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| KHUSHI STREET DOG AID FOUNDATION |
| An Effort to Improve the Quality of Life of Indian Street Dogs..... |
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I was very fearful of dogs (both pet and stray ones) all my childhood. I used to scream whenever a known neighborhood pet came very close to me. I remember while walking I used to change lanes and take different routes, sometimes longer ones to reach my destination just in case I encountered any street dog on my way. And whenever anyone came forward to help me in such situations, I always used to say to them, "Please usse maaro nahin" (Don't hit that dog please).
Then during my teen years, I happened to watch some episodes on the National Geographic and Discovery Channel about different types of dogs and how they were helping the visually challenged and other differently-abled people in New York and Canada. Amongst all the different types of dogs, the Golden Retriever left an impression in my heart with its friendly nature, playfulness and intelligence.
These episodes on 'Working Dogs' ignited a liking in my heart towards dogs in general and made me dream to have a pet of my own who would be my companion, who would be there by my side all the time and with whom I would go for long walks.
It so happened that around the same time in the year 2002, my brother started admiring three Golden Retrievers in one of our neighbouring societies. They were a complete family — mother Tulip, father Frankie and their son Doughnut. Tulip had some time back given a litter of puppies again. No one knew then that one of them was destined by God to become an inseparable part of our lives.
I gave her the name 'Khushi' with a wish that she would bring 'khushi' (happiness) in our lives. She has fully lived up to her name, keeping us lively and joyful at home.
Bringing up Khushi has been a memorable experience. For the first week, I was very afraid to go near her and my brother used to do everything for her. Gradually, I learnt to share responsibilities of her upbringing and eventually my fear of dogs faded away.
Then suddenly life took a twist when my brother took a hasty and an immature decision and sold off Khushi to another dog lover in Sarai Rohilla. She had been with us only for 15 days and I had become so much attached to her. This happened around Diwali time. I was very displeased with my brother's decision and cried for nearly two days. I did not even participate in the Diwali Puja at home.
Finally after two days my brother realized what a mistake he had done and gave in to my pleading. Together we rushed to Sarai Rohilla and brought Khushi back to our home. Years later when we ponder over this incident, we realize God's wonderful way of taking care of us. Khushi was destined to be with us, an extra special gift from God. We never knew at that time the purpose behind her entry in our lives. We never knew that someday she would lay the foundation for KSDAF..... We feel blessed to have an extraordinary pet like Khushi.
Khushi taught me many valuable lessons in life and opened my eyes on many aspects. She ignited the fire of compassion and made me sensitive towards birds and animals. She made me realize of the fact how street dogs have to survive on streets and the challenges they face — lack of food and clean drinking water, cruelty by human beings, etc.
With this sensitivity, I remember clearly to have started feeding one or two street dogs near my residence and today the no. has reached to 76. Feeding was gradually followed by vaccination and sterilization of neighbourhood dogs. Those were the learning days filled with both achievements and failures.
Slowly, there was interaction with other street dog lovers and a group was formed. Lot of sterilizations were done in various sectors of Rohini.
Then in 2011, an idea flashed across my mind to give this selfless work a name. What better name could be given to this welfare work for street dogs other than 'KHUSHI STREET DOG AID FOUNDATION (KSDAF), as it was our own very dear Khushi who started it all.
Khushi is the essence of my life. She came with a well defined purpose. She will live forever through KSDAF which is a living tribute to her. THANK YOU GOD for Khushi!
Inputs by Mala Kataria
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