The last time Farida called RESQ - we rescued Felix from the Pune Waterworks Canal over a year ago..Felix, a 4 month old stray pup had got himself stuck on the ledge of the canal where water was flowing at high currents. Fire brigades, courageous RESQ volunteers and crazy nerves got this pup out of his misery at 2:00am. We found Felix a home and Farida hopefully slept well knowing that there was no more a puppy stuck and howling in the canal behind her house.
Today, Farida called again.
She sounded extremely frantic - "there are these newborn puppies in the middle of the road, someone has just thrown them here".
I question and reason - "there are hundreds of puppies on the streets, I can't starting picking healthy puppies, there will be no end".
Taking the Call
Farida said one was very weak and they were very tiny. In normal circumstances, I would have to say sorry because there was nothing I could do.
Suddenly, I remembered how ecstasic and excited Sruti and Reishabh (our volunteers in Kalyani Nagar) gets when she talks of infant puppies. I told Farida I would try and ask some volunteers if they wanted to foster the pups for a couple of days. Sruti and Reishabh agreed instantaneously :)
They picked the pups and told me that one of the pups was definitely injured and decided to bring them over to the RESQ Office Clinic.
Just Beautiful
They were 1 month old, both females, one black & white and one cream & white. They were 100% cocker spaniel mixes. Complete fur balls, immaculately clean, soft fur...just beautiful. I thought to myself - "these were definitely being looked after by someone".
...And then I saw the ghastly sight.
Both their tails had been docked at the exact same spot. They were infected and full of maggots. When I removed the syringe from its plastic, their ears perked up. I am certain they associated plastic sounds with food and got excited. Dr. Mhatre walked in just then..one look at the pups and he said "someone has done this to them...."
Someone probably did this to the entire litter. Maybe docked their tails because he/she was giving them off as cocker spaniel mix pups. Maybe managed to give off all the other pups and was left with these two females that he/she probably threw out in the middle of street...only to have Farida find them in horror.
What's going on
The black & white one looks exactly like a Panda. Sruti has named her 'Po' after the panda from Kung Fu Panda. The cream & white has been named 'Custard'.
Po and Custard are currently being fostered by Sruti & Reishabh. Their tails will be sutured up tomorrow and they'll be good to go within a week.
I am certain they will get adopted quickly...Their pictures and the rest of their tale will be updated here soon.
To Be Continued..
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that define a living organism.
How technical.
At RESQ, we deal with this technical word almost everyday.
Most times the animals come to us when they're in such a horrible state already. I wonder why people don't call us earlier than later, or I wish that we had found the animal sooner. Sometimes I think the animals just come to us, so that they can pass over peacefully in our kennel rather than on the street.
Sometimes they show so much improvement suddenly, make us all very happy, and the next day, go to heaven in their sleep. I think they're trying to tell us that "Hey look, we're doing better now and now that you're happy seeing me better, I'm going straight to Heaven, because thats where dogs live like kings. There's no pedigree or stray differentitation there, no people throwing stones, no cars scaring the living day lights out of us, lots of food and clean water, shelter and safe space for us to run free..........."
The last two and half years, we've seen so many dogs go out of our kennel happily, and some who come there and never leave.
No matter how much death I see, I never get used to it. I get better at dealing with it...and this blog post is for all my dear volunteers who witness this with RESQ as a daily part of their lives. The day I learnt to deal with death better is when I read this Sufi saying which states that: When the heart weeps for what it has lost, the soul laughs for what it has found.
I truly beleive our dogs are in a better place when they leave us.
Every dog that enters our kennel, gets a NAME. We form a bond with each and every living soul that comes into our RESQ life. I know that this bond we form helps heal the hundreds that we have. It always the ones that leave us suddenly - leave us with a hole in the heart. But remember: Death ends a life, not a relationship.
Our work goes on, and we will try to save as many as we can, do our best, and leave the rest to God. If nothing else, we help the animals on their stairway to Heaven.
Da Vinci said 'Our life is made by the death of others'. Its true. Think about it.
Rupal, Priyancka, Niketa, Sunil....you guys rock and are rock.
Neha
How technical.
At RESQ, we deal with this technical word almost everyday.
Most times the animals come to us when they're in such a horrible state already. I wonder why people don't call us earlier than later, or I wish that we had found the animal sooner. Sometimes I think the animals just come to us, so that they can pass over peacefully in our kennel rather than on the street.
Sometimes they show so much improvement suddenly, make us all very happy, and the next day, go to heaven in their sleep. I think they're trying to tell us that "Hey look, we're doing better now and now that you're happy seeing me better, I'm going straight to Heaven, because thats where dogs live like kings. There's no pedigree or stray differentitation there, no people throwing stones, no cars scaring the living day lights out of us, lots of food and clean water, shelter and safe space for us to run free..........."
The last two and half years, we've seen so many dogs go out of our kennel happily, and some who come there and never leave.
No matter how much death I see, I never get used to it. I get better at dealing with it...and this blog post is for all my dear volunteers who witness this with RESQ as a daily part of their lives. The day I learnt to deal with death better is when I read this Sufi saying which states that: When the heart weeps for what it has lost, the soul laughs for what it has found.
I truly beleive our dogs are in a better place when they leave us.
Every dog that enters our kennel, gets a NAME. We form a bond with each and every living soul that comes into our RESQ life. I know that this bond we form helps heal the hundreds that we have. It always the ones that leave us suddenly - leave us with a hole in the heart. But remember: Death ends a life, not a relationship.
Our work goes on, and we will try to save as many as we can, do our best, and leave the rest to God. If nothing else, we help the animals on their stairway to Heaven.
Da Vinci said 'Our life is made by the death of others'. Its true. Think about it.
Rupal, Priyancka, Niketa, Sunil....you guys rock and are rock.
Neha
Monday, July 27, 2009
Chinese Whispers
Written by Sunil Uttam
(Psst Sunil...read the end, I added something!;))
It was past 9 when we got this call. Neha called me and said that there was a rescue and the dog had a cracked skull. While I prepared to leave for the rescue to Hadapsar, we started discussing the course of action (was a totally new situation for us). In addition the caller mentioned that the dog was apparently in a dark, jungle area with tall grass so we had to be doubly careful while doing this at this time of the night.
Nevertheless, I called the lady and tried to assess the situation over the phone. Apparently she had not seen it and claimed that her servant had seen someone whack the dog with a stick and it had crawled into this jungle zone in great pain (was also bleeding)
Sounded like a total emergency and had to be looked into right away. I tried to involve some other volunteer but that couldnt be worked out. So alone it was.
While I was driving over, I conjured up an image of what might have happened, and how the dog would be feeling (it seems to have happened in the afternoon). I actually worked out the whole rescue plan in my mind including involving our vet.
Yes I was anxious. More so since it was a new situation and also that it was supposedly in a hostile environment.
When I landed up there, sure enough, the lady showed me a dilapidated semi consructed deserted building of 1 floor and said that the dog is there. She was positive (and I too heard the wails). She graphically showed me how the dog was hit on the head and how it had crawled into the building (all this without her having seen the dog at all).
she convinced a young boy to show me the way to enter the zone (He had a partner who dropped out in fear). while walking to the ground, the boy asked me that whether I was sure that the wails were of a dog only and not "anything" else. Man he was scared for sure.
Anyways using my torch, I looked around the whole building and went through it. No sound. No wailing. Just eerieness. I have to say that a thought flashed my mind..."what the hell was I doing here, back of beyond, in the middle of a dark night, only with a small flashlight, not knowing what I was going to get into". after looking all over, I gave up and was walking back, when I heard this guy barking. Apparently he was in one of the locked flats (which I had not looked into). I went back up, opened the door to see this dog (totally healthy) sitting and growling at me as if I had locked him up :-). I left the door open and returned to my car. I was lucky to have not encountered any anti social elements hiding in the building (was an ideal getaway)
I had a tough time controlling my laughter and some amount of anger :-). This was a classic case of chinese whispers:
1. Truth: Dog got locked into the apartment accidently (probably had gone there to escape the rain) and was wailing.
2. The whisper: Servent heard the wails and cooked up a story.
3. The whisper: Told to the people in the society, who further added spice to it.
4. The whisper: Reached the lady who even could describe graphcially how the dog was hit on the head, had cracked its skull, and had crawled into the building.
5. The chinese whisper: Reached Resq, who was all over the place arranging for the operation.
Moral: We urge all our callers to simply state the facts and not interpret them for us. E.g. simply state that a dog is wailing since the afternoon. The sound seems to come from the building in the neighbourhood. You havent seen it. etc. On our part we learn to question more deeply before moving into an rescue.
I wonder why nobody tried to go and look on the dog in the day time :-)
A Word in by Neha Panchamiya ;)
I got a call at about 8:30pm from this one girl who was about to cry on the phone when she said there's a dog with a cracked skull. My first question 'are you there with the dog?' She replied...'no, its behind my friends house'. I told her to get her friend to call me. Now her friends father ends up calling me who doesn't seem to be as worried but says there is a dog somewhere that he hasn't seen but has heard. Then I hear the sound. It was scary. It was a painful cry. Only this time it turned out to be a cry of being locked up and isolated! Even though there was no cracked skull, I'm
glad Sunil did the call, because anyone else in his place would've left and gone....and that poor dog would've remained there - and probably died of starvation!
(Psst Sunil...read the end, I added something!;))
It was past 9 when we got this call. Neha called me and said that there was a rescue and the dog had a cracked skull. While I prepared to leave for the rescue to Hadapsar, we started discussing the course of action (was a totally new situation for us). In addition the caller mentioned that the dog was apparently in a dark, jungle area with tall grass so we had to be doubly careful while doing this at this time of the night.
Nevertheless, I called the lady and tried to assess the situation over the phone. Apparently she had not seen it and claimed that her servant had seen someone whack the dog with a stick and it had crawled into this jungle zone in great pain (was also bleeding)
Sounded like a total emergency and had to be looked into right away. I tried to involve some other volunteer but that couldnt be worked out. So alone it was.
While I was driving over, I conjured up an image of what might have happened, and how the dog would be feeling (it seems to have happened in the afternoon). I actually worked out the whole rescue plan in my mind including involving our vet.
Yes I was anxious. More so since it was a new situation and also that it was supposedly in a hostile environment.
When I landed up there, sure enough, the lady showed me a dilapidated semi consructed deserted building of 1 floor and said that the dog is there. She was positive (and I too heard the wails). She graphically showed me how the dog was hit on the head and how it had crawled into the building (all this without her having seen the dog at all).
she convinced a young boy to show me the way to enter the zone (He had a partner who dropped out in fear). while walking to the ground, the boy asked me that whether I was sure that the wails were of a dog only and not "anything" else. Man he was scared for sure.
Anyways using my torch, I looked around the whole building and went through it. No sound. No wailing. Just eerieness. I have to say that a thought flashed my mind..."what the hell was I doing here, back of beyond, in the middle of a dark night, only with a small flashlight, not knowing what I was going to get into". after looking all over, I gave up and was walking back, when I heard this guy barking. Apparently he was in one of the locked flats (which I had not looked into). I went back up, opened the door to see this dog (totally healthy) sitting and growling at me as if I had locked him up :-). I left the door open and returned to my car. I was lucky to have not encountered any anti social elements hiding in the building (was an ideal getaway)
I had a tough time controlling my laughter and some amount of anger :-). This was a classic case of chinese whispers:
1. Truth: Dog got locked into the apartment accidently (probably had gone there to escape the rain) and was wailing.
2. The whisper: Servent heard the wails and cooked up a story.
3. The whisper: Told to the people in the society, who further added spice to it.
4. The whisper: Reached the lady who even could describe graphcially how the dog was hit on the head, had cracked its skull, and had crawled into the building.
5. The chinese whisper: Reached Resq, who was all over the place arranging for the operation.
Moral: We urge all our callers to simply state the facts and not interpret them for us. E.g. simply state that a dog is wailing since the afternoon. The sound seems to come from the building in the neighbourhood. You havent seen it. etc. On our part we learn to question more deeply before moving into an rescue.
I wonder why nobody tried to go and look on the dog in the day time :-)
A Word in by Neha Panchamiya ;)
I got a call at about 8:30pm from this one girl who was about to cry on the phone when she said there's a dog with a cracked skull. My first question 'are you there with the dog?' She replied...'no, its behind my friends house'. I told her to get her friend to call me. Now her friends father ends up calling me who doesn't seem to be as worried but says there is a dog somewhere that he hasn't seen but has heard. Then I hear the sound. It was scary. It was a painful cry. Only this time it turned out to be a cry of being locked up and isolated! Even though there was no cracked skull, I'm
glad Sunil did the call, because anyone else in his place would've left and gone....and that poor dog would've remained there - and probably died of starvation!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Mission: Rescue Princess
The Call
On Friday evening we received a call on our ResQ hotline from Ashutosh in Sahakar Nagar, near Teljai tekdi saying that a dog has fallen off the edge onto a ridge, is safe but is stuck since there is no path for him to come up or go down. He tried to describe the "ridge" and we kept interpreting it as we imagined. He said it was a 8 foot drop to the ridge and that there was a pile of sand at the bottom which will break the fall of the dog if he decides to jump.
I was tempted to go and look at it, assuming that it would be a simple rescue, but It was late in the evening, and Ashutosh mentioned that it might be better to attempt this in the morning since it was a jungle area.
He mentioned that it was stuck there since 2 nights and 2 days and he has been feeding it. we decided that he would feed it tonight as well.
Over-Prepared?
When Rupal was discussing the action plan with Neha around 8 PM, Neha instructed Rupal to take along all what we have, not clearly knowing what to expect in such a situation. It was a valuable input from Neha actually prompting us to be over-prepared. This includes a body harness, butterly net, rope, kit etc. We also decided that we must have a rope to support this operation. I rushed to a hardware store and bought 30 feet of a think nylon rope (initially I thought that since it was a 8 feet drop, 16 feet might be enough). In hind sight I feel glad I bought the 30 feet rope.
The operation
I was joined by Rupal, Niketa and Utkarsh to form a team of 4 along with Asutosh. When we reached the spot, I couldnt believe how we had imagined something so different from what we saw. This spot was on the tekdi (hill), on a vertical stone/mud wall of about 40 feet total. This dog was at about 15 from the top on a mud ledge, sitting peacefully. We assessed the situation, and evaluated several options...1. approach from the bottom (ruled out due to height and no way to climb), 2. approach from the left side...ruled out since no path or hold available to reach the spot...3. approach from the top...decided.
Asutosh mentioned that forest officials had come and had given up after a half hearted attempt to coax the dog out. They had no equipment and were least interested to follow through on the action. When we assessed the situation, not an iota of doubt crossed our mind that we were gong back without completing this rescue.
We went to the spot right above the dog. I looked around and found a small very narrow exposed path leading almost upto the dog. I decided to try it out. I decended and started carefully walking towards the spot. Was precarious. At about 10 feet from the dog, there was no foot hold and also nothing to hold on to. OK time to call out the equipment. I told my team to drop the rope so I can hang on to it. They secured the rope to a sturdy tree and dropped the rope, so I can hang on to it and move ahead. This way I managed to reach the dog. The dog was quite tired and drowsy already. She growled at me until I stood there and let her smell me. By then Rupal had created a sedation shot and a gauze muzzle and tossed it me tied to a rope. I quickly muzzled it, sedated it and let it pass out.
Now we pondered over how to pull it up. We tried first to harness it using a human body harness, but I soon realised that it wont work out...the dog might slip out. we then put it into our butterfly net which was tied to the rope, and the dog was carefully pulled up. What was happening on top, I wasnt too sure, except that they were doing a damm good job of coordinating with me.
Then, came the challenge to pull me out. I decided that it would be best to go back the same way I had come. But now the rope was wet, muddy (it had started raining), so I didnt trust myself to use it go back over the open fall area with no foot hold. I decided to use the body harness (thank god for that). Niketa expertly guided me to get into the harness, secure it tightly and passed the thick rope through the hook. Now very carefully I started to cross over towards the path...slipped just when I reached the spot, hung by the harness and simply was flung back right where I started, rolling along the mountain face, knocking my head, shoulder and what not else. Thank god that my team had the presense of mind to keep the rope taught. Must have been quite a strain for Utkarsh and Rupal to hang on to the rope to hold my body suspended in mid air. I got back my foot hold and we decided that I should go straight up, the same way the dog had gone.
Niketa gave me instructions on rappling, but I couldnt bring myself to let go and trust the rope. Mind you, this whole operation and all that we were doing (barring the muzzling and sedation) was a first time for all of us. They simply started pulling while I kept pushing my legs on whatever hold I got. At the top, Asutosh gave me a hand and dragged me up.
The result
Alls well that ends well. The dog was taken to the kennels and released back to the same locality by the evening.
The reprimand
In all that excitement, I had taken over completely. I took all the decisions including taking the dog back to the kennels despite having no space in the kennels. I took this decision, not clinically, but kind of assuming that the dog since its been out for 2 days and nights without water would be dehydrated and weak and would need medical attention. But at the volunteer meet, Neha made us realise that despite such a great effort to save Princess, we had violated basic protocol like not consulting the vet about the condition of the dog, not considering that we dont have space in the kennels, not considering that Asutosh could have looked after it for a day and released it himself (on site). I for one shall be more aware of this, for sure. She made us realise that in the heat of the moment, or excitement, we have to still be with the basics and follow protocol always.
Team work
Neha - for insisting that we be over prepared and buy the rope.
Rupal - for her continuous encouragment, helping to pull the rope, carry the dog back.
Niketa - expert guidance on use of body harness, rappling.
Utkarsh - For using his strength to pull Princess and me up.
Asutosh - for caring to standby the dog, call us, assist in the operation by handling the rope and pulling me up in the end.
Sunil - for taking charge, and directing the whole operation.
There was no ego play here. Everybody played to their strengths and complimented each other. It were 2 intense hours.
Power of Intent
The end was in mind. The dog had to be pulled out. We found a way. The universe/Divinity brought resources and conditions together to help this happen through us.
The dog was so beautiful.
We unanimously named her Princess.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Its raining, its pouring...
Sitting at my window watching the rain.
Garam chai, bhajiyas...perfect.
Then I look down, and see a little puppy running all over the street. The watchman in the building opposite mine is shooing the pup as he tries to enter the building for shelter.
...and my heart breaks.
I go down and speak to buildings secretary/chairman (I'm not sure who it was - but definitely someone who controlled the watchman I had a slighhhhttt arguement with!).
So I convince him to allow me to make a temporary shelter for the pup for 'just a few days'.
He's apprehensive...his reply to me, "Yeh kutta idhar sey nahi gaya toh??"
I say "Uncle, free mey security guard mil gaya na phir aapko?"
Uncle still looked very apprehensive. I promised him free medical check-ups and vaccinations for the dog and then he looked 80% convinced. I told him I'd look for a good family for him and try to re-home him if possible. He looked 99% convinced. I told him I'd make the temporary shelter myself. He was 100% convinced.
This is how I made it and this how you ALL can make it for all those puppy litters you see getting drenched in the rain. It takes very little effort and a lot of convincing to building society members. BUT...its worth it.
Steps to make a Temporary Shelter for pups
What you need:
- Big cardboard box (you can get this from us)
- Thick brown tape or any duct tape
- Large plastic shopping bags/ plastic sheets / garage bin bags
Procedure:
1) With the cellotapes stick the top closing flaps of the cardboard box to its sides to make the side walls of the box stronger.
2) Spread the plastic (bag or sheets) on the entire outer portion of the box and stick them with the tape. Atleast stick two to three layers of plastic to ensure that water doesnt creep in.
3) Tilt the box so that the open top acts like an entrance for the pup inside the box.
4) Place more plastic sheets over the box and pen down the sheets to the ground with some stones on the sides to ensure that the box won't topple over with the pup's weight.
5) Place this set-up against a wall so that it has support.
6) Place the pup inside and watch it curl up as it rests in peace.
Need help or need materials? Call us on our rescue helpline 9890334433
Wags,
Neha @RESQ
Monday, June 1, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
The Curious Case of Braveheart. By Shweta Shahade
Saturday, 7th of March, started of as a normal day. Dad asked me to get his laundry done. Friends asked me where do we go for lunch? I asked myself what am I doing with my life? Little did I know that I would get the answers to all my profound questions that day.
Neha called me frantically. She asked me to rush to Pashan for a rescue. She also said that there were people beating a dog to death, with sticks. The key was in the ignition when she was in the middle of the sentence. Parinit drove like a maniac, and I felt like today I will kill. I asked Parinit to run all the red lights. I looked for some sort of a rod or a huge stick in the back of his car. He told me later on in the day that he asked me to remain calm. I never heard it. By the time we reached, Neha and Sunil were already there. Their faces looking grim. I couldn't feel my legs. As I walked through the mob, Neha lookd at me and said, 'She's gone.' I could have collapsed. I felt like all the energy in my body was sucked out. I felt weightless. I saw her lying on the ground. She looked like she was at peace. Like she was in a better place. A place where there is no hunger, no greed, no anger, and no death. Neha and Sunil gave me a brief about what had happened before we reached there. I could not wrap my mind around what they were telling me. I heard a man complaining. 'SHE BIT ME. SHE BIT ME!!' he was yelling. When asked to show his wound, he displayed what looked like a 10 year old mosquito bite. He was clearly lying. The dog who died was small, thin, and was just looking for food. I couldn't help but notice a petite woman. She looked like she could've taken the world on that day. Her name was Anita. She was accompanied by her husband and her friend. I kept wondering why they have this halo over their heads? Like I said, all my questions were answered that day.
The day seemed longer than it was. Our hearts were full, our eyes were dried out, and all we wanted was justice. All I could think of was if there is a God, today I would know. Neha had called the police, and she had also notified Manoj Oswal of PFA (People For Animals). Luckily enough, the right people were at the right place, at the right time. We all know how often that really happens. The witnesses were appalled with what they had to see, and the ones who heard about it could not even imagine the pain and the suffering of the dog, who Sunil has so precisely named, 'Braveheart'. And the ones who commited this heinous crime, either vanished or were in complete denial. The security guards of the DRDO Complex. I can't get over the disturbing paradox in this situation. The men who did this were 'SECURITY' Guards. They are supposed to protect. The sticks in their hands were to be used on those who take advantage of innocent lives. They will suffer. And their suffering has already begun.
My mind kept wandering. I imagined myself in the place of Braveheart. I thought of how much pain she must have been through. I also wondered why, just why did she not run away when the first blow landed on her? Again, all my questions were answered that day. I wished I could put those men through the same pain until they gave up. I wished that Braveheart was alive when we came there, so we could have saved her life. Anita told me, with that heavy yet strong heart, that when she arrived there, Braveheart was wagging her tail, and the people were still beating her with sticks on her head, and on her neck. And a mob of about 30 people were just watching, some even cheering the culprits on. I asked myself, What has this world come to? I felt like some one just shot me right through my heart. I told Neha, that if this is how people are going to kill the dogs, we might as well just start euthanising them all. It's a Man eat Dog world.
We felt a little better when Manoj and the Police, took appropriate actions, and also when the witnesses stuck by us and more importantly stuck by Braveheart, till the very end. We finally took Braveheart for her post-mortem, which was conducted by Dr. Lokhande, who very graciously obliged even though it was his holiday.
When She was lying in our car, I felt a tear rolling down my cheek, but I curbed it. I told myself I won't let her down. I knew I was with a team of people who will fight with all their mights and only stop when we hear a sigh of relief.
Braveheart was not just an incident to remember, or just another press article. She was an impact on all our lives. She made us stronger, she made us realise we all have a purpose on earth, she told us with her wagging tail, that we must not live each day as 24 inconsequential hours. We are here to help those who can't help themselves and in the process of doing this we need to raise ourselves. When I asked myself what I am doing with my life? She told me I am helping her, and many more like her. I am saving lives for a living, and I get paid with wags, licks, and blessings. She told me people envy me, because unlike them I have found my calling, and every night I sleep with a smile on my face. When I wondered why Anita and her companions had a halo over their heads, she told me it was because God sent them there so that they could witness the injustice and make a noise about it. It wasn't a mere co-incidence that Anita knew Neha's number and profession before hand. It was all meant to be. She said they were her Angels. When I asked her why she did not run away when the first blow landed on her? She smiled and said, pain is in your mind. When you tell yourself something doesn't hurt, it just doesn't. She said she looked at all the people around her and decided to wait, because they needed to learn. And if it took one life for many others to realise the value of all things living, so be it.
Braveheart lived a small life. But a life that was so much more meaningful than the kind of life we live. We have to stop with all this self-indulgence and shake ourselves every morning, just to remind ourselves why we are really here? Is it because of all the money? Where does that take us, besides all the parties in town? Or is it because of all the fame? What does that bring us, besides fake friends and true enemies? None of this will satisfy us as much as a peaceful sleep after knowing the difference you made in someone's life.
So, wake up. Look into your mirror and question yourself, until you find an answer that brings you that peaceful sleep. Afterall, Braveheart gave up her life so that you could find your's.
Neha called me frantically. She asked me to rush to Pashan for a rescue. She also said that there were people beating a dog to death, with sticks. The key was in the ignition when she was in the middle of the sentence. Parinit drove like a maniac, and I felt like today I will kill. I asked Parinit to run all the red lights. I looked for some sort of a rod or a huge stick in the back of his car. He told me later on in the day that he asked me to remain calm. I never heard it. By the time we reached, Neha and Sunil were already there. Their faces looking grim. I couldn't feel my legs. As I walked through the mob, Neha lookd at me and said, 'She's gone.' I could have collapsed. I felt like all the energy in my body was sucked out. I felt weightless. I saw her lying on the ground. She looked like she was at peace. Like she was in a better place. A place where there is no hunger, no greed, no anger, and no death. Neha and Sunil gave me a brief about what had happened before we reached there. I could not wrap my mind around what they were telling me. I heard a man complaining. 'SHE BIT ME. SHE BIT ME!!' he was yelling. When asked to show his wound, he displayed what looked like a 10 year old mosquito bite. He was clearly lying. The dog who died was small, thin, and was just looking for food. I couldn't help but notice a petite woman. She looked like she could've taken the world on that day. Her name was Anita. She was accompanied by her husband and her friend. I kept wondering why they have this halo over their heads? Like I said, all my questions were answered that day.
The day seemed longer than it was. Our hearts were full, our eyes were dried out, and all we wanted was justice. All I could think of was if there is a God, today I would know. Neha had called the police, and she had also notified Manoj Oswal of PFA (People For Animals). Luckily enough, the right people were at the right place, at the right time. We all know how often that really happens. The witnesses were appalled with what they had to see, and the ones who heard about it could not even imagine the pain and the suffering of the dog, who Sunil has so precisely named, 'Braveheart'. And the ones who commited this heinous crime, either vanished or were in complete denial. The security guards of the DRDO Complex. I can't get over the disturbing paradox in this situation. The men who did this were 'SECURITY' Guards. They are supposed to protect. The sticks in their hands were to be used on those who take advantage of innocent lives. They will suffer. And their suffering has already begun.
My mind kept wandering. I imagined myself in the place of Braveheart. I thought of how much pain she must have been through. I also wondered why, just why did she not run away when the first blow landed on her? Again, all my questions were answered that day. I wished I could put those men through the same pain until they gave up. I wished that Braveheart was alive when we came there, so we could have saved her life. Anita told me, with that heavy yet strong heart, that when she arrived there, Braveheart was wagging her tail, and the people were still beating her with sticks on her head, and on her neck. And a mob of about 30 people were just watching, some even cheering the culprits on. I asked myself, What has this world come to? I felt like some one just shot me right through my heart. I told Neha, that if this is how people are going to kill the dogs, we might as well just start euthanising them all. It's a Man eat Dog world.
We felt a little better when Manoj and the Police, took appropriate actions, and also when the witnesses stuck by us and more importantly stuck by Braveheart, till the very end. We finally took Braveheart for her post-mortem, which was conducted by Dr. Lokhande, who very graciously obliged even though it was his holiday.
When She was lying in our car, I felt a tear rolling down my cheek, but I curbed it. I told myself I won't let her down. I knew I was with a team of people who will fight with all their mights and only stop when we hear a sigh of relief.
Braveheart was not just an incident to remember, or just another press article. She was an impact on all our lives. She made us stronger, she made us realise we all have a purpose on earth, she told us with her wagging tail, that we must not live each day as 24 inconsequential hours. We are here to help those who can't help themselves and in the process of doing this we need to raise ourselves. When I asked myself what I am doing with my life? She told me I am helping her, and many more like her. I am saving lives for a living, and I get paid with wags, licks, and blessings. She told me people envy me, because unlike them I have found my calling, and every night I sleep with a smile on my face. When I wondered why Anita and her companions had a halo over their heads, she told me it was because God sent them there so that they could witness the injustice and make a noise about it. It wasn't a mere co-incidence that Anita knew Neha's number and profession before hand. It was all meant to be. She said they were her Angels. When I asked her why she did not run away when the first blow landed on her? She smiled and said, pain is in your mind. When you tell yourself something doesn't hurt, it just doesn't. She said she looked at all the people around her and decided to wait, because they needed to learn. And if it took one life for many others to realise the value of all things living, so be it.
Braveheart lived a small life. But a life that was so much more meaningful than the kind of life we live. We have to stop with all this self-indulgence and shake ourselves every morning, just to remind ourselves why we are really here? Is it because of all the money? Where does that take us, besides all the parties in town? Or is it because of all the fame? What does that bring us, besides fake friends and true enemies? None of this will satisfy us as much as a peaceful sleep after knowing the difference you made in someone's life.
So, wake up. Look into your mirror and question yourself, until you find an answer that brings you that peaceful sleep. Afterall, Braveheart gave up her life so that you could find your's.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Do YOU?
‘The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated’ – Mahatma Gandhi
Profound thought.
Who CARES?
Profound thought.
Who CARES?
Sunday, March 8, 2009
BRAVEHEART
Until we have the courage to recognize cruelty for what it is--whether its victim is human or animal--we cannot expect things to be much better in this world... We cannot have peace among men whose hearts delight in killing any living creature. By every act that glorifies or even tolerates such moronic delight in killing we set back the progress of humanity.
--Rachel Carson
Thou shalt not kill.
--Exodus 20:13
These words have been ringing through our heads since Saturday evening. How could they? Why would they? What kind of people are these? Emotions were swimming through our minds.
Four security guards at the DRDO had just beaten a small dog to death. The reason is still hazy, some say it came sniffing for food and water, the security guard claims it bit him but has no bite mark to prove it. Haplessly, they beat her for twenty minutes with sticks…kicking her even while she lay motionless on the ground, with a slight wag of her tail. Even after she was no more, they kept whacking her on her head. The first blow was probably the lethal one, directly on her head, and after she collapsed the ravage act continued. The most horrifying part of this incident was that thirty odd employees of the DRDO and passer byes just watched, even worse they were instigating and encouraging the guards to ensure the dog was dead. Educated people were party to this incident, by not taking a stand against what was happening they too are all responsible today for this heinous act. One of the security guards when asked why he was doing this said to the police “main josh mey aaya!”, translated to ‘I was pumped up’!! They felt absolutely no remorse about what they had done.
Just three people had the courage to stand up and try to stop the incident. Anita and Amarjit Singh were two of them. How can it be that in a mob of so many only three people had the courage and humanity to try to end this act? It is shameful.
This is an excerpt from the official press release:
“3 people arrested 1 absconding for killing a dog in DRDO Training and Recruitment Centre Transit Guest House. In a shocking incident a small female dog was mercilessly beaten to death by security men of the DRDO transit guest house.
On Saturday (March 7) Amarjit Singh along with his 3 relatives while travelling on the NDA road spotted 4-6 people surrounding a small female dog and beating her to death with stick and kicking and stamping her. By the time they could stop the people the dog had already become motionless.
They soon called Neha Panchamiya from RESQ CHARITABLE TRUST (The Paws Pack) who in turn called the police and immediately rounded up the people involved. These included 3 permanent staff of the DRDO and 4 security personnel. In an exceptional show of commitment the police acted swiftly and in a very organized manner. They immediately conducted a spot panchnama and decided to send the dog for post mortem. To ensure that every required norm is properly adhered, they requested help of Manoj Oswal, Animal Welfare Officer nominated by the central government. Oswal immediately directed the dog to be sent to the Deputy Director of Animal Husbandly for post mortem. The post mortem was conducted by Dr Lokhande of the Aundh Veterinary Polyclinic in presence of Neha Panchamiya of RESQ CHARITABLE TRUST. A complaint was lodged by the Pashan Police under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and section 489 of the IPC. 3 contracted employees of the DRDO have been arrested.”
Saturday was a day when we saw modern people regress to barbaric times. When words like compassion and humanity were not known of. As an organisation that works for the well being of animals, we come across various different cases where animals are injured, ill, etc. To come face to face with an act of such cruelty has made it a red letter day for us. The anger we feel, the revenge we want, the sadness of loss, every single emotion we will divert to create our strength, and we will not let them walk free.
“Braveheart” as we remember her, wagged her tail in her last moments…perhaps bringing peace, perhaps she said “forgive as I forgive”, perhaps she smiled knowing there was someone on her side. We will not let her down. For she will be immortal in the example that she will set. That such crimes will not be over looked as petty issues, that words like “just a dog” or “it happens everywhere” will not be an excuse for murderers like these.
Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”.Profound thought. Who cares? Do you?
Braveheart. RIP.
--Rachel Carson
Thou shalt not kill.
--Exodus 20:13
These words have been ringing through our heads since Saturday evening. How could they? Why would they? What kind of people are these? Emotions were swimming through our minds.
Four security guards at the DRDO had just beaten a small dog to death. The reason is still hazy, some say it came sniffing for food and water, the security guard claims it bit him but has no bite mark to prove it. Haplessly, they beat her for twenty minutes with sticks…kicking her even while she lay motionless on the ground, with a slight wag of her tail. Even after she was no more, they kept whacking her on her head. The first blow was probably the lethal one, directly on her head, and after she collapsed the ravage act continued. The most horrifying part of this incident was that thirty odd employees of the DRDO and passer byes just watched, even worse they were instigating and encouraging the guards to ensure the dog was dead. Educated people were party to this incident, by not taking a stand against what was happening they too are all responsible today for this heinous act. One of the security guards when asked why he was doing this said to the police “main josh mey aaya!”, translated to ‘I was pumped up’!! They felt absolutely no remorse about what they had done.
Just three people had the courage to stand up and try to stop the incident. Anita and Amarjit Singh were two of them. How can it be that in a mob of so many only three people had the courage and humanity to try to end this act? It is shameful.
This is an excerpt from the official press release:
“3 people arrested 1 absconding for killing a dog in DRDO Training and Recruitment Centre Transit Guest House. In a shocking incident a small female dog was mercilessly beaten to death by security men of the DRDO transit guest house.
On Saturday (March 7) Amarjit Singh along with his 3 relatives while travelling on the NDA road spotted 4-6 people surrounding a small female dog and beating her to death with stick and kicking and stamping her. By the time they could stop the people the dog had already become motionless.
They soon called Neha Panchamiya from RESQ CHARITABLE TRUST (The Paws Pack) who in turn called the police and immediately rounded up the people involved. These included 3 permanent staff of the DRDO and 4 security personnel. In an exceptional show of commitment the police acted swiftly and in a very organized manner. They immediately conducted a spot panchnama and decided to send the dog for post mortem. To ensure that every required norm is properly adhered, they requested help of Manoj Oswal, Animal Welfare Officer nominated by the central government. Oswal immediately directed the dog to be sent to the Deputy Director of Animal Husbandly for post mortem. The post mortem was conducted by Dr Lokhande of the Aundh Veterinary Polyclinic in presence of Neha Panchamiya of RESQ CHARITABLE TRUST. A complaint was lodged by the Pashan Police under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and section 489 of the IPC. 3 contracted employees of the DRDO have been arrested.”
Saturday was a day when we saw modern people regress to barbaric times. When words like compassion and humanity were not known of. As an organisation that works for the well being of animals, we come across various different cases where animals are injured, ill, etc. To come face to face with an act of such cruelty has made it a red letter day for us. The anger we feel, the revenge we want, the sadness of loss, every single emotion we will divert to create our strength, and we will not let them walk free.
“Braveheart” as we remember her, wagged her tail in her last moments…perhaps bringing peace, perhaps she said “forgive as I forgive”, perhaps she smiled knowing there was someone on her side. We will not let her down. For she will be immortal in the example that she will set. That such crimes will not be over looked as petty issues, that words like “just a dog” or “it happens everywhere” will not be an excuse for murderers like these.
Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”.Profound thought. Who cares? Do you?
Braveheart. RIP.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
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