Beloved Humans, Remember Us? We are the dogs- poor, hungry, fighting to survive and fighting over everything else – You see us everyday on the streets yet act as if we are invisible. We live terribly, our babies are in despair. Please help us. We never had the fortune of being called a Pet, leave aside a sophisticated treatment. We are nameless, sad. We also wish for a life filled with bright lights. Please help us. We are neglected creatures, full of hardships. Give us a chance. Adopt us. Please help us. When We love you so much, why can’t You? Yours faithfully- Stray Dogs in danger.
Could strays write such letters, their lives would have been wonderful. These dogs try to voice their thoughts but never once do we make an attempt to listen to them. Everyone says that a dog is a man’s best friend. The fact is undeniable. But still some can never fulfill it. Ardent dog lovers have failed to understand why. Why can’t they be helpful to dog’s. Why can’t they bring a street dog home and raise it? Are all the claims of being so passionate about dogs just a fake promise or Do humans willingly fail at every step to become a loyal friend to his loyal dog?
Street dogs are innocent animals. They often look thin, malnourished, dirty and rough but they have a soft heart inside that beats only for you. You can always see a street pup foraging in the garbage heaps or playing with a bunch of dirty plastics with waste accumulated on the corner of the road. Street puppies always look at you with watery eyes as if asking you to take it home. They hardly bark when you bend forward to touch it. It is because they love your company and will continue loving you if you adopt it without leaving it on the road to die.
They are initially understanding in nature. There is a general belief that they will be difficult to train because of their aggressiveness and rowdiness. But this dog can be trained just like any other. Yes, you may hesitate to take them to a pet show or a dog exhibition but you always can. Once you treat your dog well, it will never leave any opportunity to impress you. We all buy dogs to display them to the world. Adopt one from the street and see that it will give you much more pleasure and contentment. Unlike the dogs which are bought, Street dogs can turn out to be more dignified and talented.
The ambiguity regarding the adoption of a stray is basically because we are so concerned about our health and temperament that we do not have that basic instinct to help others in distress. How ludicrous do we feel when we are down with fever or somehow bruise our hands. Then imagine the kind of pain they undergo when they are sick or hurt and trembling with fear, all alone with no roof to provide them shelter. These dogs, born and brought up on the streets wildly and ruggedly, are never given lessons on humanity nor any lectures on how to be helpful. Yet they are more humane than us, more noble and pure-hearted.
Love is unconditional, no matter where the love comes from. Any avid dog lover cannot un-notice a dog only because it belongs to the street. The love for dog exist everywhere, from store to the road. Have you ever looked at a puppy with hurt paws, cut by the sharp stones hurled at him by those wicked people? Have you ever looked at a dog with an injured and diseased body, writhing in pain, lying under the cool shade of a tree only to get some respite from the heat? Don’t you feel sad for them? Doesn’t these brutal images of plight haunt you like a nightmare? Why do we never think of taking them home? We don’t and this thought does not even cross our minds and we don’t ask ourselves the reason be that we are only bothered about showing how costly a dog we can afford than thinking at all about their well-being? Have we ever asked ourselves why we don’t feel for these little poor puppies quivering outside in the cold?
Wouldn’t it feel delightful to bring a street dog home and give it a shelter. Besides, the person will be blessed with unlimited love as long as the dog lives. Also there is no more happiness than having a furry dog companion at home for free. They are no less costly than a known breed. They will be of so much help to the household as well as the master. They are very social and highly alert dogs. They are extremely defensive about their human family and will make excellent watch dogs. They will require low maintenance than other breeds. They do not need grooming, pedigree food or a regular visit to a parlour. They are already habituated to facing harsh and extreme hostilities and their needs are simple and minimum without any refinement. All these years, there have been enough proof of their genorosity, loyalty, this never ending love and unassuming joy keeps on multiplying and radiating from your dog and when you come in contact with it, all your stress melts away like forever, you can feel it lasting for a lifetime. The mere passing of a street dog becomes the very reason for a big smile. You feel as if it winks back at you. That’s your love for a dog. You cannot merely discriminate between your pet dog and a street one. This kind of the so claimed dog persons I always hate. Street dogs can be far better than what you think them to be. Yes, they might not trust you on the first go, considering the history of humans, how we behave with them disgracefully, but a little love can go a long way. And when it comes to unquestionable faith on them, ask a security guard about it. Such dogs devotedly come forward to volunteer them in their job.
Just throwing a biscuit towards a stray might assure you for the moment but the dog will certainly look forward to more affection and acceptance. It is sad that they are devoid of that one chance to feel loved.
They are not ‘proper or perfect as pets’ is the very silly reason we give to defend ourselves. But what does our conditions of being ‘very perfect’ require? Fair? Clean? Handsome? Beautiful, with a soothing voice? But have you ever realized that shared love can be the stepping stone for a good friendship. And when it comes to the matters of the heart, physical traits are never counted. There is no justifiable reason for not loving them, be it rough or wild or inexpressive. We never shed drops of tear when we see a street dog dying in front of us. Bringing home one and see how it cries when you are in pain. What you don’t do a dog will do for its entire life. All your misjudgement and hatred will vanish and prove how wrong you were to undermine that poor fellow. No. Your house doesn’t need any fancy dog but a dog which will teach you the fundamentals of life.
If you cannot bring it home, set up shelters for them. Feed them daily. Take care of them whenever you are free from work. Know that you are saving a dozen lives which will eventually transform into goodwill and come back to you in many folds in time of need. Strays will always find a way of showing gratitude towards you for saving his life with unassuming joy, love and care. It’s high time we become aware that abandoning the strays does no good to the society. Stray dogs will love to live in your society if you provide good facilities for medical care, feeding, shelter and clothing. We are a brighter and intellectual species. So why leave them to the hands of abuse?