Mysuru: The bonding between man and animal is the most beautiful of relationships. Sometimes the bonding with the pets causes huge emotional stress, especially after the loved pet passes away. Hence, many people hesitate to keep animals as pets.

However, one of the biggest problems that one faces in most cities is the menace of stray dogs. But, a closely guarded secret that has come out into the open is the love for stray dogs that our own Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep and his wife Arpita have.

The saga of the attachment for the stray dogs and its attended problems began for Randeep when he was serving in Vijayapura before he was transferred to Mysuru during Dasara 2016. The stray dogs that the couple had reared with lot of love and affection have followed them to Mysuru too.

While Randeep was in Vijayapura, he used to notice a stray pup everyday near his house. Seeing this, Randeep’s wife Arpita started feeding the pup. The pup grew and it refused to move as it became loyal to the couple. The Officer got so attached that he started treating it like a pet and giving it all the attention given to high pedigree dogs.

Time to time, the dog used to undergo medical check-up with proper medicines and de-worming. The dog was christened Lily. Meanwhile, the dog littered twice and gave birth to 12 pups. Retaining three pups, the remaining were given away to dog lovers for adoption through advertisements in newspapers.

The three pups were named Brownie, Chubby and Spotty. After he was transferred to Mysuru, Randeep decided to leave the stray dogs behind as he felt that since dogs are territorial in nature they would not want to move out of the place of comfort.

However, Lily’s family within a week went into depression. Learning about this, he called the Vet and asked him to treat them. But the dogs did not respond to the treatment. The doctor told him, “The dogs have gone into depression and since this is psychological, only your presence can cure them.”

Randeep, listening to the advise of the doctor, immediately made arrangements for transporting them to Mysuru. Seeing the master, the dogs got a new lease of life. Now Lily and its family are living happily with the proud, caring owners.

He spends at least 15 minutes every day with the strays amidst his busy schedule. “This is the first time I have kept dogs as pets. I have so much to learn from them. Their total trust and faith in me, moves me. Unlike humans, these animals do not betray us,” said Randeep to Star of Mysore in an emotional voice.