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.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
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.
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!
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!
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