GREAT NEWS….. Saachi is HOME. Saachi was rescued from the streets of Rishikesh, India, a few hours away from New Delhi.
She is now a cherished family member of Angela Nirk and Jim Siegel of Whitewater, WI. That’s right another Cheesehead.?. Saachi is now an official Packer Backer. ?
Angela and Jim spent time walking Saachi and getting to know her. It didn’t take them long to know she was destined to join their family. A more responsible and loving family could not have been found for Saachi. Angela volunteers with animals in need in Whitewater and both of them have extremely compassionate hearts. They wanted to help a dog in need and Saachi needed THEM.
You too can save a life
#IsavedaLife #ISDF #DesiDogsRock
My name is Saachi. I’m a 6-month-old girl from the holy city of Rishikesh, India, born by the bank of the sacred Ganges River. My birthplace is also the birthplace of yoga, a place of rare beauty in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains. Unfortunately, street puppies here face common threats, and I was hit by a car when I was only 2 months old, badly injuring my right rear leg.
Perhaps it was karma that put me in the path of the special people who came together to heal me. My godmother Grace just happened to appear moments after my accident, and so did Vikram, a kind soul who stayed with me and helped me get to the vet. The local Chai wallah lent his aid, and another local man provided a cloth to wrap me safely. Yet another helped get me settled for my first ever motorbike ride. Although my little leg twisted all the way around to face behind me, the vet said it wasn’t broken and that I didn’t need xrays. I was in so much pain that Grace decided to take me for xrays anyway. The images showed a badly fractured leg. This time I got to ride in a car on Grace’s lap, all the way to a vet in a city an hour away. My leg was expertly set, splinted, and wrapped, and I went back to Rishikesh to begin my recovery. Throughout all of my treatment, I never complained. Grace told me I was the sweetest and bravest little girl imaginable.
While at Grace’s, I have blossomed into a striking and sleek young girl with a temperment just as lovely. My leg healed very nicely. I have the softest plush-lined, stand-up ears, the darkest brown eyes, and a true Desi dog curled tail. People often stop Grace to ask my breed, and can’t believe that a dog of such elegance and charm could be a common Desi street dog. I’m nice to all the new puppies and dogs that I meet, and have never displayed any aggression. I’m not territorial or protective of my food, and I take treats very gently from my friends’ hands. I’m cuddly and athletic, but not at all hyper, a little cautious when meeting new people, but I warm up quicky once I know they’re nice. There are hardly any cats in Rishikesh, so I’ve never met on; I suspect they might be fun to chase. Grace thinks I would likely do well with gentle children.
In Rishikesh, I slept in an open crate with my puppy friend Melvin, and began learning potty training. I can be scared of new things, like stairs and loud city noises; with your calm, reassuring presence and patience, my confidence will grow daily. I respond to a soft voice, and have no need for harsh commands, but please do keep a secure hold on my leash until I get my bearings, since my instinct is to flee in unfamiliar situations. Even when I’m scared, I check in with a lot of eye contact, and I’m highly motivated by food. Grace says I’ll be an amazing learner with positive reinforcement training and a little time to acclimate. I’m a smart one, and Grace knows I’ll make my new family proud.
In preparing me for my big journey, Grace has promised to keep me in her heart. In a way, I am her namesake. Saachi is a Hindi name meaning grace, beloved, companion, and truth. I am incredibly grateful for the wonderful world Grace has given me. In turn, Grace has no doubt that I’ll be a most beloved and true companion to the person or people who’ll soon be mine.
*******
There are millions of street dogs like Saachi in India. Desi (day-see) dogs live on the city and village streets. Also called Indian Native Dogs or Pariah Dogs, these dogs have changed little over thousands of years. Desi dogs are highly intelligent, alert, good-looking, athletic, and full of character. Many urban Desi dogs have recent European breed ancestry too, along with sighthound sleekness and speed. Most of the Desi dogs that ISDF places could not survive on Indian streets due to early orphaning or injury, or have been rescued from especially threatening situations. ISDF is excited to be partnering with Rishikesh Animal Care (RAC) for the first time. Grace, founder and soul of RAC, provides treatment and care to many of the street dogs of Rishikesh, and works with the local community to improve the lives of residents’ companion dogs as well.
*******
If you are interested in adopting SAACHI, please contact Dawn Trimmel at info@istreetdog.com. You can also find our application here. Your application must be approved before scheduling a meet and greet.