Nature Diary

Every day afternoon when I finish my lunch and stack up the dishes I open the rear door of the kitchen to let in the afternoon sun. On the steps is waiting a pie dog, rather a ragged one, for the scraps that I may put out for him. I have come to look forward to his presence and often when I do not see him there, feel his absence.

On Sundays this fellow is more astute and parks himself strategically on those low steps leading into the kitchen garden, from mid-morning itself. He knows that something special is cooking and waits patiently. I have developed some affection for him and try to find something more than the scraps from our Sunday lunch. After all it’s his Sunday too!

One fine day an intruder in the form of another dog tried to steal his lunch….so what did I do; stood guard till he finished his fare of chicken and rice. To show his gratitude, next morning he came and sat near me on the porch, quietly for some time, sharing my solitude. I am convinced that all things respond to love, even nature and its creatures.

It is really silly the way we gravitate towards foreign breeds when it comes to buying pups and keep them with such care and expenses. Perhaps we are more concerned with status and glamour associated with these high faluting names; Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, etc. It would do all of us a world of good if we can adopt one of our own Indian pie dogs and lavish care and affection on it. They are low-maintenance, easy to manage and give you the same pleasure. They can be incredibly hardy and stay with you for a long time giving you the perfect companionship.

A lot of organizations are working towards making our different species(Rampur Hound,Indian Mastiff,Kuchi,Kaikadi,Kanni,Taji,Bhutuya,etc)find a good home. They offer  free adoption and free clinics for their care.This may also also help the poor beasts to be taken of roads and get good loving homes.