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Me, My Dog (Ga-lo-ma), Cat (Che-po) and Women House owner with Rosary beads in Thimphu


Ga-lo-ma

I was in Thimphu recently for a treatment as my back started to give some problem. I stayed in Thimphu for four days. I have a dog and a cat (I don’t know what breed they are). I could not find anyone trustworthy to leave my pets which compelled me to take them with me all the way to Thimphu with me from Bumthang.
In Thimphu, I put-up myself in my sister’s house. The building is relatively new, 5 storied and well painted. Three days went by, everything was fine. It was fourth day, 6.00 AM, I was with Ga-lo-ma outside the building. There were many passers-by who appreciated Ga-lo-ma and tried talking to him. I was playing with him, when I was interrupted by a lady in mid-fifties. Before she talked to me, I already noticed her about 5 minutes counting rosary beads reciting Om-Mani-Pad-Mi-Hung.
Finally she spoke:
Lady:  where are you staying?
Me: I live in Bumthang.
Lady: pet dogs are not allowed in the building (I realized that she was the house owner)
Me: (Startled) Why?
Lady: Because one dog brings another dog.
Me: But I always keep my dog with me in the house and not outside the house unlike other pets. I think there is no question of bringing another dog in the house.
Lady: There was also another dog here last time, which I made to be transferred to a Goemba.
Me: Really? Laso la..
Chepo (trying to get sun-light): Balancing act.
I gave up justifying and accepted what-ever she said as I only had a day to stay and I have to admit, I don’t want her to kick my sister.  It was indeed surprising to see a lady with rosary beads in her hand speaking with dis-respect to animals. It is sad to see our people ignorant and not respecting animals. I feel that, people who love animals should be respected; after all it is what religion teaches. I don’t blame the lady, as she cares her new building and doesn’t want her building to be seen as a place of stray dog and cats.
BUT,

It doesn’t make sense to speak bad about animals/others with rosary beads in hand and holy recitation in lips.
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Comments

Anonymous said…
A nice reading bro. Sorry for you had to carry your pets all the way from Bumthang to Thimphu and face the lady's harsh words against animals. Keep posting!
July 1, 2011 at 9:53 PM
Sangay said…
This is the harsh reality of life...As you say "a lady with rosary beads in her hand speaking with dis-respect to animals"... :D
July 2, 2011 at 6:59 AM
Unknown said…
Thank you so much for dropping by commenting Langa and Sangye.
@ Langa, it was indeed hard for me to carry my pets all the way to Thimphu, but I didn't bother much as I enjoyed their company along the way, the only thing which made me sad was to see people's attitude towards animals.
@ Sangye, It indeed is the harsh reality which I find difficult to believe.
Thank you for visiting and keep visiting.
July 2, 2011 at 3:29 PM
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