The Loss of Bliss

Aruna Raghuram

In the midst of the raging pandemic in April 2020, we experienced a loss of a family member — our Labrador Bliss. She was a little over 12 years old. Thankfully, her suffering was not prolonged.

Bliss came to us when she was a few weeks old and was aptly named so by our children. Aptly I say, because she brought great joy to the entire family.

We had been told to get a female as she would be more docile. And docile she was — she did not bite anyone in her entire life. But Bliss had a mind of her own. She decided early in our relationship that we were her adopted family and other dogs were not very interesting creatures!

And, while she was obedient indoors, once she was out on a walk she took on a whole new personality. She would tug at her leash to explore every nook that smelt good. She would pick up random stuff from the road (mostly inedible) sneakily. “No Bliss!” we would shout in vain and prise open her mouth to pull out the junk.

When she was much younger, Bliss had the habit of running away from home (there were no fences between the houses) and explore the green campus we lived on. My daughter and son would be deputed to find her and bring her back safely. We were worried she may be attacked by strays against whom she had no defence. In fact, when she was on a walk and strays barked at her, she looked in a puzzled and helpless fashion at us.

Her size and deep bark did cause anxious moments to visitors. But most people became friends with her once they realised she was harmless. Bliss had the sensitivity to understand if someone did not want her to get too close to them or lick them. If Labradors are supposed to have the brains of a toddler, she was definitely precocious. If one of us was feeling low she would come and snuggle up asking to be petted as if she knew that by petting her we would feel much better. If we stepped out for 10 minutes, what a warm welcome we received when we got back!

I am not the dog lover in our family. But I could not help loving Bliss. Her gentle nature, her doe-like expressive eyes and most of all her unconditional love! Her love had nothing to do with how long we petted her, whether we gave her treats, or took her for rambling walks, which she greatly enjoyed. It was truly unconditional. No human being can love so unconditionally. Love you Bliss. And miss you so… much.