I have been a pet owner since 2011, and I have no intention of turning back as an animal lover. My mother and I had worked selflessly for the innumerable dogs and cats, including the pets and the strays. In this recollection of memories, I will only write about my first pet, Chiki, and her family. This story was initially published in the “Our Pets and Us” anthology and today, I am publishing it with some modifications and additions along the way.

“Don’t be shy. Have some food, water and enjoy,” said one of them. It has been a year. I never knew anyone’s name except a few. The people in the pandal knew me but not my name. I am referred to as the “Baccha Meye (little girl)” who is always offered food packets and checked upon every time I leave for the office in the morning and return home in the evening. 

The child inside the cocoon Being a writer was never my choice, but I became a writer by chance. It is always something I repeat over and...