Sunday, August 2, 2009

Tootsie

No, I'm not talking about the film at all. I was just reading Terri's latest tail, and it triggered off memories from long ago. My older son must have been around nine or ten. He came home in tears after playing one evening, because one of the stray dogs in the neighbourhood had been in an accident, and seemed to be half paralysed. She had probably been struck by a scooter, and seemed to have a spinal injury, as she was only able to drag her hind legs along. He wished that we had a gun and could put her out of her misery. He wanted to call the SPCA, but I don't think there was a satisfactory response. We were feeling as helpless and miserable as the poor dog was, but our son was not one to give up.
He didn't want the poor animal to starve, so for weeks on end he would give her bread and milk both in the morning before going to school, and in the evening as well. Since she seemed so broken, so " tooti-phooti" in Hindi, she was named Tootsie. At times we wondered if the boy was prolonging her agony by keeping her alive. Tootsie lived in the park next to ours, a few hundred yards away from our house. Not only did she stay alive, she slowly and steadily recovered. I remember my son coming home completely and utterly overjoyed when he found that Tootsie was able to use her hind legs a bit. Slowly and steadily she did recover fully, and the next spring she had delivered a litter of healthy puppies.
One little boy with a compassionate heart, one stray brown dog with a fighting spirit.
It feels good to remember them both!

16 comments:

Mamma mia! Me a mamma? said...

Awww! Such a lovely, feel-good memory! God bless your son's compassionate heart!

Rohini said...

What a lovely memory :)

Artnavy said...

beautiful ...even better than the movie

Preeti Aghalayam aka kbpm said...

aww, thats so lovely.

DotThoughts said...

you made my Monday. Inspiring story!

Choxbox said...

:) it feels good to read this!

Anonymous said...

this is such a classic chicken soup for the soul story. thanks for sharing

Anonymous said...
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wordjunkie said...

Lovely! Bravo to that little big hearted boy!

Anonymous said...

i have special regard for ppl who care about animals.. there are too many ppl around who ill treat animals, if u ask me.. i think u have a wonderful son.. im sure u are very proud of him.

dipali said...

@everyone: Thanks, people. Its amazing what triggers off a memory.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful memory Dipali :)

Magical Homes said...

wow!

i love it when i read stories of kids who were compassionate to animals. They grow up to be very nice people :)

nitya said...

Wow. And you are one cool mother. I doubt many people would have let their children take care of a stray dog...

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story!

Suchismita said...

Very nice. Have two dogs and feel for every dog / animal i see. I find it amazing to be able to help/understand other species. always root for adopted dogs and pets.