets did not cost money. They were practically free. You could just bring one to your home and keep them! I did not understand the complexities of owning a pet, or the drama my parents were creating instead of just getting me one. As I look back now, as a parent myself, I can understand my father’s look in his eyes. He was thinking, if we get a pet, then, it will be me who will have to take care of it and this boy will do zilch!
But, I was adamant then. I wanted it and I was fighting for it. My mother was more sympathetic to me but at the same time was wary of adding more chores to her already full list. This back and forth went on for a few more weeks. Finally, my parents gave in. They sat me down one day and said, listen, Rohit, “Me and your mother have decided to get you the pet. But, there is one condition. We are fine to get you a pet that does not grow too big. How about a poodle or a pug? Nothing big like a Labrador or German Shepherd, deal?”.
I was confused. But, dad, they will grow big, won’t they? You can’t stop it. I want the one I saw in my friend Noah’s house and he is over 12 feet tall and I want the same kind. “WHAT?”, my father asked. 12 feet? What kind of a dog grows 12 feet tall? Don’t be silly, Rohit. D…D…Dog? When did I say I wanted a dog, dad? But, you kept asking for a pet. You even said you wanted to name it “Tommy”. We assumed you wanted a dog. Didn’t you? Was it a cat? A horse? No, dad. None of those! I want a Dinosaur!
Silence.
After what seemed like an hour, my dad asked again, What? What did you say? My mom had also come out to be a part of this important discussion. I slowly explained. Don’t worry dad. My friend Noah has one and he has shown me how to care for them. I even took Alvin out for a walk near his house. I can totally do it.
Alvin? Really? That’s all well and fine, Rohit, said, Dad. But, where will we even find a dinosaur? Suddenly, I could see his face clearing up! Then, he started laughing, hard. I was annoyed now. Why was my dad laughing? I was serious! Then, he declared. Fine. We will get you a “pet”. Come, let’s go to the toy store right now and you can get the biggest dinosaur they have. I have no objections.
That was it! I was very angry. But, being a 7-year-old, the only way to show it was, I started crying! Bwaah! Toy store? But, dad, I want a real dinosaur. Like the one Noah has. Alvin is brown and eats grass and is 12 feet tall, that is what I want too.
My dad softened seeing me cry. He finally told me. Fine, Rohit. Take me to see Alvin tomorrow. Once I see him we will make a decision. Deal? DEAL, I said. I was very happy now and also very confident that once my dad sees Alvin it will be very easy to get a yes out of him.
I told my dad we could go see Noah the next day when he comes to pick me up from school. I was very excited that day in school. My English teacher even asked me why I was looking so excited. I simply said, I am getting a new pet today and stopped. Finally, the school bell rang and it was time to go home. I was very excited now. I saw my dad waving to me among the horde of parents waiting to pick their kids. I ran up to him and took his hand. I practically dragged him out of school. I took him to the road behind the school where there was a big park. We went in. My dad was a bit suspicious and asked. Does Noah live in the park, Rohit? Ummm, no, dad! He stays near the park. Come, this is a shortcut, I said.
We walked for a short distance and then I got very excited and freed my hand from my dad and ran. I ran because I saw Alvin! Yes. Alvin was right there. He stood there majestically chomping on grass and happy just being himself. I ran over and pet him and just hugged him. I shouted and was showing it to my dad. For some reason, he was not looking excited or happy. He was staring blankly straight ahead for some time and then I saw him turning everywhere. I tried waving, jumping and anything to grab his attention. Nothing worked. Tired of it, I ran back and touched him on his arm. He got startled and turned to see me. He was very angry for some reason. ROHIT, he barked. Where had you run off to? Have I not told you to never go off by yourself like that? But, dad, I was showing Alvin to you. Did you not see him? See, he is right over there. Do you like him too, dad? Can we get one like him for me too?
My dad was in no mood to listen. Enough, Rohit. Stop this prank right this instant. I was scared to death thinking I lost you in the park and you are still carrying on about this dinosaur of yours. Just stop this and let us go home. You are not allowed to talk about any dinosaur from now on. I will get you a dog for your next birthday and that’s it.
And that really was it. I did get a dog. He was a very good dog. I named him Timmy. Not Tommy. That was reserved for my dinosaur. I had a very good time with Timmy but…
But, papa, my daughter asked me. So, you never did get your dinosaur? That’s very sad! I turned to face her, and asked, Now, who said that I did not get a dinosaur, Priya? She looked up startled. She was excited and confused at the same time. What do you mean papa? You mean you did get your dinosaur? Did grandpa agree?
Well, no. Whatever I did, I could not convince your Grandpa. So, I gave up. But, I did not give up on Tommy! I got Tommy on the same day as I got Timmy and I have been taking care of him ever since. I had kept him near Noah’s house when I was little. After I started working and living independently, I made a nice house for him nearby. Do you want to go see him? Really, papa? We can go see Tommy right now? Yes! Yes! Yes! Let’s go!
My daughter and I walked hand in hand happily to visit Tommy!
