Sando and Lucky: Tale of two dogs who got lucky

It was a call of desperation, from a kind lady living in the Nivasipura Housing Scheme in Ja-ela about six months ago. She had taken under her wing a big black teddy bear like dog with bulbous legs and was feeding and caring for it. It had been roaming the streets without food or water after being dumped from a van, presumably abandoned because of its swollen legs.

But this Belgian Shepherd cross-breed was only suffering from Filaria, which can be cured so easily if detected on time. The Animal Welfare Trust has named him Sando because of his strength and courage to live and to love us in his own way without revenge and retaliation, even after such cruelty from humankind. Sando is in a class of his own – he fights only with those of his own size but is so tender, like a gentle giant, with puppies.

When Sando was taken over by the Trust he was traumatized, as he should be. The Trust put him into an animal hospital to no avail. For three months he was in a kennel which provided space for him to turn around and little else. He was not bathed properly and the food provided was inadequate. The medication is minimal. But he survived and came into a home-run little shelter.

The change, thereafter, was enormous. He is a happy dog, remembering all his social skills. Sando loves to play and has taken on his role of being a watchdog. The Trust found some wonderful vets who have operated on his legs. He is Sando – a strong dog indeed. Maybe he will find an exceptional home one day. Now, Lucky is a different character. His pedigree is doubtful -- maybe the offshoot of an offshoot of a Dalmatian during colonial times, being predominantly short haired, black and white, tall and long, a spare and muscular frame, with elongated legs which enable him to scale any wall. Give him a choice between a Rolls and a David Pieris (three wheeler!) he would choose the latter.

It is obvious that Lucky is from a home where he has been loved and most probably taken about in a three wheeler. If he sees one, in he gets in, then onto the seat and then onto the back rest. Lucky, the lovable dog is regularly up on his hind legs giving anyone around a big hug.

Cruelty comes in different shapes. Lucky got its name because he was one of the last rescued from the “Killing Fields” -- the dog pound in Colombo.

And the Trust has decided to tell the story of Lucky and Sando as all the issues concerning animal welfare, particularly dog welfare is portrayed in their respective stories. Lack of responsible pet ownership is the main issue. Abandoning animals when the going gets tough is rampant. Sando is a case in point – taking a pedigreed dog, without due consideration to the gravity of handling and caring for such a dog; lack of affection and kindness and neglecting the illness of an animal. Even though there is a need to educate the community, surely most of these issues come with common sense.

The authorities need to wake up to the clarion call of President Mahinda Rajapaksa when he gave the directive – ‘No seizing, No killing’. But do we stop there, or are we all waiting for an increased explosion of rabies to have an excuse to go back to our old ways of the kill?

What about cats? Cats as we know multiply much faster than dogs and are more resilient. A creative programme has to be put into place to control the cat population as catching a cat is a challenging task. A cat immunization programme is important. When there are too many cats in a place like a market or a school the usual way is for the CMC to take the cats to the dog pound! Believe it or not. We have in our office Tiffy and at home Pixie from the dog pound.

The Trust is discussing the pros and cons of cat cafes and dog diners now. Do not be alarmed. These would be designated places in hotels and restaurants where scraps can be collected to feed and attract the animal, which in turn can be trapped and sterilized.

Let’s take heed of what Mahatma Gandhi said: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”