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Foster mum seeks
home for 20 strays "That one opens the oven when he is hungry," smiled Rukmani Wickremasinghe, looking at a mischievous dog with affection. Twelve years ago, she transformed her home in Fraser Avenue, Dehiwela into a permanent refuge for stray dogs and cats, her children having left in search of greener pastures. "I never feel lonely because I have constant company," she said looking at her doggy friends with distinctive names like Chatham (found at Chatham Street), Centri (found near the Central Bank), Stranger, Streeta and Streety, who occupy all her waking hours. Some of the dogs cared for by Ms. Wickremasinghe have been with her for more than 20 years. And she has witnessed their blossoming from cute little puppies to strong and protective dogs. While her capacity to love has been rewarded by this bunch of loyal dogs, Ms. Wickremasinghe laments the plight of strays in Sri Lanka. "People can be so cruel at times. I cannot bear the thought of letting dogs die in dog pounds. Terrible. Those who work in these vans have told me that the dogs eat each other's flesh because of the heat." Though strong and steady for a 60-year-old grandma, lines of fatigue on her face speak of sleepless nights and constant work. "I start my day at 4 a.m. and go to bed past midnight. I do everything by myself like cleaning their kennels, bathing them and even feeding them. It is becoming tougher each day and I sometimes get so depressed because it is too much for me now." Ms. Wickremasinghe committed herself fully to caring for stray dogs and cats 12 years ago and provided them her kitchen and backyard along with two spacious rooms. "I had dogs when my children were young but I couldn't accommodate many because my children were my priority." Once they grew up and left, she had taken in as many strays as she could afford to keep regardless of their physical condition. Some of the dogs had been infected with skin diseases but yet she took them in and treated them. The 20 dogs she has at the moment are sterilised and vaccinated. Yet some of them still suffer from skin rashes and other ailments. "There is a limit for everything and I'm finding it difficult to keep up my work," she said. Ms. Wickremasinghe would now like to join her children in the United States. But the welfare of her dogs is uppermost in her mind. "How can I leave them to die? No. I will not abandon them." She has no intention of leaving until her dogs and cats are found loving homes. "All I need is genuine animal lovers. Not those who call and ask me if my dogs are 'parayas'. Some people's attitude towards strays is unbelievable and I give them 'tight' when I meet them," she said angrily. Daughter of an animal lover mother, Ms. Wickremasinghe was not fond of cats and dogs as a little girl. Beautiful little birds caught her attention instead. But once, seeing an abandoned kitten at her sister's doorstep, she took it home out of compassion. There has been no turning back for her since. "I have cared for more than 1,000 animals. But I find it difficult to do all that now. All I want is 20 caring people. I want my puppies to be given the same love and attention they receive at my home," she said. Two of her friends, animal lovers like herself help Ms. Wickremasinghe in her mission to care for strays by finding them homes and providing them food. Most of the dogs have been rescued from roads while others have been dumped at her gate by those who are aware of her compassion towards animals. Four puppies have been left at her gate in the past three weeks and she has accommodated them despite her difficulties. "How can you not love these innocent animals?" she asks. Once she goes
to the United States, Ms. Wickremasinghe hopes to collect money
and build a home for animals in Sri Lanka with a well-equipped medical
centre. She believes that foreigners tend to care more for animals
than Sri Lankans and hopes she can help ensure a better future for
our strays. |
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