How I Discovered That Stray Dogs Want Nothing More Than Love

Had no idea what "love" meant until I saw him look at me with a big smile—that was love to me. The unbreakable love and relationship that dogs have with humans is unmatchable.

This is the story of my friend whom I met on my way home one day. The friend is a stray dog with whom I spent six memorable months of my life. Whoever said that a dog “is man’s best friend,” was speaking the truth.

One day, I was on my way back home, in the village of koti, and I saw a dog searching for something in the garbage heap. I realized was seeing a dog of around 6 months who was fighting and struggling to get something to eat and survive. I was eating biscuit and left with one and decided to give it to him.

I whistled, he noticed me but continued on with his business. Again I whistled, and tossed the biscuit at him. He came and ate that up. .I'm not sure why, but I got a big smile on my face. I started walking towards my home and noticed he was following me—maybe for something which I could give him to eat— but I had nothing left to give. He followed me for a while but he eventually went back to the garbage heap searching for something to fill his empty stomach. I saw this and had tears in my eyes and walked off towards my home.

The next day, I met him again and I gave him some food. This routine continued for a week. Then one day when I was coming back, he saw me and came to me running and started playing with me. Moving around my legs and jumping on me. Then I took him to the side of the road where there was a river. We both sat on a big stone and had lunch together. I never had that kind of feeling of love before. Slowly and steadily this became my habit and I started spending time with him daily. I used to enjoy it a lot.

I wished I could adopt him, but it was not possible. I was living in a joint family situation and they did not approve. I never expected that I would be so attached to a stray dog. The perception which is being made by the society that stray dogs are not good and bite is wrong. I also believed this before meeting him. Now I know the truth. It’s true that the love animal gives us is incomparable to anything else. in this world. It’s because they never expect anything in return.

I'd found a new friend with whom I used to share everything. I'm not sure if he understood what I was saying,but he used to listen. One day, when I came to know I was told we would be moving from our current home to another village. Till this time I am finding short of words to describe that particular feeling. When it was my last day I went to see him, spent some time with him and said my goodbye.

I moved to a new place called Solan. It took some time for me to adapt to my new surroundings. Due to my studies, I don’t get time to meet my friend, but that never stops me from thinking about him. Whenever I meet a street buddy, I think of him and I feed the innocent soul with food sometimes or give some love. He has taught me the importance of unconditional love and care, which I now live by.

I hope and wish to see him again in times to come. He will always remain alive in my heart.