The Stray And The Good Samaritans

Bhubaneswar: December 2023 ended on a sad note for Coco. He was diagnosed with cancer. He had been suffering for a long time. Those around him felt his pain, poured him with sympathy but failed to detect what made him miserable. Gone was his playfulness – the sum of his little acts of mischief and naughtiness – that endeared him to all. If only he could speak!

The New Year has heralded good tidings for him. He has found Good Samaritans to lend a helping hand, the root problem of his misery has been diagnosed and he is in competent hands. He may survive and be playful once again.

In case you are curious, Coco is a stray dog. A regular near Gopabandhu hostel in Vani Vihar in Bhubaneswar, and a favourite among students. A boarder, who identified himself as Gyana, a student of journalism, was worried when Coco showed signs of suffering. The lump on Coco’s neck was getting bigger and he was visibly sick. He didn’t look he would pull through long.

It was then Gyana decided to act. He got in touch with an acquaintance who was familiar with such situations. He, in turn, connected him to Twamashrita Foundation, a non-profit working for animals. Things began to move fast then onwards.

A team comprising members of Twamashrita and students located Coco and shifted him to SUM Veterinary Hospital. The doctors concluded that the lump was a tumour and it was cancerous.

Without swift medical intervention, they said, he may die. He required surgery. But before that a few rounds of chemotherapy were due. They set about their task fast, aware of the look of concern and worry among the students.

Head of Veterinary Hospital, Dr Niranjana Swain and surgeon Dr Ramesh along with crew Anil Mishra examined the dog carefully and said that chemotherapy for three weeks was necessary as there was cancer in his neck and it was required to avoid any complication during surgery, said Hrushikesh Srichandan, a volunteer of Twamashrita Foundation.

Coco was sent back to Gopabandhu hostel with the help of animal ambulance, a newly-introduced service of SUM. Gyana and his friends have already built a temporary shelter for him there.
“He will survive,” hopes Rajesh Patra, another member. He is all praise for the kindness of the students and their concern for animal life.

Meanwhile, Coco, who still does not know what his real name is – he has many among students – looks better. By the end of his treatment, he should be ready to be his playful self again.