If a dog is dislocated from its territory, it becomes difficult for it to survive since canines are territorial animals.?
According to a Times of India report, a ground staffer of Indigo Airlines, Joseph Rodriques has a special bond with a young male dog at the departures area of the international terminal of the airport at Andheri in Mumbai.
Their friendship was a commonly-known fact around the airport. One day, Whitey, the dog, suddenly went missing from the premises and Rodrigues got worried.?
¡°I became very anxious as I could not find Whitey anywhere at the airport complex. What startled me was that another dog, Browny, a buddy of Whitey, started showing signs of acute stress. Browny would sit very close to my wheelchair and often whimper softly as if trying to tell me that something awful had happened to our friend Whitey,¡± said Rodrigues.?
But he was absolutely determined to find his furry buddy, and despite his disability, started sending online messages and photos of the missing dog to animal activists across the country.
Finally, activists Priyanshu Sharma, Kalyani, Chaitanya, and a Mumbai cop, ACP Sudhir Kudalkar and his team guided Rodrigues on how to search for Whitey.?
After searching for him in city lanes, Rodrigues went to check dog centres at Bandra and Malad where BMC's dog-catchers bring the dogs.?
After relentlessly looking for Whitey, Rodrigues finally found him inside an enclosure at the Malad centre and needless to say, it was the happiest moment for him in a long time.?
¡°Whitey jumped towards me with joy on seeing me at the Malad dog centre. I¡¯d like to thank all animal activists and friends who helped me find Whitey. I can now do my airport duties in peace,¡± said Rodrigues.
He was told that some passengers at the airport had complained about Whitey chasing cars.?
"I actually doubt if any passenger would complain like this. Anyhow, since my airport shifts keep changing all the time, I would worry for the dogs when I am not there. I have also contacted an animal shelter to see if they can be safely kept there. Those who want to adopt these lovely dogs can also contact me," he added.
Now, he wants to put up both Whitey and Browny for adoption to avoid any further mishaps.?