Tissu has always been a very proficient travel dog. He first arrived at our doorstep in a car, peeking inquisitively out of the window, his tiny nose barely able to make it over the sill. Since then, he has been a permanent addition to our slowly increasing family travel plans. We started small - a short journey to the city, an excursion to a waterfall, a picnic by the river. Within no time, Tissu was a practised travel bud, tagging along on roads trips of Shillong, Haflong and even Upper Assam over his 13 years.
However, even he will agree when we say that his most enjoyable trip happened two monsoons ago. It was a groggy and clammy September morning when we decided to utilise our day off and drive to the hills. Shillong is just 100 kilometres away from our home and we usually end up there once every summer. Tissu has always travelled with us to the hilly city and this time it was no different. There was just a small deviation - we were extending our trip to Nongkhnum, Asia's second-largest river island, about 90 kilometres on the highway from Shillong towards Tura.
Now, not many people outside the region will be informed of this place. It is usually not on any tourist route if you are covering the Shillong circuit. However, Nongkhnum is unlike any other place you can visit. It sort of echoes Dzukou Valley in Nagaland, except it is more remote and far larger.
Tissu had his head curiously turning to us when we took the road leading away from the erstwhile capital of Assam. He knew we were headed to a new place; the smell of the grass and the tarmac was different. We tucked his nose curiously under his mat and stuffed himself back into his seat, waiting to see his destination. About three hours later, we were there.
The island was astonishingly beautiful. The open grasslands swaying in the breeze, the wild rainy flowers blooming a handsome pink and no one in sight for miles. Tissu realised this was a special place. We always had his leash on, just in case, on all his trips. He never runs away but we just want to keep it there to keep him safe due to a very tragic reason.
Tissu was hit by a bus 10 years ago while crossing the road. The vehicle's wheel missed him, but the bus's steps caught his head. He lost his left eye and fractured his skull. It was a marvel he survived. The doctor gave him two-three months, but he underestimated Tissu's resilience. He had more of the world to see, lots of people to lick and far more chicken bones to devour.
We reached the parking spot near the bridge leading to the island. Tissu jumped out of the car and stretched his legs and let out an enormous yawn. He looked around and sniffed the air. This was his utopia. He found a rock and relieved himself - the car ride was a long one. My mother called out to leash him. He looked at her and then at us, and did something unexpected. He set off on the trail all by himself, not fretting to wait for anyone. It was like he was our guide, showing us around his locale. The grass was a little tall and only his fluffy tail jutted out as he galavanted ahead, jumping up and down in delight.
The afternoon was spent having a quick lunch, more strolls in the grass and on the river bank. Tissu ate his fill and drank what looked like gallons of mountain water. He had a one-off race with Mum up the small hill, posed for a few pictures with us and found some time to relish the place on his own. Soon, it was getting dark and we had to leave. Tissu found a small stick and hopped in the car with it - his little memento. He kept staring out the window as we left Nongkhnum behind in the dying light. Shillong was still a drive away and by the time we reached Tissu was fast asleep, drained from the day's hike.
It has been two years since the trip now. He is older and his hind legs are quite weak. The car is too high for him to jump in and he does not let us pick him up. I joke that he's like a proud grandpa now, declining any help and still adamant to do things on his own. I don't know how much of that day Tissu remembers, but sometimes I look at him while he's sleeping beside us and having one of his dreams. His tail wags and his legs start moving in a quick trot as if through the grass. His nose flares widely like he was smelling a rock. This carries on for a bit until he suddenly wakes up and looks at us and his surroundings. Maybe, in those flashes, he is still walking the trail at Nongkhnum island, still reliving that splendid September day. He tucks his nose back into his pillow and doses off again.