Prachi Mehta - Raining Cats and Dogs

 

Have you all ever watched those movies where they portray animals as extraterrestrial beings with different senses from us, capable of talking in their own little language and having special powers? I was one of those people who believed that to be true. [audience chuckles] 

 

I grew up India, where animals live a very different life from us humans. Let me explain. Growing up, I watched cats and dogs walking down the street having a ball. They had no rules. They would chase each other, scavenge for food, hunt, do whatever they pleased. I rarely saw pets, and for me, animals were someone to be afraid of, someone to be feared and respected. 

 

Now, this perception was greatly challenged when I moved to the United States six years back. When I moved here, my first stop was Austin. For those of you who have been to Austin, it's a beautiful city with beautiful people, and you hardly see animals walking down the street. Animals were people's friends here, best friends. They were companions. They were confidants of the American people. I was not used to that idea. It was very strange to me. 

 

Sometimes I would walk into conversations where I thought they were talking about their kids. [audience laughter] For instance, they would be talking about how education and development and learning and daycare and sickness. And at some point, I realized they're talking about their pets. [audience laughter] It was amazing. I would always feel like I had nothing to contribute at this point. [audience laughter] So, I would just nod my head and say, “Yeah.” 

 

So, not just the fact that I was there in America and living a new life, I was so excited, trying to make new friends and just live it up. It's the American dream. But my American dream came to a full stop, and I had to understand that I had to deal with pets everywhere. Everywhere I went, my friends, my friends’ siblings, my professors, everyone had at least one pet. I walk into their house, very excited, trying to make friends. And as soon as I entered their house and saw a pet, I would jump on the couch or jump on the bed, because I wanted to be as far as possible from these pets. 

 

My friends, they were tolerant. They were very nice to me, and they would actually make sure that they locked their pets and kept them as far as possible. At some point, I felt that if this continues, I can definitely see myself staying in the US. But as things went on, two years down the line, I was almost done with graduate school at UT Austin and-- I was still keeping my arm's distance from any pet possible. 

 

Now, as it happens-- Life has its own course. So, the last month that I was in Austin, I had to stay with my cousin. I used to visit this cousin often. She lived in Round Rock, and she did not have pets, so I was fine. I go there, very excited to spend my last month in Austin with them. I walk in and I see this little puppy walk up to me. She has three kids, my cousin, and they're like, “Prachi masi, look, we have a pet. Dad gifted one to my mom last week.” And I was just like, “Oh my God, I can't do this.” I just ran. The kids running towards me, and I was running towards the couch. Again, it was a little puppy, a sweet little puppy, a Labrador. And in retrospect, it was just so cute. But at that time, I just felt like it would claw-- [audience laughter] It would come and bite me. I thought that was all they wanted to do, was to come and bite you. It was just like a deception. They're so sweet and cute and those little cats and little dogs, and you go close to them, and as soon as you go close to them, you're gone. 

 

So, the next month, I spent very carefully in my cousin's house. I was on the top-most surfaces as possible, on the first floor, on beds, on couches. I would not try to put my feet down, because the puppy was roaming everywhere. And it was tough. My niece and nephew, they would take the dog and come to me close, brandishing it as a sword when they wanted something from me. [audience laughter] 

 

So, at some point, my cousin sat me down. She had enough. She took me close to the dog, and she was like, “You are touching this dog right now.” I closed my eyes, and with trembling hands, I touched the dog. And sensing that it was not going to bite me anytime soon, I actually stroked it, and I stroked it once more, and it was fine. It actually did not bite me. So, I felt that my fear had gone away at that point, but no, it took a couple more months. I had to meet with more pets, more cats and dogs. I made it a point to go and say hi to all of my friends, friends’ pets. 

 

And at some point, I got rid of the fear and that has set me free. Let me tell you something, letting go of fear is empowering. And from that point onwards, I'm okay with any pet. I have just one rule, don't lick me. [audience laughter] Otherwise, bring it on. Thank you.