Saving private Pandey

Pandey update (a sequel to the previous post): he is back. And I am nearly as exhausted as he must be – hence, staccato-ish post:

He had made it to Alaknanda, a good 7-8 km from Saket.

If that surprises you – firecracker-disoriented dogs regularly cross much longer distances, even across busy city roads, moving further and further from their safe spaces as they try futilely to escape the terrifying noises assailing them. Last year a few Saket dogs ended up in Noida and probably beyond (I can only speak for the ones who were actually traced). And the big Jahanpanah forest often becomes a corridor from one part of south Delhi to another.

While I’m very happy and relieved, and a little self-congratulatory too, I also know this could so easily have gone the other way – chance and luck played a big part here, as they do in all things.

It began with a kind-hearted woman in Alaknanda sending me a short video yesterday, which she had happened to take of a very scared thirsty lost Pandey coming to her for comfort on Diwali night (before quickly bolting again). Given that the video was from two days ago in a neighbourhood packed with large apartment complexes and societies, I realised this was going to be a needle-in-a-huge-haystack search. (Also because of his personality type – constantly running and hiding, unlikely to spend a large amount of time at any one place.)

Then, as I was driving towards the area yesterday afternoon, further word came that he had been seen in Narmada Apartments on two separate days – which created a little more hope that he was trying to stay put somewhere, or was too tired to keep running around.

After getting there and looking around, I spoke to guards and shopkeepers and dhobis, circulated photos, left my phone number with as many people as I could. Then went back there late at night, and was there again from 5 onwards this morning, these being the timings when he was most likely to come out and scavenge. Walked around a lot, saw many other lost dogs, including collar-less ones – victims of this beautiful “festival of light and love” – running helter-skelter. Many of them won’t find their way home.

By 8 AM I had reconciled myself to not finding Pandey today. In fact I would have left already by that time, but I was standing by my car, sending a few updates to animal groups, when I got a call from a sympathetic-looking dog-walker whom I had happened to meet in Narmada Apartments (and whom I had mechanically given my number to, though almost sure by this time that Pandey was no longer in the colony). He had spotted Pandey on his walking route. I went back in, taking directions, preparing myself for more dashed hopes… but there he was, whining away at the many injustices wreaked on him by an uncaring universe.

He is limping and has wounds on his back paws, which is understandable. Had to carry him to the gate and then to the car. Drove with one hand while handing him paneer pieces in the back-seat with the other (this is probably frowned upon in some countries).

Have kept him in my flat for now – Lara doesn’t like this but that can’t be helped. Have put a new collar with my number on him. Hoping he gradually overcomes his fear and his injuries, and starts going down the stairs. And that there aren’t many firecracker interludes in the coming days. (A chhath puja is coming up now, I’m told. And the sound of crackers was fairly pronounced near the Jahanpanah forest area at around 11.30 last night.)

Meanwhile, thanks everyone, for your wishes. Do please extend a few of them towards the hundreds of other lost animals, many of whom won’t be as lucky as Pandey was. And more practically, IF you get a chance to help or feed a runaway animal – or to take a photo/video and share it to any groups you know – please try to do it. (I know this sort of thing isn’t easy. Apart from anything else it can take a big emotional toll. But still.)