Padmapur: If dog is man’s (or woman’s) best friend, Jiteswari Das, a retired headmistress of Padmapur in Bargarh district, has redefined the adage with her love for canines.
The 62-year-old teacher has developed a mother-children bond with stray dogs over the years. And, she strongly believes that “dogs are the most loyal animals on the earth.”
At a time when people shoo away stray dogs and turn their faces at the very sight of them, Jiteswari takes care of them, from feeding to health care, without taking a pie from any organisation.
Her unflinching love for these animals keeps her busy from dawn to dusk. In the morning, when everyone thinks of the breakfast, she thinks of the food to be given to her pets. For the injured and ailing dogs, she buys medicine, applies ointment on their wounds and takes great care until they recover. A good amount of her pension goes towards canine care. But the love and affection she gets from the loyal and faithful dogs in return is immeasurable.
“I cannot even think of living a moment without my (canine) children. If anyone chases them or throws stones at them, it hurts me most. I lose no time to pick up an altercation and bring the wrongdoers to their senses,” says Jiteswari, who is a writer as well as a translator.
After retirement, she finds more time for these stray dogs. On hearing her voice, dogs run towards her wagging their tails, reaffirming the age-old relationship between humans and canines. PNN
