My dog's toe injury made me wonder how helpless they feel

The other day, I noticed my elder German Shepherd dog limping. I became worried and immediately checked him for any signs of external injury or anything unusual in his hind legs, but I found nothing. The limp, however, was evident, and he was visibly in pain, avoiding walking or jumping. My initial thought was that he might have strained a muscle due to poor posture while moving, but I wasn’t convinced. I also considered the possibility of blunt trauma to his hind leg, perhaps from striking a door or wall during a sudden turn while pacing, which could have caused pain in his knee joint or shinbone.

I gave him a painkiller and pampered him. He seemed fine until the night before, but there was a possibility he had been in pain earlier, though not enough for us to notice. He hadn’t tried to show any signs of discomfort, as he is generally strong-willed and doesn’t act vulnerable even in adverse situations.

By this time, we had checked his hind legs multiple times for anything unusual. Eventually, we spotted bluish discoloration deep in the fold between his third and fourth toes. It was an injury, hidden yet causing so much pain that he could hardly bear his weight. Inspecting that fold took effort, as He was reluctant to let us examine it. The diagnosis became clear - he had sustained an injury, possibly while playing in the garden, and needed antibiotics, local antiseptics, and more painkillers.

I started treatment without missing a minute, and within a day, he began running again. He had improved significantly, maybe around 80%, symptom-wise. I continued the oral antibiotic and local antiseptic for a week until the injury had completely healed.

This incident made me go round and round on the helpless lives of animals.

• What if they have a seizure in the middle of the night, their brain deprived of oxygen, every cell of their body screaming in panic and suffocation, with no one to witness or help?
• What if they feel sharp, increasing abdominal pain, and no one has a clue, leaving them to suffer silently?
• What if they feel sadness for some reason, but no one notices because people are too busy with their lives?
• What if they dislike the food we give them daily - perhaps it’s too bland, causes them to belch repeatedly and feel dyspeptic, or plainly doesn’t suit their preferences?
• What if they feel unbearably cold during winter, sad and shivering, crying alone, feeling unwanted and sad?

No matter what they endure, they bear it all so patiently and helplessly. What choice do they have? The lives of animals can be truly heartbreaking in this regard. But nature has always worked this way. Watching wildlife documentaries often highlights the brutal food chain - a lion hunting a family of deer with gore and violence. Parents getting slaughtered and eaten up in front of the children. Pieces of flesh and streams of blood everywhere. It’s merciless, but that’s the reality of survival, and it always has been.

I wish animals had less awareness of their own suffering; perhaps that would make them less sad. For someone who loves animals - and all of Mother Nature’s creations - the violence and suffering endured by living beings can feel overwhelming.

The best way to cope is to deepen one’s realization of the self, as wisdom provides solace and answers. Another approach is to avoid dwelling too much on such disheartening thoughts. Instead, focus on doing your duty and making a difference where you can. And approach everything with non-attachment, embracing the trivial and mysterious nature of life.

Dogs hold a special place in Hindu Dharma. They are beloved by Lord Ganesha and serve as vehicles for Bhairava, signifying that they are never alone or unprotected. If they are dear to Lord Ganesha, who is worshipped first and known for removing obstacles and turning everything into auspiciousness, you can well imagine how blessed dogs truly are. At all Shakti Peethas, the Goddess Shakti is accompanied by Bhairava (a manifestation of Shiva). Lord Bhairava is a great guardian deity and a fierce protector of his devotees. In the Rig Veda, the special importance of a dog as a protector is established when Lord Indra sends the mother of dogs, Sarama, in search of the missing cows. If the dogs suffer, it signifies the very rapid burning away of their own negative karma, preparing them for an elevated birth.

Still, it is undeniably saddening to witness an animal in pain. The look in their eyes tells everything about how they feel. Their eyes reflect so much of what’s going on inside them. When you witness the love they hold for you in their eyes, how can you not be affected by their well-being?

Life is truly a struggle, ever-adapting to dodge those who think they have cracked the code. It does not come easy to anyone. Mighty kings had to bear such tough times it is hard to believe. I never forget the example of King Sri Harishchandra, who had to give away his kingdom, sell his family, and become a slave to fulfill a promise to the sage Vishvamitra. And to fulfill his duty, he had to ask his wife not to cremate their son without paying the fee. Such a tormenting event that every time I think about it, I go pale. People have their own versions of insecurities and failures, and very few are content with what they have in their lives. So, the best way to approach life is with non-attachment and wisdom. But one can only travel this path that leads to enlightenment when one is destined to. There is no shortcut. If one's past life's sadhana has reached an extent, they might be pushed to more refinement in this life, attaining a great deal of understanding of self and supreme consciousness. The firmer we understand this, the better we can approach life and its events with stability and wisdom.