A Voice of Integrity, A Gentle Soul, and a True Dog Lover

The world of journalism has lost one of its most respected and empathetic voices. Mark Tully, the legendary journalist, author, and former BBC India correspondent, passed away on 25th January 2026, leaving behind a legacy that shaped generations of readers, listeners, and thinkers.

At Buddy Life Magazine, his passing feels deeply personal. In October 2016, we had the honour of featuring Mark Tully on our cover, celebrating not only his extraordinary journalistic journey but also a side of him that many cherished quietly — his deep love for dogs.

Mark Tully was more than a reporter of events; he was a storyteller of India’s soul. For decades, he observed the country with rare honesty, humility, and compassion. His writing never shouted — it listened. His words reflected empathy for ordinary people, respect for tradition, and courage to question power without losing grace.

Beyond newsrooms and headlines, Mark Tully was known among friends as a gentle, kind-hearted human being, whose affection for animals—especially dogs—was genuine and profound. He believed dogs were not just companions but silent teachers of loyalty, patience, and unconditional love. In conversations with Buddy Life, he spoke warmly about how dogs bring emotional balance and quiet joy into human lives.

His home always had space for paws, wagging tails, and calm companionship. For him, dogs were family — not possessions. This belief aligned perfectly with Buddy Life’s philosophy: celebrating animals as thinking, feeling beings who enrich our lives.

Mark Tully’s life was a rare blend of intellect and empathy. Whether reporting on political change, social realities, or spiritual questions, he carried an unmistakable moral clarity. Yet, it was his humility that stood out the most. Despite global recognition, he remained grounded, approachable, and deeply humane.

As we remember him today, we remember a man who loved truth, respected diversity, and found comfort in the quiet presence of dogs. His legacy will live on through his books, broadcasts, and the countless lives he touched — human and animal alike.

At Buddy Life Magazine, we bow our heads in gratitude for the privilege of having him as part of our journey.

Rest in peace, Mark Tully.
Your words will endure.
Your compassion will inspire.
And your love for dogs will always remain close to our hearts. 🐾

World Animal Protection calls for better institutionalized protection of animals— Gajender Kumar Sharma and Shubhobroto Ghosh elucidate.

As 2025 draws to a close, it is painfully evident that the world remains fractured by conflicts, with human beings killing and maiming each other in unimaginable numbers. Amidst this climate of violence and confrontation, countless animals are caught in situations where they suffer silently, victims of injustices inflicted by humans.

Throughout history, the strong have exploited the weak and this pattern continues today in our treatment of vulnerable communities and animals. In the food, fashion, and entertainment industries, animals endure immense suffering. Yet many conscientious individuals and organizations, such as World Animal Protection, work tirelessly to challenge this ongoing assault on our fellow creatures.

In India, the principle of kindness toward animals dates back more than two millennia to the reign of Emperor Ashoka. After the devastating battle of Kalinga, Ashoka transformed from a ruthless conqueror into a benevolent monarch, instituting some of the world’s first animal protection laws.

Compassion for animals is also deeply rooted in India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, reflected in texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, all of which call for respect and empathy toward all living beings.

Today, however, the global wildlife trade has surged alarmingly. Animals are crammed into crates, boxes and containers, enduring horrific conditions to satisfy the whims of the wealthy who flaunt exotic pets as symbols of status. This demand fuels rampant poaching across the world, with little regard for animal welfare. Tragically, many animals perish during transport or in captivity, their basic needs ignored in confined environments.

Elephants, tigers, dolphins, and many other species are exploited for entertainment, forced to live in stressful and unnatural conditions. A stark example is Amer Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan, where around eighty elephants are used to ferry tourists. These majestic creatures endure unacceptable suffering merely to provide fleeting amusement. World Animal Protection has long campaigned to end this cruel practice, advocating for rehabilitation programs and humane alternatives that benefit both elephants and their handlers. This campaign calls upon civil society to support a transition toward a kinder future for India’s National Heritage Animal.

Factory farming presents another grim reality. Millions of animals are slaughtered to satisfy human appetites, often raised with heavy use of antibiotics that compromise both animal welfare and human health. World Animal Protection continues to campaign against this wasteful and destructive system, including at the recent COP30 in Belém, Brazil. By highlighting the links between factory farming, environmental damage, and public health, the organization promotes the “One Health” approach—endorsed by the Indian government— which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental well-being.

A beacon of hope emerged in 2024 when the then Chief Justice of India announced that he had given up animal products such as leather and silk, adopting a vegan lifestyle inspired by his daughters. This decision is significant, as countless animals are killed in the fur, leather, feather, and silk industries for luxury goods. It is long overdue for society to embrace kinder choices in clothing, diet, and entertainment. Wearing animal-derived products for vanity diminishes the wearer as much as it harms the animals sacrificed for fashion.

Research has shown that kindness toward animal’s nurtures empathy in children, fostering compassion for humans as well. The case for treating animals with respect is clear: kindness is not merely a virtue, but the highest form of wisdom.

About the Authors: Gajender Kumar Sharma is the Country Director and Shubhobroto Ghosh is the Wildlife Campaign Manager of World Animal Protection, India.

Feeding your dog is not just about scooping kibble in a bowl and calling it a day. If you want your furry bestie to stick around for the long haul—chasing tennis balls, giving sloppy kisses, living their best life—you gotta pay attention to what is going in that bowl. Just like people, dogs don’t want to eat the same thing (or need the same stuff) when they are babies, grown-ups or raising their old-man eyebrows. I got some legit advice from Prithwish Mukherjee, a certified canine nutritionist. He knows his stuff and, honestly, he makes it all sound way less scary than the several free online consultants.

Puppy Power: Tiny Tornadoes Need Fuel
Puppies? They are basically little furry storm-wrecking balls with legs. All they do is eat, sleep, chew your shoes, repeat. They need food that actually keeps up with all that chaos. Mukherjee swears by the holy trinity: protein, fat and carbs. “Protein builds the muscles, fats (especially the fancy omega things) make their brains and coats awesome,” he says.

“And carbs? Not evil! Puppies need ’em for all that running and learning.” Do not forget calcium and phosphorus
either—otherwise, you will end up with a wobbly pup and dental bills that will make you cry. Also, tiny stomachs mean you should break up their meals. Three to four times a day, not one giant food coma.

And please, for the love of dogs, stop sharing your snacks. Chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic—these are straight-up
doggie poison. Spicy wings? Save those for the football game. Mukherjee says people mean well, but honestly,
it is not worth the vet bills. Oh, and if you are cooking for your dog at home—good for you, Chef. But do not wing it. Puppies need a ton of stuff in the right amounts (who knew, right?), and it is super easy to screw up. Just team up with a real nutritionist, or you could mess up your dog’s health for life.

Adult Dogs: Keeping’ It Tight
Once your dog’s done growing (could be one year, could be seven if you have got a giant slobbery breed), you wanna switch gears. Now it is all about maintenance. Think: keeping them fit, happy, not turning into a couch potato.

Protein? Still important. But do not go bananas with the calories or fat, or you will end up with a chunky monkey.
Mukherjee says portion control is your BFF here. People love to overfeed because “he looks hungry!” — nah, he is just a good actor.

Carbs get a bad rap, but they are not all evil. Stuff like oats or brown rice is great for digestion and gives steady energy, so your dog is not bouncing off the walls or crashing. Working dogs or marathon runners? Sure, they need more chow. Couch surfers? Maybe knock it back a bit. Treats—oh man, those add up fast. Mukherjee’s rule? Treats should be less than 10% of your dog’s day. Swap out the bacon for carrot sticks or apple slices. They will survive, promise.
Now, about all those trendy diets—grain-free, raw, whatever. Grain allergies? Super rare. Raw? Only if you are a mealprepping wizard, because screwing that up is kinda risky. For most dogs, a balanced, regular diet with some healthy carbs is more than fine.

Old Dogs, New Tricks: Eating for the Silver Years
When your pup starts slowing down and those muzzles get frosty (adorable, honestly), their bodies change. Metabolism drops, joints might creak, kidneys are not what they used to be. Now food is more about comfort and keeping everything ticking along—weight in check, organs happy, moving as well as possible.

Look, older dogs are not running marathons anymore, but that does not mean you can skimp on the good stuff in their bowl. People always think, Oh, less food, less protein, and just start slashing their diet. But come on—muscles do not just stick around by magic. Mukherjee says it straight: senior pups still need top-notch, easy-to-digest protein (think chicken, fish—not cardboard kibble), or they will lose muscle. And honestly, getting old is hard enough without turning into a noodle.

And do not even get me started on those sketchy fillers. Older dogs’ guts just do not have time for junk. Keep it
simple: lean meats, stuff that does not turn into a brick in their stomach. Toss in some fish oil for Omega-3s—seriously, their joints will thank you. If your dog’s got kidney issues or diabetes, do not play vet on Google. Call the pros and get the real scoop for their meals.

Hydration? Huge deal. Older dogs sometimes act like water is lava, so mix in some wet food or splash a bit of low-sodium broth on their dinner. Works like a charm for picky eaters or those who just do not care anymore.

Every senior dog is basically its own mystery novel. Mukherjee nails it—regular vet visits and being cool with tweaking their diet as needed is probably the nicest thing you can do for your old pal.

Final Hot Take
Puppies are chaos, seniors are wisdom with whiskers and food is the bridge between the two. There’s no one-size-fitsall here. Figure out what works, ask for help when you need it, and you’re doing way more than just feeding your dog. You are making their days brighter, longer and way tastier.

Or, as Mukherjee says—what you scoop into that bowl is how you show love. Customizing their meals as they age doesn’t just stack on years; it makes every single day count.

Big thanks to Prithwish Mukherjee, the real MVP (Most Valuable Player) in dog nutrition wisdom.