Friend or Foe

I was on my way home yesterday, the roads as usual were pretty dark, understandably as it was about 7:00 in the evening, and goes without saying, the streetlamps were not working. People were few, but as has become common of late, there was a pack of dogs on the road side. Stray dogs are nothing new, they have always been around us, but till some time ago, these dogs used to roam alone, timid, and tail wagging with such a fervour that I used to wonder how it could possibly still be stuck on to it's body.

Coming back to the dogs, There must have been at least six dogs, hanging out like the best buddies in the world, in all possible colours and sizes. And while I was trying to count and not lose my balance at the same time, the dogs started fighting, turned suddenly wild and pounced on me. Maybe pounced is a big term, cos thank God, I did not fall down, drop my bike or anything remotely serious. What did happen was that while I was wondering whether I should be applying the brake, or honk my horn, or simply fall down, sub consciously pressed on the horn which had the needed effect of frightening the dogs away. The only other man on the road started running, and the dogs took interest on him, and I saw him run for his life, dogs on trail.

Where did all these dogs come from? They are not someone's pet. No one cares for them. How do they survive? They survive by sticking together, their wolf lineage still clinging on after generation and generations. I am reminded of the hue and cry that followed when many years ago there arose the issue of stray dogs and the menace, and the stand taken by Manekha Gandhi which made her very popular. While one side demanded that the dog population was growing at an alarming rate, what it would lead to and what had to be done; the other side portrayed the tail wagging dog and the watery eyes, and this side took strength. Anyone who sided with controlling the issue was cried upon as a murderer, or less - a beast. This did have its effect in the years to come, instances where such dogs had turned wild and harmed the public. Particularly standing out in my mind is the news of a months old baby killed in the sight of its mother, from its very home, by a pack of stray dogs which had turned unruly at the sight of helplessness.

Our streets even otherwise is not fit for walking. The roads have so many holes in them, that one cannot go for a casual stroll, to enjoy the breeze. One needs to be on the alert all the time to make sure that in avoiding a speeding bike, one falls into man holes, or in our case steps on a sleeping dog and faces the after math. But then, proud dog owners themselves help mess up the roads. Even those who never take their dogs out walking take them out when its time to lock them up for the night, afraid they'd have to clean up the mess they would make in their compound.

I have nothing against dogs. Though I favour cats to dogs, I have had dogs when I grew up, and I know what it is to have one, and to be loved with such unquestioned affection and adoration and loyalty. These qualities which we see so rarely in anyone else, does touch our hearts. But in pitying them, I am not sure we are doing them much good either. So often they end up hit by vehicles, or sick, or so hungry its all skin and bones and just waiting to die.

Dogs have always been man's best friend, sticking closer than a brother, never judging, never leaving his side. I was once told a real incident which made me see what is means when they say 'As loyal as a dog.' A man had told his dog to wait for him, and that he would be back soon. But he met with an accident and died, and the dog kept waiting for its master, listening to no one, eating nothing, just waiting for it's master's voice. I am told this is a true story, and that it happened in London, or somewhere else. Each time I used to think of it, I cried.

But what happens when they join together, not knowing that man is a friend? Most of these strays have never known close human companionship, and look on us as a threat. We cannot solve all evil in the world, but as mere mortals, maybe its time we decide what is more important!