Hardy

“We are all one big happy family. It’s only the walls of the houses that separate us. Other than that, we are one”, says Vineet Abhang, a middle aged man, as he is flanked by Avinash Tambe and Avanindra Oturkar. The trio are lovingly called the “Amar, Akbar and Anthony” of the BMC Colony Chawl number 6. They are, however, better-known for their love of dogs and humane behaviour towards animals. “When we were kids, we were playing and came across two puppies” says Avinash. “At that time, there used to be a TV show being broadcast regularly, called ‘Laurel & Hardy’. So, we decided to name these two puppies similarly. 

We lost Laurel when the BMC took him away and left him somewhere else. We tried to find him, but failed. Hardy is still here and we have grown up together.” Hardy is a fully grown stray dog, but a word of advice; don’t call Hardy a dog amidst these people, they get offended. “He is a member of our family. He is as much human to us as a brother.”  

Hardy is known to come for dinner on time every day at approximately 8 p.m. and wait calmly for his meal. A reminder would be a gentle “woof” or a knock on the plastic door with his paws. “We all feel the gentleman in him.” A dog well-looked after, he now recognizes days on which non-vegetarian food would be made in which house. It’s fascinating how, he would avoid Avinash’s house on a Tuesday, but turn up the very next day. Since then, another two puppies were found without their mother, this time by the next generation of children in the chawl. “I am glad that our love for animals has been picked up by the children. They tend to save money and sometimes buy the dogs the commercial brand dog foods like Pedigree. We never asked them to do that. They willingly save two and three rupees which they get as change from the shopkeepers and instead of buying candy for themselves, they save enough to buy good food for the dogs” says Aravindra.

[LtoR: Vineet Abhang, Moti(looking away), Hardy, Avanindra Oturkar, Avinash Tambe , flanked by the younger animal enthusiasts of BMC Chawl 6]

Seeing this charitable nature of the kids, the elders made a small dog house for the puppies and kept them there till they were strong enough to look after themselves. “Our fathers  also loved of dogs. They have been friends even before the three of us were born. They named the dogs ‘Julie’,’Isha’,’Chandani’ ; ‘Chandani’ was a beautiful white dog. I was the only one from us who got to see her” continues Avinash. ‘Sheru’ and ‘Moti’ on a daily basis have started following people from this chawl right up to the entrance when they go for work or even a walk at night. The people suspect that there was an attempted robbery, but it was foiled due to these four-legged vigilantes. “The dogs here are seen to bark at strangers. We know that for sure because once my friend was coming home with me at night; Hardy and Sheru started barking at him but stopped as soon as they saw me. There was one night when something similar happened, only thing different was that they didn’t stop till we came out. I think they were barking at robbers. *Touches a tree* We haven’t had a robbery in this chawl for the past thirty years” said Vineet.

The dogs here have become a permanent part of the lives of people in Chawl 6. A day without these members of the family is incomplete and unsatisfactory.
“Their life is as precious to me as mine. I know a day will come when they will pass away. I fear that day.”

  -   Omkar Khopkar - WSD intern went to Avanindra Oturkar &Avinash Tambe's neighbourhood and penned Hardy's story.

Whitey

She is called Whitey but her name is a misnomer.

She may be pure white only after a wash but for the rest of the time I think Muddy, Sandy, Grimy or Brownie would be more appropriate! She loves to sleep in the mud, especially in summer after the garden has been watered! She lives in the St.Mary's Church, Pune campus and guards it with her life!

She recognises the car that brings her food but is most polite. No jumping or barking if you please. Just a circular tail wag and a sideways run to the bench.

She will wait for it patiently on the wooden park bench that doubles up as her resting place in the evenings! She knows she is not allowed into the church and is happy to wait for people to approach her, bounding to them if she is called!

She is nothing but joy and love. Her smile is enough to keep anyone going, if only they cared to look!

-  Nina Laxmikanth, Pune

Hero

Our Hero

 

True to his name, “Hero” is a handsome 3 year old Pariah who once resided in a narrow Khetwadi lane. My sister and I saw him grow from a clumsy playful puppy to a dashing dog. It was easy to sneak into the house at 2 a.m without our parents knowing but Hero ...he’d just somehow know it was one of us and For my mom, Hero had finally been THE dog! For a woman who would change her route if a dog was barking... would now get restless if she’d not see him resting in his usual spot on her way home from work. We got a shock when we saw Hero jumping on her and instead of fretting, she’d pat him with all her motherly tenderness. A sweet innocent creature managed to break her fear of over 40 years! 

Hero with my mother & me on one of his 
Sunday trips  to Marine Drive

Hero was not just the apple of our eye but also a favorite of the nearby building watchman, secretary and construction workers. In fact, he was family to all of them. Unfortunately, his playful nature seemed an eye sore to a few residents of our building who time and again tried to make sure Hero was taken away from the area on false pretext.

Hero enjoying the breeze at PDP on a summer morning !

One day prior to my engagement, Hero’s screams caught my attention and I realized the BMC had mercilessly tied him in a gunny bag. The neighbours this time had gone too far by filing a false complaint with the BMC about him “biting” their child. After a lot of ruckus and being comforted by Abodh that he’d be taken to the WSD kennel, I got my senses back and decided that the engagement must take the back seat. So while my (very) co- operative fiancé was handling 2 sets of confused parents, with the help of the Hero’s caretakers, we initiated a signature campaign to bring Hero back. Right from a 12 year old kid of a local tailor to a 60 year old lady (who signed in Persian because it is the only language she knew) joined hands to bring our dog back.

 Finally, with a lot of help from WSD, we managed to get Hero to where he belonged in 3 days – all happy and healthy ! Due to the constant harassment from the same neighbours, Hero now lives with his caretakers in their apartment not far from his old home. My family and I visit him weekly or whenever possible. The distance is only a number because he lives in our heart and we in his !

- Farah Dotiwalla, Mumbai

Sweety

Amongst flooded streets, insane traffic and the Mumbai sky turning a deep ominous grey, Sweety was born in a flooded channel on 26^th July 2005 (when Mumbai was deluged with torrential rain) within the campus of Sir J. J. College of Architecture. Hari kaka, the college caterer, urban-legend-teller and also the source behind this story, shifted the puppies to a safer place but unfortunately, the mother and Sweety's sister passed away. Since then this campus has been home to him and his brother Kalu. Even though a couple of dogs have been living in the campus, he is the most jolly dog amongst all. Hence the name 'Sweety'.

Call Sweety anytime and this silver fox comes running wagging his tail, always ready for rubs and hugs. Everyone loves to share lunch with him. Sometimes he is seen attending the guitar playing sessions outside the canteen and at other times, he is spotted sunbathing  himself in the campus or enjoying football with the football team who call him demba, always ready to cuddle with everyone.

It has been observed that people who have abnormal fear of dogs also play with him due to his innocence and cheerful nature. After all, dogs are the only creatures who share happiness even with the hands that hit them and all they want is love and yeah, a little bit of food too, preferably Parle- G.

- Nikita Mhaisekar.

  Final year student, Sir J.J. College of Architecture,           Mumbai

Parsi Kua Rani

Remembering Rani on Parsi New Year today. Rani passed away in 2009. Had written this that time.

“Rani” had been living at the Bhikaji Behram Kua (Parsi Well) for the past 15 years. This well is located near Cross Maidan in the South Mumbai area. It was dug in 1725 by a Parsi citizen as a thanksgiving gesture after being saved from a potential calamity.

She was the gentlest dog that I have ever known and had slowed down in her last days due to her age. She was loved by the Parsi worshippers who visit this holy place and of course the attendants who doted on her. They were always very concerned about her and used to call WSD very promptly if she was suffering from any ailment. She used to either be sitting by the back door under the photograph of Zarathustra or on one of the wooden green benches or somewhere near the well. She was a very willing patient, be it for her tick infestation, her rabies immunization or a maggot wound. She will be truly missed by all of us especially me as I had known her for more than 12 years.

The well continues to have other dogs which they look after!

- Abodh Aras, Mumbai

Rusty

I would like to share with you the story of Rusty. Rusty lives in small block of flats in a quiet lane of Santa Cruz.

We first met him when we moved here two years ago. He is the building dog and helps the watchmen in their duties. In the beginning I found him a rather quiet dog not too interested in the goings around and not a very eager tail wagger. But that was just in the beginning. He is actually just very shy. And he is popular in his own quiet way in the whole lane. Have seen a lady living in the house opposite feed him regularly. And seen him accompany other residents when they are walking their indoor dogs for a walk. 

With time Rusty's shyness has melted away and now when ever I come home I am greeted by an enthusiastic wag and lick and whining if we meet after more than a day. He just loves to come up home with me and have his milk. He is terrified of the lift but manages the eight stories to my flat in a jiffy. 

But Rusty does not know how to count and is many times found sitting outside other flat doors and I have to go find him. The first time he came home was along with the garbage man...we were pleased to see him...he got a nice welcome ...explored the flat ...had his milk and went to sleep in a corner. Rusty is a champion sleeper. When ever he comes home he just sleeps.He can sleep the whole day without stirring. There are times that I am scared that I am going to forget he is sleeping somewhere in the house and lock him in.

He is also pretty stubborn as I found out to my amusement and dismay on his first visit. We had to go out and he refused to leave.....and by refuse I mean just that...became an immovable statue ...I nearly had to push/pick him up to get him out of the door. Later another neighbour who also used to host him confirmed this habit of his.

I have seen dogs eat grass sometimes.Our Rusty is a gourmet. Whenever he comes he eats one leaf out of my pot of lemon grass in the balcony!! Go figure:-)

As I write he is sleeping by my bed side. There will be a bit of an argument when I ask him to go down at night and do his duty as a guard dog.But thankfully he now agrees to go without any pushing/pulling and manhandling.But never has he gone without trying to make me feel as guilty as he can :-)) And these days he has started to show his happiness in coming over , by running a few rounds through the house sending all the rugs out of place. Its really nice to see his playful side come out. We are really gonna miss him when we leave.I have always fed strays- dogs or cats- but this fellow has really made his place in our hearts.

- Charul Chaudhry, Mumbai

Piddi & Golu

This is Piddi on the left with black and white patches & on right is Golu.. with black spots. They both are partners in masti and hullad.  The only survivors from a litter of 7. They are 3 months old. They put a smile on everyone's face. Kids in my area love them. Piddi is the notorious one. He has been adopted twice but comes back running to the area for Golu. Golu always eats Piddi's share and Piddi happily gives it away.  They both are inseparable and luv each other. They express their love by fighting(playing) with each other. Without fights their day is incomplete. 

- Harsha Sharma, Mulund, Mumbai