Meryl learns to bark

For people who want an introduction to my lovely labrador, please read 'Meryl enters our life'.

Meryl's life was perfect, we imagined- she had a loving family, and lived in a house with a huge garden. In that garden she chased around crows, hid bones in the mud, and rolled in the grass the whole day long. And since she showed no talent or passion for anything besides food and play, she was kept off all the serious work that dogs have to do at times- like learn tricks, play watchdog etc. For Meryl, every day was a holiday.

But every silver lining has a cloud, and Meryl's life had one too. She could not bark. She could growl, guffaw, and cough. But she could not bark. In the first year of her life she would often run behind our other dog, Chubby, when she barked and chased stray dogs, trying to imitate her. But all that came out was some sound with the accompaniment of air, like a 'foof'.

My mother's theory was that the air came out because Meryl's face had a lot of loose skin like other labs, which was filled with air. The rest of us said that the simple reason was that Meryl was a nincompoop. My mother stuck to her guns however, and kept trying to teach Meryl to bark. After many failed attempts and 'foof's, Meryl was nicknamed 'Fufu' and left to her own devices.

One summer night, the much awaited miracle happened. Our bedroom and our parent's bedroom had a common balcony, and we had left the doors to it open as it was very hot. The two dogs were sleeping out there. Late in the night, Chubby let out a solitary bark. And as always happens in a colony with many dogs, all her canine friends started howling and barking in unison. All that is, except Meryl. Now, I am sure that one cannot feel more left out than this. A late-night barking party, with every dog who is somebody attending. And the dog sitting beside her leading the pack. Imaging the sense of futility, the sheer frustration at not being able to get a sound out!

After the barking ended, all was silent again for a minute or so. We had all been awakened by the commotion, and were tossing and turning to get back to sleep. Just then, Meryl let out a low growl, followed by a louder and more assertive one. And then came a big, wholesome, 'WOOF'. This was it! The whole family got up in their beds to give a sitting ovation to Meryl! She was so taken aback by our reaction that she let out another tiny 'woof' and kept quiet for the rest of the night. From that night onwards, 'Fufu' could bark as well as any dog. But the name stuck for the rest of her life.