Jackie the dog
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A white dog named Jackie lived at the ashram for many years. He didn't play much even as a puppy, instead he sat at Sri Bhagavan's feet on an orange cloth that had been provided for him. He would sit for hours and stare into Sri Bhagavan's eyes. Whenever blessed food was passed, Jackie would not eat his right away. Instead he would watch Ramana's face and would only eat after Ramana began to eat.
When Jackie lay very sick and dying, Sri Bhagavan arranged a soft bed for him to lie on and held him lovingly as he made his transition. A white peacock, a crow and a deer also lived at the ashram. All were treated with the same reverence and love. When each died a samadhi or shrine was erected on its grave.
the samadhi mandir containing the earthly remains of the
ashram's four holy animals: Jackie the dog, Valli the deer, Lakshmi the
cow, and a crow
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A Member of Bhagavan's Family
Once the Maharshi set out on giripradakshina with his
disciples by a short-route across the hill. He asked Jacki to
go down the hill to the town. Accordingly, Jack left and
was sighted by the Maharshi on its way down. Midway on
their walk the Maharshi changed course and walked down
the hill. As they were descending, Jack was returning from
the town. The Maharshi then directed Jack to go back to
the ashram. Though reluctant to leave Bhagavan's company,
as an obedient fellow, Jack went back to the ashram. Jack
was soft and austere in his ways. His daily routine was like
this: early in the morning he would visit a devadasi's (temple
dancer's) house for breakfast and then go to a priest's house
to accompany him to the shrine at Guha Namassivaya.
After that he would go to Virupaksha cave for Bhagavan's
darshan and later to a resting place nearby. Around 9.30 in
the morning he would visit the shrine at Guha Namassivaya
for prasadam and get back to his place of rest. Again by
evening he would visit the devadasi's house for food. After
supper he would go to a math to keep company with the
priest. To the extent possible he would spend his time in
the vicinity of Arunachaleswara, much like a yogi.
~ from Ramana Leela
Sri Ramanarpanamastu