Gamora’s Galaxy

Gamora just killed a squirrel. I heard a loud commotion in the garden- a very loud squeal, and I went out to see what was going on. In the bright light that lights up the garden at night, my little hunter, stood so proudly over her kill. I was of course not so proud. Earlier this morning, she caught a pigeon, which thankfully, we were able to get away from her. That’s a second pigeon that will know not to reckon with mini Gamora. She’s such a hunter.

You can see her predator mode coming on as her head goes low, and her body goes rigid. She’s also very patient. When she’s trying to catch lizards, and she has caught countless lizards, she waits and watches. My little bubba, who can hardly keep still sits so patiently watching before she launches her attack. Sometimes, to disarm her prey, she makes little moaning sounds, a little lost pup so innocently calling out, except that her head is angled to jump forth and grab her prey. I guess her dachshund genes are shining through here. It’s interesting to watch her!

Gamora’s such a character. She’s the most loving pup. She’s always waiting to lick you (remember her hunting habits and you’ll be thrilled!). She loves it when friends and family come over. She has different intensities of greetings. My cousin who usually looks after her gets an extremely warm, frenzied welcome. She even has her favourite delivery man. He calls her ‘sayang’ and ‘manja’. Gamora loves with her entire being. Her go to move is to then flop over and show you her belly. This little one loves belly rubs.

Gamora’s a very happy pup. From the moment she wakes up to the time I carry her up to bed, she’s full of bounce and action. I love the way her ears flop about. You usually find them flopping backwards. She races in and out of the house, and is on constant security patrols around the house and garden. Not too long ago, we had a long, slithery visitor. She did enough to startle the snake till I went outside. She was safe – and the moment I picked her up, the snake made a dash to safety. Gamora was so brave! I’m the unwilling participant in all this! In our home, it was my dad who dealt with stuff like this and it’s been decades since we had snakes!

It’s so good to have Gamora around. She only knew my dad for five months, before he passed on. She still looks for him, and sometimes when I lie down on his bed, she curls up next to me licking any tears I cry. She’s been licking lots of tears since I lost my dad. She senses the moments I feel low, and immediately her good behaviour mode kicks in. It’s hard to believe that she’s the same bundle of mischief who’s so short but is able to leap up to the dining table and steal things off kitchen counters. I appreciate her good behaviour efforts so very much.

In a few days (13 March), it will be a year since Gamora came into our home. I remember the day I went to get her and how my dad and I watched her as she curled up close to me, shy of her new surroundings. We watched with much amusement and joy as she stole slippers, dug holes in the garden (at one time we actually had eighteen holes!), and played. She was such a delight. She still is. This curious mix of pug and dachshund is the perfect blend of pup for me.

Even so, I feel an immense sadness as I think of her first year anniversary with me because I’m missing my dad. These days there are many moments like this. Extreme sadness because my dad, and mum are both no more with me, and joy in blessings that are so apt for me. Some people have been commenting that if only I’d got married or had children, I wouldn’t feel the loss of my dad and mum so much. It’s such a stupid suggestion. It shocks me. I think I won’t say anymore about the suggestion because I cannot muster the grace to deal with that stupidity. I must say that I am processing my grief, and as I do it, I can see that God in His wisdom has given me the exact blessings that I would cherish, and that really lift my spirits. I include some friends in this who have really been constant in their friendship and love towards me at this time. I definitely include Gamora. She’s my bright little spark. A canon ball of energy and joy.

So I thank God. I thank God that despite this time of heartbreak and sorrow, I am still able to have some laughs and joy. It matters so much to me because while I keep thinking of my future secured by Jesus, I’m in the now and His grace is indeed sufficient for me. Thank you, God, for papa and mummy. Thank you for my darling Gamora. I am grateful beyond words.

Papa, you’d have really enjoyed Gamora! I keep thinking how she’d have plotted to get your teatime stash of goodies! She misses you, even though she knew you for a fleeting time. I’ve known you my whole life, and I miss you so very much. I miss mummy so much too.