Dancing, The Indian Stray Dog
Can you imagine what it would be like if all you could do was roll from one side to the other, and never stand up? That’s Dancing’s for you — she has never walked even a day in her life but is still one of the most cheerful dogs at VOSD. This Indian doggie was hand-reared since she was a puppy, by our founder Rakesh Shukla.
Dancing gets her name because she suffers from neural (brain) damage and muscular dysfunction. Her head and body constantly shake, which is why it appears a though she’s always doing a little jig. She has to be carried everywhere, and hand-fed, as we have been doing for the past two and a half years.
Routine at the Farm
Her mornings start off like this — she indicates that she wants to be let out or at times does pee on the mats she sleeps on. We call the mats ‘VOSD Indestructibles’ because they have survived being pulled, pushed, chewed, peed on and slept on by all our babies! Papa Rakesh then takes Dancing out for some sunshine and Vitamin D; she loves to rest under a tree and play with her friends. She is carried to a place with more shade as the day progresses, and is hand-fed all her meals. We clean up after her too, and ensure she’s not in any discomfort.
Dancing and Mini
The sweetest sight is watching Dancing play with her friends — the other dogs know she can’t walk, which is why they go up to her! Mini Shilpi, a Pakistani Bully Mastiff rescued from Punjab, is her best friend. The rowdy pup is the naughtiest in VOSD but knows how gentle she should be while playing with our head-bobbing baby. In fact, if Mini is playing with some other dogs, Dancing actually feels left out and complains to her papa about it!
Many might wonder why this poor girl has to suffer her entire life not being able to walk. Some even suggested we euthanise her. But what right do we have to take a life, if they have the zest and will to be survivors and fighters?