Maoists order tribals to kill their own dogs

Click on the image to enlarge and read this horrible story. I was never a Maoist sympathizer though I do understand why the movement started - but it has reached a level of brutality that simply can't be justified on any grounds. These people are Red Scum as far as I'm concerned, and those who support them from the safety of their big city living rooms are no better. The tribals who don't follow their violent creed are very much to be pitied, and even more so are the innocent animals that are butchered by them. Last year during the Maoist invasion of Similipal Tiger Reserve, these "heroes" beat up unarmed guards and tourists and then pumped ten bullets into an elephant belonging to the Forest Department. In West Bengal they've occupied a forest corridor used by elephants since time immemorial; the elephants are being chased off with firecrackers, and in desperation and hunger have started ravaging villages and fields in the area. Only humans have "forest rights" nowadays, wild animals don't. Last year some news reports also exposed the fact that Maoists are using the wildlife and timber trade to raise funds for their movement.

The move against dogs is hardly surprising, coming from these butchers. While I strongly oppose the tribal hunts which still go on (illegally) in the more backward parts of the country, I am always touched by the affection and respect for dogs that I've seen in tribal villages around India. In areas where hunting has long stopped, dogs are still kept as companions, livestock guardians and watchdogs. Ordering these people to kill their own dogs is inhuman and sick on every level!

The game

For our canine followers: this is a simple sort of game that can be played by two dogs (or more). It's one of Kimaya's favourites.

This is how it's played: (1) find a dog, (2) bark and snap at it and do lots of play bows to invite it to join the game, (3) start running up to a predermined point, with the dog running after you, (4) stop running, turn around and chase the dog back the way you came, till you reach the spot where this silly game started, (5) keep repeating this indefinitely while your human mummy stands by with your leash in her hand, calling you to finish and come home. It's very important to pay no attention at all to anything she's saying.

Have fun!



















Nagaon

More of Kimaya, the White Dog and other friends in this video:
"Dogwatching on the beach"

Hubble

Another pretty new baby member, this time in Gurgaon. Malvika Gupta wrote in about Hubble and how he joined their family:











Hubble was saved by my colleagues at National Brain Research Center from being hit by a truck at NH-8. One of them, Sulagna, took it upon herself to find a home for the puppy. Hubble stayed at another friend's home for a night.

The next day when she took me to see the puppy, I was smitten at first sight and just had to take him home. I managed to smuggle Hubble home in the office bus in the evening by hiding him in a box and was rather relieved that he was quiet during the journey.

I was a little sceptical about my husband's reaction but he was putty on seeing the chubby puppy. So now we happen to be a happy family of three!

Hubble is our little sunshine, absolutely adorable and so beautiful. His first forty days were rough on the streets but he is a very hardy pup and has adapted well at our place. He loves to play with his chew toys and looks forward to his play dates with the Labrador retriever dogs upstairs. He is very intelligent and responds to commands like "no" and "stay" very well.

Text: Malvika Gupta
Photos: Malvika Gupta, Aakash Goel
Gurgaon

Felix

Felix means "happy" and "lucky" and it's easy to see this pup was given exactly the right name. Meenakshee Soman tells us how he took over her life and won a host of friends and admirers...









July 11, 2009

Little did I know that it was going to be a significant day in my life. The day when the much coveted, long dreamed-for wish was going to come true.

Yes, it was the day when Felix (as we later christened him) found me. I was on a leisure trip to Vijapur at Karnataka, when we saw four lads roaming around with this cute puppy in their hands. We had an instant connect with his small black innocent eyes, clean little body and brownish fur. And there started his road journey with me. From Vijapur to Solapur and then to Thane where we reside. Since we were destined to be together no man or circumstances could be a challenge in this journey.

From irregular toilet manners to eating habits and a major food poisoning event, we shared everything. He learned something new every day just like a human baby. Still chews on every bit of furniture available, now he's into the process of getting rid of the milk teeth and acquiring a set of permanent teeth. He endears himself to one and all with his doting love.

Of course there are some people who would like to do away with him. But they are few and far between compared to the people who love him. He's a friend of kids and another child to my dad. He's so famous in the locality that people know where he stays. In fact I am sure I am known as his caretaker, "kaku" and "atya" ("aunt") as kids fondly call me.

Two of the biggest surprises were when a bunch of kids landed up at our home with friendship bands and rings to be tied on him on Friendship Day. In consolation I also got a few. The second surprise was when around 14 kids got together and threw a birthday party for me last year.

Today he is boisterous with few who can match his energy. He’s now an integral part of my life. Who else showers such unconditional love and loyalty...those are things I've learned from him.

Text and photos: Meenakshee Soman
Thane

Toffee

This five-year old beauty belongs to Anusree Banerjee.

She was rescued from the street as a little pup and kept as a companion for the Banerjee family's older dog Jojo, who passed away last year. You can see both the dogs in the first picture.

I love both these dogs because they remind me a lot of Lalee. Lalee's expression is very like Toffee's in the third picture, and her ears have dropped after haematomas she had a few years ago.

Photos: Anusree Banerjee
Bangalore

Gullu

This handsome INDog-mix belongs to Jyoti Swaroop Gupta. Jyoti found him as a two-month old pup, lying on the roadside infected with parvo virus. He took him home and cured him and Gullu is now a beautiful and robust young adult, aged two and a half.

Jyoti is a single father of three adopted babies - two dogs and one human child. The adoption procedure for single fathers is extremely difficult in India, and Jyoti is only the third man in this country who has managed to clear the many hurdles and finally adopt a sweet little boy from Orissa. I support adoption whole-heartedly, though I haven't adopted a child myself. Hats off to his dedication and persistence, and hugs to all his wonderful children!

Jyoti Swaroop Gupta
Delhi