The Canine Chronicles

Keeping the Bs at Bay

As her brood got more and more adventurous, Radha had to work harder at lookout.  The B-pack had got wind of the pups and B1/Winkie was particularly unhappy about the competition.

Daddy Dog couldn't care less.  All he was interested in was the procreative part.  The rest he left to the females.  If pups got anywhere near him, he just barked them away, or nipped their behinds.  This would set up a round of squeals from the youngsters and at first they though it was a great game.  Then came the day that a nip became a nibble and blood was drawn.  Not much and not at all life-threatening.  Enough, though, to tell them this was not, after all, play.  Adult dogs were serious people.

Radha was as canny as ever when all this was going on.  Only once or twice did she intervene or get protective herself, as the pups were yet small enough for everyone to have patience with them.  A day would come, however, where the baby-looks would drop away and youth-hood would take over.  Trouble was likely then and she was ready to go into battle if necessary on behalf of her kids.

Blackie, when on her own, could be reasoned with and Radha found that although they would never be friends, the older bitch had sympathy for her and generally left her and the pups alone.

Winkie was another matter entirely and what is more, Blackie and Daddy-dog were totally under her control.  The three of them together were intimidating in the extreme. 

The pups were quick learners though, particularly the little female and as soon as the B-pack appeared on their run-around patch, they made a bee line for the drain. Winkie several times made as if to gobble them, but never attempted to follow them into the cramped space.

More and more, Radha had to leave them to their own devices as she now had to replenish her own body never mind the milk supply.  These four were greedy guzzlers of the white liquid and she was getting ready to have them off the teet.  It was nine weeks and they were still behaving like newborns when they saw her.  By staying away and allowing them to consume the food the humans brought, slowly, deliberately, Radha began weaning them.

The two big tail-less boys were the worst.  They were also not all that bright.  They were the most popular with the students on the ashram though.  Like living teddy bears. 

The strange-amma would visit and try to monitor the humans' behaviour and Radha somehow understood that this lady was advocating hands off as much as possible.  That same lady though had done something inconsistent with this.  The female, whom she had cleaned fully and brought to shining white, she had separated and taken away.  Radha could not fully understand this, but given the three boys were more than she could cope with really, she was not entirely ungrateful. 

One day Krishna-ji came up beside Radha and she decided to ask what he thought about the other pup being taken.

"Humans need dogs as much as we need them.  Not all show that they understand this.  Indeed some don't.  But many do and that strange-amma smells like 'proper' people to me.  She has only love for us.  It seems to me that she will be trying to find a place for your little girl that will take her out of the streets."  He looked closely at Radha. "Does that bother you?"

"No sir-ji, but I am a little sad without the girl."

"You don't worry.  I think that you have done well and these three boys are growing well.  Radha-beti, you should know one thing however.  In this place, whilst Kaneya and I have some safety, all you other dogs are not considered a part of things.  You must prepare yourself for some trouble from the humans.  Never mind the B-pack.  There are a few two-legs here who would seek to have you removed.  I tell you this now so that you can make plans for another place if needs be."

Radha looked sweetly at her elder.  He was wise indeed and she blinked in acknowledgement of his advice.

From tomorrow she would range outside the walls for alternative accommodations.

© Yamini Ali MacLean  

...this is as far as it goes with the Chronicles for the moment, peeps...

HAVE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE HOGMANAY - MAY 2016 RING IN WITH A SENSE OF JOY AND PEACE.

The Canine Chronicles

 Pups Galore

Radha circled the crowd.  How did it come to this?  So many of the brahmacharins wanted to fondle her puppies.  They seemed not to mean any harm, though she was ever on the alert.  There was one day where the crowd was close to 15 or 16 humans.  The pups didn't seem to worry, however, so Radha began to trust that this was all meant to be.

After all, they were getting food, water, milk and it was helping her to get some much needed breaks from the endless greedy suckling!!  Honestly, she had begun to feel like a walking milk tanker and nothing else.

Radha had dropped a significant amount of weight during the key feeding weeks and the strange-amma was concerned for her skin-and-bone appearance, so took to quietly feeding Radha behind the trees, away from pups, peoples and peeking eyes.  For this Radha showed gratitude in a manner she had not previously.  She began to allow the amma to touch her.  Very lightly and very briefly, but trust was building.

Then came a horror moment for Radha.  She returned from a foraging trip to find the pups stinking to the tree tops of some form of chemical.  They had clearly been dunked in something - and not the usual something they managed to dunk themselves in!

It took a couple of hours of running them around in the grounds to start removing the odour so that she could bear to be near them again.

Two days later this happened once more.

Radha was concerned.  She ran around them trying to determine what had happened.  Then one of the humans who smelled truly 'proper' to her, came over and could see her distress.  Within minutes, that lady was joined by the elder Uncle.  Radha heard the lady ask Uncle about something, but she could not make out what it was about.  Uncle appeared to be showing concern and kept pointing at the pups then the drain which was their home.

Some time after this, another man appeared.  He was dressed in yellow clothes and had an air of authority about him - but to Radha, he also smelled 'proper'.  She could sense compassion and even love from this man.

Next day the strange-amma came, accompanied by the young lady from yesterday, who went through the finger pointing and appeared to be pleading with the amma.  Strange-amma looked at the anxious mother.  Radha held her gaze.  She somehow knew this human had only her best interests at heart, as well those of the pups.  After a long moment, there was a gentle nodding of the head and a resigned sound from amma.

Radha rounded up the family and herded them back into the relative safety of the storm drain.  As silent as ever she somehow managed to get the kids to all lie down and settle.  They had been running crazy that whole day. All the being picked up and put down and turned around was tiring for them.  This was not a bad thing on the whole, decided Radha, for it gave her some peace in the night.  She pondered the scene with the amma and the seriousness of that look they had shared.  Radha had an instinct that they were going to get even more closely acquainted.

Little did she know...

The very next day, Radha came back from her foraging to find the four pups being put through some kind of torture.  At least it looked like that - but they didn't seem to be complaining and the three humans involved were emanating only love and care. From a distant spot, sitting sphinx-like, she watched as strange-amma directed the uncle and the authority man in the actions being perpetrated upon the pups.  There was water and a spray and lots of cloth involved.  Plus some strange looking twigs with bristly heads, which were used to run over the coats of the pups.  Radha could see that the three humans were picking off all the fleas!!!

OOOOHHHHH - they were trying to clean the pups of all the bitey things!  Good luck to them, thought the young mother.  They'd be as bad again in a matter of a day or two.  Radha sniffed the air.  Now she began to put things together.  She had seen the Uncle with the pups on other days and a bucket of the wet stuff.  It was after that they had stunk so badly.

She began to understand. Uncle had been using the wet stuff on her pups because of the fleas… he seemed to be worried all the time.  This time was different though - the smell was still strange but not dreadful and amma appeared to be keeping things under control. Clearly they had called for her help in order to prevent uncle from doing damage with the sprays.

After some two hours or more, four very pretty pups appeared!!

© Yamini Ali MacLean 

The Canine Chronicles

Outing

Radha did her best to keep them under wraps, but the human uncle seemed determined to bring them out in the open.

She wasn't happy about it, but at the same time, he had been bringing the food and milk which helped her out enormously.  Now he wanted to pick up the pups.  She knew he was gentle and would never hurt them, but still, she kept a sharp eye on proceedings.

It didn't stop with just uncle though.  Next there were others of the students interested in her kids.  Not all of the hands were gentle - many had never touched a dog before.  After all, in India there are people who consider the dog to be lowest of the low and never to be touched or spoken to.  Now these young people were learning how wrong that attitude was.

The pups were growing really well - particularly two of the boys and they were getting quite rambunctious.  Radha found herself leaving the den more and more just to get some peace.  When she got back, they would have ripped the bedding to shreds and clearly had been running the length of the available known territory.

Then came the fateful day when Uncle removed one of the concrete grilles at the end of the drain and the pups, having grown well, managed to jump out all by themselves.  At this point, Radha knew she would have to start letting them find their own place in the world.  She would have to start concentrating on keeping the three males strong and healthy - the female would just have to take her chances.  That was the law written deep in her genes.  She loved every one of them, but also knew there was need for priority in order to ensure continuation of her line.

Two of the males were like herself, black and white and somewhat collie looking.  However, they were without tail.  Dog without tail would have troubles in the INDog community.

Male number three was all white except for one brown patch on the left ear.  His eyes seemed to have some trouble however.  Not blind, but neither did he appear to be able to see much beyond the length of the drain.  The female was mostly white with an extensive brown head and ear patch on the right and a smaller one on the left.  She was half the size of her brothers and had to fight hard to get to the teet.

She was the most adventurous though and right from the first outing, the girl began to wander.

"That's a pup after my own heart," thought Radha, fondly.

There was quite a gathering of students on this official outing day.  Uncle had called all interested parties and had even persuaded the reluctant strange-amma to come and visit.  She was not at all sure they should be interacting with the pups, given that technically they were wild animals.  Radha could sense that amma was on her side and wanted the natural balance to be left in order.

It was a losing battle though.  The 'awww' factor had kicked in and both amma and Radha could see that this was going to be an ongoing saga.

It was not long before the strange-amma had to become a lot more involved than she ever wanted to be.

©Yamini Ali MacLean 

Canine Chronicles - Radha

A Set of Four

Radha stretched as much as was possible in the confined quarters under the concrete gridding.  It had been a wonderful find, this storm drain down by the new building.  Had she not been following a rat scent in the anticipation of a meaty meal, she would never have found the opening.  It was well disguised, over by the tool shed.

She could have stayed close to the entrance, but that may have still been dangerous.  She could have stayed by the first major junction, far enough in to prevent the larger dogs of the B-pack getting in, but not so far for her to wriggle when she needed respite.

However, she had decided on the middle of the long straight because it afforded more light and air but also was right under the feet of passing humans.  She had learned enough to know that they would not be able to resist reaching through to her but at the same time they would not be able to interfere with the puppies.  She'd watched how both Blackie and Winkie (B1 & B2) had lost their puppies to passing traffic, snakes and eating the wrong things.  This was Radha's first whelping.  She intended to make the best of it.

After the first week, she had to start leaving the pups and go in search of food and drink for herself.  The kids were voracious milk drinkers and she needed to keep up production.  Her weight naturally started to drop away, but she felt good and strong and youth was on her side.

The uncle who found her, and other humans, started bringing all manner of things from the kitchen and fed her by hand through the grating.  For now, she tolerated his being this close as the food was welcome beyond barks . At only four weeks old, her brood discovered the joy of a fresh chapatti and they began to welcome the uncle's visits too.  By this time also, many other humans had come to gaze at them through the concrete grille.  Radha just stared back, a little pensive.

She understood now how the balance between dog and man could be both for the good and for the worse.  Instinctively she knew that at some point these humans would want to interact with the brood.  She would do all she could to delay that.  The little ones needed to learn about survival as INDogs.  Apart from food, there should be minimal contact with their two-leg compatriots.

It was this strong will that had protected Radha herself and kept her in tip-top condition whilst remaining free and uncompromised by attachment to humans.

She saw how the K-dogs were.  They had become pets and could no longer justifiably be referred to as true Pariah.  Radha thought, 'I will be nobody's pet.'

The days passed happily as she watched the four strong survivors blossom.  But, Dog!  Could they nibble with those milk teeth!! By week five she was starting to get a bit over the whole breastfeeding thing.  Whenever she left they squealed, but at least didn't try to follow her.  As soon as she returned, they launched themselves at her like it had been 87 years since the last drink.

"Hey you lot, steady on, let me lie down at least!" 

By this time, the family had shifted slowly along the drain until they were very nearly at the end of the straight.  There was a natural block there due to piping so Radha wasn't worried about the little ones running off and right into the main drainage system.  They were, though, beginning to show signs of wanting to come outside the confines of the safe den she had made.  They would play chase up and down, up and down, up and down.  Never a moments peace.  Until they would stop suddenly and drop where they were into an instant sleep.

Oh how she loved these, her first off-spring.

© Yamini Ali MacLean 

Canine Chronicles - Radha

Departures and Arrivals.

All the students and many of the residents of the ashram had a special event to attend.  The place was going to be almost empty of humans. Krishna and Kaneya kept everyone on their toes by saying that just because all the humans were not going to be around for the day didn't mean there could be any revolt or misbehaviour from the 'squatter' dogs.

Even though Radha had made herself acceptable to them, they still included her as an outsider and someone to keep an eye on.  Not so much that Radha herself was a problem, but that her presence caused troubles due to her being the object of extreme jealousy.  Particularly from that alpha bitch of Daddy Dog's.

It had become ever more apparent, indeed, that Winkie was the lead dog, and not the stud male.  He was just a total sook who had one thing in mind.

He was good at it too.  There were many faces of varying ages in the neighbourhood who bore his trademark white and brown patches!

Then along came the day of the big buses coming to transport the humans to their event up in the hills.  They left very early.  Krishna and Kaneya - the 'K-dogs' - were present as always to make sure nobody got left behind and in case there were any treats on hand. Plenty of cuddles and orders from favourite students to 'guard the grounds' were there and a wee biscuit or two was witnessed to be snuck into muzzles. What was interesting to the Radha supporters was that for the first time, she too came to say goodbye. 

She was very heavily pregnant by this time and the strange-amma muttered to the small but caring support group "They've got to be due to drop any day now".

Fated words. 

Later that morning, Radha could feel the stirrings of whelping.  She slunk away from the quadrangle and wriggled her way into her secret place.  She had been busy this past eight weeks and there were plenty of old papers and leaf-litter built up into bedding.  Having eaten well the night before and winning a few biccies from the send-off before dawn, she felt totally ready for what might be a week of austerity.

By the time the  humans returned, late evening, Radha had borne seven puppies.  She was very careful, however, not to advertise the fact.  For two days she was not seen and the strange -amma and one other senior student were concerned that their absence had allowed the B-pack to 'do the nasty' on the gorgeous girl. 

However, the human Uncle came running to strange-amma on the third morning and declared "They're right under our noses!"

Clever Radha had found a way into the storm drains which crossed the ashram.  Not just that, but she had placed herself so that anyone walking up and down to the quadrangle would be able to see them - if she made a noise to attract attention.  That is exactly what she did that morning when she saw Uncle going overhead.  By this time too, the puppies were 'mewling' a bit.  Until then, she had not eaten and had only been able to move along to be under the dripping garden tap in order to quench her thirst.  Six of the puppies were feeding well at that stage.  The seventh died on day one.  By day five, the second death.  By week two, the third weakling passed also.

Uncle took full responsibility for taking milk from the waste bucket, rice and rotis and Radha willingly took them from his hand.  This was amazing, given how timid she was without that concrete grate between them!

Strange-amma was concerned, however.  Uncle was just a touch too over-caring.  It was not that these things ought not to be supplied, but she could see that he was eager to start picking up pups.  This was not a domestic situation.  For these free animals, such interaction could pose problems.  Both for the dogs and for the humans.  There are fine lines drawn between the INDog and its two-leg cohabitants. 

The experienced amma warned all that care should be taken.  Not least because there was the ashram policy of non-interaction with all but the K-dogs.  Too many folk ignored these rules anyway.  She was fighting a losing battle.

Radha stayed in the drain with her pups till week three, then ventured out, foraging for herself again, but was never far away.  She kept the bedding turned over, cleaning after them and moving them along the drain gradually to ensure their health.  For a first time mum she was proud of her efforts. The instinct and ability was coursing through her veins.  

Finally, of course, there came the day - week six - and by now those pups needed to be out and about.

© Yamini Ali MacLean  

Canine Chronicles - Radha

Whelp envy.

Radha was blooming, like any new and expectant mother.

Winkie was less than pleased.  Sauntering up to Blackie, with one of her own latest batch bringing up the rear, she muttered to her side-runner, "Listen up, we must do something about the little upstart.  She's nesting-in and our Dog is head over heels besotted with her."

"But she never gives him a look in, I don't think she's really a problem."

Winkie looked askance at the all-black bitch.  "You have got to harden up girl!  I was prepared to share with you, but two's company and all that..."

Blackie blinked.  She had a feeling she ought to know what that meant - one thing she was sure of was that she wanted to be part of the 'two' equation and if that meant getting rough with the black and white model, so be it.  She didn't want to risk B1, the alpha bitch, turning on her.  She had puppies of her own on the way and needed to be sure they were not to be pestered by her harem partner.

Mostly they waited till dark, then when they thought they had Radha on her own, they'd set to shouting all sorts of abuse at her.  A couple of times, Winkie ran in and took a nip at Radha's tail.

The little mother-in-waiting had 'smarts'. After only a couple of such run-ins, she kept herself out of sight and found ways to slink round unpestered.  Mostly that meant staying by the K-dogs on the quadrangle.  As well as her hidey-hole.  Only the rats knew where that was.  Possibly the gardener's cat.  She was sure that the B-pack had not yet figured it out.

Radha understood that the alpha bitch was not at all pleased with her for mating Daddy Dog.  She also know that BA did not like that Radha had made her niche on the ashram grounds, accepted more by the humans than B1, B2 or Daddy-dog were.

Worse still, she was sure that Winkie at least, and probably Blackie because she was a sheep, would attack and kill any pups that she had.  They would not be tolerant of her brood in competition with their own.  Had Radha been of the frame of mind that her sister had been, she would have made attempts to become a member of the pack.  It would mean compromise, but would more likely ensure her safety and that of her pups.  However, she was not.  Radha was a dog of class and intelligence.  A dog who was walking her own path.

She had a memory of Blackie when they first met, trying to teach her remaining pups how not to tangle with snakes or keep walking on red-hot coals of the garbage fires.  She felt for that other mother.  She also knew that bitch had made many compromises.

Indeed, B1 and B2 were definitely to be avoided.  She also had to find a way to get Daddy Dog off her tail.  He kept sniffing round and that only stirred up Winkie.

Radha decided for once to be forward.  She approached the senior ashram dog.

"Krishna-ji, could I take your advice?"  She waited for the nod of acknowledgement.  "That outside dog keeps coming behind me and I no longer want to know him.  What is it I must do to get him to leave me alone?"

Krishna stretched his aging and aching frame.  "well, little one, you are in whelp are you not?  Yes, so simply turn on him and repeat this mantra…"  The old dog leaned over and breathed into Radha's ear.  She sat back after and looked at him.  "Thank you sir."  Walking away, she wasn't quite sure she had heard him correctly.  

Within minutes of her leaving the quadrangle Daddy-dog appeared at her tail. Spinning round full force, Radha barked out "Winkie's mine!  Winkie's mine!"

Amazingly it worked.  Daddy-dog stopped with mouth and eyes agape, turned and ran to find his first love.  Radha shook her head.  The old sage dog was right.  Clearly threatening the alpha bitch caused the male to become defensive of her and that left Radha free to continue preparing for her big event.

Who said mantras had to be in ancient tongues?  Unidog carries its own strength.

© Yamini Ali MacLean  

Canine Chronicles - Radha

Preperations.

Radha felt alive and filled with the joy of knowing she was carrying pups.  This was her first time, but her instinct was strong and somehow she knew exactly what needed doing at what time.  Perhaps it was because her own mother had left her looking after her litter-mates.  Or perhaps she simply had excellent breeding genes.

Neither of these were of concern to her.  There was stuff to do.  A key factor was ensuring maximum nutrition.  Now was the time to really start to interact with all the humans.  The strange lady who knew Unidog was always a good bet.  Always cautious, Radha began to allow her closer so that she would be sure to get the roti or curd or whatever was on offer before either Kaneya or Krishna beat her to it.  In fact, the amma seemed to be favouring her, because often she would call Radha round to the side, out of the view of the senior dogs.

Radha recalled that the lady had spotted her just at the time she and Daddy-dog had joined, so it seemed she understood the young bitch's condition.  The lady would also chase off the B-pack if they showed signs of bothering Radha.

Additional food was located outside the ashram.  For once, Radha extended her area of 'gathering', right the way down to the main road dhabas, where there were always scraps to be found.  Competition was high amongst all the other canines, but folk here were generous and on the whole the INDogs  ate well, with minimum altercations over rations.  It was not long before Radha was putting on weight, both from improved eating and impending birth.

Secondary action was to search for likely whelping spots.  She was often to be spotted sniffing around all the likely nooks and crannies of the ashram buildings and garden "hideys".

Radha was a smooth mover.  She had the grace of a dancer and the speed of a greyhound, combined with the fluidity of a feline.  One minute she could be seen and the next she'd be gone.  This was a dog who had business to attend and there was no sign of doubt or the flightiness that had been present before.  Although still not allowing herself to be touched, her presence on the quadrangle was now established and many were moved by her obvious strength and determination .  In fact, it was difficult for the strange-amma to believe that she was a first time mum.    Radha appeared to know exactly what was what and how to go about it.

Amma calculated the pups were likely to be born the last week of January, just a question as to which day of the week!  Some of the keen students tried to find out where Radha had decided to 'nest', but nothing doing.  She was smarter than that!

The amma also warned all the cooing and ahh-ing students not to get all 'broody'.  Radha, for all her sweetness, was still a pariah and ought to be left to her own devices.  Just as the other bitches had to bring up their litters by themselves - with occasional donations of scraps from compassionate residents - so Radha should also.  Besides, getting involved in puppies was not appropriate, either for the dogs themselves who would have to learn to survive, nor for the students, who were here to detach and grow in their own way.  One could be compassionate and help out with rotis, but otherwise - hands off.

Thus, for eight weeks, there was an air of expectancy and love.  Even the kitchen staff started to show an interest and reserved food specifically for Radha.  This was unprecedented, but such was the beauty and appeal of the little INDog.  With liquid soft eyes and delicate body she was truly adorable.

© Yamini Ali MacLean 

Canine Chronicles - Invaders

Daddy-dog and B1

Having found a willing recipient of his seed, the brown and white stud dog made a decision that he was going to hang around.  After all, this was a green and fruitful place with plenty of rats and squirrels for the taking and the humans had a propensity for feeding the animals who stayed here - surely there would be opportunity for him also?

He'd only followed Blackie here last year to ensure the expansion of his line but until now he had not thought to 'settle down'.  That Kaneya dog seemed to be the one to win over.

Initially, Kaneya did his best to bully the stud off the property, but he knew what he was at, that invader.  He played possum and cowered and did all the right body language of homage to himself and Krishna, so eventually he began to give up on the boundary chasing.  If the big beefcake came anywhere near the quadrangle, though, he was given a thorough talking to.  That's all Kaneya ever did.  Shout.  He never attacked or even tackled.  Krishna the wise had taught him that.  His time as a human companion had given him some good manners, it was true, but the sage of the canine residents at the ashram advised him that blood shed would be very much frowned upon by the masters and could result in eviction.

Thus Daddy-dog carved a niche for himself.  It was not the easiest task, as he had to be constantly on the look out for the K-dogs.  However, it was better than anything that had gone before.  All that was needed now was to bring along his number one bitch, Winkie.  He located a spot up behind the little cottage at the top by the gate which seemed never to have been claimed.

Then he called for her.

For a while he instructed her to stay put and he would bring food to her - or she could go outside again to forage.  After several weeks, though, the 'new bitch in town' wasn't going to be held back.  Particularly now that Blackie had visited her a few times and they struck up a deal about how to share Daddy-dog.

There was one human woman they had to look out for.  She was different.  She talked to them.  One look at Winkie and a new name was uttered.  "B1".  It was apparent to the human that this was the alpha bitch and that she was forming a pack.  Even Daddy-dog submitted to her.  Not altogether surprising.  She was well-built, fit, fawn-coloured eyes and tawny of coat.  Those eyes had the look of the hunter though and the human could read that.  What is more, Winkie could see that she had been found out.

Oftenshe overheard the amma instructing others to chase off "B1 and B2" as they were nothing but trouble.  This resulted in the pack having to evade much waving of arms and throwing of sticks and stones.  Winkie was battle-hardened, though.

She enlisted Blackie and Daddy-dog in her tricks of evasion.  Of course, over time, even the humans had to accept their presence.  As long as they didn't interfere with the two ashram 'pets', they were pretty much left alone.

It was clear to all who paid attention that B1 and Daddy-dog were a life-time pairing.  He doted on her and she clearly had a soft spot for him.  She wasn't happy that B2 was on the scene, but the black one knew she was second fiddle so there was a reasonable balance in the pack of three.  When B1 got wind of Radha, though, she was not at all happy.  That pretty little black and white princess, despite never uttering a word, clearly thought herself a cut above and despite taking the service of Daddy-dog, was not inclined to enter the pack.  One day she would need some sorting out.

Then there was that daft, gangly, teenager they called Sakhi.  There could only be one male per pack, so Winkie ensured he lived in fear of hers.  He took refuge with the K-dogs and they, stupid creatures, took his side.  Only once did B1 make a run at Kaneya in an attempt to make him fight.  Not only did he just sit down and create the loudest  noise possible for a single dog, but the whole thing backfired due to this bringing all the workers to see what was going on. 

Not good.  There were broomsticks and bricks involved in that debacle.  The B-pack realised that to stay on these premises, they had to minimise contact with the K-dogs.

One day, though, they did manage to separate Sakhi.  Initially it looked like he would give them an excuse to rip him apart, but the youngster had learned a trick or two from the ashram seniors and, instead, took off through the gap in the wall.  After a few months he did return, much to the delight of many of the students; Kaneya, Krishna and Radha were indifferent to him, which made things much less safe than before.  The B-pack again attacked and this time when he fled, it was for good. The humans who had been paying interest decided not to think to long on the possibilities of his life then. Or his death.

During this time, both B1 and B2 had produced another litter each of puppies and these in turn caused havoc.  Survival rates are low, even in these comparatively safe environs, so only one or two each reached sufficient maturity to be sent on their way through that wall gap.

One thing was clear.  The B-pack was establishing.

 ©Yamini Ali MacLean  

Canine Chronicles - Sakhi

The Fearful Friend

Due to the continuing situation of the broken boundary, the K-dogs had ongoing issues with incomers.  Most of them they managed to keep at least to the very periphery, if not completely off ashram grounds.

One young fellow turned up one day, though, who somehow kept sliding under their radars.  Little more than a few months old at the time of his arrival, he was already long of leg and gangling of gait.  A tawny, smooth-haired, doe-eyed male.  Despite his timidity and total submission if challenged, there was a determination about him.

Kaneya was put in mind of himself as a pup.  Krishna  said as much.  "That kid's as keen as you when you got here!"

"He's respectful, I'll give him that," harrumphed Kaneya in a gruff undertone.

The youngster had settled in shortly before the new batch of students, and had become a bit brazen about sleeping on the steps of the hall - even venturing in to snooze on the carpet. He knew a good thing when he found it. This was not to last though.  Several of the students were very rough on him in the beginning, to get him used to the idea that dogs must stay on the outside of buildings.  This was no place for pets.

When Kaneya observed this, he took up post as policeman of the hall verandahs and would chase off the cheeky pup before more human anger come at him.

"Understand, I am doing this for your own good.  Some of those young two-legs could hurt you - I'm only shouting."

The kid never answered back.  He would just indicate with his eyes, ears and tail that he knew the lesson - but he still kept trespassing!  He liked the big, hairy, red dog, and Krishna-ji was truly wise.  He loved to listen to his stories of different experiences he'd had on the ashram.  Most of the students were okay too.  Yes, Kaneya was right about a few of the lads, but mostly they were either indifferent, or actively caring towards all the animals.  No way was he going to let any of them near him though.

One lady, however, had a lot of patience and seemed to understand Unidog.  He never saw her feeding either of the K-dogs, but she did keep some roti for the black and white bitch , Radha, and then started to offer him some too.

He never let her get near: but if she left it at the side he'd wait till she was several yards away then take the food.  She always watched to make sure he ate.  He'd never met a human like her till now.  Outside the wall had been an intensely painful experience and when he had accidentally arrived through that gap he knew he'd found heaven. 

The strange amma started calling to him and using the same word over and over.  He came to understand that she was naming him.  "Sakhi,  … Sakhi…,  Sakhi."  **

He grew to like it.  Over several months, he began to let her get closer.  Never to touch, the way she did with Kaneya and Krishna-ji.  Sakhi had only ever known human hands to hurt.  No matter how soft her presence, he could never cross that level of trust.

Gradually, Sakhi found himself part of the quadrangle pack.  The K-dogs, Radha and himself.  He knew he was 'in' when Kaneya finally allowed him to accompany in the boundary protection patrol, often ahead of the aging Krishna.  Sakhi was permitted to stay in this position by the ashramites because he, like Radha, was quiet and well mannered - despite his propensity for entering the hall.

Sakhi never really lost his fear though.  He was an extremely anxious dog - which made him anxious to please, yes, but also flighty and prone to attack from outsiders.  For the time being he had found some peace and, for a while, life was as good as it would ever be for the voiceless underdog.  His was not a well written script, however, and things were to change.

©Yamini Ali MacLean  

**Sakhi is Sanskrit for 'friend'.

Canine Chronicles - Radha

Duck and weave

Since she had arrived, Radha found the ashram to be a comfortable place yet still with its hazards.  The black bitch on the other fence was extremely offensive.  Then again, she did have puppies to look after.

Radha wondered what that must be like.  When their mother had gone, she took care of her other siblings as if she were elder and more wise, even though they were all born of the same litter.  Not that it mattered much, because they all took off on their own anyway.  Still, she'd done what she could and had been content playing the part. It felt natural to her.  She would never admit it to anyone, but it seemed to Radha that she had already been a mother.

One day, when the humans all came for their weekly classes at the ashram, Radha spotted one of the mothers carrying a bundle.  Watching closely from the bushes, Radha could see that it was a newborn people.  It made the same sort of mewling sounds and twisted it's nose in the same way as dog-pups would. Radha's heart beat faster and her eye became soft.

Having made her peace with Krishna-ji and Kaneya, the two senior dogs, she spent many a meal-time sitting on the quadrangle with them waiting for any chance of kept rotis or idlis or rice from the residents.  Kaneya paid her little heed but also didn't bother her.  Krishna, though, took an interest.  Even though he was an ancient dog and had been docked of reproductive equipment, there was still a light in his eye for the pretty little black and white girl-dog.  He would even occasionally nudge her as if to make an offer. As politely as she could, Radha would reject these advances.  They would lead to nothing.

At the same time, she did not wish to offend the wise old animal.  He would tell her stories of different humans who had been and gone at the ashram and how they had affected his life, or he theirs.  As much as one could ever consider a sage as friend, he was that to her and if, once in a while, Kaneya got tetchy, Krishna would defend her.

Radha had come to the ashram at a time when a batch of students were close to finishing their course, so never really had much to do with any of them.  She did observe, though, how the K-dogs interacted, almost flirted, with the humans and won favours such as extra food treats, pats, and even massages.  Radha was a shy wee thing though and did not feel she could ever allow herself to be touched.

Whenever she found herself on the same path as the black bitch, she would do her best to sink sideways into a crack or behind plants in order not to raise any hackles.  Mostly this worked but there were a few altercations.    Radha was strong of spirit and decided she would not be bullied.  The more she bonded with the K-dogs, the more protection she had and Kaneya even would take her side as long as she was on the quadrangle.

Thus a pattern was set up and a steady pace of the days passed until yet another batch of students arrived.  By this time, Radha was about twenty months old.

It was a large group, this study batch, with only a few female participants.  Among these few, there were two who were not of Indian origin.  The older of these took a keen interest in the dogs.  Not in a soppy, potty sort of way.  Rather, this woman clearly knew and understood the canine culture.  Radha observed her talking with the K-dogs and afterwards, they'd talk about how they felt understood by her.  This was not one of those bleeding-heart, try-to-change-the-world types.  Rather, this amma accepted the way of things and would only interact on their terms.  She even knew their language, Unidog.  Radha began to listen to the amma herself.  When approached she would stay still for a while… but would still not let herself be touched.

There were others of this group who also loved the dogs and Kaneya in particular found lots of friends among them.  Even the Man in Yellow was a canine champion.  Radha began to finally feel like she belonged as part of a pack.  She could feel herself wanting to settle.  To have pups.  That was only going to happen one way.

Radha had spotted the black bitch, B2, with a very handsome and healthy fellow whose name she had heard being called as 'Daddy-dog'.  That said as much as needed to Radha and she determined that he and he alone would be the father of her first litter of pups.  How to catch him though?  She would have to duck and weave and act all innocent so that the black one wouldn't get wind of it, else there were sure to be jealousies to deal with.

She knew the stud-dog lived somewhere up the hill so had to venture out of her now established territory.  It was nerve-racking but also strangely exciting.  As it happened, Radha did not have to travel all that far - the male had caught her scent and he found her.

They played the usual games before establishing that they did indeed wish to couple.

"So, pretty one," said Daddy-dog, "You'll be number three, eh?"

"I'll be nobody's number," chided Radha, "...how come three anyway - I thought it was just that black bitch for you?"

The brown and white beefcake eyed his new conquest.  "Hmm, got a bit of sass about you girl.  Blackie's number two as it happens.  Winkie's my number one and always will be."

Radha looked him coolly in the eye.  Smiling her little knowing smile, she turned her back and returned to her corner.  Now, though, she strode boldly.  She had become a full bitch and was sure, too, that it was a good pairing. There was a glow in her heart and eye.  She was destined for motherhood.

  ©Yamini Ali MacLean  

Canine Chronicles - The K-dogs

Monkey business.

Krishna and Kaneya settled into an easy pattern.  The younger dog knew exactly how to let Krishna remain the senior yet take the lead when really needed.  He watched and learned. 

He loved it when the student batches came.  He was a peoples' dog and knew how to do 'pranaams'* to those who had a soft spot for him in their hearts.  He was very defensive of his people.  Whilst Krishna saw the entire land area as defence worthy, Kaneya went that extra step and would defend on behalf of the residents also.  He was a true conqueror, knowing how to wield his power in appropriate levels and hardly ever grew truly aggressive.  His body language was enough.

Each mango season, though, there would be at least one confrontation, if not several.  Not with invading dogs, but with the marauding monkeys!  He and Krishna often had to let these large and rather fearsome creatures know who was boss around here. 

The ashram was full of mango trees.  Many varieties of the luscious fruit would crop each summer and naturally there was a bit of competition among the various inhabitants to obtain these golden prizes.  There would be the crows and parrots and the honey bees.  Squirrels, bats, lizards and humans of all shapes and sizes.  Then the tribe of Langur Monkeys who roamed around the lake park area.  The babies were menacing enough when in pursuit of the fruit.  The seniors generally just went about their raids quietly and efficiently.

It was the teenagers who caused the most ruckus though.  They had a tendency to drop down to ground level for the fallen, liquid-ripe jewels.  The K-dogs were not fond of that exercise.  It was too close to declaration of war.

That's when they got into full 'arge and bark' mode.  Loud enough of itself, but then the monkeys would respond.  Quite the cacophony.  The dogs were only doing their job, but if class was going on in the hall beneath the big trees, then trouble would ensue.  Out would come the workers with their jharoos** and sticks.  The dogs would run of course.  The monkeys on the other hand could get very challenging. Just like testosterone-filled teenage males anywhere.

One year, Kaneya just wasn't quick enough out of the way and got bitten.  Needless to say the wound festered, but again the students rallied round and the vet was called.  Thankfully this was not long after he had been taken for his neutering at which time he'd also been inoculated for rabies.  A dose of antibiotics and a few stitches sorted him out.

"Well, young one," said Krishna during his healing time, "perhaps you will learn from this that not all challenges have to be met face on.  There are going to be many other times like this, where you will feel like you have no control of the life in front of you. But Kaneya, all that needs be done is to back away.  Sit and watch.  The danger may hang around for a little while more, but if you stay still, it will pass.  Move and it will find you.  If it comes directly at you, then fight.  Otherwise leave it alone.  Often you will discover there was no danger.

"In short, my lad, frequently the best action is not to act at all.  If you go looking, you will find it.  Just be careful what is sought."

Kaneya looked searchingly into the eyes of his senior. For a moment he thought he saw other than dog.

Surely that couldn't be?

© Yamini Ali MacLean    

*prostrations  **brooms

Canine Chronicles - Krishna

Sage in the 'hood - part 2

Krishna had the run of the ashram almost entirely to himself until the year the wall fell down.  The one up behind the ladies hostel. 2002 monsoon was the final straw for the foundations at that stretch of the brick and mortar structure.  Maintenance of such things was a bit slack and, really, who needed a wall anyway?

The latest batch of students had been resident for several months and many of them loved Krishna very much, making sure he had plenty to eat and giving him lots of cuddles.  Many took it on themselves to groom him and ensure he was free of the blood-sucking ticks and fleas.  Whilst this was very much discouraged by the acharyas, it was hard to stop.  For which Krishna was grateful.  He had learned not to go seeking too much attention and found that it would come to him anyway.

He enjoyed when the student batches came.  Every third year it was very quiet and rather lean pickings, with only the established office and ground-staff present.

All the folk in white meant good times.  It involved such things as making sure they all got up to early morning chanting on time and that they all got safely down the hill again to breakfast… an important task, that.  It usually generated gratitude in the form of a dosa or poha as a reward.  Then there was the guarding of the hall steps whilst they had sanskrit and vedanta class.  Didn't want any stray crows dropping into the lectures.  Plenty of them tried mind you.

His evening duty was to ensure that all got up to the temple again for aarti and satsang.  Then again that all safely arrived back down for the evening meal.

Between times he only had to patrol the boundary to ensure that cats and other dogs knew to stay out.  Squirrels and birds were permitted to run the trees, but should not attempt to approach the quadrangle between the hall and the dining room.  They'd be told in no uncertain terms about it if they tried.  Monkeys coming to steal the mangoes always got short shrift from the guardian too - occasionally the teenage males would tease him, but the dog was much too clever to be baited like that.

So life was pretty good.  Until the disaster.  Two months after the rain stopped he'd gone up to sniff out the wall behind the girls rooms when, without any warning, the whole thing keeled over.  Not down the hill, as you'd think, but inwards to the ashram grounds and all over the guardian dog.  One of the ladies saw it happening and screamed for help.  Luckily, some of the lads were close by and many of them helped to remove the rubble, finding the dog semi-conscious and clearly damaged.  He couldn't get up at all - it seemed his back was broken.

The resident acharya and most of the office staff said that 'it' was to be put down.  Not ashram responsibility.  Which technically was true.  However, many of the students had great feeling for the animal and approached Guru-ji for permission to organise vet care.  The request was granted.

A local vet came and took the dog into his care - asking for a name.  One of the brahmacharis said "Krishna".  Every one nodded.  It was a good name.

There it was.  Seven years a resident and at last a name to be called by.  The final acceptance.

This amazing canine certainly had blessings of the Lord upon him.  The vet, who had not held out much hope, was as astounded as any that recovery was made.  Certainly, the dog now walked with a marked limp and a twisted back.   But within the year he was running about as if nothing had happened.  Run about he needed to now, for the hole in the wall remained and local hounds had found it.  Many tried to intrude and seek territory.  Krishna did his best to remove them, but one or two worked their way onto the premises.

One black bitch in particular he quite liked, so as long as she kept herself to the lower end of the land, he let her stay.  Not that he could do anything with her.  The visit to the vet had brought more than just a fixed spine.  Didn't mean he couldn't appreciate a fine looking bitch when she came along!

Then there was the day that the red conqueror arrived. He liked Kaneya.  Being by now already 13 years, he was ready for an apprentice.  The lad was keen and bright and was willing to learn the pattern of the ashram, with the students and without.  Krishna still had the respect of the whole place.  It was well known he was the senior and the one to turn to when help was needed. 

A wise and steady dog, Jaya Sri Krishna-ji!!!

 © Yamini Ali MacLean