Rising to be Reincarnated

"Zombies" we ascend from our graveyard
As our pale bodies try to walk away
From the tormented creed

Treading, full of hopes...
As we depart from the old cemetery,
Where all the illusions are now buried

With ripped chests,
Taken the organ that supplies tainted life
Ready to end the core of all these sufferings

And with sewed ears,
Deafened ourselves from the tempting sound of siren,
No more lullabies that would deceive and hypnotize "us"

We are now ready to raze their crypt,
free ourselves from the devil's den
And dwell in a genuine land that we always yearned...

Hey all I just had to blog this down.

My husband, 2 dogs (Magic& Laika) went to this awesome place in Talegaon on the Mumbai Pune Highway. Talegoan is just about 3 hour drive from Mumbai and with the Expressway its a pleasant drive (after Chembur).

Ok.. so getting to the place. It's called Japalouppe and is an Equestrian Center run by Rohan More. Rohan is a very fun and talkative personality and an animal lover... You will notice that as soon as you reach his farm as you will be greeted by atleast 4 of his 8 dogs!! Yup you heard that right, eight!! Being an equestrian center, Rohan also has about 27 horses... all wonderfully kept and well looked after. All the dogs there are friendly and eager to meet anyone who visits...

The cottage where we stayed at the farm was very sweet and cozy.. nothing fancy and posh.. but that's just how we like it... basic is the best... Being in a wheelchair, I was a bit disappointed when we got there because the entrance to the cottage had 2 steps.. which would have been difficult to go up with my heavy power chair... But that was magically taken care of too... Just minutes after our arrival, Rohan got his workers to start building a permanent cemented ramp. Before we got up from our evening siesta.. the ramp was ready!!! I wish more people in India would be like Rohan.. It doesn't take much of time, money or effort to make places more wheelchair accessible... Wish more people and our lethargic government realises that and does something about it..

We all had such a wonderful time.. Food was simple home-cooked meals.. vegetarian food in the afternoon and non-vegetarian at nights....Magic (our lab) just couldn't get enough of the farm. He wanted to play with the horses, chase the geese and of course harass the baby horses and run around with them... For four days he just wouldn't want to come back into the room...he wanted to play and we let him do just that!! He too got yummy meals of bowl fulls of beef and rice which he happily chomped down!!

Laika on the other hand has always been a daddy's' gurl... Although she did have her play with Magic; she just wanted to sit and enjoy the view most of the time. The weather was perfect, with the frequent rains and all the trees painted in hues of bright greens...it makes you just want to sit there and sip on some hot tea and eat hot and spicy freshly fried bhajiyas ;)

After 5 days at Japalouppe, I strongly recommend you all to visit... For all details regarding the stay visit their website http://www.japalouppe.com/

I am feeling a whole lot better,

Than I was the other day,

Thank you for your help,

That is what I want to say,

Brought me round to thinking,

That what I did was wrong,

Although we are not talking,

You still helped me get along,

I want you to know I am sorry,

I mean it from my heart,

For every stupid thing I did,

To make us drift apart,

I care about you very much,

You will always be a part of me,

I will make something of myself,

Now you just wait and see,

I will keep on dreaming,

That I meant something to you,

For this does give me comfort,

And it helps to get me through,

I am such a pain in the ****,

But I will try my very best,

To let you get on with your life,

And give you a bit of rest,

Remember all my good points,

If there are any that you know,

Please forget all the bad ones,

Before you turn away and go,

I know that you have left me,

I cannot promise not to cry,

But I do love you my friend,

I guess this is my last goodbye.

Don't take things for granted...

You know the saying “you don’t know what you have till it’s gone” well that is true.
We take things for granted every day.
We wake up and go about our day, like every other day, not realizing how easy we have it compared to others.
You never know when one day might be your last day. .
So if you take anything away from this let it be that you never go to bed angry with anyone, call a friend out of the blue just to say hi and never keep your feelings bottled up because who knows if you will ever get the chance again to say what you wanted to say.
I have a friend for a long time and I was just so over come with emotions that I couldn’t even talk the last few moments I got to spend with him.
Of course he already knows how I feel about him and I told him I was gonna miss him.
I guess there’s never really the perfecting thing to say, but as long as they know how you feel they will always have you in their heart.
I have never been close to any one so much, so I didn’t know the feeling.

I suggest if you can give your loved one a gift to remember you by before they leave, they will really appreciate it and always remember you when they see it.

Relationships in life should be valued...

Why do you exchange your thoughts to me through your dreamy eyes...

Why do you know what's inside my head...

Why do you understand what I feel deep inside...

Why do you want to stay...

Why did you exchange your thoughts to me through your dreamy eyes...
Why did you know what's inside my head...
Why did you understand what I felt deep inside...
Why did you go away.....

I MISS YOU.... PLEASE TALK TO ME...

YOU ARE THE BEST FRIEND I HAVE

I DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU.

Heaven and Dogs

I got this one while browsing through the net. Wanted to put it up here for people who haven't read it already...

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.
After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble.
At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like Mother of Pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold.
He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.
When he was close enough, he called out, "Excuse me, where are we?"
"This is Heaven, sir," the man answered.
"Wow! Would you happen to have some water?" the man asked.
"Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up." The man gestured, and the gate began to open.
"Can my friend," gesturing toward his dog, "come in, too?" the traveler asked.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets."
The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.
After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.
"Excuse me!" he called to the reader. "Do you have any water?"
"Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there". The man pointed to a place that couldn't be seen from outside the gate. "Come on in."
"How about my friend here?" the traveler gestured to the dog.
"There should be a bowl by the pump." They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.
The traveler filled the bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree waiting for them.
"What do you call this place?" the traveler asked.
"This is Heaven," was the answer.
"Well, that's confusing," the traveler said. "The man down the road said that was Heaven, too."
"Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates?Nope. That's Hell."
"Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?"
"No. I can see how you might think so, but we're just happy that they screen out the folks who'll leave their best friends behind."

Life

Twelve years ago if someone would have asked me, "where do you see yourself ten years from now" ... I would have answered, "probably on a farm with a lot of animals, trying to deliver a calf into the world." That's what I wanted to do, to be a vet and work with animals.

The vet thing didn't happen!! for obvious reasons. Our accident changed my life completely. From being mad and eccentric (like most parsis are) to being wild and free, I had it all. Free to do what I wanted and when I wanted. My parents were never unreasonable (that's what I feel now, didn't then) and always let me be myself!! Maybe that's why I had such a hard time after our crash... I couldn't be myself anymore... and I couldn't do what I wanted to do...when I wanted..

I could never have imagined myself just sitting in one place and working from home. I always chose to be outdoors rather than being cooped up at home. I just wanted to freak out at every opportunity I got.

Life has a weird way of changing course. You are happily napping in a car at 5 am on your way to Bombay from Pune and the next second you are jammed inside it, with your skull ripped apart and your arms and legs fractured. You can hear loud voices of the people that mean the most to you, shouting and moaning in pain. My dad was driving that day (as he usually would) and my mom was in the seat next to him.. An ST. bus had just rammed into us. The impact was so hard that my sisters' door flew open and she was thrown out if the car along with our doberman, Ebony. I don't want to get into the gruesome details and freak people out reading this but, the accident was bad.. So bad that both my parents passed away the very next day..

Life didn't stop there. I continued to live after that.. always thinking why I wasn't smashed to pieces like they were, why didn't my brain pour out when my skull cracked...Twelve years later, I still don't know what my purpose here is. What difference would it have been if I would have just passed; that same day my parents did.

I am and will always be passionate about animals and even if I can never help delivering a calf, my craziness about life will never die out..

"When the going gets tough, the tough gets going"

My Serenity

The darkness blooms

beyond sight

Inside myself i hide

I've given over to the temptation

of the thoughts inside my head

I beg for forgiveness for my sins

Only silence answers

I beg to understand my place

Please give me the eyes to see

Grant me the serenity to see

To understand what I cannot change

Yet, I lack the courage to fight

Will you stand beside me or forsake me

I've fallen

broken myself

unmending pieces fall around me

I beg to find my home

Grant me the serenity to see........

Don't turn away

I pray you've heard

The words I've spoken

Dare to believe

Oh For one last time

Then I'll let the

Darkness cover me

Deny everything

Slowly walk away

To breathe again

On my own

Carry me away

I need your strength

To get me through this

Dare to believe

Oh For one last time

Then I'll let the

Darkness cover me

Deny everything

Slowly walk away

To breathe again

On my own

Past

Time, she slips beyond us all.

So busy looking for our futures are we.

Our pasts slip away from us.

Like a ship foundering in a storm,

Struggling for breathe as the crest takes her down.

I saw you in a dream long ago.

I see your face before me now.

I only hope that I know you as well

In that unforseen and forsaken future.

Will you sail away with my past?

Will I find you hiding amongst childish memories?

Or will you stand beside me as I pass into eternal slumber?

Will you be my past or my future?

You've taught me about love, glorious and free,

And you've shoved me face first into misery.

You've pulled me back from the chasmand yet allowed me to fall into the pit.

What does this mean?

Are you my past or my future?

Thoughts

Thoughts keep passing through my mind.
Some pass quickly.

Those that don't pass are the ones that mean something in my life... Maybe I just need to analyse why I get these thoughts.. maybe I should try and just let them pass. But they don't pass.. they keep themselves imbeded in my mind and prop up at any given time. What should I do? Think of something else? I do! But they are back, back to haunt me.

How can I let go?

Magic'al Angel

My life changed the day I lost my parents and woke up in a hospital. When the whirlwind of operations, doctors and physiotherapy ended, I was faced with having to re-evaluate my entire way of life. Living with a disability is an endless struggle to perform even the simplest of tasks. For most people, dropping a pen is an inconsequential event. When you are seated in a wheelchair, with limited mobility, the pen is often out of reach. Being forced to constantly ask for assistance of others is depressing, especially when I used to be so active before.

I had resigned myself to this dependant lifestyle, till one day I got a call from ‘Canines Can Care’. A beautiful black Labrador puppy had been donated to the organisation and they wanted to know if I was interested in an Assistance Dog. Until then I had only seen Assistance Dogs on television and would have loved to have one but I was not aware that this was possible in India. When ‘Canines Can Care’ approached me and offered me the puppy, I was thrilled! I knew right then that I definitely wanted him.

The day Magic, my Assistance Dog in training, entered my life the world became a sunnier place to live in. He has become my companion when I am alone, my laughter when I am sad and most importantly he has become my best friend. I always refer to him as my “Magic’al Angel” because that’s what he is for me. The first time I saw him, I fell in love. He has brought immense happiness and love into my life. He does not judge me for what I can or can’t do, Magic just loves me unconditionally. Sometimes when the two of us are home alone, he just sits by my side and keeps me company and I feel safe. When I am sad he licks away wounds no one can see and his gentle spirit calms and comforts me. He’s brought back confidence and hope, once lost, and since the day I got him, I knew nothing was going to be the same again.

‘Canines Can Care’ gave Magic to me with a purpose. He helps me live my life independently; independence is something extremely precious to a disabled person. Magic’s formal training is now over, and even though it was a long and trying time, I can now proudly say that I am an owner of a trained assist dog. He obeys all the commands given to him, from a simple “Sit” to a command such as “Fetch it” where he lifts up a dropped object which otherwise would be impossible for me to do. Magic now knows my needs so well that sometimes when I drop something and he hears it fall, he himself gets up and fetches it for me. He is so smart that there have been times when he wants a treat and a hug, he purposely drops down something or gets something that he knows I use and places it on my table. He then looks at me as if to say, “where’s my treat?’ It’s has been so easy and so much fun training Magic as all his training was done using toys and food as motivation and we both have thoroughly enjoyed everyday. I still remember when Shirin got Magic to meet me on the first day; he was a frivolous 5 month old pup. I would wonder how we were ever going to calm him down as he was always running around. Now, when I look back I can just see how much my Magic has achieved over these few years and how he has transformed himself just to make me happy. This is what I think unconditional love is!!

Being wheelchair bound, I have to have someone around me all the time. Magic is by my side now to give me company. Magic is not just an assist dog to me; he’s my best friend too. He knows all my secrets and I can depend on him completely. He is so protective of me that when we both are home alone and he hears someone’s footsteps and the main door, he immediately barks to let me know of a stranger. If he realises its someone we both know, he just sniffs through the door and tries to figure out who it is. This has made me more independent as otherwise I always had to be dependent on another person.

I cannot imagine my life without Magic; he’s given me a new reason for living. I go out with him to different places and interact with different people. Having him besides me makes me feel wanted and loved. Most importantly, however, I now have someone to take care of and that makes a big difference to the meaning in my life. Giving responsibility to a disabled person changes the way they look at life. I have a more positive outlook now because I feel useful.

I am indebted to ‘Canines Can Care’ for helping me turn my life around. Today they are paying for Magic’s training and veterinary bills. ‘Royal Canin’ – a dog food company has generously agreed to give me his food free of cost, and I am grateful to them too. Hopefully if people come forward to help defray costs and sponsor Assistance dogs, more people like me can be helped.

I lost so much and felt so depressed and miserable and lonely for so long –till a Magical Angel bounded into my life and changed it. The love and trust he brought into my life will stay with me forever.

Expectation - Human Nature

I've always been told, ' Never expect anything and when you get it you will be happy.' I am not sure if I believe in this statement and don't think this can always be done.

There is and has to be some kind of expectation in any relationship. "Has to" well yes, has to!

A parent expects a lot from their child; to do well in studies, to be a good person, to do well in life, to prosper and so on. A child in turn also has some expectations of his own; to be loved, to be understood, to be forgiven, to be accepted...

The same goes for a husband wife relationship however here the expectations are much higher. A couple meet each other mid-way in life and it takes time before the other person begins to accept the others flaws. They expect each other to understand what the other is going through. To co-relate and to live together is extremely important for a marriage to work and extremely difficult.

It's alright to expect but don't expect that your expectations will be met with. There's no harm in trying, there maybe an understanding one day.

It's not easy to stop when you feel so connected to the opposite person. But you can try! If you can't stop like in any kind of addiction, be prepared to get your heart crushed and shattered.

Live with what you have... Hope for a change in attitude but never for a complete "change"!!

LEARN TO ACCEPT AND NOT TO "EXPECT."

Life Lessons From Your DOG.....

If a dog was a teacher you would learn stuff like:

1. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

2. Never pass the opportunity of going for a joyride.

3. Allow the experience of fresh air and wind in your face to be pure ecstacy.

4. When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

5. Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

6. Take naps.

7. Stretch before rising.

8. Run, romp and play daily.

9. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

10. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

11. On warm days, stop to lie on your back in the grass.

12. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

13. When you are happy, dance around and move your whole body.

14. No matter how often you are scolded, don't buy the guilt thing and pout! Run right back and make friends.

15. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

16. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.

17. If what you want lies buried, dig untill you get it.

18. Be loyal, never pretend to be something you are not.

19. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

If people just would take these simple pleasures of life in their bad times... I guarantee that they would see the brighter side of "LIFE"

Ebony

Dogs have been in my life since I can remember. I did not have dogs growing up as my dad insisted we needed more space for a dog. Everytime I met a stray or a friend's dog, I would mope, cry and make a big tantrum. But it didn't help!

At the age of 16, when we moved to Pune, my dad finally had to give in to years of my begging and pleading. He took me to an Army Cantonment where he had found out about a female doberman who had had a litter sometime back. I jumped onto my dad's Kinetic Honda and couldn't wait to get home the dog I had always wanted. We reached the house to be greeted by barks and whines. The door opened and out ran 5 cute little black and brown puppies. All of them had different coloured ribbons in their necks. The owner told us that he hadn't named them as he wanted the new owners to give their pup a name. He just used the colour of the ribbion they wore to identify one from the other. The pups were over 2 months old and I was in love with all of them the very instance I laid my eyes on them. There was one pup with a bright blue ribbion who kept tugging at my skirt and trying to rip it apart. She was one of the females and I guess she chose me. I immediately picked her up and told my dad I wanted her and she was the one we took home that day!

I carried my new puppy in my arms and made her sit on my lap and held her tight. She was scared of the traffic that drove past her. Dad and I reached home and my mom and sister Ayesha were eagerly waiting for us. I put her down to show her off to them. They loved her. She was a pup but had strong bone structure and a solid frame. We named her EBONY.

Ebony grew up very fast just as most dogs do. She got taller by the day. She developed a deadly infection at the age of 6 months called Parvo virus but she was too strong to give up on life. She fought hard through her illness only to become more stronger as she grew up.

My dear beloved Ebony left me at the age of one. She accompanied us in our car the day we had our accident and we couldn't find her after the crash. I will never forget Ebony as she was the light of my life.....

Please don't abandon me, I love you.

Dogs are known since ages to be a man’s best friend and companion. Having a dog around the house would seem to be a lot of fun but it is not. Making this decision impulsively, can lead to frustration, disappointment, and eventually, may result in the surrender of the dog to a shelter or rescue. Ultimately in the end the dog who is loyal and thinks of his owner as his family has to end up without one for no fault of his.

The decision to get a dog is not something to be taken lightly. An adorable puppy can tug at our heartstrings but, in the end, will require a significant investment of your time and money for a significant number of years. Socializing and training a new puppy is time consuming and, occasionally, frustrating. It can increase the amount of stress on the family, and the dog, working to provide the constant supervision, socialization, and training that is necessary to successfully integrate a dog into a family environment. This is especially true if the primary caregivers are working outside of the home and/or have young children, an elderly parent, or other persons and/or pets to care for. This does not mean that it cannot be done. But, prospective dog owners often underestimate the investment of time, energy, and money, required.

In India, the tragic fact is that, millions of the dogs are abandoned annually. And, most often, it is the owners, not the dogs, who are responsible. Impulsive or poorly thought out decisions; the selection of a difficult or headstrong breed because it is 'popular' or you like how it looks; or, for that matter, any dog selected for looks rather than temperament, 'match' to your lifestyle, and your ability to provide proper care and environment; the lack of consideration of the lifestyle changes you may experience over the next 12 to 14 years; as well as the lack of proper socialization, training, physical activity, and attention -- these are all major contributors to the need for so many shelters and rescues.

The responsibilities of dog ownership are quite a few. However if you are interested in getting a dog for the RIGHT reasons, be sure of selecting a breed best suited to your lifestyle by visiting your local shelter or rescue facility. Better still, adopt a stray dog. There are so many dogs on the streets that would make excellent pets. All they need is love and companionship. If you really love a dog then you would not insist on a breed. A dog is a dog after all, isn’t it?

Ask yourself this:1) Are you, and all those who live with you, committed to spend 12+ years providing health care, food, grooming, training and attention to a dog? Do the people who live with you also want a dog?

2) Do you have the time and/or resources available . . . To take your dog for walks and to the vet? To bath, brush, clip, and, otherwise, groom your dog as often as necessary? Will you want to play and, perhaps, work on training daily, with your dog? Are you willing to take your dog to puppy socialization, kindergarten, and basic obedience classes?

3) Are there lifestyle-altering events that could occur in your foreseeable future? - A baby, caring for an elderly family member, a divorce, job uncertainty, etc. And, how would you deal with these changes as they impacted your ability to care for a dog?

4) Is your personality conducive to dog ownership? Do you often feel 'stressed out'? Do you like to have total control over your environment or 'space'? Are you a 'neat freak'? Are you flexible? Patient? Answer honesty - nobody but you will know AND, more importantly, nobody but you will have to live with the results of your trying to 'fit' your personality to a dog.

5) Are you physically able to care for a dog? Are you economically able to provide care for a dog?

6) Is your environment prepared for a dog and/or are you willing to make the investment of time and money necessary to insure that it does? Is there a yard or park-like area for your dog to walk and relieve him- or her- self? If your dog will be outside for any period of time, will you provide a secure and comfortable shelter for your dog? Although you may have a secure and comfortable location for your dog while it is outdoors, dog should not be left outdoors, unattended, for extended periods of time. They can be taunted, released, stolen, or worse. Tethering can cause serious physical harm or death in the event of an entanglement or other such accident. Further, prolonged tethering can cause undesirable behavioral and personality traits to surface. Additionally, garages may contain chemicals, tools and other items that can be dangerous and/or harmful to your dog.

7) Will your dog be alone for long periods of time, daily? Can you arrange for the dog to be let out for a romp, given water, medication, and playtime, as necessary, during the day? Or, will you become angered and frustrated by behavioral issues that may arise due to the fact that your dog is alone for long periods of time? (i.e., relieves him or herself indoors; chews up a blanket, your shoes, your favorite chair cushion; barks incessantly, causing your neighbors to become angry or, perhaps, even call animal control on you; etc. Do not plan to leave your dog outdoors or in a garage all day while you are away! If this is in your plans, I suggest you revisit the question "Why do I/We want a dog?"

8) Are you willing to spay/neuter your dog, as soon as possible, to reduce the chance of an accidental breeding?

9) Do you travel frequently? Will it be difficult for you to find quality care for your dog when you are away? Can you afford such care?

10) Do you really LOVE dogs? If you are truly motivated by your love of dogs, or a particular dog, you most likely don't need this page. You've done your homework and are ready for a lifelong commitment. You will train and play with your dog, provide appropriate veterinary care and nutrition, you will bath and groom him or her, happily, and the occasional behavioral problem won't throw you for a loop.

And, remember to incorporate the same thoughtful consideration on whether or not to get a dog, and which breed or mix, when your friend, coworker or relative offers you one of Fluffy's puppies. Dogs are never really 'free' or 'cheap' and, in reality, require significant financial, physical, time, and environmental resources. At a minimum, none of these, or other such reasons, are sound selection factors for getting a dog and selecting a particular breed or mix. And, remember, if it is difficult for you to find information on a particular breed, or a breeder of the breed, it follows that you will most likely also have difficulty finding local support services that are familiar with the training, health care, and maintenance needs of that breed.
Therefore, just as in marriage or parenthood, you must be willing to be somewhat flexible and sincerely committed to responding, responsibly, to deviations from your expectations.

Perfect Pooches on a Mission

Being in a car crash 11 yrs back had left me paralyzed chest down. I was given Magic by Shirin Merchant who trained him to be my assist dog. Magic, my Magical Angel, has completely changed my life around. He has made me more confident and independent. He is with me whenever I need him. Magic is not my pet dog; Magic is my friend, my companion. Since I’ve had Magic, I’ve wanted to tell the world about the joys of having a dog. Shirin gave my husband Suraj and me an opportunity to go to Valsad and educate the children about dogs and we jumped to it.

Perfect Pooches on a Mission.
Perfect Pooches: Magic (Black Labrador retriever & Assist Dog) & Laika (Bichon Frise)
Along with Sanam & Suraj Karunakar & much needed help from Kunal Kanchan.
Mission: Educate kids at RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) Camp about themselves and other pooches. Spreading awareness about dogs with a practical session on obedience and other tricks a dog can learn.
Location:
Grain Dealers Association Resort at Tithal Beach (Valsad) on 3rd December, 2005. (50 teenagers, age group 14-21)
St. Josephs Convent (Valsad) on 3rd December, 2005. (2500 children, 1st to 12th Std).

Early morning before the sun rose above the cool Saturday morning, our bags were packed and we were ready to leave for Valsad. Magic & Laika were very excited as they sensed from their packed bowls and dog food that they were headed for a weekend of activity and loads of fun.
The journey was great with a stopover at a local tea shop for breakfast where the duo had a chance to slurp up some water and relieve themselves.
We reached Valsad at 9am and were welcomed by Mr. Desai from the Rotary Club. He had very kindly arranged for all our traveling as well as stay at his spacious apartment.

The children at the St. Josephs Convent were eagerly awaiting our arrival at 9.30am and Suraj, Kunal, Magic, Laika & I quickly freshened up ready to show them what we were all about. As soon as we reached the school and the dogs jumped out of the car, few of the kids had a glance at them and just in a few moments we heard a roar of children. When we very confidently entered the grounds we had no idea how many children were waiting for Magic & Laika to perform. To our surprise we were greeted by 2500 kids, from the primary section up to the 12th Std. Magic was overjoyed to see the grounds and all he could think of was running around and showing them all how handsome he is. There was yelling and shouting and screaming… “MAGIC, MAGIC…. LAIKAAA”. After a few minutes of total chaos, we requested the children to settle down only then would Magic show them how clever he was.

Suraj spoke on the mic to the kids about Magic. He gave Magic a few basic commands such as, Sit, down, rollover, stay and so on.. Magic did all these perfectly and the whole school clapped for him. They all wanted him to do his tricks over and over again. He was given his treats of cheese and biscuits and he looked like the happiest dog in the world. Magic loves the attention he gets and he realizes that he is the center of attraction. Magic also did a few math sums like simple additions where he barked out the answers. The children were totally amazed… How can a dog count? Was the question raised? Suraj asked them to come up and ask Magic simple additions to which one boy came up with great confidence, took the mic from Suraj’s hand and asked, “ Who was the first President of India?”. Again there was a roar of laughter amongst the children as well as their teachers. Of course, Magic didn’t know the answer to that!!

All this while, Laika was waiting patiently for her turn. After Magic had finished, Laika strutted down the grounds like a model down a ramp with the spotlight on her. Children love Laika because she’s small, sweet and cuddly. Everyone wanted to hold her and squeeze her.
We spoke to the children about how dogs should be treated with respect and not be feared. The children were also explained how they should approach a strange dog. Few of them told us about their dogs too.

This session ended at 11pm after which we were taken to the apartment for a treat of yummy home cooked Gujarati food prepared by Mr. Desai’s wife. Magic & Laika were already full with the constant treats given by the children at the school. It was nap time for all of us as we were all fagged out after our journey and session at the school. At 4pm we were awakened by a knock at the door. Tea was served. We left the apartment and reached the Resort at Tithal Beach. The Rotarians had arranged for various people to talk about different topics such as body language as well as dog awareness “Dog hamara sacha dost” which was by us.

This time the dogs were greeted by about 50 teenagers who were patiently waiting for Magic & Laika. I took over the mic while Suraj made Magic follow some basic commands once again. I then spoke to the crowd about how I got Magic, what are the things he does for me, i.e. fetching the remote when I drop it; opening cupboards etc. everyone listened very intently to what I was saying. I explained to them how a dog such as Magic can change the life of someone who is “differently-abled” such as I am. After awhile, we had a one on one session where everyone asked us questions either about their dogs or about Magic & Laika. The best part of the trip was when a few of them came up to us and said that that was the first time they had interacted with dogs, or it was the first time they touched a dog. This session at the resort was a great success too. When I was being shifted back into the car; Mr. Desais daughter approached me and said that it was because of Magic and Laika’s session that she had overcome her fear of dogs. That made the whole trip worthwhile.

Duck Tales

This is a short story written by me. Hope you enjoy reading it!

This is the story of a duck. Yes, you read it right! A DUCK! A heroic duck named Champa who survived the hazards of city life in Mumbai. A kind building watchman found her crouched under a parked car, obviously terrified of lurking stray dogs, near the Lokandwalla Complex, Andheri a couple of years ago.

Not sure of a rehabilitation centre, Champa was taken to Green Acres, a building complex in the neighbouring area, which housed a flock of geese. Lush green grass, a water pond for themselves and a shed to cuddle up into the night, the geese were the apple of the eye of the entire building and looked after by Brinda Upadhyaya, an animal lover, who runs an NGO called ASHA (Association for Service and Healing of Animals) to help distressed animals in the area. With no one coming forward to claim the bird, it was assumed that this domestic duck had escaped the clutches of a person from a neighbouring colony that is known to slaughter live edible birds for community feasts.

Concerned, the building residents took in the duck, housing her in a make shift shed in the society’s pump house. Champa soon endeared herself to the watchmen and gardeners who took care of all the feathered residents in that Society. Strutting around the gardens of the complex with the pride of an owner, she bossed over the flock of geese, “Who is this new fellow on our property?” they wondered!

Initially, a bit offended at this intruder, they quickly learnt who the boss was! Soon they were marching behind Champa all over the garden.

The geese had a shed and Champa needed one too. The residents got hold of a carpenter and a beautiful shed along with a tiny water pond was built specially for her. As time went by, Champa blossomed into a stunning brown and white duck with a bright blue neck. The dedicated watchmen, gardeners and Brinda of course, loved Champa who was every inch a survivor. The traumatized little bird had come a long way in life and was symbolic of courage in face of adversity.

However, somewhere inside her brave heart, was sorrow. Champa was lonely, she needed a mate, someone of her own kind to bond and share her duck tales with! Brinda who was aware of other places with pet ducks tried to relocate Champa among her own duckie mates but it was not easy to find an abode as spacious, clean and caring as Green Acres.
After a great deal of searching for the perfect home for Champa, Brinda finally got her animal loving friend Fizzah Shah (Vice President, In Defence of Animals) to agree to house Champa along with other similar ducks at her newly created ‘Arc’ at Virar. Champa seemed to understand and was ready to undertake a new journey. She was placed carefully in a corrugated carton with holes for ventilation and was ready to be transferred. There was however a concern as to whether the other ducks at Fizzah’s Arc would accept Champa.

After Brinda, the gardeners and watchmen bid farewell and said their goodbyes, Champa was put in a car and was now on her way. Strange thoughts clouded her mind as she wondered what uncertainties she would have to face. But Champa the survivor took readily to her new environment and tried to live peacefully with her new friends.

Sadly, the ducks at the Arc did not welcome Champa. To them she was an unwanted intruder. Champa was attacked by hostile beaks and chased out of the duck pond.

Unwilling to leave her there for the night in care of a human attendant, Fizzah thought it best to send Champa back to the safe confines of her Andheri home with the promise to rescue a male mate from the market that sells these ducks illegally for those who consume its meat.So our Lady Duck is back with us and back are the smiles on the faces of all her human attendants and lovers who promptly sighed ‘Arre Champa sasural se wapas maike aa gayi’( Champa is back from her marital home).So Champa has been reunited with her old family at Green Acres and will continue to live there. Lets hope she is soon joined by a mate with whom she can quack around for life!

Been there, done that!!

Let me start of by saying that I am writing this stuff down coz I find it funny. Funny things are to be shared with the world, so here goes…

Being in a car crash 12 years ago, I’ve had to live my life trying to almost always see the sunnier side of things. If I hadn’t done that, I would be depressed and frustrated and without a meaning in my life..

Over these past years, many well-wishers have helped me through my struggle to be something. I want to leave a mark on the world, I want to be famous!!!
These are a few incidences where my well-wishers have tried to help but have ended up giving me a good laugh.

Once I was out of hospital after 11 months, I got home to live with my dear grandmother and my younger sister. A few months after this, a friend said that one of our neighbours had heard about our accident and wanted to meet me. Apparently, this man was a physiotherapist and my grandmother thought I could only benefit from his visit. We invited him over. On examining me, he said, “ I have a solution that can make her walk”. I am paralyzed chest down with a spinal cord injury and all the possibilities of me walking have been turned down by the best doctors. So, now this gentleman is going to give me a solution and make me walk!! Cool or what? My grandmother could not have been happier and we wanted to know how this was possible. He then suggested, “get her legs amputated from above the thigh, we’ll get artificial limbs made for her and she will be able to walk with them. Good God! I was totally shocked. I had lost my parents, my dog and my life just about a year back and he wanted my legs to go too!! My granny was outraged. She told him he had absolutely no sense and asked him to leave. I had never seen her so angry before. It was like she had been asked to get her own legs amputated. Some people!!

There were many more. A friend visited me one day with a couple of his cousins. I was up on my wheelchair and my legs were elevated onto another chair to avoid swelling which I often got. After awhile, one of the guys asked in a soft voice, “May I ask you something, hope you don’t feel bad”. I said sure go ahead and ask! “Do your toenails grow?” Huh!! Excuse me I said… What makes you think my toenails don’t grow?? Well, he said, “you can’t feel anything below your chest so I was wondering if your toenails still grow”. Oh yes the definitely grow buddy!! Why wouldn’t they?

A neighbour and a homeopath asked a friend of mine who lived in his building, “Can I meet Sanam?” I was once again eager. Knowing he would be a professional and might be able to help, I said yes!! After checking me, he gave me some sweet tablets, the usual homeopathic medicine. What he said next almost threw me off my chair… He said, “Take these and please try and stand up everyday, try moving your toes and then legs and stand. It might take a few days but you have to try”. I had just spent half an hour explaining to him that I was spinally injured, paralyzed chest down, with no sensation whatsoever and he wants me to move my legs and stand up. Now people reading this, I don’t want to sound pessimistic and negative, but you must understand that what I have are severed nerves and that "can’t" be treated without surgery. There are a lot of stem cell treatments now, but all in the preliminary experimental stages and that too with no guarantee. So, this man being a doctor should have known better, don’t you think so??

My recent visit to the hospital really made me mad. I was wheeled into the x-ray department for a x-ray of my left leg. My husband accompanied me as always and was trying to shift me from the stretcher to the x-ray table. The technician wanted me to turn a little on the small table. We explained to him that I was paralyzed on which he said, “I’m sure you can move just a little”. Hello!! "NO", I can’t move a millimeter on my own. He still would not understand. I mean if there was some depressed person instead of me, they would have broken down completely. Atleast hospital staff should be able to relate to the patient. A few days later, I was advised a chest x-ray and the same technician attended to me, this time in my room. After placing the film behind my back, he said, “Madam, could you please shift to the left” Gawsh!! How dumb can he be!!

To sum it all up, I’ve tried it all. Allopathy, homeopathy, ayurvedic all gone down my system with no results. Yoga, spiritual healers and astrology… been there and done that!
Still waiting for the right surgical treatment to get me back on my feet!