How a stray dog became a lifeline for a grieving old man

By Mehak Minocha

We all have heard the phrase “a dog is man’s best friend”.  But the story of a 68-year-old, Mr. Rajesh Kumar and his dog Shivi shows how this stray dog was more than a best friend but turned out to be a companion as well as healer for him.

Mr. Kumar had spent his entire life in Panipat, where he lived with his wife Ritu, who sadly passed away a few years back while battling cancer. Since her demise Mr. Kumar found himself struggling to cope with her absence. His children, who lived in a nearby city, often visited but had their own lives to attend to. They encouraged him to stay busy and find new hobbies, but his grief was overwhelming.

One evening, while sitting on the porch having his usual evening tea, he heard a faint whimpering sound. He looked around and saw a small, dull brown stray pup standing at the gate. The pup had matted fur and looked thin and hungry. Mr. Kumar never had a liking towards dogs, besides he found them messy and very high maintenance.

His wife always wanted to get a dog. He recalled something his wife often used to say to make him agree, “Rajesh don’t you think our house has become so dull. Our kids don’t live with us any more, it feels so lonely. I think we should get a dog, ghar mein thori chehel pehel hoyegi, ghar bhara bhara lagega (There will be some activity in the house.).” But he refused every time.

As he was about to turn away, he again heard the whimpering and saw those adorable puppy eyes, softening his heart and decided to fetch some leftover and offered it to the dog, who eagerly devoured it.

Over the next few days, the dog kept returning to Mr. Kumar’s house. Slowly, he began to look forward to the visits. He started leaving food out for the dog and even gave it a bath, revealing a beautiful golden coat beneath the dirt. Mr. Kumar decided to name the dog Shivi, as he was a devotee of God Shiva.

Shivi quickly became a loyal companion. He followed him everywhere, from the market to the temple, and even on his daily walks and of course during his evening tea. The neighbours and family noticed the change in Mr. Kumar; he seemed more lively and engaged, often seem talking to Shivi and smiling at his playful antics.

In several instances, Mr. Kumar found himself talking to Shivi about his wife Ritu. It felt as if he was unburdening his heart, and Shivi, with his attentive eyes and wagging tail, seemed to understand. He felt as if Ritu herself has sent Shivi to be at his side.

Shivi’s presence brought structure and routine back into his life. He found joy in caring for the dog, feeding him, brushing his fur, and playing fetch. The companionship filled the void that his wife’s absence had left. Mr. Kumar no longer felt alone; he had a friend who depended on him and loved him unconditionally.

Mr. Kumar also began to reconnect with his neighbours, and Shivi’s friendly nature attracted the neighbourhood children, who would often stop by to play with the dog. These interactions helped him feel more connected to his community.

Months passed, and the bond between Mr. Kumar and Shivi grew stronger. Shivi had given him a reason to wake up each morning, to laugh, and to find joy in the simple things. The pain of losing his wife was still there, but it was now accompanied by a sense of purpose and companionship.

Whenever Mr. Kumar looked at his side, finding Shivi there, he felt a sense of peace. He knew his wife would be happy to see him smiling again, to see that he had found a way to cope with the loss, that too with the help of a dog. He wishes that he should’ve got a dog when his wife asked, but he feels grateful and blessed to have met Shivi.

“Thank you, my partner, for bringing light back into my life,” he says warmly while planting a kiss on Shivi’s forehead.

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