Moodubelle, 28 August 2010: It had been practically a wet week since last five days. Though the rain did not acquire the nature of a continuous heavy downpour which would have caused floods again, it has been moderate and sometimes just drizzle cooling the atmosphere and sending slight chill through the body. The sky has been overcast and after few minutes of respite the sudden rain would again force the people to open their umbrellas or seek shelter. The road of Moodubelle being too narrow, with increasing vehicular traffic practically becomes congested during the rainy season making the people difficult to walk as they have to dodge both the parked and moving vehicles. The patch of road in front of the main entrance gate of the church has been so bad that people have to be watchful so as to avoid splash of muddy water by the moving vehicles from soiling their dress while going or returning from church.
While sitting in the Bellevision Media Office, two days ago, i had an unusual sight of a puppy, fully wet moving on the road without any clue as to where it was heading. The road being narrow and the traffic being erratic, I was apprehensive of the puppy coming under the wheels of any moving vehicle. However, in spite of its tiny size, the vehicle drivers were careful not to harm the little creature, or was it lucky not to come under the wheels! I could see a female canine taking shelter under the bus stop which showed no concern at the plight of her species which meant that it was not her puppy, and of course the colour of both was also quite different. After some time, on its own instinct, the puppy moved away to a much safer place away from my sight.
From a source I gathered that some people who want to get rid of these unwanted puppies bring them to santhekatte and just leave them there to mend for themselves. Such people at least should have the compassion to see that the puppies would grow up to a particular age and are strong enough to survive in the world where ‘survival of the fittest’ is the mantra of the day.
The rainy season is one of the most difficult times for the street dogs as they try to find any shelter to protect themselves from rain, either bus stand or the side of any closed shop where they feel safe.
In spite of all these difficulties that the people in general and animals in particular such as dogs face, the rainy days are the most enjoyable of all the seasons with cool atmosphere, fresh air and greenery all around.