A priest has set an example of how life can be led in the company of dogs in difficult times, as Yogesh Pandya is rearing 22 adopted dogs, including strays, at his two-room house in Sundarnagar, Jamshedpur, even as the coronavirus pandemic has rendered him jobless.
The coronavirus crisis has not deterred Pandya to continue showering his compassion on the canines, who move freely at Pandya’s home and spend their time at the terrace when the 60-year-old priest is out.
They quickly descend the stairs to greet their master once the priest returns home in the evening.
“These dogs are my best friends. They are staying with me for nearly five years now. I have adopted them out of sheer compassion. I just cannot bear the suffering of stray dogs. I feel they have the right to live happily, and without inconvenience,” Pandya told The Telegraph Online.
Pandya’s pooch story started after he adopted a female stray some five years back and a male a few months later.
“The two bred and their numbers multiplied. I kept on rescuing and adopting dogs and the numbers have now come up to 22. I see to it that my dogs never go hungry and get veterinary attention. All my dogs have undergone vasectomy,” Pandya said.
Pandya had to sell some copper and bronze utensils to keep his canines in good health.
“I get utensils after performing rituals at various homes. However, the Covid-19 crisis made me jobless. I had no option but to sell the utensils, otherwise my dogs would have died of hunger. I may remain hungry but would never think of the same for my dogs, who are like my babies,” Pandya said, adding he also runs the show with his savings.
Pandya said his wife Beena, a singer, is equally fond of canines.
“She takes care of the dogs when I am out,” he added.
The Pandyas have no issues if the dogs sleep on beds at night nor do they complain if they growl, bark or fight with each other.
The priest, who is well-known at Jamshedpur’s urban pockets, feeds rice, dog food and chhapatis to the pets.
“Feeding the dogs is my duty. I feed them rice and dog food before leaving home in the morning. Chhapati and milk are reserved for dinner,” Pandya added.
Asked if they feel uncomfortable living with dogs in a small house, Pandya said “Inconvenience and other related problems don’t matter when you have a deep concern for animals. Our neighbours too don’t complain.”