It's a Dog's life.

I have a little Malti-poo, who I adopted from a shelter a year ago and brought to India with me. I don’t know what I would do without him.  After I rescued Charlie I have gained a whole new perspective on animals.

Stray dogs are a common sight all around India. I have seen them around growing up, and it never phased me. But now that I know about the love these animals possess, it really kills me to walk by so many strays around here.  How can someone walk by a stray dog with big ole’ black eyes, plopped ears and just curled up like a baby. I know, I HAVE to stop and feed them and pet them. I just wish I could just bring them all home. Sadly, that would not solve the larger issues behind this problem.

This issue shapes the way Indian society thinks of animals in general.  This population is so busy trying to survive that, animals are on the bottom of list of priorities.  This results in lack of products and services available for animals. Pet dogs are not allowed in most public parks/gardens. Most grooming salons usually mean an unsanitary shave for your beloved pets. Even when I take Charlie on a walk, I have seen people freak out; because they think he will bark and bite. They automatically relate animals to sickness and series of treatments or shots.

While there are people who are scared or even disgusted by animals, there are also people whole let dogs hang out on their premises. They feed them and love them and even take them to the vet. I was fortunate enough to meet a kind soul who looks past the fleas, or smell or even an infected coat of a stray dog.

Meet Mr. Nimesh Mandliya:

Middle aged Tailor, who does alterations at a small Tailor Shop in Malad. He earns between 200-300 rupees per day; that’s about $4-$6 per day. He takes Rs. 60 out of that every day to buy low sugar biscuits and milk for stray dogs. He has taken numerous sick dogs home, nursed many of them to health, but he has also lost some of these angels.  His current Project is Jugnu.

Someone dumped Jugnu outside Godfrey Tailors when he was only a 2-3 weeks old. Nilesh says,  Jugnu almost didn’t make it. Jugnu couldn't see anything when he found him. Nimesh has kept consistent with treatment and thankfully this little pup is now 3 months old, and doing much better and he can see!! He still has some stomach problems but Nimesh and his brother Bhavesh are getting him treated. When I went to interview Nimesh, Jugnu was in the shop sitting next to Nimesh.

While I was there I saw three dogs come in and eat. Nimesh told me about many other dogs he has rescued and saved in last six months and God bless this man, because he may not have all the money in the world but he has the biggest heart I have ever seen.

 If you are reading this post today, Please do not be afraid of a stray, it is more afraid of you than you are of it. It can sense your energy.  If you are docile, it is docile. So take a minute out of your day and a skip a cigarette or a coffee and feed a stray. If possible please Rescue and adopt a stray.  It will give you happiness that you could have never imagined. As for me, I promised Nimesh I will drop off a bag of dog food every time I can. He is barely making ends meet; this is the least I could do.