4 years later Raj gets to know a veterinarian when Cinnamon is taken ill.
##################################
Over the next 4 years Raj returned to his single life in California. By unspoken mutual consent Anu and London were not discussed when he was around his friends. He resumed his honorary Uncle relationship with Halley and Michael and soon became a honorary Uncle for Martin Hofstadter. Two years later Amy gave birth to twins, Raj was soon honorary Uncle to Flora Constance and Stephen Laurence Cooper.
Raj was happy at first with his return as a single man, he didn't do much dating, the closest he got was attending the girls lunches with Penny, Amy and Bernadette. More of his friends got married, first Stuart and Denise and then even Bert Kibbler got married!
At the wedding reception for Bert and Sally Raj was not a happy man. He poured out his heart to Bernadette
"Look at them Bernie, don't Bert and Sally look good together. Everyone is married except me, who messed up his marriage."
Bernadette sympathetically took Raj's hand in both of hers. "Don't you worry Raj, she is out there somewhere, just be patient. One day we will all be at your wedding and we will have a wonderful time..."
##################################
Two days later Raj was woken in the middle of the night by the sound of his dog Cinnamon vomiting. He immediately rushed to the veterinary hospital and he had an anxious wait for a few hours. Then the veterinarian, an Indian lady came out.
"Hello, you must be Rajesh Koothrappali."
"Well spotted, I am the only other Indian here."
"I am Shuchi Dhoni, I have been treating your dog Cinnamon. She has undergone surgery, she had swallowed something that was blocking her oesophagus. That was why she was vomiting. We have cleared the blockage, now it's just a matter of waiting for her to recover. How old is she?"
"Cinnamon is 12 years old, she is still my little baby puppy."
"I know what you mean, I have two 10 year old cats and I still think of them as kittens."
"Thank you for pronouncing my name properly, not many get it right first time."
"No problem Mr. Koothrappali, my mother's maiden name was Chandrasekhar, not many would get that one right."
"Where are you from?"
"I am from San Francisco, my parents came here from Mumbai in the 1970s to study. I have only been to India once."
"I am from Delhi but I left 20 years ago, I have been in California for most of the last 16 years. What did you think of India?"
"Loud, smelly and very crowded. I was glad to get home to California."
"I know how you feel."
"We will need to keep your dog here for at least 2 more days. When you take her home there will be some antibiotics that you will need to feed her as well as some easily digestible dog food."
"Can I go and see her?"
"Not yet, she is still in a sterile recovery area and she is fast asleep. You should be able to see her tomorrow."
"Thank you for all your help, see you tomorrow."
##################################
Three days later Raj returned to the veterinary hospital, Shuchi the vet was there to return Cinnamon to him.
"OK, here you are Mr. Koothrappali, one dog for you to take home. Bring her back for a checkup in a months time. This bag has all the medication she will need for the next month, there is also some special dog food, enough for about 2 weeks. You can order more online. Finally here is my telephone number, see you around Rajesh" and she kissed him on the lips.
##################################
9 months later, as she predicted, Bernadette and the rest of the social group had a wonderful time at the wedding of Raj and Shuchi. They had a lavish Indian style wedding in Pasadena, some of Raj's relatives came over from India. Raj had a big grin on his face the whole day.
However, after they returned from their honeymoon Raj and Shuchi were now living full time in Shuchi's apartment. Cinnamon was now 13 years old and showing her age, she did not enjoy living with Shuchi's cats. Cinnamon was getting sicker and sicker, there were repeated trips to the veterinary hospital but then one day they rushed Cinnamon to the veterinary hospital but they couldn't revive her.
"I am sorry Raj, she never regained consciousness, we did all that we could."
"You killed my baby, you killed my dog!"
"Don't be ridiculous. She was 13 years old, a good age for a dog, especially one who had major surgery last year. She was a wonderful dog, I can see why you loved her so much. However, we all have to go some time."
"You killed my dog."
After the death of Cinnamon the relationship of Raj and Shuchi never recovered. Six months later Raj moved out, six months after that their divorce was finalised. Raj was left sobbing in the arms of Bernadette, Amy and Penny.