Puppy love: Apeejay Model Town students spread the message of adopting abandoned animals on International Dog Day

International Dog Day is observed annually on August 26. To commemorate the day, canine lovers around the world and in India work towards providing dogs a happy, safe, and abuse-free life.

Dogs can play a number of roles in one’s life. Celebrated writer Mark Twain had said “The dog is a gentleman. I hope to go to his heaven not Man’s”. Thus Man’s best friend without a doubt deserves a life of respect and love.  

Apeejay School Model Town Class 7 students Kanan and Kangna firmly believe in and encourage dog ownership of all breeds, whether strays or pedigreed.

They practice and especially encourage adoption of stray dogs. They also want to give special thought to abandoned dogs.  They believe that people and local authorities must put their best forward for this cause. International Dog Day for Kanan and Kangna, is a homage to all dogs killed, abused, mistreated and also to those who live homeless, in suffering and need to be rescued.

 “The community dogs that live on the streets by the neighborhood are extremely intelligent and quick learners. They also make great running companions. We are both dog lovers,” announces Kangna.  

Kanan and Kangna shared an incident about their pet ‘Tyse’.  

A rash driver had run over two puppies. They were left unattended. This happened in front of

their eyes. They felt very sorry for the two pups and immediately called the Animal Protection Foundation to save their lives. Unfortunately, they could save only one puppy’s life. It was then that they decided to adopt the pup. They named him ‘Tyse’. Later Kanan and Kangna adopted another stray and named him ‘Blackie’. Both the dogs are vaccinated, properly fed and loved just as family members.

Kanan and Kangna have promised to do their part to end the tragic cycle of animal homelessness by never buying a dog from a breeder or pet shop. Instead, they choose to save a life by opting to adopt a homeless dog from the streets or an animal shelter

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” ― Mahatma Gandhi

–Sinia Sajith, Principal, Apeejay School, Model Town, Jalandhar