The Power of Demonstrative Love

I've witnessed a remarkable transformation on the streets of Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. Not long ago they were literally crawling with street dogs - many dying of starvation, sickness or injury. Everywhere you looked - there they were. An incredibly depressing sight for pilgrims to one of India's most holy places. Not to mention the locals.

Now, four years later, there's none of that. The streets are clear of animal suffering. Even better, locals are now touching, feeding and caring for the street dogs. This is something I've never seen anywhere in India. At least not to this remarkable degree.

There's been a profound transformation between the humans and the dogs. As a result, the street environment is now sweeter for tourists and locals. How did this happen?

A rescue shelter like no other I have seen anywhere opened its doors here in 2007. I say like no other' because they go far beyond the traditional rescue shelter mandate.

Sure, they provide the ABC sterilization program. Sure, they have an operation theatre, a staff of 14 and two full time vets. They do what you would expect an animal shelter to do. But here's what makes them so very different and so incredibly effective at changing the relationship between animals and humans.

They LOVE the dogs. Demonstratively.

This is not just talk at the shelter, it's the walk they walk … 24/7. You really have to see it to believe it - they have a few short videos of what goes on there on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/insidetheshel.../6/4P-K5rHHe3c Many of the videos are heart-warming, some are funny. You'll see some dogs with debilitating conditions but you won't see them suffering. You will see them enjoying their new lives at the shelter.

We are told by all*the great Indian Masters, that love is the most powerful force in the universe.*Ultimately this insight can uplift, in a very real way, the lives of hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of animals throughout India.

And for every animal uplifted, innumerable humans are also uplifted. It can help soften the hearts of people towards each other.*This is*not theoretical. It's actual. It's real.*I*have seen it happen in Tiruvannamalai. And*this can be modelled effectively anywhere in India.

Their website is at: http://www.arunachalashelter.com They've just joined FaceBook and have a blog now to help spread their message - the Power of Demonstrative Love.