A Dog in the Deserted Island

For the last 10 days P was away. First she flew to New Delhi to attend some conference then for a week she was at M G University, Kottayam, attending a programme in Environmental Studies. She got back home today and told me the following story.

One afternoon the participants were taken to Pathiramanal Island. It is an uninhabited island in the backwaters of Vembanad Lake and near the internationally famous tourist destination, Kumarakom. I used to go to Kumarakom a couple decades back for bird watching. It had marshes, inundated paddy fields and then the vast backwater lake, Vembanad. Backwater is a kind of intermediary water body between the land and the sea. Pathiramanal Island is a haven for migratory birds.

When P and her friends got out of the boat, they were greeted by an emaciated dog and an equally dreadful looking cat. It seemed to P that they were marooned – probably dumped by someone. P asked around for some tidbits or biscuits; none had any.

One of the qualities some humans share with animals is the ability to recognize friends. I have it, I believe! And sure did this mongrel, for he immediately came to P, wagging his tail. All P had was a few chocolates which she gave them both. The dog followed her around all through the walk. As they were about to leave the island, P asked the boatman to take the dog and the cat along with them to the mainland. The cat being a cat, avoided getting caught and ran away. P’s friend, Christopher, took the dog in his arms and brought him aboard.

As the boat moved away, the dog trotted up to the bow and stood up on his forelegs and enjoyed the breeze. P could see he was happy. As soon as they came ashore, the dog jumped out excitedly. People smiled at him for all the joyous howling and wagging he was doing. A fisherwoman threw him a couple of fish. The dog was home.

This was one dog in the world for whom this Onam is special. To be back among friends, to be with the ones who love him. That is the spirit of Onam. May this Onam bring you all good cheer.

Balachandran V , Trivandrum, 25.08.2010

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Photos courtesy Internet