Our village didn't have a fertile land, and sometimes there won't be rain that left the land so drought and dry. But there were ponds and wells; people used to grow the flower plants in the big earthen pots. My mom also grew some vegetables and flowers, and a lovely marigold was blooming in the backyard lawn. I loved to water the plants daily, and fascinated to watch the plants growing day by day. There was an ash-gourd creeper, papaya tree, and turmeric and banana too. The butterflies, small birds and tiny squirrels were visiting our garden — and the evening breeze was pretty cool to bring our friends over there as we used to play some indoor games like hide-and-seek, carrom etc. We had a barn at the backyard, and had lovely cows and calves. They were part of our family; they were considered as holy as they brought fortune and supplied milk to the family. It was such a pleasure for me to take them to the nearby pond for shower; the little calf was so mischievous, thus biting my dresses. I used to feed them with my sister. One cow was Amirtham (the nectar) and the other cow was Parvatham (the Divine Goddess of Himalayas)… ** One time my brother brought a small cute dog from somewhere. Normally we never had any cats or dogs to enter home. It was cute and its colour was wooden brown with little white patches. My mom shouted at him and asked him to leave him outside. But we both begged our mother to let it come in, and we wanted to have him at home. Then my mom allowed us to take the small cute dog in — but asked us to take to the nearby well which had a shallow shelter. We used to feed him with rice and milk. He was very friendly, showed love and respect to everyone in the family thereafter. It loved playing with the ball, and my brother and I were playing with him. We called him as Mani. * The summer vacation started, and that year my sisters and one of my brothers had gone on vacation. My mom and my younger brother only were left at home. We had finished our dinner early, and were singing the divine songs before going to bed. We never realised as when we slept — all of a sudden we all woke up as we saw our mom screaming. I and my brother didn't know what happened, and it took us for a while to understand that a thief came to our house and snatched my mom's gold chain. The dog barked, and there was a big commotion. It was understood that the thief ran away. All the neighbours rushed in and pacified my mom; she was so trembled, and we were also shivering. Our pet dog Mani could smell something — and he pulled the blanket. Wow! My mom's chain was there. But it was half only, as the other half was snatched by the thief. There was a big sigh, and it was an unforgettable incident. We patted Mani as it showed the gratitude towards us. I felt that animals are the best guards, who could take care of its masters as well. Though we do not have any pet dogs now, I never fail to say 'Hi'* to any kind of pet dogs wherever I pass by. — Banooravi