The things that you first notice about India are its capacious beauty and serenity. And another thing that you cannot be oblivious to is the aboriginal dog of India called the ‘Pariah’. It has also acquired the name INDog. The Pariah is a breed of dogs who have been inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent for eons of years now.
Once you are out on the streets of India, irrespective of which state or city you are in, no matter which nook and corner you are in, the Pariah is a sight you cannot miss. The mostly thin and lanky canines have an average height of 20 inches. They are found in various colors. Some have a monotonous color whereas some have spots of a different color to give them a handsome look. They also look very different from normal pedigree dogs and yet have a unique stupefaction about them. Their gleamy eyes like any other dog can melt your heart.
They have a very vigilant temperament and are very cautious. They are very domesticated dogs. However, they have been misinterpreted since ages to come. They have been branded as aggressive, non-vigilant and unstable breed of dog. This often has led to people wasting a lot of money in buying pedigree dogs which sometimes lack a lot of qualities the Pariah possesses. The greatest part about them is that you can adopt them at the corner near your house.
The Pariah dogs have been man’s friend since a long time. In the rural villages, where people are not aware of purebreds and pedigree dogs, have the good old Pariah dog as their pet. They are low maintenance dogs and are the most loyal. They are very smart and have known to keep the robbers at bay. They are very adaptable, friendly and learn tricks really quickly. Unfortunately in the urban parts, they are looked down upon. The condition of the Pariah has been very apathetic and callous. You may find some dogs very healthy and robust whereas there might be skinny and pus oozing out from their back dogs also living in the same lane. The health of the Pariah dog is on the decline and they have no one to care.
It is definitely the survival of the fittest like Darvin has quoted. The population of the Pariah has been exploding by every fortnight. People’s attitude towards them is also very grief stricken. The Pariah dogs have been a victim of a lot man’s bad attitude and this has also led to them being aggressive for their own survival. For example, they have been pelted at with stones and have been always been the amusement of kids when their tails have been tied to a lit cracker!
They have been thus been branded as a menace to humanity. Despite all this, times have definitely changed and so has the mentality of people. The dog lovers have voiced the disappointments and there have been doing something for these poor little mutts. They government too have taken the task of neutering and spaying the stray dogs. This way the population explosion is curbed. Animal lovers have made sure that there are ramifications for people who are intolerant and contemptuous. A lot of shelter homes and animal lover’s group have been involved in making the life of the Pariah dog less miserable.
There are a lot of helpline numbers available to help these Pariahs. There are mobile ambulances to take care of dogs that have been injured and have transportation issues. A lot of veterinary doctors have been considerate to cure the Pariah dogs for free. The people have also opened their minds to broader ideas and have started welcoming the Pariah dogs as a member of their family. The Pariahs are now being adopted more frequently than ever. You don’t have to think twice about whether the temperature is too hot or cold, whether you need to get expensive dog foods or accessories. The Pariah dogs are handsome naturally and are very adaptable irrespective of the weather.
I’ve had first-hand experiences with these adorable mutts. The ones that live below my building are my adopted dogs. I do feed them and get a wag in return. They give me company when I go to a nearby store. Sometimes their joy knows no bounds and they want to jump and hug me. It’s adorable but I do get a few stink eyes too. But that’s inevitable. Nevertheless, they are a few dog lovers who take care and feed the strays in the vicinity. The Pariah dogs are one of a kind and truly are a gem of a breed. They are better than most purebreds and are very loving.
Mark Twain has wisely said that if you take a dog which is starving and you make him prosperous, he will not bite you; this is the primary difference of a dog and a man. You’ll never know unless you have tried to know them. Its time to change the way we think, if we already haven’t. The Pariah too needs the same love and care as any other purebreds. If you’re planning to adopt do consider a Pariah! They are the big joys in little packages!