Caesar and I

A story I wrote as a 10-year-old (thought it deserves to be posted)

To my grandparents and parents with love.
Dedicated to the memories of Caesar.

Chapter 1 — Little Caesar

I was on my way to Agra in a bus. I was bored in the six-hour-long journey since I had nothing to do but deep inside I was also feeling anxious and excited. I was eager to meet my little pup, Caesar. My grandparents had rang me up and told me that they had bought a pet dog I love pets, especially dogs. I wanted one at my home too but somehow my parents do not like the idea of keeping pets at home. Finally, the time arrived when I entered my grandparents’ house. I heard a little squeaky bark. I had never seen such a cute and energetic pup. Caesar was really very adorable. He had straight long ears, shiny eyes and a long mouth. He was a golden German Shepherd. I had bought him some dog biscuits but my grandfather told that Caesar could take only dog food and milk in his early months as his teeth had not developed completely yet. So they were kept in reserve. He firstly investigated us and our bags. Then he had no control over himself. He was wagging his tail recklessly which I thought was going to break. He was jumping and running here and there. He jumped on the bed and even on the sofa. It seemed that he was delighted to see us. I had a lot of fun with him. I needed no company or friend as he was good entertainment for me. He loved me and I loved him. By the end of the week, we were inseparable and I had total control over him. But the day arrived when I had to leave and say goodbye to my grandparents and of course Caesar.

Chapter 2— Handsome Caesar

A year had passed. Now, it was time for me to visit my grandparents. I was eager to meet them and Caesar too. When I reached there, I heard a heavy hardened bark. My grandpa explained to me that since barking was the only language he knew, he barks when he is angry as well as when he is happy. But I still sensed some fear inside me. But oh! What did I see! Caesar was still wagging his tail gladly. My grandma told me that animals never forget. He was no more a pup but a strong and elegant dog. Handsome was the right word for him. He was golden all over with small black patches underneath. He was an alert and active dog with big ears. He walked like a lion and ran like a panther. He enjoyed playing with me and was always ready to have a race. I came to know that he had bagged the first prize for the best dog breed. My grandparents took very good care of him and called him their son. Caesar was an obedient dog. He was really possessive of his things, particularly his car. No one could enter the car without his permission. Once a funny incident happened. A mechanic was checking the car and Caesar was leashed. But somehow he managed to take it off. He then rushed outside and was about to attack the mechanic. Instantly the mechanic sprang on the roof of the car. Caesar was barking ferociously and the mechanic was trembling with fear. My mother caught Caesar’s belt and pulled him inside with tremendous effort. We never saw the same mechanic again! Later, we had a good laugh about it. Caesar and I became really good friends. I loved to take him for his walk, bathe him and offer him food. His look always conveyed to everybody that he was waiting to be cuddled. He may have been a very dangerous and frightful animal for the rest of the world, but for us, he was a darling. Since he loved his biscuits, he had finished the ones I had bought last year.

Chapter 3— Good Catch Caesar!

Six months later, I again got a chance to meet my grandparents and Caesar. As usual, I was greeted open-heartedly by my grandparents and Caesar. He was wagging his tail merrily. We were happy to see each other again. Caesar would not allow anyone to enter the house unless he was welcome by us. Another funny incident took place. My grandpa enjoys eating paan now and then. He brought one for my grandma too. He entered the room where Caesar was lying down and watching. He threw the paan for my grandma to catch. But instead, Caesar jumped and grabbed it in his mouth and chewed it once and for all. He got a good thrashing from my grandparents. I still laugh about it when I think of it. Everything seemed to be okay but sometimes I found Caesar’s actions getting weaker. He was still very fierce but my sixth sense told me that he was in some kind of trouble.

Chapter 4— GoodBye Caesar

Another two years had passed. I received a very painful call from my grandpa. Caesar was seriously ill. Though my grandparents had taken him to the famous veterinary hospital in Mathura, they came back with lost hope. I could not believe the dreadful news and thought it was a bad dream. I could not control myself and asked my parents to take me to Agra. When I reached, there was complete silence. I was not greeted by Caesar’s harsh bark. I went inside and found Caesar lying on the floor. He could not stand up to smell my clothes and shoes. He just wagged a little as if to tell me that he still remembered me and loved me. My grandma told me that Caesar was suffering from brain tumour which was spreading rapidly. His mouth was swollen and I could guess from his eyes that he was in pain. He could not eat or drink. All elders prayed that he die soon to be free from his suffering. But I did not. I wanted my Ceasar to be with me and fight his illness and become normal. That night we could not sleep. Caesar died the next morning. He died in peace. But I felt an emptiness within me.

Chapter 5— ReBirth of Caesar

Caesar was a central figure in my grandparents’ life, as they had nothing else to do but take good care of Caesar. Now all this was over. There was loneliness and sadness in my grandparents’ life. One fine day I received a call from my grandpa that they had bought another German Shephard pup. A thought clicked inside me. I felt that Caesar was back. I immediately advised them to name him Caesar. Now an air of happiness flows in their house. Caesar II is now busy enjoying his life and entertaining, irritating, troubling and loving my grandparents. Caesar is now reborn.

I wrote this story in 2005 as a school project. This was my first attempt at recording something that was so heartbreaking and special at the same time. All the memories that I recount here are just as fresh in my heart. As of when I post this, it has been 17 years since Caesar I passed away. Caesar II lived a long, healthy life and passed away in 2019. My grandpa passed away a few months after that. I know he is in heaven playing with both of them, they are happy.

Here’s what my teacher thought of this.