On the evening of this past Wednesday, October 20, 2021 around 6:45 p.m., Dr. S.S. Chauhan, Veterinarian at the neighborhood Buckeye Animal Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, visited the park’s tennis courts.

 

I was about to leave after playing an hour of solo tennis.

 

I was pleased to see him outside his hospital.

 

He wanted to try his hand at playing tennis.

 

So I introduced him to a few basic tips – how to hold the racquet and how to hit the ball over the net.

 

The photograph shows him in the ready position to make a great shot.

 

I play with nine balls – one for each of the planets. I hit them over the net with the hope that they will go into a trajectory around Spaceship Earth – but unfortunately they all plump back, because of gravity, and hit the court’s hard surface. After I have hit all the nine balls – I walk over to the other side and repeat the process.

 

Dr. Chauhan got to hit the nine balls from one side to the other and back again a few times.

 

Dr. Chauhan and I are both Sikh-Americans (easily identified by our turbans and beards – we also have uncut hair under the turbans). We come from the Punjab (meaning land of five rivers) -- an agricultural state in northern India that was invaded by Alexander the Great in 326 BC. Alexander the Great went back after he was defeated in a battle with a local king -- he died while on his way home.

 

Dr. Chauhan and I came to the United States for graduate studies and decided to stay.

 

I met Dr. Chauhan when my late wife and I moved to Cleveland, from New York City, in 2001. He takes very good care of our pets.

 

We are both in the same age-group (senior citizens). Residents of the neighborhood frequently mistake our identities.

 

I am a volunteer teacher at preK-8 Riverside School and being car-less -- I walk all over for miles on end.

 

So when I meet Dr. Chauhan’s customers -- they really think I am the Veterinarian and their immediate comment is:

 

“Hello Dr. how are you? Can I bring my pet in tomorrow?”

 

So I have to explain – while the Dr. and I look alike in some respects – that we are two different people -- and that they should call his office to make an appointment.

 

They listen to what I have to say – and move away looking dejected.

 

The photograph also includes a selfie to show – how residents mix us up – because we both wear turbans and have gray beards.

 

Now when Dr. Chauhan’s customers see him -- their immediate response is:

 

“Dr. are you all right? We see you walking all over the neighborhood!”

 

Of course, Dr. Chauhan and I both have a chuckle – when we exchange our notes.

 

Dr. Chauhan enjoyed his visit and promised to come back for more tennis!

 

Life is full of surprises – never a dull day!