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An Ele-friend is remembered

Mrs. Lalitha Menon

The elephant is very special for us in India; this in spite of the innumerable instances we know of the pachyderm being neglected, cruelly tamed, ill-treated

or overworked. We always stand and watch when one of these passes by. Somehow we feel that they will be around forever - even when forests are shrinking

and water that they cannot do without is getting rarer. Sometimes we cannot help feeling that a captive elephant is perhaps happier in a zoo outside India.

The elephants, tamed at home, travel to far away countries and become part of well-equipped and well-maintained zoos there. They are cherished

and well looked after there, their unusual appearance and behavior a matter of understanding study rather than tough handling. And once they are gone,

they are missed and deeply mourned. This is what happened to Indira, the elephant who went to a zoo in Tokyo as a gift of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru

to the children of Japan as a result of a letter campaign. She reached Japan by ship on September 24th 1949, and was marched in the early morning hours

the next day the 9-km distance to Ueno Zoo, where she was greeted by about 2,000 people.

In a letter he sent to the children of Tokyo, Prime Minister Nehru said, “. . . I hope that when the children of India and the children of Japan grow up,

they will serve not only their great countries, but also the cause of peace and cooperation all over Asia and the world. So you must look upon this elephant,

Indira by name, as a messenger of affection and goodwill from the children of India . . .”

In spite of all the goodwill on both sides, it must have been a traumatic experience for the elephant having to make a home so far from home.

However, being intelligent and amenable to change, she got used to her new home, the new sights and smells and sounds.

The Japanese, perfectionists that they are, spared no effort in keeping Indira happy. Thus began a long period – almost four decades – of

a warm relationship between the Indian elephant and her Japanese friends.

The Japanese, especially the children, came in large numbers and stood in front of Indira admiringly. She in turn, fully aware of the admiration

that she was causing, stood in front of them moving her ears like oversize fans, turning her head from side to side, raising her trunk above her

head, and sometimes gaily picking up and throwing sand around her, like a gushing fountain, enjoying it all as much as her doting audience did.

Thus years went by, and in August 1983, after she had reached a ripe old age, Indira succumbed to the inevitable, plunging the zoo in gloom.

The news of her passing was as well covered by the media as her arrival all those years earlier.

There is more to the story. The Japanese, with their Shinto and Buddhist traditions, never forget their dear ones who have passed away.

They remember them and express their affection and fond remembrances in a somber custom called ‘O-Bon’. They go a step further – similar ceremonies

are held to honour their pet animals and birds that are gone. Even inanimate things, like toys that had brought them joy, and needles which had been

of use to them at one time, are not forgotten. It is not surprising that an adored creature like Indira the elephant was to be remembered in a special way.

In an annual function in Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo, commemorating all the animals that had been part of the zoo family and had passed away the previous

year, Indira too was remembered. She elicited some of the most moving messages that day. In the presence of various dignitaries including the

Indian Ambassador to Japan, tributes were paid to her. Addressing the departed friend, the Director of the Zoo said, “You came from a far away

country. It must have been so difficult for you to get used to this new country that became your home. And yet you brought cheer to so many,

day after day, for so many years. You will never be forgotten. We pray for the peace of your soul.”In front of a beautifully decorated picture of Indira,

everyone bowed, and maybe a tear was shed in memory of a truly dear friend.

"When we were in Tokyo, the elephant that Pundit Nehru had presented to the children of Japan had died. The zoo organized a very special ceremony for saying goodbye to him and invited

your patron to the function. Speeches were made and moving tributes paid to their dead friend."- Lalitha Menon. Her husband Mr.K.P.S. Menon, our Patron was the Indian Ambassador to Japan.

It was 8 am, on June 12th, 2005, when Debasis told me that Whitey had a massive heart attack, shivered a little, and passed

away. For a moment, I could not believe my ears. The mind has its own mechanism to protect the heart from unwelcome information. Whitey

was brought to us in 1996. Ms. Uma Rao had picked him up from the tram tracks, when a tram had run over his little paw. He was just a little

puppy, foolish enough to think that all humans are kind and considerate; not that he lost his trust even after his left front paw had to amputated!

For nine years, he lorded it over us all, lapping up the love he got, and demanding it when it wasn't proffered. He was so gentle and loving that

even the little children who visited Karuna Kunj lost their fear of dogs, and started to pat and feed him. When eight-year old Naomi Shah longed

to get a dog, her mother told her that she could adopt a dog at Karuna Kunj, but he would have to stay there – the way boys stay at Boarding

School, because there was no room for a dog to live comfortably in the limited space of their flat. Naomi went around Karuna Kunj, and the one

she chose was – you've guessed it! It was Whitey! He was the first residential guest Karuna Kunj had, and by far the most popular.

About two years ago Debasis had him brought to Ashari, where he would be more comfortable and be better looked after. The reason was

the beginning of a carcenogenous growth.

Dealing with animals one becomes used to the pain of losing four legged and feathered friends. Yet, each loss contains the sweetness of happy

memories, and the enormous comfort of knowing that the end was filled with emotional and physical comfort. It is futile to wish that this could

be the case for all creatures, but for every human or non-human who leaves the world with serenity, it is the best way to go.

Life is a struggle for all creatures, human and non-human. We watch the wildlife documentaries, and we feel sad that the caged wildlife misses

out on their freedom. The wild creatures may have to struggle for survival, but their freedom makes their struggle worthwhile. It is the

same for us, humans, who struggle against so many odds, to make life worthwhile. We value freedom (as we value other gifts) only when we lose it.

Scientists observe animal behavior, to learn more about human nature. It is ironical that studies are inclined to be cruel and focused on

perversions, and common sense factors are missed out. For example, I have not heard of any study which relates the inertia of caged animals

(who receive regular meals) with the inertia of those who are content with mediocrity, because they have a fixed income without needing to work for it.

Whether it is the people in Government Service or whether it is the children of rich families – the loss of human endeavor for

betterment is as great a cancer as the one which Whitey died of.

Whitey, at least, was loved all his life, because he gave love so lavishly. Can we say the same for the inertia-riddled millions who live lives little

better than sheep and goats; who neither know how to give love, nor get anything worthwhile in their lives? If eating, sleeping, procreating and socializing is

the be-all and end-all of life, is the human existence any higher than an animal existence? Our scriptures say that all creatures

have four common drives; hunger, fear, lust and fatigue. The Homo sapiens is considered a higher species, only because we have the ability

to rise above our weaknesses, and extend greater help to others.

Makes us think a bit, doesn't it?- Purnima L. Toolsidass

My dear Naomi,

I have been thinking a lot about you, because I have not seen you for many, many days. Even though I am happy and well at Karuna Kunj, I do look forward to a visit from my Mummy!
I am very happy to get your letter. I can’t read, but I can smell you on the paper, and my tail starts wagging.
I understand that it is not easy for you to come so far, so please don’t feel bad if you can’t come – but do try, if you can!
Do you receive the wags, licks and woofs I send you through telepathy?
Please give my love to my Aunty Chiana, my Grandma and Grandpa, and all other family members.
We animals are close to God and God always listens to our prayers to bless those we love, and those who love us and help us. Please remember this whenever 
you feel sad or frightened.

Lots of love from 
Your Whitey.
8th November 2003

Note: Naomi Shah, a student of Calcutta International School, adopted a stray dog named Whitey, in 2000. She walked through Karuna Kunj, looking at all the 
dogs, cats and birds (unfit for release) and chose Whitey, whose paw had been run over by a tram when he was a puppy, and who has been at Karuna Kunj since 1997. 

Caring people are often confused about the arrangements to be made when their pet has to travel.
The most traumatic travel for a pet is one when he travels alone. A journey by air - especially the first one - can be made considerably easier if the owner takes a little trouble to ensure some emotional comfort for the pet.
In India, a pet travels in a cage, which is sent as baggage. Livestock are placed in a compartment just under the cockpit. The pilot is informed that the flight is carrying livestock, and he puts on the oxygen and air conditioning. The hold is completely dark, which helps the pet to relax, after a while, as it is the instinct of pets to relax in the dark.
If it is possible to get the cage (in which he is to travel) to your home before the journey, do so. Sit in it (if it is big enough) with your dog, and allow him to come in and go out as he pleases. Do not let him guess that he can be locked in. Let him feel that it is quite harmless. Get the sides (up to his shoulder height) padded with cloth, to ensure he does not get hurt during travel. Make sure that there are no nails sticking out, which may scratch or hurt him. 
Make sure that the cage is not to small, otherwise he may be unable to turn around, or stand comfortably. Paste labels on the cage, with the pet's name and owners' details on it, to avoid any confusion or mistakes. Better to paste more than one label, since labels can get torn during transportation. 
You will need to get a letter from your veterinarian, stating that his vaccinations are in order and that he is fit for travel.A mild sedative should be administered, after consulting a veterinarian. Kali Phos 3X is a very mild biochemic tranquilizer, which may be used. For a large dog, one should give 4 globules the previous night, and the morning of the journey. If the journey is in the evening, one more dose should be given just before the 
journey.
It is better for a dog to travel on an empty stomach. Give the last meal at least 6 hours before the journey. Also make sure that he relieves himself just before he is taken away, so that this urge doesn't add to his other tensions.
Place a comfortable mat for him inside the cage, and ensure that the smells he is familiar with (like the body smell of your family) are on the mat. You could rub some cheese onto the inside of the cage, as the smell will linger and make him feel good. Have a deep bowl screwed to the side of the cage, and place a big chunk of ice in it just before he is taken to the security area. The ice will be very helpful and welcome. It will not spill over at once. Give him a mild anti-acid tablet, to counter the effects of nervous tension, just before he leaves. You could also give him a little treat, like a couple of spoonfuls of ice cream, to make him feel nice, and divert his attention, just before he is taken away. 
Place his own towel under the bowl (so that it is familiar and homely) as it will serve to absorb any spilt water, leaving the mat beneath dry for him. Do not put any other item inside the cage, as it can frighten him or hurt him, incase of a sudden bump or tilt. 
You could place a few small biscuits, to divert him, but keep very few, so that he doesn't overeat and vomit. 
Make sure the cage is tied securely, since he will escape if he can, and this will be dangerous for him. Carry some nylon rope with you, incase the transporters have not tied it well, as this is needed for additional security.
Airline staff will respond humanely, if they see that the owner is genuinely concerned. If they see a lack of interest on the part of 
the owner, they will also tend to be unconcerned.
Make sure that a known person is there to receive your pet when he arrives, to shorten his trauma as far as possible. Remember that your pet has no means of knowing that his strange and frightening experience is of a short duration. The same rules apply to pet cats, 
but dosage differs according to the body weight, age and health of the animal.
The PetXpress (donated by a group in the USA and supported by the BSNL) of the Compassionate Crusaders Trust, is available for those who wish to transport their pets in air-conditioned comfort to the airport, since this will considerably reduce the stress of their journey. The Trust can also be approached to house your pet for a couple of days, incase you need to leave before him.

"Should everyone have a pet?" is a frequent question. Sometimes it is asked hopefully, sometimes, with apprehension. People seem to expect an unconditional affirmative, knowing me to be fond of dogs.

Cats as Pets:

Many people nowadays love to have cats as pets. They are friendly, cuddly and make wonderful companions. Because they are independent and exercise themselves, they are also easier to keep than dogs, especially for those living in flats. It is very difficult to resist fluffy little kittens, but before anyone considers taking one home as a pet, they need to think carefully about its future. Cats like company and need to be fed regularly. They like to stay in their own home with freedom to come and go as they please. It is important to think about how much time can be spent with a cat, who will look after it when the family goes on a holiday, and who will feed it. Is there a garden for the cat to play in, and sharpen its claws? A healthy cat will live for many years, and acquiring a cat is a great responsibility. Getting a pet is a commitment, not to be taken lightly. One has to consider all aspects, the work involved, the problems and the pleasures, the expense and the difficulties. Also, the health benefits now acknowledged by psychologists. Pet therapy is gaining popularity the world over. People suffering from loneliness and tension, find it very relaxing and soothing to stroke a cat, hear her purr and feel her head rubbed lovingly. Cats multiply very fast and need to be neutered, to avoid an endless supply of unwanted kittens. Neutering males is also recommended, to save other cats from being born on the streets. When choosing a kitten, avoid choosing one with a running nose, or one who suffers from diarrhoea. Check that there is no discharge from the ears, or that she doesn’t have fleas. A blown-out tummy indicates worms. A new kitten needs a litter tray. This is to use as a toilet until she is trained to go outside. The litter should be changed at least once a day, or else the kitten will not use it. Food and water bowls, kept clean and filled with fresh water, and a cosy box to sleep in, should be provided. The sizes will change as the kitten grows. Cats love softness and comfort, so place a soft cloth in the box for her to sleep on. Make sure there are no draughts, as cats hate draughts. An eight-week old kitten needs four meals a day, but only two when grown up. Cats go blind unless they get a trace of taureen in their food. Cats cannot absorb taureen from vegetarian food, but they go out and hunt their animal protein, if adopted by a vegetarian household. A young kitten will miss her family and needs lots of cuddling and stroking/scratching behind the ears, etc. They love to play, but avoid giving them a ball of wool which can get stuck in their throat. They also need lots of sleep, and should not be disturbed when resting. Although cats are naturally clean, they do need regular brushing. Unless this is done, they can swallow the loose hair and health problems will start. Cats hate having a bath, and don’t need one, unless to treat fleas. Regular grooming will identify minor problems like ear discharge, fleas, etc. Cat flu and feline enteritis are two major illnesses, which can be avoided by vaccination. Cats like to eat grass, as it helps them bring up hairballs they swallow while grooming themselves. If your cat has no access to outdoors, keep a pot of grass for it. A scratching post is also needed, so that your cat can indulge in her natural urge to sharpen her nails. Unless this is provided, your furniture will be used as a scratching post! A tail carried high usually indicates a happy cat. When she is unhappy, her tail will drag on the floor. Cats do not see colors as well as we do, and stationary objects are not clear to them. However, they rarely miss a movement and can see in very little light. Their hearing is much sharper than ours and can hear pitches inaudible for us. Their sense of balance is amazing, and this helps them avoid nausea while travelling. Their sense of smell is also highly developed, and gives them interesting information about where their human companion has been, and with whom. Although in India, we generally know just the common feral cat, there are many breeds, available abroad. Amongst the most popular are Siamese cats, Persian cats, British Shorthairs, Manx (tail-less), the Cornish and Devon Rex, the Russian Blue, Turkish cats, Angora, Abyssinians and Burmese Cats.

Call me a hopeless romantic, but I'd say a pretty good way to impress a date is to politely excuse yourself from the table, dash out the back of the restaurant, dive into a river and save a drowning dog. It may also help to have a tape recorder playing the James Bond theme song. On Thursday, Aug. 29, Jim Jovanovic and Susan Jovanovic were celebrating their seventh wedding anniversary at Jeppetto's on the River, when they spotted a Golden Retriever in distress. According to Jim, the dog had been watching a white swan in Thunder Bay River and decided to jump in to investigate further. The pooch became disoriented as it splashed around in the water, losing strength and sinking fast. At that point, Mr. Jovanovic jumped up from his seat and headed through the emergency exit toward the river bank. After unsuccessfully trying to coax the dog ashore, he saw no other course than to dive in, still fully dressed in his formal evening attire. "The dog kept trying to push me under," he told reporters. "It was 80 pounds of soaking wet mongrel. I hoisted him back up on the bank and he just collapsed because he'd gone under the water a couple of different times." Mr. Jovanovic, who has a Labrador at home, explains: "I just love animals. I couldn't see anybody losing a dog if I could help it. They're like family members." This dramatic photo shows Jim Jovanovic diving into Thunder Bay River, wrestling the currents and hauling the 80-lb. Golden Retriever onto dry land. We just happened to be at the right place at the right time to capture this incredible moment on film! (...OK, we had a little help from a passing satellite.) The dog recovered quickly from the incident, the Detroit Free Press reports.
A woman who identified herself as the dog's guardian was extremely
grateful for Jim's heroics. Before taking her dripping pooch home, she
bought a bottle of wine for the anniversary couple. The waiter paid for
their appetizer, and the restaurant manager gave them a slice of chocolate
cake. However, with his dress clothes soaking wet, Jim and his wife decided
that they'd take their anniversary dinner home-appropriately enough-in a
doggie bag.


* * * * * * * *


This touching incident reminds me about an Akbar-Birbal incident I’d read about long ago. Akbar asked Birbal wy, in Hindu mythology, the accepts an Avatar and comes Himself, to save His devotees. Birbal was quiet for the time being. A few days later, Akbar went for a boat ride on the Jamuna, with his family and entourage.

Good people all, of every sort,

Give ear unto my song;

And if you find it wond’rous short,

It cannot hold you long.

In Islington there was a man,

Of whom the world might say,

That still a godly race he ran,

Whene’er he went to pray.

A kind and gentle heart he had,

To comfort friends and foes;

The naked every day he clad,

When he put on his cloaths.

And in that town a dog was found,

As many dogs there be,

Both mongrel, puppy, whelp and hound,

And curs of low degree.

This dog and man at first were friends;

But when a pique began,

The dog, to gain some private ends,

Went mad and bit the man.

Around from all the neighbouring streets,

The wondering neighbours ran,

And swore the dog had lots his wits,

To bite so good a man.

The wound it seem’d both sore and sad,

To every christian eye;

And while they swore the dog was mad,

They swore the man would die.

But soon a wonder came to light,

That shew’d the rogues they lied,

The man recover’d of the bite,

The dog it was that died.

Top News

Focus

Face to Face

Photosynthesis

Endangered !!

Annual Report

Letters