Amidst all the greenery within the IIT Powai campus,
I made my way through the winding tar roads to the shed where a bunch
of dogs were living a special moment of their lives. They were
celebrating their third birthday. And celebrating it with a lot of
grandeur indeed.
All the five dogs that are were of the Indian breed
(and looking very stray), had been bathed and pruned to suit the
occasion! In their shed, there was definitely an air of excitement –
all of them beginning to pounce and jump as high as they could – when
they saw their master, Aalok Gaitonde. Aalok who is studying in the
12th standard currently, has been taking care of them since the day
they were born. They share a bond, something so intense and strong that
I fail to fathom!
So, after an early breakfast of their staple Pedigree
Dog Food, they were treated to their birthday cake. It was going to be
a Herculean task to get each of the five dogs to crowd around the cake,
share the knife with their grip-less paws and cut the cake, so Aalok
decided to do the honours. It was after this that the real battle for
attention began, with each one of them trying numerous tricks and
stunts to get spotted first and win their share of the cake.
But each had to wait for its turn, and when it came,
joy was boundless.. Greetings of ‘Happy Birthday’ followed by loving
pats, kisses and hugs made their day. I was sure somewhere in their
consciousness, they had realised it wasn’t an ordinary day. The
occasion had demanded a celebration and they had got one rightfully
unlike most other less fortunate dogs which need as much care and
attention.
If you’re wondering what draws Aalok closer to the
dogs, hear it from him. He says, “I don’t think I made the choice
consciously. From the time I remember, I was in love with dogs. And
it’s not only dogs but so many other animals that I’m in love with. I
believe that their lack of speech shouldn’t be used to their
disadvantage. If you hear harder, and look into their eyes, you can
understand what they are trying to tell you. And they can understand
what you are trying to tell them.”
On being asked, how his parents react over his love
for the dogs and Aalok said very proudly, “They are very supportive
about the entire issue. My father is an animal lover himself and used
to have many pets in his childhood days. So, they give me the freedom
to spend as much time I wish with them”
You might think Aalok’s future plans might bear some congruence with his love
for the dogs, he replied, “I have been trainingthese dogs since I was fifteen..
Till two years ago, I wanted to be avet. Then I realised that it isn’t really
necessary to be a vet to takecare of the dogs. So, now I plan to study aviation
science”.
Truly a Doctor Dolittle with a difference there!
(Gayatri resides in Dombivli and simply loves animals)
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