“It’s true that sometimes the best therapists are the one with four legs! Drawing inspiration from Mother Teresa at a young age, I was firm with my approach of helping any living being in need. Soon, I saw myself rescuing animals, especially dogs.
I remember, while I used to work in an MNC, seeing stray dogs in bad temperament would bother me and I wanted to do something to help them.

It all started when I got some captured dogs released and brought them home with me. I had to often shift homes due to the constant complaints from the neighbours about the mess. But, nothing deterred me from helping them. I packed water bottles, plates and many boxes of Pedigree on my two wheeler and kept a constant look out for any dog in need. I would make time for them even on the busiest of days. On one such day, I came across a dog covered with maggots, fighting for her life. I instantly rushed her to the vet. They told me she had cancer. I had to take her home and I did. I took care of her like my own child. That was when I decided to ‘go big or go home.’ She and I, we saved each other. So, I built a shelter home in 2009 in the outskirts of the city with the help of a loan for safeguarding the dogs I rescued. Today, I have more than 100 rescues. She is one among many warriors I have in my shelter.

Although there were a lot of obstacles that came my way, my mother has been a constant support system. Years flew by, and I had to move to the U.S. leaving behind my shelter. It was the most difficult thing I had done by far. Initially, my mother took care of it. However, as she grew older, I had to appoint a full time care-taker. It is challenging when one decides to stand up for animals. We must support them in any way we can.

All these years everyone’s told me how I saved these dogs and gave them a home. But to be honest, it’s them who gave my life a new meaning. The way they look at me, the way they wag their tails, the way they welcome me home- it is the purest form of love. They are FAMILY and no one abandons family!”