For years, Mark who got his name from the building he lived in – Marker Mansion – lived a happy life as a compound cat. Until one day, animal lover and rescuer, Nina Joshi spotted him with a badly injured back leg. After weeks of love and care, on the day he was supposed to be released, Joshi noticed something odd. “He was sitting an inch away from the wall, like he was punished,” she says. “A little later, he tripped over his water bowl.” A visit to the vet revealed that Mark was completely blind. “He’d lived in the building forever, he’s at least seven to eight years old and I couldn’t put him back,” says Joshi. “I didn’t even bother with an adoption post. He’s a middle-aged male blind cat, who would take him?” So Mark joined Joshi’s posse of three other dogs and two cats. Now the brood of six animals all live together. Although it’s not as smooth as Joshi would like it to be. “My dogs are fantastic with cats but the cats still attack Mark sometimes,” she says. “He’s settled in and a few slaps is better than a life on the street.”
Pet posse
The owner of Sion’s Oh My Dog! Salon left behind a career as a features writer and graphic designer a decade ago to dedicate her life to animals. Five years ago, she found six-month old Lucky with broken back legs outside her shop. Velvet who came shortly after at two months old is Joshi’s “tripod”. She was found with an awful injury that resulted in the loss of a leg. Then just when Joshi thought her hands were full, she found Misha, an old German Shepard dumped at the Dadar Parsi agyari. After four failed adoptions – she was too old, too calm or not cute enough – the grand dame stayed with Joshi. “She hated human touch for almost a year,” laughs Joshi. “That was four years ago, now she’s my shadow to an irritating level. She trips me all the time. I call her granny.” As for Joshi’s felines, Lyla was rescued and evevntually adopted by someone else who returned the cat after a year and a half. Scar was found with a broken leg and mangled tail who won her owner’s heart.
Misha, Lucky and Velvet
From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Joshi is at the shop. The rest of the day Joshi works with fellow members of Animal Adoptions & Care, a collective that rescues and rehabilitates animals. “We work closely with the Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) to release animals on the road,” she says. “We’ve also started a puppy pen at the BSPCA.” The six-member team has been working together for a little over two years and have recently inherited the Popsy Chartible Trust to continue their work.
To adopt an animal or make a donation to Animal Adoptions and Care, call 9820643128
