Near, far, wherever you are, I believe that the heart does go on….”
Chikoo Gupte
As I hum these lines along with Celine Dion, my eyes fall on Chikoo’s picture that hangs on the wall in front of me, and I am overcome with emotions. Every single time I hear this song, the only person who comes to my mind is Chikoo – my pet dog.
It will soon be a year since he passed away. April 20th is a date I will never forget. Well, how could I? That is the day I lost a piece of my heart!
Unlike in the song, I don’t dream of Chikoo every night. He has visited me in my dreams just twice in the past year. But, I have no complaints now, for he is here with me in the form of my parrot Cookie. She resembles him in manner and character so much, it’s mind-boggling! I feel his presence so strongly sometimes, I actually look around to see if I can spot his spirit floating around me!
It may seem rather strange for one who hasn’t ever had a pet, but for me, my pet dog was a very important part of my life for as long as he was with me. 13 years is quite a long period, isn’t it, for a soul to have an effect on the people around?
We all look for our dear departed in Life around us in the hope of spotting the angels who live on in our midst even from the beyond. Life often gives us glimpses into the paranormal through incidents that cannot be explained, but which instil a belief in life that exists after death.
How we hold on tight to that glimmer of hope that our loved ones who may have crossed over are very much with us, protecting us, showering us with their love even from the other side!
Cookie Gupte
That’s just how I feel when I look at Cookie. When she peers at me with a look of alarm in her eyes if I were to cough, or cry. The concern in her eyes reminds me of Chikoo, whose big, brown eyes looked into mine to read the emotions in them.
It’s the eyes I peer into to look for the one who is no more with me, but whose presence I feel strongly. Oh, and also some characteristics that were so intrinsic to Chikoo, it astonishes me each time I spot them!
Each time I reach out to pet Cookie, she flips over on her side and lifts up her leg, waiting for me to tickle her tummy.
Each time I reached out to pet Chikoo, he would flip over on his side, lift up his leg and wait for me to tickle his tummy.
In the many pet videos I have seen till date, not a single one has had a parrot doing that!
Each time the doorbell rings, Cookie, who may be perched inside her cage, begins eating her food in a hurry. Maybe Dad’s at the door, she must wonder.
Each time the doorbell rang, Chikoo, who would be sprawled on the floor next to his untouched food bowl, would pull the bowl towards himself and begin eating, hurriedly. Maybe dad’s returned from work, he wondered.
Each time I see Cookie imitate Chikoo, I look around…and feel his presence. And, I send a prayer of gratitude out into the Universe. It answered my prayers.
P.S.
I would often say to Chikoo, “How I wish you were smaller in size. I would have carried you like a baby all day long.”
So, Chikoo fulfilled my wish and returned in a smaller size!
Now, I carry him like a baby all day long!
“What we have once enjoyed, we can never lose; all that we have loved deeply, becomes a part of us!”
Aww,,,hugs, Shilpa. I’ve never had a pet but can imagine what a strong bond you had with Chikoo! It always comes through in every post you’ve ever written about him. I’m pretty sure your Chikoo has come back as Cookie to be with you. Enjoy these moments with Cookie now! 🙂
Ohh this is so much of similarly between them.god has his own ways of taking some one and giving a new body to the closest soul to your heart. You have to count your blessings 🙌
So very poignant and soul stirring. Thank you for sharing this beautiful page from your life. You are so blessed to have Chikoo reincarnate into your life as Cookie. I know what you mean totally.
My furry girl Cotton we feel is our furry boy Raghu reincarnated.
Big hugs to you and your darling. ❤️
A touching post. I can completely relate. My beloved dog who I had a strong connection with for almost 14 years, returned as our cat a couple of years later we believe. When you come into connection with someone from a past life, you can feel it…
Awww, sweetie! Hugs to you! I know very well how you must feel! ❤ But don’t you worry, dearie. I am sure Buddy will come back to you someday. Just trust the Universe!
True that, I agree with u in incarnation. I too had a lovebird before few years. It died and i could find no reason. I did not want pets thereafter. But hubby got me two lovebirds two years before. That became 4 and i have another two Indian Ring neck as new members. Family keeps growing.. And sometimes, an exhausted me, when i try to talk to them, they listen with all their might without screeching. This post reminded me of the 1st love bird i lost.
Awww…that’s such a sweet story, Deep! It’s truly heartbreaking when we lose our pets, but it is equally heartwarming when they return to us in another form, filling our world with their love!
Thank you for sharing your story!
And, yes, they do listen when you talk to them. My Cookie listens as well as responds when I ask her something! 🙂 It’s amusing as well as heartening!
Superbbb!!!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Sorry 😢♥️ this is our song for our son we lost in 2nd trimester. It’s such a comforting Melody.
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Hugs to you! It must be so difficult! So sorry! ❤
Yes, this song is really a beautifully comforting melody!
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How wonderful to think that Chikoo has returned as Cookie. That parrot is a real darling ! Glad he’s in your life.
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Yes, Sunita. I am lucky Cookie is in my life!
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Aww,,,hugs, Shilpa. I’ve never had a pet but can imagine what a strong bond you had with Chikoo! It always comes through in every post you’ve ever written about him. I’m pretty sure your Chikoo has come back as Cookie to be with you. Enjoy these moments with Cookie now! 🙂
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Yes, Esha! I do love and enjoy every moment with Cookie …even the times when she is in a foul mood and pecks at me like crazy! 😛
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Ohh this is so much of similarly between them.god has his own ways of taking some one and giving a new body to the closest soul to your heart. You have to count your blessings 🙌
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Truly, Deepa..it’s a miracle, indeed! I count my blessings everyday and wonder what I would have done had Life not blessed me thus!
Thank you so much for visiting and commenting on my blogpost, Deepa!
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Glad to read that Chikoo is back in Cookie’s form with you. Have a nice time petting Cookie 🙂 !!
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So very poignant and soul stirring. Thank you for sharing this beautiful page from your life. You are so blessed to have Chikoo reincarnate into your life as Cookie. I know what you mean totally.
My furry girl Cotton we feel is our furry boy Raghu reincarnated.
Big hugs to you and your darling. ❤️
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A touching post. I can completely relate. My beloved dog who I had a strong connection with for almost 14 years, returned as our cat a couple of years later we believe. When you come into connection with someone from a past life, you can feel it…
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Uncanny resemblance in behaviour! Life has some adorable mysteries. Oh I am so loving it! Happy petting to you…and let the heart go on….
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Thank you, Ana! Yes, this is the way my heart goes on…as also Chikoo’s! ❤
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I love that you can see Chikoo in Cookie 🙂 Much love to you ❤
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Thank you, Sanch! We pet parents are a breed apart, right? 🙂
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Awwww maushi! I had tears in my eyes, cause while I read this, I had Buddy’s pictures hanging right in front of me.😢
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Awww, sweetie! Hugs to you! I know very well how you must feel! ❤ But don’t you worry, dearie. I am sure Buddy will come back to you someday. Just trust the Universe!
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True that, I agree with u in incarnation. I too had a lovebird before few years. It died and i could find no reason. I did not want pets thereafter. But hubby got me two lovebirds two years before. That became 4 and i have another two Indian Ring neck as new members. Family keeps growing.. And sometimes, an exhausted me, when i try to talk to them, they listen with all their might without screeching. This post reminded me of the 1st love bird i lost.
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Awww…that’s such a sweet story, Deep! It’s truly heartbreaking when we lose our pets, but it is equally heartwarming when they return to us in another form, filling our world with their love!
Thank you for sharing your story!
And, yes, they do listen when you talk to them. My Cookie listens as well as responds when I ask her something! 🙂 It’s amusing as well as heartening!
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