Being a Dog Parent...

Being a dog parent - It's truly disheartening when some people claim to hate dogs. What's there to boast about in not appreciating the unconditional love and empathy these amazing creatures offer? In reality, it often reveals a lack of empathy.

We share our home with two beloved fur babies, Zella and Zorro, mother and son. Zella arrived malnourished and frail, with even a vet suggesting we return her. However, from the moment we saw her, we fell in love. Zella knew she had found her forever home, and we couldn't resist her intelligence and those beautiful eyes. Like many first-time dog parents, we debated whether to spay her. Yet, we believed she deserved a full life, so we found a mate for her. Zella, known in our neighborhood for her friendly nature, had admirers who wanted a companion like her, or even better, Zella's offspring.

We were told her first litter wouldn't be more than six, and we chose to keep Zella's son while finding loving homes for her siblings. I must mention Zella's mate, Chaos – despite his name, he's a calm and pleasant fellow, perfect for Zella. During her two-month pregnancy, we did everything to ensure her health and happiness. However, when her due date neared, tragedy struck with Kripa losing his father, forcing us to be away. We prayed she'd wait for our return, but she delivered on time.

We had prepared a room for her delivery, but she chose her favorite spot, the couch. Do you know who conducted the delivery? My 70-year-old mother! When we weren't there, she learned from the vet how to assist and, when the time came, acted swiftly, delivering the babies one by one. Our kind neighbors and their 2-year-old daughter were also there, supporting my mother throughout. The first two deliveries went smoothly, but the third one took time, and our neighbors called us via WhatsApp. After hearing our voices, Zella delivered within 10 minutes.

From 2 PM to 10 PM, she brought nine babies into the world – seven female and two male. My mother went to sleep, but during the night, she checked on Zella, who had delivered a healthy male, the 10th one. For me, empathy seems to run in the family, starting with my mother. It extends to all forms of life – plants, animals, and humans. Though we couldn't be with Zella during her delivery, our neighbors, the vet, and the visitors who came to support my mother reinforced our faith in humanity and compassion. As for those who consider it fashionable to claim they dislike dogs, we'll keep our distance from them.

The philosophy of Advaita, with its core principle of seeing God within the self, reminds us that if divinity resides in every life, there can be no inherent hierarchy of superiority or inferiority among us. This profound concept challenges our conventional notions of superiority and inferiority, urging us to recognize the intrinsic worth and interconnectedness of all living beings. This recognition prompts us to embrace empathy, compassion, and respect for all forms of life, acknowledging the inherent oneness that transcends our external differences. By understanding that the same divine essence exists in every being, we are inspired to treat each other with kindness and dignity, fostering a world built on equality and unity.

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