Bittu’s Rescue Story
My name in Hindi means “lovely child,” but it should really translate to “lucky pup!” I have survived TWO ordeals in my young life! Just check out my wonderful smile and bright amber eyes, and you can tell that I am a survivor who is ready for my own Forever Family. Soon, I will be leaving New Delhi with my buddy, Jinko, to join the other ISDF adoptable doggies.
After my birth in December 2016, I lived on the street with my mother and brothers. Thankfully, a wonderful local animal caregiver named Lata, and her brother Deepak, fed us daily and always looked out for our well-being. I was very sad when my mother died in August 2017. Then the monsoon rains really impacted my health; I became really thin and also developed some kind of allergy. I was scratching my body and even losing some hair. Lata and Deepak were concerned and felt it was best to not wait-and-see about my condition, so they brought me home. I quickly improved with medical aid and their tender attention. I loved living with them and their doggies! (To this day, my skin and hair are sensitive to irritants, so quality food and oatmeal baths are key for my handsome looks.)
During my treatment, perhaps while visiting the vet clinic, I caught distemper (confirmed by blood test). Immediately, Lata and Deepak started my care with homeopathic medicine and fresh aloe vera gel. Sometimes, the homeopathic medicines are the key to stopping these horrible illnesses… and for me, they worked! I did not give up, and I survived. In fact, I thrived! The medicine did a wonder to boost my immunity, and the plant gave me important vitamins. It appears – and my foster parents confirm – that I do not have any effects from the distemper. Phew!
Regarding my behaviors and temperament, my wonderful foster parents say that I am affectionate, smart, and playful. I am learning appropriate manners and skills for a young dog my age, such as leash-walking, potty-training, and command-following. I’m also learning to feel comfortable in my crate. In the house, I show typical street dog inquisitiveness, but overall I am well-behaved with an average amount of energy. I have a ton of doggie friends where I’m being fostered and love other dogs. I look forward to having a K-9 brother or sister some day.
Desi (day-see) —or Indian— Dogs live on the city and village streets of India. There are an estimated 260,000 street dogs just in the capital, New Delhi. Also called Indian Native Dogs or Pariah Dogs, these incredible animals are intelligent, good-looking, athletic, and full of character! In India, the dogs face extreme temperatures (damp, chilly winters and 115-degree summers), cars and other fast vehicles, disease, monsoons, and violence from people, as well as other street dogs. Some “community dogs” are sterilized, vaccinated, and fed by wonderful volunteers, while most street dogs experience indifferent cultural attitudes and survive on their own efforts and luck. Litters of pups are often drowned, buried alive, stoned, or removed from their mothers. Most citizens do not know about dog sterilization and vaccination, and if they do, many cite religious beliefs against spaying/neutering. In the cities, there is major cultural interest in the “superiority” of “purebreeds.” Unfortunately, even the labs, pugs, Dobermans, St. Bernards, boxers, and German Shepherds are frequently abandoned as many families do not have the funds, space, and knowledge about responsible long-term dog ownership. In recent years, compassion and interest towards the native street dogs is slowly, slowly developing, but there are not nearly enough potential adopters to welcome the huge number of rescued street dogs.
If you are interested in adopting BITTU, please contact Dawn Trimmel at info@istreetdog.com. You can also find our adoption application here. Your application must be approved before scheduling a meet and greet.