Not quite a Labrador thing!

His Royal Majesty- Caesar Simha!

Hi!

While I am very well aware that the site itself is called 'a-labrador-thing', it would be unfair of me if I do not write about another furball that has been central to my life for the last 3- 4 years now. This one is for the most elegantly gigantic pepper pot- Caesar Simha!

For those of us who like dogs (And even those of us that do not particularly like them...), it is easy to figure out which breeds are friendly and which are not to be trifled with. The GSDs, Dobermans, Rottweilers, even the Pomeranians are clearly breeds that we would give a wide berth to. Years ago, I had once seen his rolly polly dwarfed GSD and he looked sooooooo cute that I had instantly stopped to see if his master would let me pet him. The minute I approached his master, this guy's face turned into a mean snarl, teeth all barred and his body language scary enough for me to immediately back away, out of the range of his leash. While his master tried apologizing, I knew it was my stupid mistake to approach a breed like the German Shepherd with such carefree abandon. I have never done so again...

I had just started working when I first heard of Caesar. The friend who talked about him was terrified of dogs and described how every time she went to Caesar's palace (Hee hee hee, its not a spelling mistake, just an overdose of the Asterix comics... Anyways, its more like Sharath's place- who was her friend and colleague who is also now a very close friend of mine...), she could be found standing on the sofa and screaming for either Sharath or his mom to come save her. All this while, Caesar could be found standing near the sofa gazing up at my friend and wondering exactly why this particular lady always chose to 'stand' on the sofa when most of the other humans who visited his place would use the sofa to sit down! Well, the mysteries of life!

I couldn't wait to meet this big guy and one day, on a girls-day-of-fun we landed up close to Caesar's place and we decided to drop in and meet him! There were four of us and while one of us immediately look her 'regular' place on the sofa (Some things never quite do change...), I was suddenly hit by a vision of this monstrous looking BIG GSD who came tearing down the stairway to get a good look at his new guests. He did pause for a few moments at the base of the sofa to try and unravel the 'standing' mystery but then curiosity over the new people was too much to overcome and he quickly bounded over to us. Sharath kept trying to reassure us all that he was quite harmless and I tried to believe it as I put out a fist for him to sniff. He came forward and sniffed my fist and then let me pat his head. As I did so, I was able to overcome my fear and look past his majestic face to the tail that was wagging, all happy! It was easy from there on :) All the big guy wanted was to make new friends and get a tummy rub! Caesar's funda is quite clear- Sharath likes you, I like you :) So if you ever meet this guy, you know who you have to charm first!

I did not know Sharath all that well, but a combination of Caesar's charms and Sharath's warmth soon had me spending a lot of time with them both... There is always that one dog you meet that alters all your pre-conceived ideas about a certain breed. As far as GSDs are concerned, Caesar did that for me. I am not stupid to think that every GSD would welcome me the way this big guy did but I do know that once you are in their friend circle, they can be the sweetest and the most protective of breeds.

A few things about this guy that are super adorable are-

1. He loves playing with you

2. He loves getting pampered, probably more than playing...

3. He loves eating fruits, papayas are a favourite!

4. He takes special pleasure in terrorizing the street dogs (Only the guys!)

5. He has a healthy share of girl doggies vying for his attentions...

6. He has a steady girlfriend who camps outside his house and is his escort on all his walks :)

7. The only girl doggies he hates are GSDs :) Guys really are mad!

8. The sadist waits everyday, morning and evening, for Steffi, a neighbor girl GSD, to go on her walks and then barks his heart out and picks a fight with her almost daily...

9. He loves Steffi's family and she loves Sharath and his family but they are ready to tear out each others throats the minute they lay eyes on each other...

10. He (also) hates it when you blow in his face but is the first one to the garage doors when the car is being taken out...

11. He is soooooo big that he takes up the whole of the back seat of the car and Sharath has had me ride with Caesar in the back. I, of course, have gotten out covered in drool and stamped upon like I was an uncomfortable pillow that he was trying to even out. Caesar would even managed to turn away from his window and give me dirty looks every time he realized I was taking up a part of 'his' space...

12. He eats his food the minute you tell him that Steffi's going to eat it otherwise...

13. When Sharath got married to Ashwini, Caesar spent a better part of three months following her around the house making sure she did not try to steal anything :) Sharath still gets kicks out of telling that story :) :) :)

14. He still hasn't figured out why a certain friend of mine used the sofa the way she did ;) And yes, she is still terrified of him but is safely tucked away in a different place right now!

15. He managed to startle Arvind with his size but he, quite oblivious to Arvind's undecided opinion of him, followed him around, quite happy to have a new person around that both Sharath and Ashwini seemed to like :)

Caesar is the only dog after Dukie who is family. He treats me like I belong and I am only too happy to return the favor. I hope the gentle giant (Make no mistake! He terrifies people outside of his circle...) is missing me right now quite as much as I am missing him.

I love you baby...