WHO LET THE DOGS IN? THESE LOVING HOMES DID!

It is just past dawn, but the Patel household in Vallabh Vidyanagar is already buzzing with activity. Six pairs of eyes watch as Hetal and Shweta Patel begin their morning ritual in the kitchen.

Three litres of milk warm on the stove while Shweta rolls out 30 thick rotis. A kilogram of rice simmers in another pot. This isn’t just breakfast — it’s a labour of love for six four-legged family members who sleep on the same massive mattress as their human parents. “We don’t live in our house,” says Shweta Patel with a laugh, watching as Chhoki, Sassu, and Kaalu jostle for space near the kitchen. “We live in their house.”The three-member human family shares their Akruti Society bungalow with six Indian street dogs: Chhoki, Sassu, Kaalu (born to stray Laali), and Roo, Jinny and Jonny (Chhoki’s offspring). In their garden lie five more — beloved pets who have passed but remain part of the family story.

Love at first bark

The Patels’ journey began as neighbours in Dakor, where their shared love for dogs became the foundation of their relationship. “I had a German shepherd and two strays while our neighbour had a Pomeranian who loved staying at Shweta’s place,” recalls Hetal, a businessman.

“We never knew we’d end up living with six strays.” Their daughter Raagaa, now a Kathak dancer touring Europe, grew up treating all six dogs as siblings.

Even from thousands of miles away, she calls home every day to greet each dog.

The current chapter began in 2009 when they adopted Smokey, a German shepherd. The family removed the rear seats from their cars for Smokey’s comfort, with three humans cramming into front seats.

Only one parent would attend social functions while the other stayed home with Smokey.“We would only visit families comfortable with Smokey,” Shweta says. “She took care of Raagaa like a sibling. When Smokey died in Dec 2019, we buried her in our garden so she could see us. We had never needed house locks before we lost her.”

The Rs 1.5 crore sacrifice

In 2013, hoping to give Smokey more space, they bought a Rs 1.5 crore bungalow in Ambi Society. But Smokey refused to settle there. “We kept this rented house, thinking we’d hand it over once Smokey adjusted. But she never did. We had to sell that expensive bungalow and return here.”

They finally convinced their NRI landlords to sell them the current home. “We considered demolishing and rebuilding this house, but that would disturb our dogs who know every corner here,” Hetal says.

New beginnings

A month after Smokey’s death, they spotted a bleeding red stray, apparently hit by a vehicle.

“I brought her home and called a doctor,” says Shweta. “Looking at her love for us, we thought Smokey had sent her.” They adopted her as Laali.Laali had five puppies; two died and were buried beside Smokey. The surviving three — Chhoki, Sassu and Kaalu — stayed with them. In 2023, Chhoki had five pups. Two of them didn’t survive and were buried in the garden cemetery. Roo, Jinny and Jonny became the latest family additions.

Medical care for all

Each dog has claimed its territory in the house. “They have chewed and destroyed everything, be it mattresses, bedsheets, footwear, remotes, spectacles or furniture,” says Shweta. “Once they chewed our Apple EarPods before our Dubai trip and we had to buy new ones at the airport.”

Two washing machines serve the household, one exclusively for dog bedding. Monthly electricity bills once hit Rs 17,000 for round-the-clock air conditioning.

Solar panels reduced costs to Rs 3,000.“We let them roam the streets twice a day to ensure they live like strays. They return on their own. Most importantly, Hetal and I clean their poop ourselves. We have staff for other work, but we do this because the strays are our kids,” Shweta says. Medical care is comprehensive: all dogs receive 9-in-1 vaccinations, deworming medicine every three months, while all three family members take yearly anti-rabies vaccines.

The Patel family’s story comes across as a heartwarming counterpoint amid court rulings and debates on stray dog management. While authorities grapple with policy solutions, many families are quietly opening their doors to Indian breeds that are usually left to fend for themselves.

Companions worthy of love

The social fabric surrounding the so-called stray dog is changing,” observes Charvi Salil, co-founder of an animal hospital in Ahmedabad. “They’re no longer viewed as strays to be shooed away, but as companions worthy of love and belonging. We witness this every day — Indian breed puppies and seniors arriving not as helpless strays, but as cherished family members.”What touches veterinarians most deeply is witnessing ordinary families — single parents, young couples and students — not only choosing these dogs but investing tremendous effort to train them, ease their anxieties, and help them settle into secure, loving homes.“The rise in Indian breed adoptions isn’t merely a trend,” Salil reflects. “It’s a shift in how we, as a society, choose to see these dogs for who they truly are.”

From garbage to gold

In Vadodara, Hardik Sampat’s life changed when he found a month-old puppy fighting for survival in a garbage dump in Gotri. “I still can’t believe how cruel people can be. But I am grateful I found her as Lily is my world now. She’s full of life and joy.” This was not Sampat’s first rescue dog. Five years earlier, he adopted seven-month-old Laila from an animal shelter.

“Working from home during Covid, I missed having a companion. I always wanted an Indie breed as they are very adaptive and friendly. When I learned Laila was abandoned, I decided to adopt her.”

“Contrary to popular belief, Indie dogs aren’t aggressive. They are very friendly and most suitable for Indian weather. Both Laila and Lily are popular among the children in my colony who visit to play with them.” He even roped in a dog trainer.

“If trained well, they are as good as any other breed. I still work from home so I can give them more time.”

Healing through adoption

For Ahmedabad entrepreneur Anusha Patel, love came in the form of Yuta, an Indian breed who survived an acid attack. She discovered him through a foundation’s social media post last Oct, his chest bearing visible scars where fur will never regrow. “What overwhelmed me wasn’t his pain, but his resilience. After everything he’d endured, he still approached people with his tail wagging, ready to trust again.”

Yuta now orchestrates Anusha’s daily routine, waking her precisely at 7am every day. “We’ve become the highlight of his day. Earlier, I’d take him to work with me. Now, everything I do somehow revolves around him.” Dr Priyal Shah, a dermatologist, found her calling during post-graduation years. “I found 10 puppies once, covered in bugs. That’s how it all began.” Over 12 years, she has cared for eight dogs, five of them former strays.The loss of Murphy, her first rescue, to cancer nearly broke her. “I had no reason to wake up when he wasn’t there.” But she continued fostering, eventually adopting Bucky, who has brightened her life.

Her five-year-old son grew up with dogs, and Bucky settled seamlessly into their routine. “Bucky is incredibly intelligent. He understands tones perfectly. When he misbehaves, he knows he’s in trouble and manages to hide! Each morning, he nudges my foot while still half-asleep, just to let me know he’s there.”Adoption has become a family tradition: Priyal’s sister and parents care for other rescues, including a paralysed dog.

No more running away

Two years ago, Purvee Roy found a frail six-year-old dog having seizures beneath her Ahmedabad apartment. “I finally called an ambulance. Akku came home that day and never left.” Medication and consistent care worked wonders within six months. Her parents’ initial skepticism melted into deep affection.

“Now he’s more attached to them.”

The change was dramatic. “Initially, if the door opened, he’d try to slip out,” she explains. “Now, even when it’s wide open, he chooses to stay. He’s found his place.”Business with a heartIn Rajkot, retired forest officer Vaide Vagh, 69, has been welcoming street dogs into his tyre showrooms since 2007. Seven dogs regularly visit his stores, lounging on chairs or napping in corners. “My wife prepares bhakhri and milk for them every day.

They never disturb anyone. Some customers bring their children along so they get to play with the dogs.” The practice began when a stray female gave birth near his showroom.

Concerned for their safety, he allowed them inside and provided food. The puppies grew up but kept returning, followed by other dogs. “The dogs understand you,” Vagh reflects. “If you are upset, they sense it too. They have never hurt my customers or spoiled anything. A dog’s loyalty is unmatched.” Initial objections by one of his franchise companies disappeared when customers responded positively.As Charvi Salil puts it, “Every adoption represents hope, not just for the dog, but for all of us. It shows what is possible when we choose love over fear.”— With inputs from Tushar Tere and Nimesh Khakhariya