On July 18, one of our employees saw a lhasa apso dog abandoned near the PFA Agra gates (a common occurrence). He was in a pathetic condition. I often wonder at the manner people treat their pet. I mean, is not the pet your family member? Or maybe it's a play toy to be discarded when its usefulness or novelty wears off. This mentality never fails to surprise me. We see it in play so often in the shelter.

Coming back to this little sweetheart with its bandy legs, he looked at us with such a look that said, "Now will you too throw me out." Of course we did no such thing and we embraced him into our ever-growing family of 60 odd dogs of all shapes and sizes.

He was physically examined by the vets for elimination of anything infectious. We kept him in a separate enclosure. It was discovered that he was old and could not walk properly due to severe malformed legs caused by calcium and phosphorus deficiency. His legs could not bear his weight. Maybe due to ill-treatment, he had trust issues and was very aggressive. At first he did not adjust and was always ready to bite the hand that fed him. After fifteen days of treatment he was able to stand up and walk albeit, a little crookedly. He still has a very funny gait.

We have named him Lappi, for he prefers to sit on his haunches. He still avoids contact with humans. We try to softly talk to him to gain his trust. He has however, adjusted to the life at the shelter but as yet has not let us touch him. Though I have not heard him bark he definitely growls if we try and get too close, though he has started accepting my coming near him. Soon we hope to gain his trust.

I sincerely appeal to people to not keep real living pets if you are not dedicated to them. And if you keep one, please understand the full responsibility of keeping a pet. Pets, specially dogs get attached to their owners and love them unconditionally. If they are abandoned, they feel confused and get depressed. They feel the pain.

However if I put aside my feelings and think in a positive light then at least Lappi's owners did not discard him on the streets. They brought him to our gates and for that I thank them.