Every stray dog is deserving of love and care.
But then, cuteness is a very important determinant of that. Dearest Fatty's
case serves as one among the many examples.
Way back in 2017, she was a typical lactating stray dog; scrawny, at the mercy of people for some scraps of food for herself and her growing
pups. She was not worth anyone's attention, barring her 'cute' pups who would help continue adoption going, forget getting the mother dog sterilised. Overtly friendly, she came under Maa's care when someone informed her about the then not fatty.
In a very short period of time, she became food secure. She and when her pups grew up, were sterilised and vaccinated against rabies. One
of them, infact, our Mantu, has turned out to be a body builder. Fatty is now accepted into their residential block as a cute and adorable dog who is regularly fed by the residents, more so, because she is chubby.
Why couldn't she be loved when she was scrawny and in need of help? This brings a bitter reality to the picture. Only those stray dogs who are cute are worthy of being fed, adopted and accepted into the society. And who are these cute stray dogs? Puppies, chubby adult dogs, overtly friendly dogs, all white or majority white.
Where does that leave those with skin issues, scrawny looking, old age, special needs dogs? They do not merit attention, barring being sent to the shelter under the pretext of rescue ofcourse.
At the Bridging Rainbows Foundation, we reflect upon what plagues the cause and
how each one of us can do better.
As for Fatty, she is locally loved only until the peril of senior age befalls her to start showing signs of aging. As for us, she was loved when she was scrawny and not cute, she is loved for the fatso she is presently and she will be loved even when she will start showing signs of aging.
Email us at info@bridgingrainbows.org for a soulful seven hour ride that would physically drain you, but enrich you emotionally to better understand what responsible welfare should look like.
