Stray Dog Wounded In Mumbai Terror Attacks Survives

MUMBAI -- On a leafy hospital campus in this still-scarred city, one of the victims of last month's terrorist attacks is making a recovery. He's a chubby, cream-colored pooch whom workers have named Sheru -- the Hindi word meaning Lion Heart.

Sheru was a stray dog hit by an errant bullet when two gunmen opened fire in a crowded railway station during the first night of the assault. The survival of the aging Sheru, despite a gunshot wound to his left shoulder, has become an uplifting and soothing symbol of Mumbai's recovery to many of the city's anxious and angry citizens. In a three-day siege beginning Nov. 26, 10 gunmen killed more than 170 people and wounded at least 230. They attacked two luxury hotels, a restaurant, a train station, a Jewish outreach center and other sites.

"Some may ask why a dog is being saved when so many human lives were lost," said J.C. Khanna, a retired lieutenant colonel and head veterinarian in the Indian army. "But saving all creatures big and small shows the love and affection for all life that [Mumbai] has shown again and again. Sheru's life stands for something, for all of us getting back on our feet."

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[peacekitten]

sheru, you are in good, kind hands, along with your little pigeon friends. i'm sorry you all had to see the bad side of humanity, but these compassionate people are doing their best to show you the best of us too.

bless all of your little brave hearts, may you all have a speedy recovery, and bless all the good people looking after you. all of you together are a ray of hope for the rest of us.

[Arbor]

I do not know any other country on earth where a stray dog would be lucky enough to reach the age of 10 and be chubby too. And this isn't a rich country. This is very impressive. I wish the rest of the world had as much compassion.

[Smirk]

A great story for a gray morning. May 2009 be a much better year for Mumbai and all who are there.

[TheImpaler]

Nice to see the other side, the good side of humanity once in a while. Maybe there is some hope for us after all ?

[brooklyncitizen]

They are treating dozens of pigeons....lol.
It's great. Animals are sacred in India.

[revruc1]

Are we keeping up with dogs now. Just give me the people. I am not into dog rights yet. I am still into people.

[GirdwoodAnnie]

Let me remind you, PEOPLE are the ones causing the problem.

[sparkandy]

How true. If we all had the hearts of dogs the world would be a better place.

[TheImpaler]

How small of you.

[fcsakes]

Expand your universe - there is room for everything in it.

[sparkandy]

This isn't about 'rights'. It's about the love of and reverence for all life that is the finest human sentiment. Those who can't love all life, regardless of species, are sad and empty people.

[darker]

Wake up. It's not Dogs OR people.
It's DOGS AND PEOPLE.
All dogs and all people HAVE A RIGHT NOT TO BE SHOT.

[Owlygirl]

This is the best kind of story - especially during the holidays!

The Indian people are a noble and honorable people indeed. You can tell by this photo that Sheru is going to have an amazing life henceforth. How lovely!

[SmolderingRuin]

That was nice to read. I'm glad they're helping the pigeons too. I wondered about them when all the shooting was going on and the flames were engulfing them.

[Freesia2]

What a beautiful little moment from that awful event. It's wonderful that that sweet dog is going to make it - and what a nice young man to pick him up and take him for help.