It was exactly at 10:22 pm (10/12/11) that I received a text message from my wife (whom, I had just left at Guwahati, a few hours back) that her pet dog ‘ROVER’ had been killed by some unknown (dog) hunters at Mokokchung. With a very soft corner in my heart for her and her late Rover, I was at a whirlwind as to what to do about it. So, I rang up some of the neighbors (youth) to find out what possible leads they had, of which they were at a lost – just that, the wound was from a shot gun and the culprits were travelling in a Maruti car.
After a brain storming bus travelling session, the thought that struck me was to lodge an FIR. But, I wondered, ‘Was it possible?’ because we don’t usually register our (we Nagas) Pets with the concerned Department. And even if it was possible and the FIR was registered, my thoughts were that people may mock at the security forces investigating the Case with a single remark- ‘for just a dog? Eh!’
Now, that gives me an opportunity to take the readers to a wonderland of one or two imaginable scenes. Thought One-, isn’t having gun totting public in our midst, just like the Libyans gunning for Gadaffi, though this time around they were gunning for dogs, is not serious?. Simply terming it – imagine, if that same bullet which killed Rover (dog) ricocheted and got someone! Wouldn’t that be a law & order situation? Thought Two- imagine, a pet, regarded as part of your family being killed mercilessly. Ao Satirical- ‘tanguro tangur na jembitsuba danga’.
For the record, a dog was killed last night. So, What would the human (those whom Rover had befriended) reactions be? I guess, a lot of tears must have been and will be shed, just for the reckless and grieving delicacy of a few human beings. I am wondering:- 1. What would the butchers feel when Rover does not turn up for breakfast - for they always reserves the biggest and juiciest bone for him, to the envy of his peers (being the largest dog, around 29 to 30 kgs). 2. The shop keepers would miss a beat in their daily business for whichever shop Rover pokes his nose on ( alternately) offers a packet of biscuits, etc. 3. More so, How would the mutias and paniwallas felt, too? When they are carrying loads, Rover would walk along side them as if he knew they were heavily burdened and when they are off ladened, he would playfully jump on them. Of which, he was glad to receive a simple pat on the back in return. But most of all, I keep wondering how the school kids would take it, who takes the time to come and pat Rover in his sleeping cot before their school bus leaves, for they usually play a game of ‘Last Touch’ of Rover.
So much for a dog I named, ROVER
After a brain storming bus travelling session, the thought that struck me was to lodge an FIR. But, I wondered, ‘Was it possible?’ because we don’t usually register our (we Nagas) Pets with the concerned Department. And even if it was possible and the FIR was registered, my thoughts were that people may mock at the security forces investigating the Case with a single remark- ‘for just a dog? Eh!’
Now, that gives me an opportunity to take the readers to a wonderland of one or two imaginable scenes. Thought One-, isn’t having gun totting public in our midst, just like the Libyans gunning for Gadaffi, though this time around they were gunning for dogs, is not serious?. Simply terming it – imagine, if that same bullet which killed Rover (dog) ricocheted and got someone! Wouldn’t that be a law & order situation? Thought Two- imagine, a pet, regarded as part of your family being killed mercilessly. Ao Satirical- ‘tanguro tangur na jembitsuba danga’.
For the record, a dog was killed last night. So, What would the human (those whom Rover had befriended) reactions be? I guess, a lot of tears must have been and will be shed, just for the reckless and grieving delicacy of a few human beings. I am wondering:- 1. What would the butchers feel when Rover does not turn up for breakfast - for they always reserves the biggest and juiciest bone for him, to the envy of his peers (being the largest dog, around 29 to 30 kgs). 2. The shop keepers would miss a beat in their daily business for whichever shop Rover pokes his nose on ( alternately) offers a packet of biscuits, etc. 3. More so, How would the mutias and paniwallas felt, too? When they are carrying loads, Rover would walk along side them as if he knew they were heavily burdened and when they are off ladened, he would playfully jump on them. Of which, he was glad to receive a simple pat on the back in return. But most of all, I keep wondering how the school kids would take it, who takes the time to come and pat Rover in his sleeping cot before their school bus leaves, for they usually play a game of ‘Last Touch’ of Rover.
So much for a dog I named, ROVER
