It is an amazing spring morning in Delhi. The sky is, not dull, but a cheerful overcast grey. The clouds drop a little rain sporadically, but a gentle breeze blows them away. I head for the park near my house, trying not to be late for my weekly tête-à-tête with nature. The park is very lush green today, more than I have ever seen through all the 4 seasons I've been here. The beautiful spring puts a spring in my step too..
I can spot a group of 4 street dogs who are the adopted dogs of our colony. I have literally seen them grow up from puppies. They were much gentler then, today they are sturdy street dogs who have learnt to defend themselves, living on their own. After all, no one would call a street dog for milk or treats, as much as they would call a cute and helpless looking puppy. For the sake of familiarity, lets name the 4 dogs as Hira, Moti, Tuka and Poky.
In the park I can also see a well bred black labrador, whom the owner addresses as Lucy. It is strapped shut across its mouth, for fear it may bite someone. A leash keeps it on its toes. There's also a beagle, a pug and a spaniel, out on their own walks.
Hira and his gang have been snapping playfully at the morning joggers' heels, running along with them, jumping at imaginary treats. The 4 of them rush playfully towards a cricket ball when it gets hit into the bushes. They spot a group of pigeons at the ground, and they run towards it, sending the pigeons twittering into the sky. If not the pigeons, then they run towards the squirrels who are searching for their breakfast. A random dog from the road barks and these 4 bark back, as if acknowledging their morning greetings.
Done with their usual laps, Hira now spots the domesticated dogs, and he wants to have a bit of fun. He rushes across the park, galloping as if he were a horse taking his master away from danger. He jumps across elevations, climbs up and down the walking track and reaches across to Lucy. He barks once, then bends down on his front legs as if bowing. Now that's a typical dog gesture that he wants to play. Lucy looks at Hira, wags his tail, but the scared owner walks him away. By now, the rest of the gang have joined them, and they start their own play, while making sure they are in Lucy's vicinity.
The beagle and the spaniel are not on leash, as they are relatively smaller dogs and hence easier to control in case they decide to scramble. They also have been observing this scene and are waiting for their invites. There are none. Apparently they are too small for this social convention. The spaniel rushes into bushes, trying to follow the tracks Hira and Moti have left behind. The beagle is probably of an introvert nature, because he decides to observe the scene from a distance and simply wags his tail to show he's interested.
The pug has stood still at a corner, for very long now. I think, he has been contemplating whether to proceed or not, and after a while he decides he likes his human company better.
After the pets have been walked, they are taken back to their cosy homes where their carefully prepared treats await. I can spot the beagle staring intently through the gaps in the gate, towards the park. He sits still for very long, his gaze fixed on the free dogs. After a while, he walks away.
Lucy has reached home, and his mouth strap has been taken off. He can now stretch his mouth and take in all the air he wants. He wishes he could do the same when he was in the park. He also gazes at the park once, wishing he could be as free as Hira and his team. Who knows, they could have been friends.
Since the sun is getting overhead, people are going back home. The sunday chores also await. They have had their little time of freedom, on this beautiful morning. The birds have left to fend food for their little ones. Squirrels are back on the trees, nibbling at the nuts they have gathered. The park now gathers a deserted look.
Hira is tired now. He feels thirsty but there's no one to give him water, or to offer him warm tempting food. He spots a broken pipe nearby, making a pool of muddy water. He barks at his fellows, for whom he's grown to feel responsible for. They lap up the water, sifting through the sand. Nearby, some scraps have been left behind by the guy who puts up a food stall. They all eat as much as they can to keep hunger at bay. The lack of activity too, puts them in a snooze. They rest, and wait for the evening, to meet new people again, to try making new friends, and to survive yet another day.
I head back home thinking, life is the same, for all of us.
I can spot a group of 4 street dogs who are the adopted dogs of our colony. I have literally seen them grow up from puppies. They were much gentler then, today they are sturdy street dogs who have learnt to defend themselves, living on their own. After all, no one would call a street dog for milk or treats, as much as they would call a cute and helpless looking puppy. For the sake of familiarity, lets name the 4 dogs as Hira, Moti, Tuka and Poky.
In the park I can also see a well bred black labrador, whom the owner addresses as Lucy. It is strapped shut across its mouth, for fear it may bite someone. A leash keeps it on its toes. There's also a beagle, a pug and a spaniel, out on their own walks.
Hira and his gang have been snapping playfully at the morning joggers' heels, running along with them, jumping at imaginary treats. The 4 of them rush playfully towards a cricket ball when it gets hit into the bushes. They spot a group of pigeons at the ground, and they run towards it, sending the pigeons twittering into the sky. If not the pigeons, then they run towards the squirrels who are searching for their breakfast. A random dog from the road barks and these 4 bark back, as if acknowledging their morning greetings.
Done with their usual laps, Hira now spots the domesticated dogs, and he wants to have a bit of fun. He rushes across the park, galloping as if he were a horse taking his master away from danger. He jumps across elevations, climbs up and down the walking track and reaches across to Lucy. He barks once, then bends down on his front legs as if bowing. Now that's a typical dog gesture that he wants to play. Lucy looks at Hira, wags his tail, but the scared owner walks him away. By now, the rest of the gang have joined them, and they start their own play, while making sure they are in Lucy's vicinity.
The beagle and the spaniel are not on leash, as they are relatively smaller dogs and hence easier to control in case they decide to scramble. They also have been observing this scene and are waiting for their invites. There are none. Apparently they are too small for this social convention. The spaniel rushes into bushes, trying to follow the tracks Hira and Moti have left behind. The beagle is probably of an introvert nature, because he decides to observe the scene from a distance and simply wags his tail to show he's interested.
The pug has stood still at a corner, for very long now. I think, he has been contemplating whether to proceed or not, and after a while he decides he likes his human company better.
After the pets have been walked, they are taken back to their cosy homes where their carefully prepared treats await. I can spot the beagle staring intently through the gaps in the gate, towards the park. He sits still for very long, his gaze fixed on the free dogs. After a while, he walks away.
Lucy has reached home, and his mouth strap has been taken off. He can now stretch his mouth and take in all the air he wants. He wishes he could do the same when he was in the park. He also gazes at the park once, wishing he could be as free as Hira and his team. Who knows, they could have been friends.
Since the sun is getting overhead, people are going back home. The sunday chores also await. They have had their little time of freedom, on this beautiful morning. The birds have left to fend food for their little ones. Squirrels are back on the trees, nibbling at the nuts they have gathered. The park now gathers a deserted look.
Hira is tired now. He feels thirsty but there's no one to give him water, or to offer him warm tempting food. He spots a broken pipe nearby, making a pool of muddy water. He barks at his fellows, for whom he's grown to feel responsible for. They lap up the water, sifting through the sand. Nearby, some scraps have been left behind by the guy who puts up a food stall. They all eat as much as they can to keep hunger at bay. The lack of activity too, puts them in a snooze. They rest, and wait for the evening, to meet new people again, to try making new friends, and to survive yet another day.
I head back home thinking, life is the same, for all of us.
