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This man from Bangalore has rescued more than 700 Dogs #WATWB

We are the World BlogfestWe are the World Blogfest is here with its sixth edition.

To spread peace and humanity on social media, a few of us have worked together to create the We are the World Blogfest. In a world where news and social media are awash with negativity, we aim to turn the focus on to small but significant stories that renew our faith in humanity.

The cohosts for the August 2017 WATWB are: Simon Falk, Inderpreet Uppal, Lynn Hallbrooks, Eric Lahti, and Mary J Giese
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In the spirit of “In Darkness, Be Light,” I’d like to share the story of Rakesh Shukla, an Indian software engineer who’s found his life’s calling in the rescue and care of almost 750 dogs that no one wants. (Click on the link for the dogs’ pics and stories– a feast of cuteness and compassion galore!)

Mr Shukla, who founded a software company along with his wife 10 years ago, spends three to four days every week on the farm, taking care of his canines.

“I had worked in Delhi, in the United States and then set up my own company in Bangalore,” he said. “Life was all about buying big cars and expensive watches and living a fancy life. I had travelled and seen the world many times over, but I was not happy.”

Then Kavya came into his life: a beautiful 45-day-old Golden Retriever that he fell hopelessly in love with. It was in June 2009, and Mr Shukla remembers clearly the day he brought her home. “When we got home, she went and hid in a corner. I got down to her level on the floor and I was calling out to her. She was looking at me, she was scared, but I could see she wanted to trust me,” he said.

In a country where most dogs scrounge an existence as strays on the streets, and countless others are bought as status symbols and then discarded, this Indian man stands out with his devotion to animals who can’t speak for themselves. No dog, no matter the desperate state of disability or disease, is overlooked. With each rescue, Rakesh saves not just a life, but a spark of humanity. Dogs have been man’s best friends for time immemorial– they have now found theirs in this man.

 

If you found this piece of news heartening, and would like to take part in this blogfest, sign up in the WE ARE THE WORLD Blogfest Linky List below and please help spread the word on social media via the hashtag #WATWB.

~~~GUIDELINES~~~

  1. Keep your post to below 500 words.
  2. All we ask is you link to a human news story on your blog on the last Friday of each month, one that shows love and humanity.
  3. Join us in sharing news that warms the cockles of our heart. No story is too big or small, as long as it goes beyond religion and politics, into the core of humanity.
  4. Place the WE ARE THE WORLD BLOGFEST Badge on your sidebar, and help us spread the word on social media. Tweets, Facebook shares, G+ shares using the #WATWB hashtag through the month most welcome. More We Are the World Blogfest signups mean more friends, love and light for all of us.
  5. We’ll read and comment on each others’ posts, get to know each other better, and hopefully, make or renew some friendships with everyone who signs on as participants in the coming months.
  6. Add your post HERE so we can all find it quickly.

#WATWB also wants to link to charities supported by the co-hosts, and you could choose to donate to some of them or add links to local charities you support. Here’s the organization I’ve come to love and support: PROJECT WHY— and here’s one of my previous posts on the work they do. Feel free to send them a little of your help– every little bit counts.

 The We are The World Blogfest Community Page on Facebook will continue to show links to the various blog posts. So you don’t have to hurry through. You can always enjoy one a day. Like the page and share your posts on the thread for the purpose.

Does a pet own you? Have you worked with rescued animals? What would you say to Rakesh Shukla? What heartwarming story have you heard recently? Do you have rescue stories you’d like to share?

We Are the World BlogfestPlease join Daily (w)rite on its Facebook Page in case you’d like to be heard by this community. If you liked this post, you can have biweekly posts delivered to your inbox: click the SUBSCRIBE VIA EMAIL button. (Feel free to share this post if you like it. You’ll find icons to re-blog it via WordPress and Blogger to the left of this post.)

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Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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28 Comments

  • Shalzmojo says:

    My Mom is in love with the strays round thed so many of them. She too is forever worried about them and their care. I am glad there are so many peeps out in this world, thinking about and caring for the helplesss animals!!

  • What a heart warming story. It just goes to show that the things that can light up a person’s life are almost never to do with an accumulation of money and things. Pure love will do it every time 🙂

  • This is a kind-hearted man who is being a light to so many dogs. May he continue to use his recently found talents for many years to come. Thanks for sharing – #WATWB #InDarknessBeLight

  • I love him. It is so refreshing to read about good people!

  • Loving dogs is one of life’s worthy efforts. I commend him.

  • Rajlakshmi says:

    I have read about him. He is indeed an amazing person who took the cause of those who can’t fight for themselves. What a kind and courageous man!

  • Christy B says:

    This is a wonderful story of humanity indeed!!

  • This man is one of my tribe! I had to stop watching the video when the images of dead and dying dogs began (I see enough of that in my daily life), but his story, and his mission, is fabulous. Long life (and plentiful resources!) to all animal rescuers everywhere… These are the people that keep my faith in humanity going. Thanks for sharing Rakesh’s story, Damyanti.
    Guilie @ Quiet Laughter

  • This man is my HERO!
    How difficult it must have been for him to pull this dog rescue off. He is very brave and has a very kind heart.
    Thank you for sharing this story with us. It means so much to me and others.

  • Misha says:

    Awe he’s doing such great work!

    This is an awesome way to combat all the negativity.

  • Really this act of kindness is more appreciable. Congrats on cohosting #WATWB. Feeling extremely happy on joining with you for #WATWB.

  • ericlahti says:

    Dogs are such amazing companions; even when they’re sacked out on the couch and snoring to beat the band, they’re always so happy to see you. I cannot abide people that abuse dogs.

  • Yes dogs have little support unless kept by the rare kind person who loves household pets. So they hunt in packs on the streets and fight each other for the limited scraps they find, or capture and dismantle a household pet to satisfy their hunger. I’ve see that happen. So this man is a very kind soul to support those neglected animals and keep them off streets.

  • What a lovely story. Shukla has a wonderful heart. <3

  • Gina Hunter says:

    I love stories about people who realize their heart potential through animals. Whether dogs, cats, horses or some other pet, they have a lot to teach us about our true nature. Thanks for posting, Damyanti!

  • Beautiful story, D! 🙂
    Mr. Shukla is an angel.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Writer In Transit

  • Mr. Shukla is quite an inspiration, Damyanti! The video really brought home to me how many similar dogs I see here in Ecuador. Too many walking with three legs due to one misshapen because of a broken bone healed incorrectly or missing huge patches of hair due to disease. Some of us foster injured animals or bottle feed those who lost their moms too young but it feels overwhelming if I begin to think beyond what is in front of me in a given moment. I am proud of and humbled by Mr. Shukla for going above and beyond for those dogs! Thanks Damyanti!

  • Such a beautiful story .When people are killing each other this news makes me very happy .beautiful story .

  • simonfalk28 says:

    I love the part where he got down to Kavya’s level and knew the scared dog wanted to trust him. Thanks for sharing. Simon’s Still Stanza #WATWB

  • Peter Nena says:

    Truly outstanding human being! Whoever is kind to the animals is kind to the earth itself. Thank you Damyanti.

  • writershilpa says:

    It was truly heartening, Damyanti. watching this lone man fighting for man’s best friend! My eyes welled up as I saw the condition of some of these babies. A really touching tale of love and affection.
    Thank you for sharing it!

  • What a beautiful love story.

  • Shows us how people can make a difference. 🙂

  • *sniffles* Loved this! As a animal lover it is people like Mr. Shukla who hold a special place in my heart. What he is doing is so heartfelt and I’m so glad he is stepping up to help those who cannot help themselves. All though I know it happens, I just can’t imagine someone discarding an animal. All my life my pets have been part of the family and have added so much joy. Thanks so much for sharing this! #WATWB

  • Susan Scott says:

    This man has totally melted my heart Damyanti. Bless him forever –

  • bikerchick57 says:

    Watching the video, I had tears in my eyes and was smiling at the same time. Mr. Shukla will have a very special place in his heaven, as one who cares for the dogs in Bangalore. Such sweet faces! The dog with the broken face broke my heart, but seeing photos from the cull was even worse. I hope he continues his work to save dogs and give them a loving and safe home. Thanks for sharing this Damyanti, and for being a leader in #WATWB.

  • hilarymb says:

    Hi Damyanti – what a turn around … and how wonderful he is helping so many animals, who really cannot help themselves. Seeing them on the streets is awful – what a wonderful life they must now live … great to see and read about – cheers Hilary

  • datmama4 says:

    This is sweet! Those dogs look content.