Sheeru is the canine equivalent of a hyperactive toddler – the rescued pug (who turns a year old next month) keeps his family amused with perpetual games and mischief, and displays an unshakeable loyalty towards the people who gave him a home.
Three months ago, he had been found abandoned with a severe case of mange, and was rescued by Blue Cross volunteers who got him veterinary treatment and then put him up for adoption after recovery.
Says Eunice Valentina who met the pug during his treatment and fell in love with him instantly – “We weren’t planning to adopt a dog at the time. But my mother said he is an abandoned child and that we should put ourselves in his place…and to just bring him home. I called Sujit, a senior volunteer and told him we were ready to adopt Sheeru”. Today, the pint-sized pooch sports a lush coat that glows with health, and lives a king-sized life with his new family.
“Love is free – why not share it with everyone? It’s our duty to give back to these animals,” says his doting owner who now volunteers at Blue Cross and encourages people to adopt abandoned pets.
Echoing the sentiment is Ganesh Chandrasekar who recently moved to Chennai for work and began visiting Blue Cross to help out with volunteer work. Every time Ganesh visited the shelter, he was treated to a thumping welcome from an abandoned Dalmation who would jump up on him and give him a hug with his paws.
“I found that she was attached to me, and asked myself – why not provide a better home for her?” says Ganesh who adopted her and named her Lexy.
“Don’t think of it as just giving a dog a home”, says Ganesh who feels that the owner is as lucky as the pet he adopts. “It’s like bringing home a new family member and that’s how I treat her”. Lexy curls up on her owner’s bed at night and waits patiently with a wagging tail when it’s time for her walks.
“I don’t care about her history”, he says, adding that dogs are abandoned for various reasons but their prospects are bright if they are given a second chance through adoption. An eternal optimist, he prefers not to focus on the rough hand they’ve been dealt, but on what people can do to change their lives for the better.
“We cannot change history, but the future is in our hands”, he says signing off. For those who are looking to bring home a companion animal, the next adoption drive from the Blue Cross is scheduled for Sunday, July 13 between 1 pm and 5 pm at their shelter at 72, Velachery Main Road, Guindy. Indian puppies and kittens, and a few adult cats and dogs including abandoned pedigree dogs will be available for adoption.
All adoptions are free of cost and require address and ID proof. Call 9500047536 for more details.
