Teesta Review: A Journal of Poetry, Volume 5, Number 1. May 2022. ISSN: 2581-7094
Let’s Pet the Indian Breeds
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| Image courtesy: https://www.dogspot.in/dog-blog/9-indian-dog-breeds-never-knew-about/ |
It’s all about love.
Love is such a wonderful word. These four letters
have many meanings. The expression signifies bond, emotion, compassion and much
more. In this context, I must proudly admit that I am a lover of animals and
they are extremely important to me. I feel for them as much as my feelings for
myself.
I
have always loved animals from a very young age. My love for street dogs
started in 2005 when I rescued a beautiful stray puppy who was affected by
scabies. Nurturing and looking after the young, helpless being and getting it
back to health was one of the most satisfying experiences of my life and one
that gave me a true purpose in life.
There
are some lovely quotes on the loving relationship that humans and animals
share. Two of the world’s greatest beings and torchbearers of human rights and
dignity have succinctly commented on the bond between the two species. Mahatma
Gandhi, the father of our great nation, has said: “The greatness of a nation
and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
The second quote comes from the flagbearer of human
equality, Martin Luther King, Jr., who stated: “Never, never be afraid to do
what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake.”
I developed love and compassion for the voiceless
who, unlike humans cannot express any pain or anguish that they feel. Ever
since, I have been looking after strays and street dogs, ensuring their well-being
by feeding them and providing them with the basic comforts which, in my
opinion, is their right.
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| Image courtesy: |
What bugs me most is the slaughtering of animals
and I do appeal to people who are non-vegetarian to reconsider their dietary
habits. Each time I read or hear about cruelty to street dogs or cats and gory
incidents of them being mauled or beaten to death, I get very upset.
I have made it my mission to advocate equal
treatment to animals. I also want to spread the message, across people, that
the innocent Indian breeds can be the best companions and they shouldn’t be
discriminated against or compared with ‘pedigree’ breeds such as German
Shepherds, Golden Retrievers or Siberian Huskies. People can check with those,
like me, who have lived alongside Indian breed dogs to know how much love and
affection they too can give us humans.
I want to thank the much-respected personality,
Maneka Gandhi Maa for being
compassionate about the stray dogs and spreading
great messages about how loving they are. You just have to give them a chance
and you will realise that the Indian breeds and strays, just like their
pedigree cousins, can be the best of friends and companions.
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Image courtesy: |
Animals, like human babies, are very innocent and
are exploited by some human beings. This needs to be looked at seriously by our
civilised society. The universe has been extremely unkind to voiceless animals
and it is about time that we humans begin to correct this anomaly. After all,
it’s all about giving and sharing love, just the way we do with fellow human
beings.