A theme became apparent to me in Punjab...
There was a lot of OPPORTUNISM. It comes from the struggle to rise out of lack.
Perhaps the most opportunist were the stray dogs.
Mostly tolerated and deliberately ignored. Life goes on around them while they seek shelter and nourishment. Never straying far from the source. Even if it sometimes means enduring a beating from fearful passers by who carry long sticks.
The stray dogs attempt to socialise with the villagers. it is their best chance at not starving to death. They are mostly unsuccessful because they look "Rabid". Even though, none of the dogs had rabies.
The media had just run a scare through all of India, reporting 20, 000 deaths from rabid dogs. Despite 2011 having the least amount of deaths from rabies. The true figures stating less than 160 deaths....across ALL of India
The less appealing the dog, the smaller it's chances are of getting in on some kindness.
The dogs do not look attractive. Mud caked on their paws, and smelling of the rubbish they go through. All the dogs have some amount of mange, plus sore scabs all over their body from tick bites, and differing degrees of malnourishment. The dogs with their skin thinly stretching over their protruding bones; the ones that need it most, are the most neglected.
The dogs are devoid of their natural diet and suffer for it.
Punjab is the land of the Sikh religion where everyone is vegetarian. The only food dogs have access to eat is bread and vegetable scraps. The wheat in the bread gives them dandruff and arthritis.
There is no understanding of the dog even though the Sikh believes all creatures are equal and equally deserve compassion.
Because of the fear within the village that the stray dogs may one day competitively turn on the humans, especially as there are more dogs every year. Most of the Sikh villagers have chosen to not "encourage" the strays and refuse to put food out for them. This belief has also lead to the fearful carrying of sticks. Otherwise, the Sikhs have a beautiful hospitable way.
I have been moved by the unwanted dogs life and inspired by their faultless nature...
The strays of Charik are naturally wary and also ready to interact. They would just as willingly accept only play and pats from me, as much as when when i gave them food.
