tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20714573138802159492024-03-08T13:20:36.504-08:00Four Legs GoodUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071457313880215949.post-43520468649244332282015-12-26T17:30:00.000-08:002015-12-26T17:30:00.050-08:00A dog is a dog is a dog<br />
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In Kiran Rao’s household, every pet has a story to tell.<br />
<br />With six
happy-go-lucky dogs at home, nearly twenty more across her offices and
factories and dozens of cats, ten of which live in her home, Kiran Rao
pulls off a fascinating juggling act. The elegant, soft-spoken
proprietor of Amethyst and Executive Director of KCP Sugars started
adopting dogs after she returned to India from Europe ten years ago.
“One of our dogs has a unique song, there’s another that has a hilarious
howl, some go mad with joy when they greet me and some prefer to say
hello with a slow wag of their tails” says Kiran who recalls the fierce
loyalty of her childhood dogs Jack and Jill.<br />
<br />The dogs vie for her
attention and express affection and jealousy in varying degrees. Though
each of them has quirks and a personality, what they all have in common
is that they’re mixed-breed dogs, most of whom are rescues. Stating that
she’s always felt sorry to see dogs struggle on the streets, Kiran
feels that the collective misery of animals can be reduced if the
garbage problem is taken care of and if there’s a concerted effort to
control the population by sterilising them. She regularly contributes to
registered animal welfare charities and observes that it’s a tough job
for some organisations that are forced to take on more than they can
handle. “It would be nice if we could all extend ourselves a little
more; if people adopted a couple of dogs each. They’re great for
security and if you can handle one, it’s easy to handle two. They’re
more balanced and happy if they have company.”<br />
<br />Explaining why she’d
rather adopt cross-breeds than purchase pedigree dogs, she says
“(Country dogs) are hardy and better adapted to our climate. Inbred
pedigrees have a whole lot of birth defects that people tend to gloss
over. And what are mongrels if not just a mixture of different breeds?
I’m not concerned about the specific looks that some breeds have because
every dog is beautiful in its own way.” In this context, she mentions
Moti who was rescued from the airport as a scared puppy thirteen years
ago. “He climbs on my lap and lays his head on my shoulder. A dog is a
dog is a dog”, she signs off. Wise words from someone who’s loved them
long enough to know.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071457313880215949.post-59706933650814595442015-12-19T05:13:00.000-08:002015-12-19T05:13:00.309-08:00Vandana Gopikumar<br />
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<br />
When Vandana Gopikumar is around, happiness seems to multiply.<br /><br />In
the song ‘Praying for Time’, George Michael complained that charity is a
coat we wear twice a year. For this extraordinary woman though, it’s
her life’s mission to ease suffering as and when she’s confronted by it.<br /><br />Vandana
Gopikumar founded The Banyan, an NGO for the welfare of homeless women
with mental health issues. Through her team’s relentless efforts over
the past fifteen years, she has shattered misconceptions about mental
illness and reshaped the lives of countless women. A lesser-known side
to her personality is her passion for animal welfare. She’s undertaken
many courageous adoptions, including crippled animals and some that were
completely blind. If not for The Banyan’s staff, these dogs would’ve
died miserable, unnoticed deaths.<br /><br />She recounts her rescues
matter-of-factly even though the details are harrowing. “Once in
Valarasarawakkam, we heard a faint whine. We backtracked and found a dog
tied in barbed wire. We took her with us and it’s been four years now.
Waffles is the most alert, intelligent dog we’ve ever seen. You can’t
enter our Mogappair centre without her clearance”.<br /><br />Her work, be
it with people or animals, is inter-related. “Waffles is a survivor- an
inspiration to the women of The Banyan”, she says proudly, referring to
the doe-eyed handicapped dog that showers her with boisterous affection.
She mentions an elderly woman, Bindu - a former patient of The Banyan
who has recently begun working there as well. “Four months ago, a
vehicle in Thiruvanmyur knocked over this dog that began yelping in
extreme pain. Though our vet said it was a very difficult case, Bindu
healed the dog until she was back on all fours”. Vandana reveals that
the dog’s affection for her healer was life-altering. “Bindu’s existence
had gained meaning”, she says. While several happy endings come about
when she lends a hand, she’s deeply distressed by the apathy of
hit-and-run drivers. “How can someone hit a living thing and just keep
going?”<br /><br />Vandana is poetic when she speaks of her bond with
animals. “There are no prerequisites for a relationship with an animal,
no negotiations, no barriers, no artificiality. It’s an unconditional
interaction that happens on an evolved plane. You could be throwing a
ball with a dog and experience serenity: a sense of just being”. On
being asked what led to her choosing the path of service to others, she
responds- “There’s no ‘giving’ whatsoever. I do all this for my own
happiness.” Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071457313880215949.post-66753669847851064492015-12-12T05:12:00.000-08:002015-12-12T05:12:00.489-08:00Changing Lives for a Living<br />
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Anuradha Sawhney loves her job. A former employee of a top leather
buying house, Sawhney is now a formidable campaigner against leather
products. “Like many people, I never gave a second thought to the fact
that my shoes used to moo,” she says, denouncing the
leather-manufacturing process as “abhorrent”.<br />
<br />In her role as PETA
India’s chief functionary, she’s seen the international non-profit group
through many milestones including PETA’s entry into the Limca Book of
Records as the country’s largest animal rights organization.<br />
<br />She
reveals that a career in an NGO is far from being a hobby as popularly
perceived and that though they officially have five-day weeks, employees
are always on call for emergencies routed to them in the absence of
other help. “I even make stops on the highways and check my email
through wi-fi,” says Sawhney, adding that she doesn’t think of it as a
job. “You lose track of time, because it’s not work”.<br />
<br />Her colleagues
include accountants, lawyers, MBAs and computer professionals whom she
describes as “articulate and rational, and the extra thing everyone has
is compassion”. Speaking about the difference between a regular job and
one in the social sector, she says: “I know that no one in my office is
hurting an animal. We don’t have chairs made of leather. Only vegan food
is consumed here. And we all have one common goal.”<br />
<br />Our interview is
interrupted by a cheerful bark. She puts me on hold to ask someone -
“Why’s Rex jumping about like that? Is he ok?” Rex, who was rescued by
PETA (from people who kept him habitually chained), is a regular at her
office, alongside other companion animals who can come to work provided
they get along with him.<br />
<br />Like her colleagues, Sawhney is always
looking towards the next goal, the next cruelty issue to address. “I
might get into politics to speak out for animals. And I’m planning a
book on animal welfare in India,” she says, quoting from Robert Frost’s
poem - “What’s that line again? Miles to go before I sleep”.<br />
<br />She
walks the talk, and mentions that she hasn’t switched off her phone in
nine years. Has it all been worthwhile? Her answer comes without
hesitation. “I can’t believe I ever did anything else with my life”.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071457313880215949.post-38412606495170376962015-12-05T05:11:00.000-08:002015-12-05T05:11:00.064-08:00Across the Universe<br />
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He was born in Vietnam, raised in the United States and has lived in
Romania until he relocated to India last August with his partner of
seventeen years. “Anandaroopa is my spiritual name,” says the witty
dog-owner who’s a storehouse of anecdotes from around the world.<br />
<br />“In
Romania, there were a lot of street dogs, many of whom are culled
cruelly. One day, my partner’s colleague showed up with this adorable,
flea-infested little fuzz-ball who was found abandoned underneath a car.
The dog has been with us for five years now.” Stating that the move to
India with a dog was fairly simple, he says: “It was like paperwork for
anything else — getting your driver’s licence or passport.”<br />
<br />They decided to name the dog Devi. “We hope people can see the divinity in a dog.”<br />
<br />“She
still acts like a puppy,” he laughs, adding that Devi knows when she’s
being spoken of. “My partner and I are lucky. We have household staff
and they love dogs. Friends stay over when we aren’t around, to take
care of Devi.” Displaying a deep understanding of her feelings, he says
“She’s a glutton for attention, as she’s the only dog in the family. I’m
an only child, so I understand!”<br />
<br />Visitors often ask Anandaroopa and
his partner what breed she is. “She’s a mutt. A royal Romanian mutt,” he
says proudly. The sensitive dog knows when someone is sick and hovers
around the bed with a look of grave concern on her face. “Tibetans
believe that dogs are monks who haven’t meditated enough in their past
life. We must help them move on from this life. Dogs have feelings,
needs and a soul. When my partner comes home after a long day at work,
he talks to the dog first. Unconditional love — a dog is the only one
who gives you that when you walk through that door,” he says.<br />Anandaroopa
reveals that this month, their high-spirited canine has an important
role to play. “June is Gay Pride Month and Devi will be a part of the
Pride March. She supports civil rights because she wants civil rights
for herself too — the right to just exist, as a dog.” Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071457313880215949.post-15725979492308426812015-11-28T13:30:00.000-08:002015-11-28T13:30:00.521-08:00Blue Cross Well Dog Show- You are invited<br />
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<br />
Are you the proud owner of an all-Indian dog? If yes, get ready to show
off your best friend of the four-legged kind at the Blue Cross Well Dog
Show – celebrated every year as the dog show with a difference. The dogs
have unique personalities, are a mixture of various breeds and have
heartwarming rescue and adoption stories to tell. And the event is also a
tribute to their companions- people who’ve chosen to take in an animal
in need, regardless of their non-pedigree parentage. In fact, Indian
breeds (also known as mongrels) are known for their robust immune
systems that make them less susceptible to illnesses. Their fur coats
are also perfectly suited to Indian climatic conditions and these
country dogs live long and healthy lives.<br /><br />The show highlights the
lovable qualities of a dog that are observable even when they’re just
being themselves. This means no ‘tricks’, performances, obstacle
courses, jumping through hoops or unnatural hand-shakes. The coveted
titles at this annual show include “Best Rescue” (for a dog with a
fascinating rescue story), “Survivor Award” (for a pet who has triumphed
over a serious accident or illness) and random fun titles like “The Dog
with the Waggiest Tail”.<br /><br />As Dr. S. Chinny Krishna, Chairman of
Blue Cross puts it- “Our objective is to demonstrate our pride in our
All-Indian dogs”. Certificates, gift hampers, freebies and medals will
be doled out to the dogs and their companions. While there are special
categories of prizes for dogs with the rarest spots or best-maintained
fur coat, anyone who has participated in the Blue Cross Well Dog Show
knows that their dog is already a winner.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2071457313880215949.post-45810461925579344002015-11-21T05:06:00.000-08:002015-11-21T05:06:00.385-08:00Hero in real life<br />
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Leading lady Sadaa juggles film shooting, award shows, interviews and
travel with the thing that she finds most fulfilling- playing a saviour
in real life.<br />
<br />
Recently, the actress heard the sorrowful mews of an
orphaned kitten in the neighbourhood and decided to investigate when the
mewing continued late into the night. “My mum knew that something was
wrong and I went to check. It was hiding under the car and ran from one
hiding place to another but my dad managed to get it out.<br />
<br />
We kept it for
a week until PETA helped us by adopting her”, she says of her latest
rescue, as it’s not the first time she’s taken notice of an animal in
distress. “Pigeons, wild birds, ducks…” she says, trying to recall the
various species that her family has lent a helping hand to, while on
their morning walks.<br />
<br />
Last year, she found an injured kitten whose spinal
problems rendered her hind legs unusable. “We admitted her to SPCA
where she passed away. The animal may or may not survive, but we have to
try”. She’s motivated by empathy– “My mother has always said ‘put
yourself in that position when you think of tying a string around an
insect and dragging it’. Parents should guide their children not to be
cruel.<br />
<br />
If someone hurts us, we can cry out in pain but animals can’t
even speak. They have to go through it all by themselves”. Speaking
about what happens after she nurses a fallen bird back to health, she
says –“Freedom is important to a bird. I let them go”. The star is
convinced that success and adulation come second to the rush that comes
from saving a life. “I don’t think any feeling can match that”, she
signs off cheerfullyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0