“Not all masterpieces are painted-some are felt.”
A Gentle Paw, A Healing Touch
Even though this story has nothing to do with my paintings or the art I create, I feel compelled to share it. Art, for me, is about connection—connecting with emotions, with nature, and with the unspoken. And sometimes, life offers us moments that are so profound, so moving, that they feel like art in themselves. This is one of those moments, something beautiful that touched my heart and will stay with me forever.
Over the years, I’ve had many encounters with dogs. Some were playful, some curious, and some just fleeting moments of joy. But this one evening at a busy street dosa stall, I experienced something completely different—something soulful. It was an experience I can’t fully explain, but it touched my heart so deeply that I want to keep it for life, and that’s why I’m sharing it here.
It happened last evening at a bustling street food stall. The place was packed with people waiting for their orders, the air alive with chatter and the aroma of fresh dosa. Amid this busyness, a quiet presence stood out—a dog who approached me, not with the usual playful energy of others I’ve met, but with calm and intention. He stood beside me, wagging his tail just once, and when our eyes met, there was an unspoken connection. He raised his paw gently, almost as if to greet me. It felt so deliberate, as though he was saying, “I see you.”
I turned away briefly, but a few minutes later, I felt a nudge behind me. I turned to see the same dog softly calling out to me, lifting his paw again as if to remind me he was still there. Something about his demeanor was so profound—silent but full of expression. It was a moment that made me pause. Thinking he might be hungry, I ordered a dosa for him. When it came, I placed it on a paper plate, expecting him to eagerly eat. But he didn’t. He just stood there, waiting. It wasn’t until I started feeding him, piece by piece, that he began to eat, slowly and calmly. There was no hurry, no desperation. It felt as though he wasn’t hungry at all but chose to eat because I offered it to him—an act of respect for my gesture.
After he finished, and as I waited for an auto, he came back to me. This time, he leaned his head gently against my leg. His touch carried an energy so strong and pure; it felt like a deep embrace—a kind of silent gratitude.
It wasn’t just about the food; it felt as though he was thanking me for something far greater, something I might never fully understand.
I’ve reflected on this encounter so much since it happened—trying to understand its significance. Could it be that this dog sensed something in me, something beyond what I could see myself? Animals, like us, have their own stories and struggles—lives filled with hardships we may never fully understand. Did he feel protected, loved, or simply drawn to the energy I was unknowingly emitting? Perhaps, for that brief moment, he felt seen, safe, and cared for. Or maybe, he sensed something in me too—a heart that needed a reminder of its own tenderness. Lately, I had been feeling a little bitter due to certain experiences, and perhaps that’s why his presence felt even more significant. Could it be that he was sent to remind me not to let bitterness harden my heart? The more I think about it, the more it feels like this encounter carried a spiritual message.
The most significant spiritual messages don’t always come with clear instructions or conclusions. Instead, they evoke feelings, stir our thoughts, and fill us with wonder. This encounter urged me to pause and reflect—not to find answers, but to trust the feeling itself. If it felt special and spiritual to me, then perhaps it was.
I don’t know why I’ve dwelled on it so much, why I evaluated it the way I did. But I do know that this moment touched me deeply, and that’s reason enough to cherish it. I am not someone who would share my moments, but I wanted to capture this experience in its purest, rawest form, exactly as it unfolded, with all the thoughts it stirred in me afterward. Every moment, every feeling, every reflection deserves to be held close, just like the art I create. Could it have something to do with my journey as an artist? Could it be leading me somewhere I can’t yet, see? I don’t have the answers. In a way, like I mentioned at the start this experience is like art itself. A painting doesn’t always explain itself or provide clear answers, yet it moves us, evokes something within, and leaves an imprint on our hearts.
Sometimes, it’s the moments we least expect that touch our hearts the most, leaving us with a warmth that lingers long after. And so, I hold this moment close, like a quiet piece of art, knowing that sometimes the greatest gifts are the ones we feel, not the ones we understand.
Love Vinita Sadarangani
