By Dr. Kuhu Roy
Rapunzel, a super senior dog, lived most of her life on the streets – fifteen years to be more precise. Rapunzel was much loved and cared for by Maa all the while that she lived on the roads. She never had pups as she was spayed on time and vaccinated against rabies too. Engaging in spay/neuter, as I repeatedly mention in my posts, is our first and foremost duty not only as an animal lover, but also as a responsible citizen.
Come what may, any weather, there wouldn’t go a day when Maa and her would not meet. It was not just a brief meeting to feed, but to let her know that she is loved, wanted and cared for.
Rapunzel came home to us, two years ago, on the 31st of October, 2020 when the streets became cold and cruel for survival. That is the story of most of the senior stray dogs.
She adjusted at home in no time, just like all the homeless do who have never known the privileges of being homed. With home-coming she got more love, respect, dignity, two square meals a day and above all, she had a family of her own, none of whom were related to her by blood. She went onto become the adoptive Gran to Zenobia, a rescued motherless pup. Like an indulgent GrandMa, she groomed Zenobia everytime she came to her for pampering.
Rapunzel left us at the ripe old age of sixteen years and two months, on the eve of my birthday. Zenobia took a huge emotional hit when her Gran Repi or ‘Repi Dadi’ left for the rainbow bridge. After all, she loved her gran to the moon and back. The ties beyond blood are beautiful and our children at home reflect that time and again.
