Are You a Dog Lover?

It was meant to be a simple day with friends, a movie followed by lunch. But life had other plans. What started as a fun outing turned into a day of unexpected realizations. From cuddling two adorable puppies to facing fear at the sight of a street dog, the day took me on a journey of reflection. It made me wonder why we adore some dogs and fear others.

A Promising Lunch Plan

After watching a good movie with friends, we decided to head to a nice restaurant for lunch. As we walked in, we washed our hands, grabbed our spoons and forks, and excitedly waited to order.

The restaurant is usually bustling, with waiters rushing to serve hungry customers. But to our surprise, it was calm that day, with only one or two other diners. We were thrilled. No crowd meant no long wait for our food. Our growling stomachs hoped for a quick and delicious meal.

The waiter approached our table slowly, his tired eyes giving away his exhaustion. We eagerly scanned the menu, already picturing our plates piled with food. As we were about to place our order, the waiter softly said, “Sorry, lunch items are sold out.”

Joy vanished from our faces. Disappointment settled in as we stood up and walked out. But just then, the restaurant owner appeared, holding a bucket—not of food, but of joy. Inside were two tiny puppies, their soft, fluffy fur glowing in the sunlight. Their innocent eyes and playful wags instantly captured our hearts.

Our eyes were drawn to the incredibly beautiful restaurant owner. Her kind demeanor and polite interaction with her employees made her even more admirable. She brought joy to the puppies and charmed us with her presence. One of my friends, unable to resist the sight of the pups, asked excitedly,

“Can we hold them for a while?”

“Of course,” she replied.

We took turns cuddling the puppies. Their tiny paws, joyful wriggles, and affectionate licks made us forget our empty stomachs. Photos were clicked, cheeks were kissed, and laughter filled the air. For a moment, it felt like the puppies had fed our souls.

Bus Stop Encounter

Still giggling from our puppy playtime, we went to the bus stop. The next restaurant was 5 kilometers away, and with no bikes or cars available, a bus was our best option.

As we waited, a black street dog appeared. It was calmly sniffing around, likely in search of food. Unlike the pampered puppies, this dog bore the signs of street life, slightly leaner, with unkempt fur and a few scars. Yet, it was not aggressive or threatening. It simply minded its own business.

But not everyone saw it that way.

Some of my friends grew tense, their eyes fixed on the dog. They couldn’t focus on our conversation. Each bark from the dog, even though distant, heightened their anxiety.

“It’s barking! What if it bites?” one friend whispered in fear.

“Get it away!” another exclaimed.

It struck me how quickly joy turned to fear; the same people who had lovingly held the puppies were now terrified by a harmless street dog.

The Argument

I couldn’t hold back.

“Why are you afraid? Did it bite you? Did it even come near you?”

They stumbled for answers.

“It’s big. It barked. What if it attacks?”

Their response made me realize how deeply embedded this fear was. In their eyes, street dogs were unpredictable and dangerous. Yet moments ago, they had freely played with puppies. The contrast was glaring.

Rethinking Fear

The truth is, most street dogs are not dangerous. They bark to communicate, not to intimidate.

It’s their language,

a form of expression we often misunderstand.

Some dogs can be territorial or aggressive, but the majority are simply trying to survive.

Yes, home dogs are vaccinated and regularly groomed, reducing health risks. But not every street dog carries diseases. Even if a dog were to bite or scratch, immediate medical attention with a doctor’s consultation and the required medication are all it takes to ensure safety.

Fear, in this case, comes from a lack of understanding.

A Gentle Reminder

I’m not saying every street dog is friendly or harmless. Some may act aggressively due to trauma, hunger, or mistreatment. But that doesn’t justify treating all street dogs as threats.

If a street dog passes by without causing harm, there’s no need to panic, shout, or chase it away. A little empathy goes a long way. They, too, have a life, emotions, and a right to exist peacefully.

Loving only the dogs that curl up on our couches, while fearing or hating those that roam the streets, isn’t true love. A genuine dog lover sees beyond appearances and circumstances.

And if you can’t bring yourself to love street dogs, that’s okay. But at least, let them be. Please don’t disturb them, and don’t hurt them.

Next time you see a street dog, remember that it’s just another soul trying to get through the day, like you and me.

This is a fictional story based on a true incident.

If this story resonates with you, share it with your friends! Highlight your favorite lines and leave a clap 👏 or a comment; it encourages me to write more. Love you all! ❤️

Thank you for reading.

With 💚,

Hari Ramanathan