Menoducational...Canine Chronicles - INDog Facts

Hari om

At the beginning of the TAKE TOO blog, a series of tales about the ashram dogs was begun. They are going to reappear here throughout the next few weeks. The Canine Chronicles are about the Indian Native Dog, fondly referred to as the INDog.

If at all you are interested in this ancient breed, I recommend this site by Rajashree Khalap.

In the INDog, we have the closest thing to how all our ancestors would have interacted with the canine creature.  They are neither fully wild nor fully domesticated - but their propensity for remaining close to man resulted in advancement of the latter. Sadly, in the West in recent years (certainly the last 100), we have done the dog species no favours. Over-feeding, over-breeding, inventing breeds,…. (Don't get me started on puppy mills and the unnecessary handbag accessory, the unwanted Christmas 'live toys' and the abandonments). The Western model has sought to subjugate and twist the species to the will and vanity of man. In traditional societies where pariah species co-exist, there is no ownership of the dogs; instead there is mutual benefit arrangement. Humans feed the animals, who in their turn take up guardianship.

The rural INDog has a relatively good life; everyone knows their place and troubles are minimal.

"Is that for meeeee???"

The same is not necessarily true for the urban INDog. Competition between themselves as well as other species is higher and risk to life and limb is greater.  Pup mortality rate is also significantly higher. There are some dreadful cruelties out there, no escaping the fact. It truly is a dog-eat-dog life at times. Then there all the inherent nasties of life. Before pointing fingers though, it is imperative to 'check one's own back yard'. The cruellest creature of all is Man. Bear in mind that "cruel" is an intellectual concept. Between dogs themselves, and within Nature as a whole, it cannot be applied. Survival of the fittest is all that counts.

As I proceed with the Chronicles, I will not hide such things from you, dear readers.  All I ask is that you understand, the INDog knows very well what its life is.  It is a world apart from how your own pooches live and therefore cannot be judged in the same frame of reference.  These are wonderful, regal, amazingly intelligent dogs.  Their survival skills are second to none.  They can be as frightening as any wolf and as loving as the gentlest doe.  Despite the fact that there are humans who have a hatred for them, they remain attached by some invisible bond to their two-leg co-habitants.

I do hope you will enjoy the stories of the ashram dogs, which will commence next Monday.  

Clearly the Raja of his town!!! This INDog was spotted from the ashram bus, high in the Sahyadhri Hills in the village
of Kolwan. It is rare to see any sign of 'ownership'. This fellow not only looked well cared for and happy, but is
obviously honoured, his bed having been placed up from the ground.