I was never sure what “love” was until I saw him looking at me with a big smile—for me that was love. The unconditional love and bond, which dogs have with the humans is unmatchable.
This is the story of my friend whom I met on my way home one day. The friend is a stray dog with whom I spent six memorable months of my life. Whoever, said that dog “is man’s best friend,” was speaking the truth.
One day, I was on my way back home, in the village of Rakkar, and I saw a dog searching for something in the garbage heap. I realized I was seeing a dog of around 6 months who was fighting and struggling to get something to eat and survive. I was eating biscuit and left with one and decided to give it to him.
I whistled, he saw me but continued on with his business. Again I whistled, and threw that biscuit towards him. He came and ate that up. I don’t know why, but a huge smile appeared on my face. I started walking towards my home and noticed he was following me—maybe for something which I could give him to eat— but I had nothing left to give. He followed me for awhile but he eventually went back to the garbage heap searching for something to fill his empty stomach. I saw this and had tears in my eyes and walked off towards my home.
The next day, I met him again and I gave him some food. This routine continued for a week. Then one day when I was coming back, he saw me and came to me running and started playing with me. Moving around my legs and jumping on me. Then I took him to the side of the road where there was a river. We both sat on a big stone and had lunch together. I never had that kind of feeling of love before. Slowly and steadily this became my habit and I started spending time with him daily. I used to enjoy a lot.
I wished I could adopt him, but it was not possible. I was living in a joint family situation and they did not approve. I never expected that I would so attached to a stray dog. The perception which is being made by the society that stray dogs are not good and bite is wrong. Even I also believed this before meeting him. Now I know the truth. It’s true that the love animal gives us is incomparable to anything else. in this world. It’s because they never expect anything in return.
I had made a friend with whom I used to share everything. I don’t know if he could understand what I was saying,but he used to listen. One day, when I came to know I was told we would be moving from our current home to another village. Till this time I am finding short of words to describe that particular feeling. When it was my last day I went to him, spent some time and said bye to him.
I moved to a new place called Narwana. It took time for me to adjust myself to that new place. Due to my studies, I don’t get time to meet my friend, but that never stops me from thinking about him. Whenever I meet a street buddy, I think of him and I feed the innocent soul with food sometimes or give some love. He has taught me the value of unconditional love and care which I practice in my life.
I hope and wish to see him again in times to come. He will always remain alive in my heart.
Author: Abhishek Thakur
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CITI Just Wants Your Love
Such an endearing account. Keep up the good work!
I met my friend on a bus stop on my way to school and instead of going to school I got him home. We both were kicked out for a few hours…but he stayed with us and everyone loved Jack.
Thanks Divya, If you want to write a blog for us please do! Just 300 – 800 words about an experience you had with a stray and some photos if you can! Email it to deb@darescue.org
keep up the good work #hope to work with
you guys 🙂
I absolutely agree with abhishek that street dogs in india are a source of unconditional love and friendship but they do not get the support from most. That hurts. But we must keep trying to do our bit and i am doing.
I too, as a teenager look after 12 stray dogs in my community, many others have ultimately realised as well, that they are pure lil’ babies.
Most of them I’ve raised since they were puppies, and they are very unconditional in terms of the unknowing love they provide.
There’s also this one faction of the society that disapproves of this, because they read of cases “Dog murders 2-yr old” and whatnot, but for their very kind information humans kill babies and other forms of life too. It is also very wrong to look at shallow data and make generalized assumptions.
When it comes to dog terms such as “rabies”, and “diseases”, please be very aware on how to use such “labels”, if you have a superficial idea of how dogs work. It is not possible for a dog who looks sick to have had ‘rabies’ for 3 years now.
This is not for gaining support on dogs, and totally not a request for you to like them, but don’t stop those who want to look after them. And most definitely, do not hurt dogs because they seem to pose a threat. This comment may be controversial, but this is only for greater good.
If anyone is interested in campaigning for dogs with me, please contact aditibc.abc@gmail.com