If Dogs Could Talk: What Did The Pandemic Do To Bruno?

Woof! 

I’m Bruno! I like belly rubs and chasing squirrels. In my free-time, I eat - and only sometimes, steal some of my friends’ food too. 

When ImpactGuru asked me to share my story, I was elated! Life is great now, I have everything a Dog could ask for. But it wasn’t always this easy for me. 

Image source: Pexels

I remember my puppy-hood like it was yesterday. 

I was born near a bus stand, I had four sisters and three brothers. We had a lot of friends in the neighbourhood. Children from a nearby school would come play with us, feed us biscuits and milk - I felt like the whole world was in my paw. My joy knew no bounds. 

I woke up one afternoon, expecting to see my human friends. But I was met with an unexpected silence. All the shops were shut, there were very few vehicles on the street. People who usually laid out food for us, seemed to have forgotten to do so. My siblings and I walked around for quite a bit, hoping to find someone - “Maybe they’re all busy chasing squirrels,” we thought. After hours of looking, there was still no sight of any human. 

Also Read: A Tale Of Two Dogs And The Two Women Who Changed Their Lives

Image Source: Pexels

The few weeks that followed were some of the toughest of my life. We had to struggle to find food, even the garbage cans had nothing left. I lost my little sister because she ate a plastic bag. Gone were the days of chasing each other on the street, we barely had the energy to chase our own tails. 

As the days passed, my other puppy friends started disappearing. The worst day was when my mom went to sleep, and never woke up. I howled, cried for help, but no one came. I wondered if that is what happened to my other friends as well. 

Image Source: Pexels

After weeks (which seemed like years) of not seeing him, I saw my friend Max. My tail couldn’t contain the excitement. 

You see, Max lived with humans. He used to come out on walks with his human, that is how we had become the best of friends. But something was different about him. His fancy sweater was gone, his shiny golden fur which was always brushed to perfection, was tangled and dirty. Max looked weak and tired - like me and my friends on the street. 

When I asked him what happened, Max told me about COVID-19. “It's called a pandemic. The humans are very scared. They are not leaving the house. They thought I was a threat, so I was asked to leave the house.” Max told me, his ears drooping in sadness. 

Also Read: How To Save Street Animals With Crowdfunding

Image Source: Pexels

A few days later, Max and I were busy rummaging through the garbage bin, hoping to find food. I was scared that a plastic bag would steal a loved one again, but our desperation was stronger than that fear. It had been days since I slept on a full tummy, Max’s health was deteriorating as well. 

Right when we were about to give up, I got a whiff of warm milk. We turned at the same time, and saw a man place two bowls of milk a few steps away from us. Max and I hurried towards the milk. While we were busy lapping up our first meal in days, the kind man gave us head scratches! I was so relieved. It was great to feel loved again (The biscuits he gave us later were even better!).

Image Source: Pexels

After eating to our hearts content, Max and I were taken in a car. I had never been in one before, the wind felt heavenly!

When we got down, we seemed to be in a park. There were so many other dogs there, I couldn’t decide who to befriend first! 

Image Source: Pexels

After talking to these new friends, I understood where we were. It was an animal shelter established by an NGO founded by the same kind human who saved me and Max by offering us food. Turns out, they had saved hundreds of animals like us by giving them food, medicines, and shelter. 

The “Pandemic” that Max told me about took a toll on many stray animals like me. With the help of ImpactGuru, the NGO raised funds online, and helped us live a happier life. 

Also Read: ImpactGuru Saved Their Office Cat With The Help Of Crowdfunding

Image Source: Freepik 

Max and I are happy now. We live in the shelter with several other animals like us. But I wonder about all those who could not be saved. I know I might be just another dog to you, but losing my friends and family was the toughest thing I ever had to face. 

If you found yourself saying “Aww!” to my story, or wish you could do something to help other animals who don’t have any hope, you can reach out to ImpactGuru too! Start a fundraiser to save animals, or donate to a similar cause, it is all just one click away. You can be the hope that my stray friends are looking for. 

Love,

Bruno