Sister of the Tiger

Billiaria

Sister of Tiger ...What is her name I asked Sitaram Babaji. He pauses, and looks into the air for a moment, comes back to earth, and replies Billiaria. (Billie - r- ia).
I knew Billi was cat, but I asked him the meaning anyway, and he said, "sister of Tiger".

It was a beautiful name for her. She was actually a pastel tiger striped dog, more of the exotic white tiger than the golden and black. She was a pale cocoa color, with intense black and grey stripes across
her entire body and face. Her mother was a red dog, and father, unknown. There are no striped males in the area, and no other striped dogs in her litter, so her unique coloring was a mystery, and we all
knew she was special.

Not only did she have strong physical markings, but she was strong of character, and quickly made herself the alpha female of the pack as she grew. Her mother acceded her the role of dominant female with little struggle. Her two sisters were no match for her, and they also gave her full reign as leader of the pack. It was clear, Billiaria was top dog. There were no challengers.

She lived life with passion, intensity and gusto, and she always smiled. She also loved with gusto. I make it a point to not shower any of the dogs with undue affection, and no special treatment for one over the other. They have their own rules and group dynamics, and one should not interfere or show favoritism. So, although I showed her no special favors over the other pack members, she somehow adored me. It was impossible to not notice. I would be greated with leaping bounds of joy and body slams, followed with wild runs and breathy pants. If I tried to walk down her road unnoticed, she would always come darting out of hiding if she spotted me, overjoyed to see me, and pretend there was no slight on my part.

The greeting consisted of bouncing onto me, tail wags with the velocity of a cracked whip, and smiles from ear to ear. How could I not love her?

Her life was good. Sleeping inside Babajis room at night, sheltered and secure. Running along the sacred Ganges each morning, hurdling the boulders and splashing in the waters waves. Napping on the
sand in the afternoon, exploring the forests terrain at dawn and dusk, and holding enough company of humans and dogs to keep life interesting. There was food, open skies, companionship, and the freedom to run wild, and strong. Her life was untroubled, and she grew and thrived into a powerhouse of existance. Shakti, full on.

The call came as a shock. Billiaria is not well, she has not eaten for a few days. The Dr. could not come immediately, and by the next day she was gone, dead to her physical body. She was found in the rocks at the shore of GangaMa, wedged between two boulders. Cause of death, unknown.

She was admired by many. and noticed by all, with her beauty and the vibrancy of her life force. To imagine that life in that form as extinguished is hard to fathom.

May you reincarnate well, and soon, beloved Billiaria.