KOCHI: Many claim to be pet enthusiasts, but certain unavoidable circumstances deny them the opportunity to spend quality time with dogs and cats. For such folks, the fifth edition of the Pawasana workshop was a haven. From wagging tails and belly rubs, animal lovers were greeted by four-legged friends at a cafe on Willingdon Island.
Amid the silent breeze, occasional woofs and random whimpers filled the space. The workshop, titled ‘Paint with Puppies,’ organised by Pawasana saw an overwhelming turnout. The pups nestled close to the attendees as they deftly wielded their paintbrush on the canvas, exuding a sense of calmness and comfort.
“I’m originally from Germany and have been residing in Mattancherry for a few months now. I have a dog back home, but I’m unable to keep one in my current neighbourhood. Hence, this event provided me with a chance to experience the joy of being around dogs,” shares Meiken Hindenberg, a German language trainer.
Pawasana is a one-of-a-kind organisation that strives to make India a more animal-friendly country. The organisation is founded by dog enthusiasts Annanya Nautiyal and Anwar Khan, who quit their high-paying jobs to work full-time for this noble cause. The primary objective is to create awareness about the unethical breeding of foreign breeds and promote the adoption of Indie puppies. To achieve this goal, they developed concepts such as ‘paint for a cause’ and ‘yoga for a cause’. Both of these programs involve Indie puppies from shelters, all of which are available for adoption.
Sneha J B, an IT professional couldn’t resist holding the pups as she was trying to finish a painting.
“I have two shelter dogs back home in Mysore. Being a devoted pet enthusiast, I seize any opportunity where I get to interact with pets because I miss them dearly,” she says.
The painting sessions are aimed to not just provide the joy of creating something but also offer an opportunity to spend time with Indie puppies from shelters and NGOs.
“Adoption of indie breeds should come with no judgement. These pups too deserve equal treatment. Such sessions intend to bridge the gap and also encourage adoption,” says Annanya Nautiyal.
The puppies were brought by Animal Rescue Kochi (ARK) and the event also saw an adoption drive.
“The participants can either take the paintings back home or donate them to ARK. The two-hour session was well-received by the public. We ensured that the puppies wouldn’t come in contact with the paint. It was a therapeutic experience for many,” says Vijosh Vijayan, manager of Pawasana’s Kochi chapter.