Noelnadesan's Blog

I’ve been caring for Vivian’s dogs, Rani and Poppy, for four years. They look similar but have very different personalities. I’ve known Rani, the younger, since I vaccinated her at 4 months old. When Rani was on the examination table, she would either sit quietly or start licking my hands and face. Her strong affection always made me feel guilty whenever I had to give her a painful injection.

Poppy, a seasoned Tibetan terrier, often snapped at my fingers, making grooming a difficult task. Even simple procedures like trimming his nails required anaesthesia. He had long suffered from a skin condition that worsened in summer, resulting in sores across his body. During flare-ups, Poppy would bite and pull at his fur, which I believed was a reaction to allergies. However, I couldn’t identify the specific allergen causing his discomfort.

Since the cause was uncertain, I used trial-and-error approaches like applying flea insecticide and adjusting Poppy’s diet. These treatments lessened the skin disease’s severity, but I did not achieve a full cure.

After six months, on a bright, sunny morning, Vivian visited the clinic with Rani and Poppy for their yearly vaccinations. I noticed she had changed her hair colour—no longer black, but a neatly trimmed, light blonde. The shine of her lipstick reflected a shimmer, almost like a mirror. Previously, I hadn’t paid much attention to Vivian when she came with her four adult daughters, all of whom brought their dogs to the clinic as a family.

Rear-view mirrors have a blind spot that doesn’t show cars coming from behind. Sometimes, both men and women drive blindly in life. Aging is similar— we often accept blind spots about the opposite sex as normal. But today, after a long time away, I saw a captivating glow on Vivian’s face, something I had never noticed before. It felt like I was seeing her anew.

“How are you, Vivian?” I asked.

“Fine,” she replied, and she seemed to mean it.

Poppy and Rani needed their annual vaccinations. I checked both dogs first. Unlike before, Poppy’s skin appeared healthy, with a shiny coat, and the sores had disappeared.

“Vivian, Poppy’s skin is in excellent condition,” I said. “Have you done anything special? Any changes to food or surroundings?”

“There is nothing special. At present, my husband is not with us. Other than that, there is nothing special,” she answered.

 Although I was taken aback by her statement, I proceeded to examine the dog as if she had not said anything unusual.

After completing the check-ups, she left the clinic after paying my fees.

The next time I saw her was a few months later when Vivian came to buy a flea product.

My curiosity got the best of me, so I looked her directly in the eye and said, “Please forgive me for bringing up a personal matter, but I’ve observed some remarkable changes in you. I believe these changes have been beneficial for you, Vivian.”

She responded quickly. Without missing a beat, she said:

“My husband and I have shared over 25 years together, including seven years of living together before marriage. He ended our 32-year relationship and left with a woman who worked at our café. Unbeknownst to me, they had been involved for six months. What upset me most wasn’t just the affair but also that he went to London with her on vacation.

What I find most unbearable is my daughter’s stance, which I view as far worse than my husband’s betrayal. Initially, they were at odds with him, but now they are sympathising with him and pleading on his behalf.”

I noticed that the children typically avoid taking sides in their parents’ marriage issues, opting instead to remain neutral mediators.

I offered her a compassionate glance.

“I’m no longer gloomy,” she went on. “A new person has come into my life, and I think he has charmed me.”

‘’Well, Vivian, when one door closes, it is usual for at least one window to open,” I replied.

“Surprisingly, Poppy’s skin disease has also cleared, and I believe it’s because my husband left us.’’

“Though I can’t provide a medical explanation, it’s remarkable that a skin issue persisting for years has healed on its own.

“It is my good fortune, and Poppy’s too, that my husband walked out of our marriage. It has worked well for us overall.”

It occurred to me then that there is happiness not only in coming together but also in parting.

“Bye-bye!” said Vivian and left.