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For those who love
dogs A dog gives his master everything he can, as a token of love, and in return he only needs a corner to live, a piece of bread and a pat. In Hindu mythology too, dogs have a special place. In religious ceremonies, dogs are considered to be a link between us and our ancestors. Special offerings are given to dogs, along with the cow and the crow, so as to remember and invoke the blessings of our ancestors. Dogs lighten the mood
and reduce the stress of sick people. Pet therapy is becoming very
popular these days in the USA, especially for help in diseases like
Alzheimer’s. The joy that a dog brings to bed-ridden patients,
lonely senior citizens or a small child is immeasurable. It has been
proved that if young boys and girls are exposed to cats and dogs in
the first year of their life, they have lower risks of allergy later
on. They also have better lung function, as per research reports in
the USA. Experiments have shown that merely petting a dog or a cat
reduces blood pressure. Handicapped people are provided with trained
companion dogs to take care of them. Further research shows how
interaction with animals and dogs can significantly improve our
physical and emotional health. |
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The poet W. Dayton Wedgefarth, writes: I talk to him when I’m lonesome like, and I’m sure he understands. When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; Then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught there at, For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a love like that!" However, you find dogs in the street either whining or looking with pitiful eyes, as if crying for help. They look like a bag of bones with fur thrown over them as an after-thought. They have dull coats, sunken eyes and their whippet-like tail swings back and forth. They are found searching for food in heaps of garbage. A number of organisations, like the PFA, and the SPCA boast of helping dogs but it is done only on paper. In immunisation camps that are organised, only the pets of the rich and the famous are treated and little attention is given to the street dogs. It is high time that we were faithful to the faithful ones. Under the Prevention of the Cruelty to Animals Act, even mercy killing of animals is an act of cruelty. Life-in-death is much worse than death itself. These animals have a right to live properly. Their existence in deplorable conditions is a wilful encroachment of their right to live and a result of the non-performance of duty towards them by those who have been assigned this duty. What is needed is an established task
force to work on breaking the cycle of abuse. An early intervention is
required, so as to prevent the acute abuse of the situation. Some
no-kill shelters have to be opened. Special spay and neuter programs to
castrate them are required. This not only helps dogs to live longer,
healthier lives but also saves them from many acute diseases. We should
always be ready to adopt a dog-in-need and should not hesitate to adopt
a street dog. By purchasing a purebred dog, we are encouraging breeders
to continue, but if we adopt an animal from a shelter, we are saving its
life. If we purchase a dog, the needy one which could have been saved is
sentenced to death. Remember what S.J. Steward said: Blessed is the
person who has earned the love of an old dog. |
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