A Brief Encounter With A Saint Bernard And Its Master

My husband and I were slowly cruising in Indira Nagar (Bangalore), in one of its narrow Cross Roads, when through the car window I spotted a handsome, awesome looking St. Bernard, being taken for a walk. He was big and cute : I also noticed he was squeaking clean, jouncing, along sniffing at the bushes, as though hunting for some hidden treasure. I love dogs, especially, the big, friendly and really cuddly dogs. I didn't pay much attention to the man with the dog, enamoured and engrossed as I was, having eyes only for the big creature.

Then, barely giving a fleeting glance at the Dog Walker, I noticed he was wearing an outfit, dark blue in colour like a watchman's uniform. It struck me also for some reason that the fellow was extremely proud to be led by such a huge dog, in the knowledge that the Dog was the Cynosure of all passersby.

We continued on our leisurely journey to the Club ahead, with me singing paens of that dog, doing my "oohs" and my "aahs" and general excited blabbering, no doubt distracting my husband from his driving. At that point, my husband casually turned to inform me that the man walking the Dog was not a watchman, but the famous Indian cricketer and fast bowler Venketesh Prasad, who lived in the neighbourhood.

A bolt of lightening struck me and his face flashed back into my mind's eye, and sure enough I recalled and recognized that man to be the very same Venketesh Prasad. How could I fail to recognize him instantly ?
I have a seen him so many times when we lived in Indira Nagar.  But, as one might say  "out of the Cricket field out of mind", or some such like. Also, not being a great fan of Cricket should excuse me mistaking him for a watchman. ( maybe it was the blue jeans and blue designer shirt that did the trick all matching, matching)  No offense meant, Mr. Prasad ...... a lady's lapse of memory.

All this led me to imagine what might have transpired, if perchance we had stopped the car, and I had stepped out to pet the dog, and at the same time shoot a quick question at the dog walker - " Iska naam kya hai Bahadur"?

And Venketesh Prasad quick with his reposte, as he was on the bowling tracks says " Iska naam kya pooch rahi  hain aap ? Pehele mera naam kya hai, aap jaaniye. Mai hoon naa Venketesh Prasad ".

Not fully satisfied with his answer, dumb creature that I am, I persist with my questioning, "
Bahut accha bhaiyya, lekin Jaanwar ka naam bhi Bathaiye tho !"

I can well imagine my husband desperately looking for a tree and a rope to hang himself with in utter embarrassment.

Rama Ananth.

Heavy petting

Taking time out to admire the sunflowers.

Did you all have a good laugh at my expense?