Buddy and Papayi

Ever since Buddy the little Indie pup entered Papayi's life, it has been one adventure after another for them both. Buddy lived on the streets of Bengaluru-a teeming metropolis in South India. How he charmed everyone he met, managed to move from the streets to Papayi's home and heart, and helped her family battle the pandemic lockdown blues is described in this true story that will bring smiles, tears, and warmth to your heart. Street dogs in urban India have a difficult life. They have to claim their space, forage for food, live through disease and pain, face human cruelty, battle traffic and, be lucky enough to live another day. Yet, through all these challenges, the highly intelligent and resilient local Indian breeds make many friends - both human and animal. You will meet many such friends of Buddy in this book. Dog lovers in cities like Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) toil day and night to make lives better for dogs like Buddy. They organize groups, petition the government, start movements like Adopt-Don't-Shop and foster many such street dogs in their homes and shelters. Indeed, dogs like Buddy become Community Dogs - not 'owned' by anyone in particular but looked after by many in the neighborhood. Dogs' capacity to bring joy to humans is unparalleled due to their unconditional and unjudgmental nature. During the lockdowns induced by a pandemic, Papayi finds much to smile and chuckle about -- all thanks to Buddy who becomes a fixture in her home during those months. His antics help her beat the pandemic blues and in turn, Buddy finds a warm place to sleep and food generously garnished with love and affection. He is an Indie street dog - i.e., he vigorously guards his independence and refuses to be locked down inside the house. Buddy wants the best of both worlds - the love, safety, shelter and food at Papayi's house, and the freedom of roaming the streets, befriending other dogs and humans, and being a true street dog. What a wonderful life it is. Buddy and Papayi will give you a glimpse into their lives in Bengaluru. You will not forget Buddy once you see and hear him through the stories that both narrate in this book."Papayi and Buddy's story is one of the many unwilling, reluctant and, eventually completely besotted, love stories with our community dogs. The path has never been easy as we shrug away ownership. A strong desire for self-protection exists as most of us do not want the responsibility of another being, or the fear of dependence, encroachment, keeping them on the edge of an invisible threshold in our mind. And slowly, insidiously and yet completely like an avalanche - love happens and one cannot exist without the other." - Foreword by Priya-Chetty Rajagopal, Cubbon Park Canines, Bengaluru, India. "It will humble you and awaken greater empathy" - Erika Abrams, Animal Aid Unlimited, Udaipur, India"I assure all who read that you will fall in love with Buddy" - Vidya Ramanathan, author of "The Streeties and Other Stories"