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!