Bhavani Sundaram shares what a street dog wants you to know and why we need to widen our circle of compassion.
In every Indian city, town and village, there is a Moti. He may not have a collar. He may not have a name tag. But he has a story. This is not just the story of one street dog. It is the daily reality of millions of community dogs who share our roads, markets and neighborhoods — surviving quietly alongside us.
Morning Begins with Survival
For most pet dogs, mornings begin with a bowl of fresh food and a cheerful walk. For Moti, morning begins differently.
At daybreak, he is shooed away from pavements and shop entrances. Sometimes stones are thrown. Sometimes a stick nudges him awake. Night shelter is temporary; safety is never guaranteed.
His first task each day is not play — it is survival. He searches through garbage piles for stale rotis, leftover rice, or discarded bones. Competition is fierce. Hunger pushes even the gentlest dogs into scuffles. Injuries are common. Food is uncertain. Yet this is routine. This is life.
Kindness Exists — But It Is Inconsistent
Not every day is harsh. Some families leave out water bowls. Some offer milk and biscuits. A few gentle hands pat his head. In those rare moments, Moti wags his tail with unfiltered gratitude. But kindness is unpredictable.
There are days he is chased away by children for amusement. Days when he must hide under vehicles or inside drains to escape harm. Days when fear replaces hope.
For street dogs, survival depends on chance encounters with compassion.
The Divide Between Pet and Pariah
Perhaps the most confusing reality for a street dog is this: He sees dogs that look like him — but live very different lives. Pedigree pets walk past wearing shiny collars. They are groomed, vaccinated, adored. They sleep in warm rooms and travel in air-conditioned cars. Moti watches from a distance. If he approaches, he is pushed away.
Yet biologically, they are the same species. The difference lies not in worth, but in circumstance. The label changes everything: Pet earns affection. Stray invites rejection.
When Seasons Turn Cruel
Winter nights are brutal. Street dogs huddle together for warmth, shivering through cold winds while household pets wear sweaters and rest indoors. Summer brings dehydration and heatstroke. Clean water is scarce. Many dogs drink from polluted drains or leaking taps. Shade is often found beneath parked vehicles — sometimes with tragic consequences.
Road accidents remain one of the leading causes of injury and death among street dogs. Broken limbs, spinal injuries, untreated wounds — these are common sights in animal shelters across India.
Illness, Age, and Invisibility
What happens when a street dog grows old? When arthritis stiffens his legs? When mange eats away at his skin? When infection weakens his body?
Unlike owned pets, street dogs rarely receive medical care unless a rescuer intervenes. Many fade away unnoticed — victims of disease, starvation, or traffic. Their suffering is often silent.
Yet, There Is Resilience
And still — despite everything — Moti runs. He plays with his pack. He shares scraps. He barks at passing vehicles simply because he can. He lives fully in the moment.
The streets are harsh teachers, but they build resilience. Street dogs are intelligent, adaptable, and fiercely loyal to those who show them kindness. They do not ask for luxury. They ask for space. For tolerance. For a bowl of water. For one meal a day. For dignity.
Beyond Labels
At the heart of this story lies a simple truth: A dog does not know the difference between “pedigree” and “pariah.”He knows hunger. He knows fear. He knows kindness. Heknows love. Moti may never sleep on a soft bed. He maynever wear a collar. But he feels — just like the dog who does.And perhaps the real question is not whether a street dogdeserves love. The real question is: Can we widen our circleof compassion enough to include him?
About the author:
Bhavani Sundaram is a blogger, animal lover and activist based in Bhiwadi. She has worked in several animal NGOs like SGACC Delhi, SPCA Pune, Wildlife SoS and Friendicoes Seca Delhi. She is an author of books based on animal rescue namely Rescued Stories and Surrounded by Dogs: A Memoir. Her third book Lessons Learnt In Shelter Floor is in progress.
