A childhood without pets, and the strays who filled that gap

Mint

2 days ago

I grew up in a household where the answer to getting a pet was always a firm 'no'. I was fascinated by dogs—their warmth, their friendliness, the comfort they seemed to bring—but every time I brought up the idea with my mother, she would give me the classic Indian mom line: 'Pehle khud ko sambhal lo, fir jaanwar paalna'—first learn to take care of yourself, then think about a pet.
So, I made myself a quiet promise: one day, when I could take care of myself and build a peaceful little world of my own, I'd welcome a dog into it.
Until then, I found my companions outside. The stray dogs near my house became my secret friends. I'd play with them, sometimes sneak them food, and in my own way, feel a connection. Then one morning, one of the strays gave birth to six beautiful puppies. I was smitten. Watching them take their first wobbly steps became the highlight of my day, and soon it became a ritual—school first, puppy playtime next.
But one afternoon, I came home to devastating news: one of the puppies had been run over by a car. I was heartbroken. I cried. Yet, that same day, I gathered the courage to talk to my mom. At first, she was visibly unhappy to learn I'd been spending time with strays. But something must have clicked—maybe she saw how much it meant to me—because she told me to make a small shelter for them outside our home.
With bricks and cardboard, I built a little kennel. It wasn't perfect, but it kept the mother and her babies safe for a while. The odds weren't kind—lack of medical care, harsh weather, and careless drivers meant only one puppy survived. But for those few months, 11-year-old me tried, against all odds, to give them a home. And in that process, I learned what it truly meant when people say dogs are a man's best friend.
Yes, they can be defensive and even aggressive when threatened—but in most cases, they're just loyal protectors, asking for little in return. That's why the Supreme Court's recent order saddens me. I understand the fear—fatal dog bite incidents are terrifying—but I believe there are better ways to address the problem. Removing them from human spaces won't just make our streets emptier; it might also make us more vulnerable to other animals far less friendly than dogs.
Every time I hear about a dog attack, my heart tightens. But just as much, I ache for the countless dogs who have done nothing but guard us, love us, and walk beside us—silently, faithfully.
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That's all for this week. I hope you have a pleasant weekend!
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