PET ADOPTION
When it comes to having a companion animal, a cute, cuddly, ever-loving dog comes to mind as the most obvious choice.
Most people do not think twice over the kind of dog they want to have as their “pet” – Exotic, foreign breed dog bought from a breeder or a pet store. This is the reason when you go out of your house for a walk, you see so many people walking their German shepherds, Labradors, St. Bernards and Huskies. Sadly, our indigenous dogs, who form a permanent part of our lives, streets and ecosystem, are made ironically invisible. Most people aspiring to become pet-parents do not think them as an option deserving much attention, forget a place in their homes.
The Many Perks of Adopting a Desi Dog
But if you are reading this article because you are thinking about adopting an Indian dog but are not sure, first of all, let us congratulate you! You are among the forerunners of this new change, where people are coming to realize the value and suitability of our indigenous Indian dog breeds and are coming forward to adopt more and more of them. It is because of people like you who break the shackles of ongoing societal pretensions and change the world with their progressive thinking. So, kudos to you!
But if you are just at the edge of making a decision, this article is here to assist you. So, let’s go ahead and acknowledge the advantages our indigenous dogs possess over pedigree/bred/store-bought dogs:
- Indian dogs are free of cost: You just have to look around to find a mother with puppies in your street, or perhaps a younger dog who is absolutely independent from her mother. These puppies/dogs find a hard time surviving on the road. Most of them will probably not make it due to infections, accidents, starvation and weather conditions. By giving them a chance to have a home with you, you are changing someone’s precious life, and that too for free! (Make sure the puppies are completely weaned or are at least 3 months old, and is not distressed to leave her family).
- Indian dogs are hardier: Say bye-bye to frequent vet-visits, an otherwise regular thing with foreign breed dogs. Thanks to their 15000 years of evolution through natural selection, Indian dogs have inherited the sturdiest genetic make-up. They are therefore much lesser prone to infections, allergies and organ complications that are common in pedigree dogs due to their inbreeding. Imagine the fortune you save by not visiting the vet every now and then.
- They can eat what you eat: Indian dogs thrive on your Indian “ghar ka khana”. No tailored diets according to genetic factors, no complicated meal plans according to weights issues. Just a regular something from your kitchen will satiate their hunger because that’s what they are used to eating on the street. Not only will they gratefully accept what you offer them, it also gets easily digested by them because that’s the kind of food they are used to. Just make sure you add plenty of nutrition and keep it balanced and you are good to go! And the amounts you save by not falling into the trap of specially tailored diets according to breed is insane.
- Tropical Climate? They are already adapted: Indian dogs are already adapted to the climate of India. This keeps them away from the allergies and skin complications pedigree dogs usually suffer from.
- No one misses dog-hair on their sofa: No scary amounts of dog-hair on the carpet and the couch for pet-parents of Indian dogs. The short coat on their bodies is perfect for the tropical climate of India and makes them perfect to be household darlings who don’t make their parents toil to get their hair off the sofa after a long day at work!
- Indian dogs are highly Intelligent: Centuries of surviving on the streets has endowed these wonderful beings with an unsurpassable intelligence. Indian dogs are excellent guard dogs. Just a look or a sniff at a shady person and their barking sirens go off. You can trust their instincts when it comes to the security of your house and your loved ones! Also, they can be trained very easily: necessary commands, potty etiquettes, and people recognition, you name it and these dogs can be trained for it. Any violence you may encounter may be a remnant of some trauma suffered on the street, and that too is often related to hunger or threat.
- Indian dogs live longer: If given good nutrition and basic healthcare, these dogs are literally your true companions, even with their life span. While 8 to 12 years is the highest amount of time a store-bought pedigree dog is able to survive (with mostly painful and complicated final years), if taken care of well, Indian dogs may live up to the age of 20 years! Talk about growing old together!
Isn’t it only obvious that our Indian dogs are a better choice for being a part of our family? These loving, intelligent, low-maintenance beings will add boundless joy to your home and your life. Most importantly, however, every time you pick a dog from the street, save her from accidents, starvation, harsh weather, endless cycles of pregnancy and birth, you save a precious and innocent life. On the other hand, if you buy a dog from the store, you encourage cruel puppy mills and breeding culture, and you take away the chance from a street puppy to have a safe and happy life in your loving home. So, go ahead and adopt that street or shelter Indian dog and witness how the bliss of saving a life makes your life joyful every day!
You can’t change a dog’s past but you can rewrite his future. Adopt a dog from the street today!
– Sarvoham Animal Foundation
