“Money can buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail.”
– Kinky Friedman
Being nice to all dogs, not just the ones in your home, can bring a huge change in the condition of dogs in India. Many of us have dogs. We pet them for companionship. We connect and bond with them. Many pet lovers even consider them as their family members and thus, take good care of them. The relation here is not a give-and-take one. We don’t usually expect anything in return for that care. We just do it out of love. But do we have the same affection for strays? Do we ever seek companionship from them? Have we ever tried to bond with them? Many pet owners would respond as ‘No’. I have seen people feeding their pets twice a day, taking them to a doctor when sick, talking to them with love, and the same people walking down the street, passing by a stray, ignoring the wound on his back, the rib impressions on his body and the eyes begging for just a slice of bread.
I wonder what might be the reason for this – Breed difference? Lack of empathy? Too poor to afford a meal for a stray? Or hygiene consciousness (as they all say). People tend to forget that one can always clean the dirt, can’t they? If it’s only hygiene that is holding you back to look at them with empathy, then cleaning, sanitizing, or maybe avoiding patting them can be a quick fix to your problem.
But is hygiene the real issue here? The problem can also be the mindset. So many dogs are discriminated, on the grounds of their breed. Just like in humans, we give so much significance to the origin that we often forget that they (dogs) all belong to the same species. And that is how, the gravity of genes outweighs humanity. And that may be the reason why people don’t hesitate to spend thousands on a breed dog but avoid adopting a homeless stray. I never understood the concept of trading animals anyway. A price tag should not be there on something that has emotions and can feel. It’s immoral and subhuman. Science certifies that dogs have emotions, and a pet person’s experience tells us the same. Still no one feels considerate towards the emotions of that mother who loses her puppies every year because of starvation. She feeds tens of her babies on an empty stomach herself.
People who play with puppies do no good for street dogs too. They play, I understand that’s important too, but they don’t feed. Early death of strays is very common in the world’s most populated country. Approximately 80% street dogs die before they even turn one. The reason for dying, their unfilled bowls.
“How do you feed them? They bark. We’re afraid that they’ll bite.”
I can tell you with my personal experience that ‘love’ is the key here. Give them love, you’ll always get more in return. But if you walk with a stone (or stick), prepared to attack, they will bark. They might even bite. Not intended to hurt anyone, but to protect themselves. Dogs feel insecure. They’re the sufferers of miserable situations. Just like humans, they react to shield themselves. Not just themselves, they’re concerned for others’ protection too. They try to inform us about the odds. Thus, prevent many mis-happenings. Isn’t it ironic? Dogs are not as smart as humans but still have managed to save many lives all around the world. But we, quick-witted humans, fail to even recognize if the dog living outside our house for years is unwell.
We, as humans, can be a bit more compassionate and tender towards the other species. But as a pet owner, it becomes much more eminent, because – ‘we understand’. We’ve seen our pets go through various circumstances. And the dog outdoors is no different than the dog indoors. Even if each family takes responsibility for just one homeless, empty bellied wanderer, the world will be a much better place for them to live in. And you’ll get a selfless and loyal friend who will wag his/her tail, every time you pass by.
Here’s a checklist, that can be helpful if you consider taking care of a street dog –
- If you’re concerned about hygiene, maintain hygiene. Don’t touch them. If you do, wash your hands.
- Be impartial of breed while feeding the dogs. Don’t discriminate.
- Adopt, don’t shop. Why buy a life, when you can grant one.
- Be considerate of a breastfeeding mother. Nutrition is very important for them.
- Feed the little ones more as they are growing and require more nutrition. Hunger is a mighty killer.
- Pat, don’t attack. Dogs have boundaries too, build comfort gradually. Love melts the anger.
- Be empathetic, if they are not comfortable around you, give them time.
- Provide or get help for injured ones. Don’t ignore or be disgusted by their injuries.
- Be mindful of what you are feeding them.
A small DO’s and DONT’s list for feeding the strays –
- DO NOT feed them – Onions, Garlic, Tea, Coffee, Chocolates, Sweets, Milk, Packed foods like biscuits, chips etc.
- DO feed them – Dog food (easiest and best way to feed them), Buttermilk, Boiled rice, Boiled chicken, Boiled vegetables, and most importantly – clean water.
Lastly, be a dog lover, not just a pet lover!
