Skip to main content

Loving dogs , living safely

Loving Dogs, Living Safely: Finding a Balance



If you had met me years ago, you’d know I was the one who crossed the road at the mere sight of a dog. My family couldn’t understand it—they were all dog lovers, while I stayed at a safe distance, heart pounding. Then I got married, moved into a home where dogs were part of the daily picture, and found myself surrounded by people—my husband, my son, my extended family—who couldn’t imagine life without them.


Over the years, something in me shifted. I learned to pat them, spend time with them, and even smile when they came running. I still can’t hug them tight the way true dog lovers do, and yes, hygiene still makes me wary—but I’ve grown to appreciate their loyalty, playfulness, and the way they somehow make a house feel more alive.


Dogs are among the most friendly and faithful beings we share this planet with. That’s why it’s heartbreaking to see them hungry, shivering, or limping on our streets. It’s not their fault when hunger and neglect push them into aggression. When we read about tragic attacks—sometimes involving children—it shakes us. But those incidents are not about “bad dogs.” They’re about a system that leaves them uncared for, unvaccinated, and desperate.


India’s stray dog population is enormous, and the truth is, we can’t shelter them all—not with the facilities we have. Even shelters often struggle with overcrowding, limited food, and no proper medical care. Locking them away without meeting their needs is not kindness.


We need a solution that respects both the dogs and the people living around them. I believe each locality could have a designated safe zone—not a prison, but a cared-for space—where street dogs are fed, vaccinated, and sterilized. Local residents, especially dog lovers, could take turns managing these areas, ensuring both safety and compassion.


For dogs that are genuinely aggressive, we could have better-equipped shelters where they receive treatment, behavioral assessment, and proper care. And most importantly, people who call themselves dog lovers must go beyond words—feeding, vaccinating, and, where possible, adopting street dogs.


The problem is large, yes. With our country’s size and resources, solving it overnight is impossible. But small, community-led steps could mean healthier dogs, fewer attacks, and safer neighborhoods.


To truly love dogs means more than enjoying their company—it means ensuring they are cared for and kept in a way that’s safe for everyone. Only then can we say we’ve found the balance between compassion and responsibility.






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reflections on life and loss

 Reflections on Life and Loss: Beyond the Periphery by Nidhi Guglani  Lately, I find myself thinking deeply about life and death. Two very different prayer meetings I attended have left a lasting impression on me, shaping the way I view both ends of the human experience. The first was for my friend’s father—an old man, almost 80, who had lived a full and meaningful life. He had his family around him—children and grandchildren who loved him dearly. He lived life on his own terms, with a quiet kind of kindness that never made others feel indebted or overwhelmed. That in itself is such a rare trait. Though his final days saw him as a mere shadow of the man he once was, his daughter chose not to let that image define him. Instead, she celebrated his life—his strength, his love, and his gentleness. It was deeply touching. There was a calmness in that celebration, a sense of peace in knowing that he had completed the circle of life. The second meeting, though, was shattering. It was...
1 comment
Read more

From the teacher’s desk

  The Joy of a Teacher’s Heart If I’ve even touched one heart as a teacher… If I’ve ever helped a student grow in confidence, or contributed in some small way to their love for language, I feel the purpose of my being a teacher is fulfilled. Today, the Class 10 results were announced, and my phone was flooded with calls and messages—from students who reached out just to say thank you. And honestly, I felt elated. Humbled. Overjoyed. Words, for once, seemed too small to capture what I felt. There is a special kind of happiness that a teacher experiences—one that surpasses even personal success. When we see our students succeed, reach new heights, or simply remember us years later, it’s a joy that’s hard to describe. It’s like watching a seed you once planted bloom into something beautiful—on its own, but with a memory of your care. Today, I felt that. A child I taught in Class 8, now in Class 10, called me—just to thank me. I’m not even teaching him anymore. But he ...
1 comment
Read more

War’s lessons in Loss and the Illusion of Power

  The Unending Cycle: War’s Lessons in Loss and the Illusion of Power By Nidhi Guglani In the history of humankind, war has never truly ended. Battles cease, treaties are signed, but the cycle of conflict—driven by power, pride, and self-interest—resumes in new forms. The real cost, however, is paid not in territory gained or lost, but in shattered lives, displaced people, and the deep scars etched into the collective consciousness of nations. War teaches us harsh lessons: about loss, about ambition, and about the fragility of everything we hold dear. Despite the devastation it leaves behind, war often offers no real gain. At best, it provides the illusion of victory; at worst, it breaks both sides in body and spirit. Even after the final gunfire falls silent, the politics of accusation and retaliation continue. Ceasefires may be declared, but the air remains heavy with unresolved bitterness. Behind the curtain of diplomacy, powerful interests quietly prepare for the next confronta...
1 comment
Read more