Are you familiar with that sappy Sarah MacLachlan commercial where she is pleading for funds to end animal cruelty? And can you recall Bob Barker's famous last words: "Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered." Well, I assure you... no such messages have been played on this side of the ocean!
In truth, poverty is so high among humans that it allows little room to stress over malnourished animals. When you see children half clothed, crawling with lice, and begging for food, it sort of shifts your thinking. But somewhere deep down, I still have a soft spot for these poor pitiful dogs that inhabit India.
Before we traveled, we all received a vaccination for rabies. I had no idea how many dogs we would see on a daily basis. I'd guess that 90% of the dog population in India is homeless. Many of them live outside of stores, where local workers feed them scraps. We have a few strays that live in our neighborhood. Many of our neighbors lay out dinner leftovers for them. Still others just seem to wander from place to place looking for their next meal.
They have all sorts of health problems. Of course, the obvious is that they are covered in fleas and ticks. Many of them suffer from mange. And you'll be hard-pressed to find a dog that has use of all four of its legs. They are malnourished, sick, and in need of much medical care. Many of them are sweet and friendly, but I've encountered a few that reminded me why a rabies shot was necessary.
I see so many each day that they all sort of look alike, but this sweet puppy tears me up every time I see him.
I assume he has some sort of tumor or something, but like all of the others, he'll most likely never get treated. We refer to him as "Tumor Dog"- original, right?
In truth, poverty is so high among humans that it allows little room to stress over malnourished animals. When you see children half clothed, crawling with lice, and begging for food, it sort of shifts your thinking. But somewhere deep down, I still have a soft spot for these poor pitiful dogs that inhabit India.
Before we traveled, we all received a vaccination for rabies. I had no idea how many dogs we would see on a daily basis. I'd guess that 90% of the dog population in India is homeless. Many of them live outside of stores, where local workers feed them scraps. We have a few strays that live in our neighborhood. Many of our neighbors lay out dinner leftovers for them. Still others just seem to wander from place to place looking for their next meal.
They have all sorts of health problems. Of course, the obvious is that they are covered in fleas and ticks. Many of them suffer from mange. And you'll be hard-pressed to find a dog that has use of all four of its legs. They are malnourished, sick, and in need of much medical care. Many of them are sweet and friendly, but I've encountered a few that reminded me why a rabies shot was necessary.
I see so many each day that they all sort of look alike, but this sweet puppy tears me up every time I see him.
I assume he has some sort of tumor or something, but like all of the others, he'll most likely never get treated. We refer to him as "Tumor Dog"- original, right?
So if you tend to be one of those animal rights' people that wants to save the world and take in all strays, you might want to stay clear of India. It's mighty tough to see their plight and not want to help in some way. But the truth is taking in a few strays wouldn't begin to change this situation. Animal care is a huge problem and it's not going away any time soon.
In the meantime, we are doing what we can by taking care of one puppy. This sweet girl doesn't have a complaint in the world, and she's getting plenty of love and attention!
Count your blessings, Lucy! You're a lucky girl...
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Believe it or not, India does have veterinarians, pet stores, and boarding for pets. And they are capable of spaying and neutering dogs. Lucy can attest. But the process looks a little different from the US. Lucy went in for surgery at 2:00 one afternoon. When Jason and Jack picked her up a little more than an hour later, the doctor made sure to show them everything he removed- I assume to prove he completed the surgery. When she returned home at around 3:45, she was still knocked out from anesthesia, her tongue was hanging out of her mouth, and her wound was seeping something. It was tragic, less than enjoyable, and I'm not sure I ever want to do that again. But it can be done! And once again I am learning that EVERYTHING looks different on this side of the world!
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