Every stray dog is his pet
Lawrence Milton, TNN | Apr 29, 2011, 10.54pm IST
MYSORE: For many, love for dogs ends at their homes— having it as a pet, feeding varieties of food, giving a royal treatment, teaching their language, etc. All because it is their dog.But businessman Shivakumar, 50, aka Shiva Swami is a dog lover with a difference. A dozen stray dogs are his pets. Every day, he feeds them with bread and biscuits. He has been vaccinating over 100 stray dogs every year for the past five years. Of course, he owns two pugs, an English Mastiff, Labrador and a mastiff puppy.Calling for tolerance among people for stray dogs, he says a dog bites only when it is provoked. “Dogs are scared of people. I feel bad when people throw stones at them on streets. Once you show your love for dog, it remembers it all its life. Such is its love towards humans. That makes it man’s best friend,” he avers. Shivakumar wants people to take the initiative to immunize stray dogs in their neighborhood at veterinary hospitals where it is done for free.
Shivakumar’s love for dogs became deep rooted with his pet Moon, a Great Dane. But his happiness was short lived as Moon died due to an illness when it was 30 months old. Unable to recuperate form the loss, Shivakumar went into depression. He brought another Great Dane and named it New Moon. Though the Dane was a solace for him, he too died young.
Shivakumar’s dogs have participated in many pet shows and won prizes. Shivakumar, who also practices yoga, said he turned to saffron robes 15 years ago for peace of mind.
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