An idea of FUN

They looked at me in suspicion. Sniffed me to check who I was and where I came from. Aterall, it was the likes of me –Humans, who were responsible for their present state of condition. And who could blame them, when Humans don’t treat their own kind well, will animals be spared.

My friend and I had gone to meet the head of PfA (People for Animals) yesterday. After a tiring journey to Red Hills, which is at the outskirts of Chennai. We reached there at 5.30 pm. Reaching there, we were told that the owner would shortly be with us. We didn’t mind as this gave us time to look around the big shelter cum veterinary hospital. The shelter had huge walls and gates but in between the grills one could see the inmates widely roaming about. As we were let in by the workers in the shelter, we found ourselves instantly surrounded by who else but dogs. They were in various breeds, sizes and ages. All having one thing in common – they were orphans. Once pampered and domesticated, these dogs are abondoned by their owners.

Now finding some solance in PfA, they do not have to worry about getting nabbed by the Municipal van or to find meal. I was afraid with them roaming around me, ashamed at facing them. As dusk drawn at the shelter, the dogs began howling. Perhaps telling each other that another day had ended.

As soon as the owner came in, the dogs rushed towards her, hungry for her attention and affection. I could see that by rescusing these dogs she had won their loyality and faithfulness. Though, there was one particular dog which was oblivious to all this commotion. The black mongrel was curled inside in one corner. It had shed it’s fur (i assume out of depression). As a result, it’s spinal and rib bones were distinctly visible. I instantly felt sad for the dog. What was the future of this dog, how long would it survive...

Suddenly, I notice a white mongrel looking at him and barking. It looked sideway to it’s other colleagues and barked at them too. A thought was it telling it’s friends, “Look everybody, a human has come to visit our abode. She is one of them, those cruel humans who have treated us horribly and betrayed our love and affection. And now, she has come to steal our master (the owner of PfA) from us. Lets attack her, lets not leave her. Let’s show her how it feels to be beaten, to be inflicted with physical injury.”

Though, the dog was not sucessful in its plan of attacking me (and thank god! for that), it made me think how could humans be so barbaric. I think this behaviour came to them naturally. Children were no better. For their sadistic pleasure, they hurled stones at the dogs, pulled their whiskers, poked them with a stick and what not. In respone what the parents did, instead of stopping and scolding their child, they acted as silent spectators to the whole tamashaa.

What pleasure does one find in causing pain to other living things? When does one’s sensitivity gets numb and killing an animal becomes fun, where one enjoy seeing the animal whither with pain.What kind of fun is this? What kind of joy is this?