Heart for animals
COVID-19 has presented arguably some of the most difficult times for mankind. It is also a time when kindness has come to the forefront. However, when it comes to street dogs, a commonplace occurrence in India, there has been a mixed reaction from people. However, Lavli a 33-year-old publicist from New Delhi who works with Goodword Media has been doing her bit to help strays.
While I have known Lavli for many years, I met her for the first time earlier this year and she showed me her phone that was filled with pictures of her two handsome dogs. And when she spoke of how she kept checking on them when she was travelling, I knew that she was a dog lover. However, she admits that she never had any sort of love or affection for animals growing up until something happened that changed her perception. “I was out for an event and when I reached home, I saw a cute little pup on my sister's arm. I asked her whose dog it was and before I could ask any other word he jumped on my lap and started snuggling and it was the best ever experience and we named him Pluto. As he was our first dog, we did not really know what were the do’s and don’ts of having a pet. When he fell ill, the vet suggested that he needed a companion and we got our another, baby Charlie. With time we learnt all the ways to raise them, and believe me they are no less than little babies.” Pluto is a Boxer and Charlie is a Dogo Argentino and are both now three years old and even have an Instagram page with the handle @plutocharlie.
Living with siblings, two younger sisters and one brother, they started taking care of six street dogs in their local area. “As the lockdown started we only stepped out of the house to take our pets for walks, and one day Pluto kept pulling us towards something and we found dead puppies. They starved to death as they were not getting food so that very day, I decided that I will start cooking food for them myself and feed all the street dogs around my area. With time the number kept increasing from 20, to 50, to 60, and today we feed more than 100 dogs in our area and nearby we feed them with rice cooked with eggs. We also rescued three dogs and got them treated and are now healthy.” However, there was some resistance as well as people objecting to the place getting dirty after the dogs ate. “We assured them that we will clean the place after feeding, which we do. We had many arguments with people who were beating the dogs and we had to file a police complaint against them, after which the issues got solved. However, there were supporters as well in a few friends and clients who came forward and donated money which we used to rescue the dogs and get their treatments done.”
She hopes that people cooperate and keep a bowl of water outside their homes and let the dogs in when it rains. “We are also looking for some support in terms of rations and some monetary funds as we don't just feed them, but also medicate them regularly. It is sad to see that some dog injured every other day and I have an Instagram page called Swarnsutra foundation where we keep updating all the details.” Lavli hopes that people become more compassionate with animals, as they have a unique bond with humans. “I feel there should be a class in school on how to be compassionate towards animals. It is my dream to create a home for all the street dogs someday and we are planning to start an NGO soon to continue this initiative in a bigger way. I will adopt an indie next and hope more people come forward to do the same, so that there are no more dogs on street,” she concludes.
