Darjeeling, June 1: Dogs in the hill town had their day today. So did their owners.
From the Saint Bernard to the Spitz, from the Doberman to the Dalmatian and even the Roadasians (as pet street dogs are called): they were all there at the Gymkhana Club for a “general check-up”.
It was chaos, with the owners enquiring about everything from diseases and training methods to grooming procedures for their pets. And veterinarians from all three hill sub-divisions, who had organised this free camp in association with Pets and Animal Welfare and Lakhotia Medical Stores, were ready with answers to all questions.
Sanjay Gurung, a veterinary surgeon, was stressing on the need to supplement a dog’s diet with medicines. “Most dogs in the hills suffer from skin diseases like scabies. The lack of minerals, specially iron and phosphorus, also leads to disease called pica,” he said. “It is also not advisable to feed raw fish or meat to the dogs.”
Kurseong divisional forest officer G.P. Chhetri, who owns a German Shepherd, was also seen at the camp.
Asok Roy of West Point, was anxious to know what could be done to Miglee, his dog, who had a big sore in his eye. “A surgery is the only way out,” the vets said.
But there was more to the camp than only check-ups.
Dog muzzles, dog chews, dresses, nail cutters, bowls and even musical balls for the dogs to play with, were available. And the owners found it hard not to buy them.
Adding that personal touch to the entire venture, the owners were invited to get themselves photographed with their pets.
“This will serve two purposes. On the one hand, it will give us a fair idea of the state of health of the animals. On the other, it will go a long way in fulfilling our long-term plan to form a kennel club in Darjeeling,” Gurung said. “To apply for kennel club membership, the picture of at least 100 show dogs have to be sent.”
Though most were willing, Rahul Gupta from Pathlabash, objected. “Every time I take a snap with my pets, the pet dies,” he said.
The vets could relate to his sentiment.
