SCORES of people have written about the lives of their near and dear ones, but very few have written about their life with a pet. Rehman’s A Home for Gori narrates his loving relationship with his dog Gori.
Rehman’s association with dogs began with his life in the army, but when his wife’s experience with dogs proved disastrous, his chances of living with a dog virtually ended. Perhaps to make up for it, his wife got a puppy, and tried to draw his attention to her. At first he did not show any interest, but one stormy night, Gori got into their bed and made way into his heart. The rest of the narrative weaves changes in Rahman’s professional journey with the ITC with his intense relationship with Gori.
Rehman describes her morning walks and car rides, her encounters with cows, cats, and snakes, her brushes with louts, and her pleasant exchanges with his guests. During his long and short absences from his home, he trains her to hear his voice on the phone! Because she could not raise a family, he gets her a puppy Baba. He commissions her portrait and displays it prominently in his home. When she got sick, Raham toiled hard to provide her the best medical treatment, but could not save her. The vet had to put her to sleep. He laid her to rest in a shaded wilderness close to his house, but to ensure that they were forever in each other’s sight, he built a new house, which virtually becomes a memorial for her.
A House for Gori is a well written and heartwarming narrative of love and affection of a person for a pet. It should be of interest to all, but especially to animal lovers.
(Roli Books, M-75, Greater Kailash-II, Market, New Delhi-110 048)
