Carry on Doctors by Prof Supriya Bhonsle

Life in a city is always so busy and happening. People seem to be on the run from dawn to dusk. In this rush and push in our concrete jungle most people tend to overlook the plight of animals who are struggling to survive on the streets. But yet there are a few animal lovers who do care, each in their own way. Feeding, cleaning and even treating them when needed are different ways adopted by these people who empathize with animals.
             While these are doing their bit, we have our team of two young and dashing veterinarians, who are selflessly working round the clock for our less noticed furry inhabitants. They are Dr Jinesh Shah and Dr Zenobia Chinoy working as a team, having the same goal of lessening the pain and increasing the life span of any animal that comes their way. It’s indeed a wonder, for friends who have known them for donkey’s years, how these two temperamentally different people came together and work in perfect co-ordination and utmost efficiency when it concerns saving the life of an animal. But perhaps, their different personalities help them to connect better and work as a unit for their joint cause.
               Dr Jinesh had first been shown the path by Doctor Kurush Mistry (reputed and a senior vet) whom he met when he was a teenager, who actually inspired him to become a doctor for animals. Dr Jinesh says “I did a lot as a teen, helping NGOs like IDA(In defence of animals) and later PALs (Plants and animals lovers society) but only getting formally educated in this field gave me that extra edge over others. As a certified veterinarian, I could do much more than I would, if I wasn’t”. He met Dr Zenobia at a very famous doc Siloo Bhagwager’s clinic in 2003. Both of them worked as volunteers in the events held by PALs (started by Doctor Siloo). They did learn a lot through this experience and also got together since then.
Doctor Zenobia is a gold medalist veterinarian from Mumbai University. She is excellent at her job and communicates very well with her patients so that they feel those positive vibrations that she gives them, through her healing touch. Both of them consider, their service to animals as their true love and their calling.
Dr Jinesh feels that female dogs and cats left by themselves get pregnant many times and each time the litter that comes into this world is unloved by most humans. These puppies or kittens have to go through a lot in their journey to adulthood and many don’t make it. The female who gives birth most of the time is under nourished herself and also undergoes the trauma of losing some of them by acccidents or human cruelty. So he has trained himself in the art of darting, such animals to make them unconscious and spay them for their own benefit and give them an improved life span. He doesn’t just do this instinctively, but after careful thought and the dose is put in the syringe to only put the dog to sleep for an hour or so till she is carefully taken by his ambulance to the hospital and is spayed. He then releases the dog back to the place from where he picked her up. As he is skilled and educated to do such a task, he is called by animal activists and NGOs to help them from almost all over India. Giving one’s whole and soul for domestic as well as wild animal kind is no easy task. This cannot be taken up by a commoner. This only can come from a person who has totally understood the pain and feels capable of relieving it. Both Drs fit the bill of excelling at their job. A lady who feeds dogs, once admitted one of her ailing dogs to the hospital where Dr Zenobia works. The dog was paralyzed below his waist. But to her amazement, the dog got miraculously got cured by the loving care that it got from Dr Zenobia, who nursed it back to health. Now the same dog walks freely on the streets healthier than before.
Such is the loyalty to their profession, which both the doctors share, which has held them firmly together for years and surely will continue to do so forever. In addition to organizing and volunteering at vaccination and sterilizing camps, working at animal hospitals and at their clinic, this duo has opened a shelter, for sick and healthy animals, in the area of South Mumbai. It is for providing a roof to those that need to be nursed and those whose mothers have been separated from them. Such good work, many a time gets overlooked. Yet a noble cause along with noble actions deserves adulation. Certainly these upright people have got the blessings of the good Spirits and at the destined moment their good work will come in the public eye. So ‘carry on your commendable work doctors’, you will achieve your objective of a much more animal sensitised balanced world shortly.

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Sheltering Man’s Angels

“The universe is under the control of a loving purpose and that in the struggle for righteousness man has cosmic companionship (angels). Behind the harsh appearance of the world there is a benign power.” – Martin Luther King, Junior
     Last week I received a call from an animal lover. He told me that a Labrador mix was abandon ned by its parents on the streets. He asked me if I knew an NGO which could help. I said I would check and revert. The place was Naigaon (west). I asked a few friends and they gave me just one name, Mrs Amanpreet. I was told that she did animal rescue work. Later as I contacted her and spoke to her, I realized that I was talking to an incredible person. She lives in Naigaon (east), in the outskirts of Mumbai. She and her team comprising of her husband and daughter Simran together work for the welfare of animals. They aren’t well off, but their objective is to save the lives and secure a home for as many animals as they possibly can get. Their altruistic nature can be seen in their everyday schedule.
                                   Amanpreet wakes up early to plan and co-ordinate the activities for the day. Her husband and daughter feed breakfast (milk and biscuits), lunch and dinner to approximately 145 dogs in the area, the number which is ever increasing. At home she has a number of cats whom she personally feeds, cat food Whiskas. Precisely she has 6 dogs and 18 cats at her home, most of which she is treating for various ailments with the guidance of veterinarians who are accessible from her home. The rest of her dogs, 23 in number at her shelter at Naigaon (west), which is a bungalow she has taken on rent. She has hired a caretaker for those dogs too, as in her absence they need to be fed, walked and monitored. In the afternoon and night again father and daughter Simran go around feeding and medicating animals. All this seemed too astounding for me to believe, so I had to go and visit this place. A two hour long interview followed, through which I learnt a great deal more about this amazing family.
                                     Their story starts a few years ago, in 2007. Amanpreet’s daughter Simran brought a puppy home. A Pomerian mix who was being given for adoption. He was named Dodo. Amanpreet initially refused to accept an animal in her home, but later relented and became his mother too. While raising this little puppy she realized that there were many out there who too needed to be fed and be cared for. Her daughter, Simran once was led by a female dog to a place where her puppies were lying. It was the monsoon and Simran’s leg slipped in the stream from which she had rescued the pups. The mother of the puppies pulled Simran from the running stream by clutching to her pant and in turn fell into the stream herself saving Simran’s life, as a result losing her own. This episode stirred Amanpreet’s heart and she took it as a mission to save as many animal lives as she could. Her husband and her daughters are whole heartedly with her in this, though they shy away from the limelight.
                                      Amanpreet does all this work as she completely feels God has chosen them for this noble obligation and as she is grateful to the almighty for saving her daughter’s life. They all are God’s chosen ones working by his will. She never chains her dogs nor does she cage them. Even in her shelter, they roam freely inside. Only when they are walked outside they are leashed. Many a time while saving an injured dog, she has been badly bitten as a reaction from the agitated animals, but relentlessly and persistently, she continues in her mission, without complaint.
                                 Amanpreet and her family are few of the lot who have gone beyond their means to care for these suffering living beings, which she would call angels for mankind. But they feel they could do a lot more by some assistance in kind and money from understanding common folk. As she says, “Even one life shouldn’t go uncared for”. She considers animals to be angels, since they transform the lives of humans who care for them. They show us the true meaning of affection and attachment. She believes in only one religious principle of ‘being Humane’ and not in the classifications of caste and creeds. She wishes people would understand this and give each animal a home.
                                       Dogs are called man’s best friends as they stick by him through thick and thin and all in return for a little care that they get from their master. If man observes and understands animal language, he can be relieved of a lot of his worries. This bonding would be highly advantageous to both the sections. Most problems in man’s world are due to miscommunication after all. His angels exist all around him, ready to be at his side forever. All that is required are his discerning eyes, to recognize their true worth and take them in. Usually people pass the responsibility of good doing to another. But hopefully even if people could shell out a little each from their pockets, towards animal welfare, their kindness wouldn’t go in vain. Certainly the returns for the help offered as men could see it are the appreciative look these angels give you and the blessings which a kind soul receives from the Almighty.
To send help or support people can contact: Mrs Amarpreet  - 07276287976
                              Supriya Bhonsle

My Boy's mother - Supriya Bhonsle

On Mother’s day I couldn’t help but think of my boy’s mother. My boy was just a 3 month puppy when I adopted him. He was tame less then.  As soon he entered his new home, he just ran helter skelter. He dug on the beds and floor and bit into our furniture. A wild puppy, so as to say an unscrupulous guy. He bit us hard all over our hands and ran to bite every guest who visited us. He wouldn’t allow a guest to sit on any sofa or chair. He jumped to occupy it before they could. They had to stand. Such a mischievous brat. Undoubtedly he was a good looking puppy and now is very handsome.
                                                    I wondered how his biological mother must be like. Even passers by asked about his lineage. I didn't have any inkling about his past, but as I slowly got to know him, I realized how good his genes must be.  He must be the son of a most beautiful and intelligent mother. A most loving and courteous female retriever.  As he grew in our home, he showed so explicitly his almost human qualities. His understanding at the age of four to five months that he shouldn't dirty the home with his pee or potty or even his pukes. In just a month of coming home he realized how hard it could be for me to clean after him all the while.  He would try his very best to do it outside. Zorro jumping all over us to lick us when we returned from our work. His telling us not to fight with each other by barking. His licking us if he felt we are upset or hurt. His understanding if we aren’t ready to play with him due to pressures. All this showed his unconditional love and caring for each one of us in the family.
                                                             My boy’s mother is privileged to have given birth to him and unfortunate not to have him with her for long. She doesn't know his whereabouts. She doesn't know who took him away from her so suddenly. I would have loved to meet her and tell her that her son is safe. He changed houses, but is finally home.  He is taking care of himself and his forever family as well. He is following her principles and looking after his adopted mom. He has grown up from a mischievous puppy into a growling teenager and now is a mature and sober full grown adult. He being very protective of his Labrador sister and his human sisters, he makes us proud parents.
                                                                            Yet I feel environmental heredity and training though important play the second fiddle. .  I firmly feel genes play a major role in shaping ones personality.  I have a first-hand example here. Looking at him, I can imagine her, how she must be. She must be unquestionably well bred. Though she must be far away from him that is a bond which is unshakeable, her beauty and her values imbibed by him will stay with him forever. My boy’s mother is blessed and has blessed me with the most loyal son I could ever have wished for. I wish her on mother’s day by a promise, never to love her son less than she ever would, had she been with him, as from the day he entered my home, her son became my son. The rest is understood. ‘Happy Mother’s Day Zorro’s Mom’

Zella Supriya Bhonsle - My Barbie doll

                                 
Dogs came into our mundane lives, when we got Zorro (our Golden Retriever dog) from a family friend as his earlier owner, the friend's acquaintance, wasn’t able to handle his exuberance. Zorro was full of fun and very intelligent. But I did notice a few other things about his nature. I realized that he craved for company throughout the day. He could not stay in a closed room alone, even for a while. He wanted people or dogs around him all the time. We tried our best, but eventually realized that he needed company and thought of getting our second dog. That looked like a big risk we were taking. But it worked!
                                       I first saw Zella’s picture, when she was given for adoption at 3 months of age and her details were posted in a group on Facebook. There were other male Labrador puppies too. But when I saw this petite, tiny little girl I somehow was certain that she was mine. I just can’t find a logical reason for the same. I chose her as I loved the warm and endearing shapeless little puppy. Maybe it was just her aura or the look in her eyes seeking love. I tossed and turned in my bed just to get her home. This sweet Labrador puppy had fascinated my heart and I was convinced she would be just the perfect companion for Zorro my Golden. I took the first step by getting her home to see if they would get along and sure they did. Zorro’s happiness showed in all his behaviour. For one he started eating his food again. He stopped fussing. Both played a lot from the day one that they met. Labradors and Goldens are both from the retriever breed, so need a lot of exercise. That also was majorly taken care of as they never tire playing with each other. Zella is our henchman and sees to it that Zorro runs and doesn’t sit idle. She obeys our commands especially if it concerns making Zorro move his butt.
                       Zella wasn’t just chosen to be Zorro’s companion and make our lives easier. She is my third daughter. The most peace loving creature that she is, the only time she jumps in excitement is when she greets all others from an inconspicuous ant to big dogs or humans by showing her delight. She scolds Zorro if he gets a little hyper or barks or growls for anything unnecessary. She licks us if we ask for a kiss and shakes a paw if she wants a treat. She sleeps on our laps, cuddles to us. A non-fussy, full of beans, sensitive girl not asking for any treasures, but a little love and a roof above her head. That’s my Zella, my little girl. She has made me stronger. She is the only decision; I was stubborn about in my whole life. I haven’t fussed for any other thing before this and she in return has sent God’s blessings. By adopting Zella, a bitch (my female dog) I would like to tell the world, that adoption is a good deed. It’s kind-heartedness. You take upon yourself the whole responsibility of a life. Some people may call it greed. Others may say its foolishness. You give a dog a home; they give you the love of a son or a daughter. Like both my other affectionate daughters, Zella too is our pride forever.  

Feeding love on the streets of Mumbai by Prof Mrs Supriya Bhonsle

 “Indian street dogs and cats as we call them are very intelligent creatures”, is the earnest opinion of a homemaker Mrs Tilaka Joseph. Most breed pet parents will refute this statement and call this person who empathizes so much with these as irrational. Mrs Tilaka starts her day, like all other housewives by serving breakfast to her ‘family’. The slight hitch in this is that her family doesn’t just comprise of humans, but also nine cats at home and the street cats and dogs as well. Nevertheless after feeding the hungry mouths at home, she soon arrives on the street with assistant Sita, who carries the food alongside, as she serves all her tailed friends on the streets of Kalanagar, Mumbai. They wait for her from the time day light strikes, like little children waiting for their daily breakfast.                          
 Tilaka had all along nurtured a passion to look after street animals. When her husband an IAS officer was posted in Delhi, she had a lot of free time on hand. She rescued cats and soon her home was full of adopted street cats named after a movie or a film character. Tilaka explains, “This is to record the year I got them home”. Each cat has a story which Tilaka relates with a lot of affection. One whom she has named ‘Murphy’ after the movie ‘Barfi’ was given to her to be kept for a few months. This little one was so playful, that she got too attached to return to him to his former pet parents.  According to Tilaka she has seen both dogs and cats closely and her communication with them is very good. She feels that cats aren’t as bright as dogs, but do queerly funny things and have the ability to show their preferences. One would be amused to know that one of her cats Minnu would actually use the wash room, just like a human. Her sprightly tomcat Murphy opens a door easily by turning the door knob and plays with the guests at home. She decided to adopt cats as fewer people cater to them.                                            
                                               Yet she considers street dogs to be more expressive among animals. They wag their tails and lick your face to show approval. They have a distinct body language, through which they convey their gratitude. If every police station could train our street dogs and take care of their needs it would be good for the society as a whole. Also street dogs would be calmer.
                                                                            She prefers to ignore the sneers of disapproving passersby.  It’s ironic that poor vendors and auto drivers seem to understand feeding more than the rich as they have experienced hunger themselves. Even the BMC garbage collector boys thoughtfully keep some extra chicken just for them. Tilaka jokes, “In fact I call that, their street food, just like ours which they consider more exciting than the normal food”.
            A few of the street dogs live in her society and are named after her drivers and helpers. One of them Rummy was named after the game of cards which she loves to play. Rummy was abandoned by his owners. He was hurt and bullied by other street dogs. He was famished. When Tilaka found him he was in a deplorable condition. She did all she could to restore his health. Once while being bathed he reacted aggressively and bit her hand badly. Her hand got swollen and she had to take a number of injections from a nearby hospital to prevent infection and to reduce the swelling. In spite of this setback, she did not give up on him. She understood now that Rummy did not like to be bathed and perhaps to be too close to humans as he couldn’t trust them anymore.  So the next time, she used a water hose. She gradually won his regard and trust. He now hale and hearty is a part of Tilaka’s dog troupe.
                                      Tilaka’s back-bone, her daughter Jyoti and her encouraging husband strongly support her in her benevolent cause. She personally knows the ordeals each street dog has gone through and with the help of some good veterinarians and like-minded friends she has healed them back to health and given them a new lease of life. If they have any common health issues, she generally treats them in their own environment. Another of Tilaka’s policies is never to hospitalize a dog that is in a critical condition, as it’s cruel to leave it to face the trauma of various injections and tubes when the end is near.              
                       These street friends of hers stay independent, but her devotion and affection towards them gets them to her every morning each day.  As it’s not just the affectionate voice, it’s her compassionate soul which speaks to them. She is their savior. That is the gentleness an animal understands and desires. The food she feeds them is special as she cooks it herself. But the love that she feeds them is the solace they truly seek. It gives them the power to survive for life on those unkind streets.  Supriya Bhonsle

Zorro my Golden Retriever Part 1

 It is said that, in a pet parent's life, “Golden Retrievers are dreams come true”. Fortunately, my family is blessed with a Golden, whose name is Zorro. We were on the lookout for a good family dog, which would be of a friendly breed, friendly with man and animals alike. All this on the insistence of my younger daughter, who is crazy about dogs. I wasn’t too sure initially if I would be able to accept an animal in my home, but the pressure from my husband and kids was getting too strong for me and so eventually I made up my mind to give in. As Zorro came into our lives, we were a little scared of this little over exuberant creature. He seemed so funny, this cute little thing. He crapped and peed all over our house, not caring for my commands, as Zorro go to the Loo and such. He looked into my eyes, as though, he was saying that this was his home and nobody should tell him what to do. He was eager to get as comfortable as he could, in our world. Every morning at sharp 8am, he would run across the rooms like a hurricane come from Netherlands. The whole day would go, in watching his escapades. We would get breathless trying to control him. He would watch his own reflection in the mirror and growl at it. Jump backwards in fear and then jump ahead very close to his enemy (reflection in the mirror), wanting to attack and bump himself and flee for his life. It was indeed hilarious. If anyone of us tried to get some relief from this crazy puppy, we weren’t spared, as he would jump up on the bed and bite our hands and feet so that we wouldn’t get even a wink of sleep. He also took any of our belongings, like scarves or plastic bowls and chewed on them, till he could actually bite pieces of them. We would be uneasy and try to pull them from him, but then he would growl at us showing all his milky white teeth. He would look really scary then. On being given a treat as a bribe, he would drop the article he had chewed on and ask for a belly rub, acting all innocent, melting our hearts with the cute expression in his eyes.We had heard that Goldens are greedy. Four meal timings were fixed. The proportions decided. But yet, he asked for more. He wanted the taste of human food too.All this overindulgence, strangely lasted only for a few months. As soon as he turned six months, he wanted a change.Thus we learnt that Goldens are whimsical.He had grown up now,stopped dirtying our home completely,started going out for his toilet trips, reduced the hurricane runs and started following our basic commands. So now he just decided not to have that boring Dog food and rather eat some chicken homemade meals. We gave him his choice of meal, but still on the advice of others, tried and are still trying to induce him to eat kibble. Presently, our little boy is a joy at our home. He gets his daily walks, socializes with other dogs at the park, goes for camps and attends dog parties. He bonds with humans too, of course, the ones who want him around, who give him positive vibes. He has brought the meaning and essence of unconditional love to my home. He is our responsibility and so we are a team united in our efforts to give him a life full of joy and fun. As we take him regularly to camps or the dog parks, we have met so many good souls and have emerged from our shells to have a broader and brighter view of our lives and the lives of other fellow humans. We have almost overcome our fear of other breeds which we had assumed to be ferocious and learnt a lot about other friendly breeds too. The merits are endless. Not material, but spiritual of having a pet like Zorro at home.  Now that’s what I call the right investment for a peaceful future.
 Supriya Bhonsle and family   

‘God sent’ Christina By Supriya Bhonsle

                         
A newspaper’s headlines could read, “Dog found injured by a speeding vehicle. People turn away their faces, leaving it to die!”
“Poor man with a deep wound, leg is full of maggots”.
“Poor kids begging on streets, clueless about their next meal”.
“Dog with maggot wound, being killed by people”.
“A tiny blind kitten trying to survive against odds”.
When there is hurt, pain and misery all over, it’s sure then that God’s soldiers come to the ‘Rescue’. The victims could be ill or ill-treated; it doesn’t matter as love soothes them all. God’s love unfolds in many ways. One such soldier of God, who brings forth his love to such and more miserable beings, is Christina Lobo Jha.  She isn’t any acquaintance, friend or relative. She is a person, with a golden heart whom I came across on a social networking site. She doesn’t even wait for the call for help. On the other hand she goes out, to hunt for such creatures of God. She rightly seems to be ‘God-sent’.
Christina was born and brought up in Kuwait. But since her father is a Goan, the family used to come to India very often to spend time with her paternal grandparents. At her grandparents’ home there were dogs, cats, hens, pigs and goats, which she loved and with whom she played. Her empathy towards the less fortunate, was partly inborn and hugely from the environment in which she was born and brought up. Her father rescued hurt animals and gave food and water to desert animals. Her mother used to reach out to suffering women, trapped by people and forced into flesh trade. With such compassionate parents who had such sensitivity towards the innocent and victimized, it was then obvious that Christina would follow the same principles as them.
Her husband is also an animal lover and after marriage, the couple used to patrol the areas around them to search for injured or ill animals. Both shared the same feeling of empathy towards these unsheltered creatures.
She says, “In 2007 when I shifted to Mumbai, I got into it full time.  In 3 years, with the help of IDA (In Defence of Animals), Mumbai and the support of my husband and other volunteers we managed to get 450 dogs sterilized in the area where I reside.”
In the past few years she has rescued roughly 600 animals; Dogs, cats, birds, cattle, the list is endless. She treats dogs with maggot wounds or any other injury on the spot as well. One very alarming case which she handled is a story of appalling cruelty. Three pups, wrapped in a plastic bag bound with barbed wire, were pulled out from a trash-filled ditch in the IIT campus at Powai two years ago. The pups, barely a month old, were badly infested with maggots. Two of them (females) died soon after their rescue. The third, a male, survived. Christina who coordinated the six-hour rescue operation to pull out the pups from the ditch said it was all due to someone’s inhuman act.
It is very strange that this woman, who is just like one of us, is so tremendously driven to do all this without any expectations of any returns in any form. As per her own admission, she just ‘does it’. She has rescued dogs tied to poles in a dirty, dingy room from ill-treating owners. She has saved a little kitten about to die, with fractured legs. She got it operated, kept it in her home till it was ready to face the world alone. She has got scores of kittens, cats and dogs adopted to loving homes. She isn’t a part of any NGO and works on her own. She is a ‘One woman army’.
Christina staunchly believes that if man has to have a dominion over the earth, he has to sustain and cohabitate with all of nature’s other creations. In the animal world an accepted fact is ‘The survival of the fittest’. But she desires ‘The survival of all’ and helps those that aren’t fit.  She has adopted two pets, both who weren’t healthy at all when she got them home. The first Kelly (an epileptic dog) is a rescued dog from the clutches of her torturous owner and the second Marvel is a tomcat who was grievously ill with pneumonia as a kitten. She nursed both back to health and gave them a secure home. All the three, human, dog and cat support each another and coexist very well. They also welcome any other animal that needs fostering or a temporary shelter till it’s cured or adopted by a committed family.
In the area in which Christina lives, people do have respect for the kind of work she is doing. Kids get little puppies or kittens that they have rescued, to her for a temporary shelter or guidance. Due to her experience and ability, she is consulted by many people regarding issues on dogs and cats.
In one case, she rescued a man with a maggot infestation in his leg. He was sitting in a gutter and was very dirty. A chemist shop owner, who knew Christina, gave her a call informing her about this repulsive sight. She went to the police for help and managed to get him admitted.  His leg had gangrene as well and had to be amputated.  After the operation and other medical procedures, Christina put him for further treatment to replace, the lost leg with a false leg (transtibial prosthetic). She even gave him a job as a watchman in Pune.
Apart from all the rescue work, she does a lot of social work. She teaches poor underprivileged kids using innovative methods as they can’t afford schooling and puts a smile on their faces. She encourages downtrodden women to make and sell diyas and handicrafts creating a small scale industry for them.
One experience made Christina realize that many educated women also were subjected to cruel treatment by their own husbands. A few years ago, she heard a neighbor screaming into the night. She noticed that this woman was crying and screaming from 8 pm to 8 am, the time her husband used to be at home. It was evident that the woman was being beaten up night after night and none of the other neighbors felt like interfering. Christina took her dog Kelly and went up to that house and rang the bell. The man opened the door and told her that it was none of her business. But from that day the man was warned that he was being watched and could be taken to task for his wrong doings. For many, a stranger's intervention can be the first step in breaking the cycle of violence at home. All over the country, it has set a pattern to stop domestic violence. Coincidently a campaign was taken up by an advertising company named ‘Bell Bajao’. Women need not fear living in their own homes. It gave all spouses a wakeup call. Christina’s work didn’t now restrict her to only save animals and birds, it also made her feel for women who were victims of domestic violence. She started writing online to spread awareness and reached out to such women.
 Her life is all about love for people and animals, whom she considers to be God’s children, who deserve to live life well. She deserves accolades for her selfless work of so many years. Sometimes it hurts as she can’t help all. Since she is only one and the cases are infinite. The world being ruthless, cases keep coming. The need of the hour is many more hands coming ahead to aid her in achieving a cruelty free world. She says “People have started noticing the work and many now offer to help.  Phone calls have started pouring in from store owners, auto drivers and locals to help the injured animals when they spotted them.  Mumbai over the years has opened up even more to the cause of stray animals, yet so many suffer.  Even today, dogs are rescued from the clutches of horrible owners. Many burnt, tortured, starved and even raped. God is great and as we pray to the almighty, he will send more of his soldiers to assist the needy.”
 It’s really a tough battle. But the good will keep coming to overcome the evil. Till this happens, the world has ‘Hope’ to become a better place to inhabit for all.  

Bound by Compassion by Supriya Bhonsle

Mahatma Gandhi has said, “You can judge a man’s character by the way he treats his fellow animals”. In the past few years, I had this sinking feeling about the state of affairs around me. I felt, that people had become intolerant towards animals. I had read about people tying up their pets for hours on end, disowning or abandoning their pets and even starving their pets. Moreover the youth of this generation, seemingly were aimless, nothing to work towards or struggle for in life. We could call this a ‘Laid back generation’.
                        But just a year ago after meeting Mr Saurabh Kharkar, my views underwent a sea change. I realized on knowing him, that young people, who have a well thought of goal for their future, do exist in today’s world. In fact they have donated their future for the welfare of animals. He is one of the better human beings and I would say, belonging to the class of humans who want to benefit the animal world.  He doesn’t question another’s belief but is firm in his own, which is to help any animal in need. This exactly, is his vision.
                             Saurabh is a friend of all in my family and more so of my pets. In fact, when we initially got to know him, we just knew that he had harboured a number of birds and animals in his spacious home and back yard. A few birds, rabbits, street dogs, cats and turtles. A few weeks later we learnt that he works for an NGO, ‘YODA’ which works for the welfare of street dogs and abandoned dogs. We were amazed at the things he did at such a tender age. A few anecdotes could give a glimpse of what exactly he feels and the work he has set himself to carry out in life.
                         He rescues tortured and ill-treated pets. Once he saw a pug (a small dog breed) in his area, which was tied up at the side of a road. He noticed that it was full of ticks and was limping. As suspicion got the better of him, he inquired with the locals about its owner. They said that it was the pet of a cab driver. He then went up to the cab driver and told him to give him the pet as he wanted to treat it.The pug was in a miserable condition. The ticks had almost eaten his eye and his limp was also due to thousands of ticks biting away his paw. As the cab driver refused to give away his pet for treatment, Saurabh lodged a complaint at the nearest police station and with the help of the police rescued the pup from his owner and took it for treatment at a nearby hospital. He paid for all its expenses. The pug had got a condition known as ‘tick fever’. Also known as ‘Rocky Mountain spotted fever’ (RMSF) is a tick-borne illness caused by bacteria, resulting in a high fever and a characteristic rash. The only way to prevent this is clearing a dog’s skin of ticks and maintaining hygiene.
 In this condition the dog can be affected in several ways, namely he can get paralyzed or get organ failure and even die. Due to timely help from Saurabh, the pug recovered in a month, but unfortunately lost one eye, which was sickeningly eaten up by ticks. Eventually, a good Parsi family adopted him. Thus the pug got a loving home, due to Saurabh’s efforts.
                               Saurabh also takes abandoned pets under his wing and gets them loving homes. He gives first aid to injured birds and animals and sees to it that they get proper medical treatment. He treats animals with maggot infestation, till they are cured completely. He cleans street dogs of ticks and fleas. The work that Saurabh has done and is doing is really awesome. He rescues animals in danger of being killed by the locals, who consider them to be pests. Once on the way to Kelwa (a picnic spot in Maharashtra), he found a little puppy about to die of hunger. He picked her up and gave her food. Asking around for food for the puppy, luckily he then found a family which loved dogs and gave her to their care He saw that the family wasn’t well off to take care of the pup and so he provided them with money to feed the puppy. In another situation, there was an abandoned pretty pup that Saurabh was fostering. Somehow nobody came forward to adopt the pretty one for a long time, so he himself adopted her. Her name is Cleo. He has also adopted a female Husky and a male Rottweiler pup to give them a good life as their respective owners couldn’t take care of them well  and added them to his already overflowing ‘Ensemble of pets’.
                                   Apart from dogs, he has rescued a horse from the clutches of its cruel owners. It was being scorched, with burnt cigarette butts by them, for their pervert entertainment. In this case too, he took the help of like-minded people and the police for carrying out the task. He then sent it for treatment and rehabilitation. His fight was till the finish, till the job was rightly completed. His commitment towards animal kind is made of ‘sterner stuff’.
                                          He doesn’t disturb strays that coexist well with their environment. But helps those who are in need of any aid. If any person notices a sick or wounded street dog in his vicinity and alerts Saurabh, he literally springs to action. He gives the required first aid treatment and cleans them of ticks and checks for maggot infestation if any. Moreover he calls for the ambulance in which he accompanies the dog to an animal hospital for appropriate veterinary treatment.
                            He is doing his BA in a reputed college in Mumbai, but plans are on to go abroad and learn physiotherapy for rehabilitating injured or paralyzed animals.
                                            I know very well that he isn’t alone. There are many such wonderful people doing their bit for the welfare of birds and animals. But, in my view, he definitely stands out, amongst us common people, due to his complete love for and focus on animals. We, common pet parents, feel like doing our bit too. But we are tied by the chains of our fears, capacities, relations, age or even our goals in life. Saurabh is only bound by his compassion for animals in distress. All he desires is that man should do justice to animal kind as a whole. He is working towards achieving just this life. Restoring peace, health and happiness to the lives of as many animals as he can.

                               Supriya Bhonsle

A Doe eyed Angel -Labrador retriever by Supriya Bhonsle

                               
In today’s world, in spite of technology overtaking age old methods, in every field on the planet, man still seems helpless. Especially when it comes to tackling various health issues, of which the remedies are still in the germination stage. Certain disabilities can cripple man’s life. More so his agility and his progress in life could be hindered.
               In such a scenario, most people lose heart and become recluses. They submit themselves and their future to their fate. But yet there are some, who rise above all and build their future, step by step. It is this steel-grit and determination of young Karan Shah, which led the doe-eyed ‘Angel’, a pretty female Labrador pup into his arms. Karan physically has a spinal cord disorder, Spinal muscular Atrophy (SMA),  by birth, due to which he is wheel-chair bound. But as we say, God has sent each one of us with a mission. Some of us leave for our heavenly abode without even acknowledging our true worth and our hidden talents. It is said that a strong will-power gets you closer to your future goal. This is exactly what has happened with Karan. He got his Angel as a gift from a close and dear family friend quite unexpectedly.
                Karan’s father Mr Sunil Shah who is also a great dog lover, along with Karan were thrilled, at having brought home this bundle of joy. For his mother, Mrs Pratima Shah, Angel, is like a daughter, whom she dotes on. The dear girl had won their hearts at first sight and now she is an important part of their lives. Karan has disciplined her, has worked out a fixed schedule for her walks, play time, training and meals. His mom prepares nutritious vegetarian meals for Angel in the kitchen, which ensures that she doesn’t miss out on any nutrient. Commercially available dog food is given, once a day too. But for her training she is given treats or dog biscuits or whatever Karan finds most suitable, so that Angel’s health isn’t affected in any way. He has not only taught her the basic commands like sit, stay, jump, up, shake hands ,recall, fetch articles, but also  the advanced training has been given to her of switching on and off lights and fans, fetching his cell when it rings etc. He takes her for walks and walks her by tying her leash to his chair, but she walks very obediently beside him, as a companion and as a friend. He has trained her, never to tug at the leash and to see her follow his rules, sure is commendable.
                                In their lives buzzing around Angel, like any good parents would, they searched for a good trainer for her and chanced upon a name, well known in dog training, Mrs Shirin Merchant. Mrs Merchant guided them in many ways. In fact both father-son duo did her course for trainers. They averred that Angel should be an assistant to Karan. So finally the real training began, of Angel, by Karan, guided by Mrs Shirin Merchant, for Assistive dog training. She was a very good student, who picked up commands very quickly and did not fail her master and teacher in any way. This is what Mrs Shirin Merchant has to say about her students, Karan and Angel, “Angel and Karan are a team made in heaven. Angel is one of the fastest dogs, I’ve taught and is very special. Even though she’s young she has a certain maturity about her and is a wonderful partner to Karan”. Karan has not only got the satisfaction of training Angel, but also has trained few other dogs too. Basically since he has successfully completed ‘The canine teaching and training course’ and ‘Canine aggression course’ at Mrs Shirin Merchant’s training school, he is eligible and experienced enough to train pet dogs now.
                                      Karan has also started his own page on Facebook, named as ‘Pawsitive future’ in which his positive approach can be distinctly seen. All those who know him, can see, thanks to his ‘moving ahead and calm’ attitude towards life that he is already moving towards a great future. He is now a Canine trainer and Consultant. He can train for therapy for Parkinson and Autism cases. As of now he has taken up training for bonding kids and dogs for making them comfortable with each other. If

anyone needs guidance regarding their dogs, he can be contacted by email- His id is pawsitivefuture@hotmail.com.
Angel has filled his world with positivity and love. So somehow, he can’t, but help giving a large part of that credit to his pretty, playful, doe-eyed Angel, who will loyally, silently, assist him forever.
                                                                                                   Supriya Bhonsle