Me and this world - a tête-à-tête

  Radhika and I together we have many rescues stories to share. One such is that of a community dog who lived near her home. This fella was one big notorious kid. He had developed a wound and later there were maggots infestation. First time in net, the boy escaped by breaking the net with his teeth. Second time we somehow managed to get the dog in the van with the net and I drove him to the Angel Lady’s shelter. She treated him well and some three or four days later this guy ran off from the shelter. The group leader hid his face for a few days until Radhika mentioned that the dog had returned to his spot! I was amazed by this return. The miracles that mother nature brings forth all the time are euphoric. There was another case in my neighborhood . During each drive for about three months were trying to get hold of this female dog, she escaped every time. Then she was pregnant again. Finally two of her pups survived to adulthood and she almost willingly got in the vehicle for spay...

During one of the adoption camps, I met another lady who is as passionate as I am and as practical as I am not. My Animal welfare journey would never be complete unless I speak about this lady. Radhika Deshpande and I became friends in no time. She and I would have long talks about ABC Drives and other rescues. I felt comfortable to tell her things that I otherwise wouldn’t have spoken to anyone, to seek her advise about animal welfare or otherwise. We made a good team. She also supported me when I needed fosters for the pups that I would be looking after. We did several rescues together and then one fine day we left the group for good. For once, we also considered starting our own NGO. Since we had understood the hard work it takes to built a team and a financial support that would be needed to run day to day activities, we called it off. It was or rather even today is a wise decision. The Dilemma that I faced was about interfering with the nature or choosing to reduce populat...

  People would come to her to adopt dogs. Most of them would be looking for free puppies of exotic breeds. Many didn’t want to take home any dog that would have been previously owned. Hardly anyone wanted to have the local indie dogs. The group also used to organize Adoption camps. People used to huddle up only to see puppies in the pens. The caregivers of these puppies would mostly be heartbroken since very few pups would be adopted. The kitties would find homes quickly but getting the dogs adopted used to be real hard work. Once another lady and I visited an elderly couple who wanted to adopt a pup. We took some 4 healthy pups in carrier in an auto rikshaw. When I realised that the energy levels of the couple together wont match to that of the pup, I told the lady and she instantaneously agreed. We brought the pups back. Another time, a family had adopted a pup during adoption camp. When we called to inquire about how the pup had settled with the family, we were told the pup...

  Riki Passed away in Nov 2014 and I didn’t bring any four legged baby home until May 2018. My mom was travelling internationally for little less than a month. Zenith Odysseys was running pretty much smoothly hence perhaps it was the right time. Toby's First day with me On one hot May afternoon, I dropped mom for her journey and was checking whatsapp, when I read a message in that group where one cat lady wanted someone to accompany her to the shelter. I called her and asked if I could join. She was more than happy to take me with her to the shelter. At the meeting point, a shop close to Sinhgad Road. There I met a 4 month old pup whom shelter people had just dropped off. This pup was rescued by the group in early May. The pup had lost its left eye and was bleeding when he was rescued. He also had a wound on back which was healing. The group leader said he was going to look after the pup. I somehow felt attached to the pup. But cat lady was in hurry to reach shelter and return. ...