Dogs and Us

With the Corona Pandemic taking over the world, we have all just one topic to discuss. For the first time in a long time, families are together – even if they are forced to be. The show they are watching on television doesnt matter, what matters is that there is at least one show that they all are seeing together. This is definitely one of the beautiful blessings we all have received amidst this Pandemic; other being that now that people have time, they are thinking about themselves – taking care, fixing their problems or thinking of what life they want after all this is over.

For me, I am again with my system, penning down my thoughts.

I stepped outside my house the other day to dispose of the household garbage. I have a park in front of my house and the dustbin is across that park. The trip to and back would not take more than some three-four minutes.

When I was crossing that park, I saw two elders and two teenagers playing with two dogs. One of the dog was actively playing, catching a ball and returning to the owner, just to run after it moments later. The second dog was there in a corner with one of the boys gently patting it.

I realised this pandemic had been a boon for all the pets. With owners not having any place to go and a limited number of things to be done, pets were getting all the love that they were missing in the otherwise hectic lives.

Both the dogs seemed very joyous and filled with pleasure. They didnt care if the streets were empty or someone else had stepped outside their house and was crossing the length of the garden. They had bigger and happier things on their little doggie minds.

While passing the park, I also saw another dog. It was a street dog who used to earlier be fed by the house-help staying near our house but now had changed her address. I remember there was a day when I was out with my family taking a walk around this park in front of our house when this dog was simply resting. He didnt even give us a second look then. But as soon as the family that fed him came back, carrying goods and other household items, the dog kept barking and jumping around madly. Even when we came to sight, the creature came to us to spread his joy. Now my dad is a little scared of dogs and we had to then ask the family to take a hold of him and take him away.

But today, I saw something different – something I had never seen in any animal. The dog was looking at the other dogs longingly.

With the family who would feed him moving out, he had lost quite a lot but now with this lockdown, there were no humans in sight. He didnt have anyone to play with or anyone who would even talk to him.

I went to the dustbin and back but the street dog didnt notice me either. He also had bigger and happier things on his little doggie mind – as to what could and should have been for him.

Like my dad and my family, there are several who are scared of pets or a certain animal. But I would really like to request the owners of animals to be kind and loving towards the other animals.

We dont have as a pet but we keep out food for the birds. In summers, we keep extra water. These days we keep out extra food because there might be others who did the same but are not able to do because of the lockdown or rationing their stocks. Just requesting not to miss out on any animal. They are all very loving and caring and deserve the same.