“A Mother-to-Be’s Heart Meets Homeless Hearts”

Whenever I see a dog—especially a stray—on the road or while going outside, my heart fills with sympathy and compassion towards them, whether they are dangerous or not. I have a kind heart towards them, especially puppies. I dearly love them.

I still recall when I was 8 months pregnant and used to take a walk after lunch with my colleagues. There was a tiny roadside stall where a woman used to sell essentials like tea, biscuits, and cigarettes to corporate individuals who went there for their lunch break, or what we corporate people term as the "chai-sutta" break. She also used to sell milk.

I would go to her stall every day at 1 PM—lunch time—just so I could feed milk to a litter of five little puppies and their mother who lived nearby. I would wait impatiently for 1 o'clock, and immediately after lunch, I would take my walk outside. As I was pregnant, everyone was excessively worried about me. They would say, "Don't touch them, they might bite," or, "They may trigger allergies, it's not good for you."

But despite their worry, I still went on and touched them, played with them, and fed them. I couldn't help it, but I  loved being around them. They did not belong to anyone—they were stray dogs with no home. Yet, the way the little puppies wagged their tails was like a symphony of happiness. a pure call of unconditional love.

They taught me something very special—how to love without conditions.

Even today, whenever I happen to see a stray dog, I attempt to assist by giving them food. I keep a packet of biscuits in my bag for the very purpose. Unfortunately, I also notice people hurling stones at them or getting angry. To them, all I have to say is: they hurt as well. Like us. So before you harm them, try to imagine how you would feel if someone hurt you.

I've always felt like doing something great for them, something like constructing a shelter, particularly for the winter. But due to a hectic lifestyle, duties, financial constraints, and lack of support, I couldn't. Yet, I feel that one day, I will initiate something good for them. Only then will my heart be at peace, only then will I feel I’ve truly lived as a good human.

Please, share kindness with animals as well. They are entitled to love just like everyone else.