“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
