Life on the streets is cruel, unimaginably so. Next time you drive home, take a break from your phone and look out the window. Observe the countless dogs roaming the streets. You might find them rummaging through trash dumps, manoeuvring the noisy traffic of honking cars and bikes, and escaping death at every corner. We pass them by like they are inanimate objects. Not a thought is spared towards their existence.
For some, the day doesn’t even begin as they become victims of drunk and careless driving. For those lucky enough to survive, it’s yet another day with the same struggle. They face being kicked, beaten and pelted just for being in someone’s vicinity. It is a lucky day for some to find ‘anything’ to eat. Most homeless animals don’t even have the bare minimum, like food, shelter, medical care or the fundamental right to existence.
Yet they have so much love to offer.
You will find them sitting close to tea stalls and food vendors, hoping to find someone kind enough to give them something to eat or just clumsy enough to drop crumbs. They drink from muddy puddles and eat food that is stepped on, mixed with dirt and filth.
They fight battles at every corner. Certain state governments want to kill them, RWAs want them banished from their societies, and the media demonises them. The strongest join forces against those who can’t even speak for themselves.
It is time for us to choose to do what is right. Choose to stand up and be the voice of the weakest. It is time we raise our words and take action to defend them.
Keep a bowl out with fresh water. Make one extra chappati or spare a piece of bread. Make small houses outside to protect them from the rain and cold. Instead of discarding old blankets, use them to make warm, cosy beds. And lastly, treat them with kindness. That’s all they want truly, just to be loved.
Being a stray in our society might be a curse, but you can choose to be their blessing. Our compassion and kindness make us human; let us preserve our humanity.
Oh, so beautiful!