Kuzuzangpo La, my name is RTC!

If you read this column regularly, you know where I come from: The Royal Thimphu College.

I was never a student there, but I was lucky enough to get friendly with one of the teachers who took care of me when I was a puppy. She took me to the vet when I was sick and made sure my vaccination booklet was up to date. There are many like me all around town, free doggies surviving thanks to the care, compassion and attention of humans who choose not to look the other way.

This is probably why I can talk to you today, because if I am left to fend for myself as a street puppy, I have only ten percent chance of survival. Yes, only ten percent! It seems a very low a number compared to the number of dogs roaming around the capital city Thimphu and all the other towns in Bhutan. But this is the reality. Most of us puppies born in the street do not survive more than a few months and I thank my good karma for being born at RTC, away from traffic and all the other dangers of the big cities. But mostly, I thank my guardian angel, who took it upon her to give me a future even when she had to leave for another place. That is why I am now safe in the shelter and presenting myself instead of living in the streets or the college compound with no one to care for me.

There are not many dogs in the RTC area. Still some of us are not vaccinated nor sterilised. The two things are kind of important for a healthy and happy life for any dog. Yes, I know that some feel that spaying and neutering is somehow controversial and, as a spayed dog myself, I was at first very worried of the consequences of this rather radical surgery. And I had many questions, mostly regarding my ability to date and ‘getting married’. So I was happy to learn and experience that a happy and fulfilling life is very much possible afterwards and, I for one, have been a very happy camper. It’s the same for the ladies. I am told family planning is a blessing when one has to deal with all those unwanted pregnancies in the precarious situations we often live.

So all of us at the shelter are sterilized and many have girlfriends or boyfriends. There is even about four old couples spending their autumn days together.

But I feel I am too young. I want to have the chance to meet another kind and compassionate human who will care for me as much as I will care for her or him.  I am very well behaved and I understand English and Dzongkhag. I enjoy a quiet afternoon in the sun at the feet of my friends. Please come and visit me and give me a chance to get to know you!