Around 11am we left for Muktinath trek but after half n hour or so my friend realised she left her trekking pole in the hotel room..their was no chance for us to go back at this stage but luckily our guide suggested that this can be collected on the way back which was supposed to happen after 5 days..
On 5th day we started our trek from Muktinath to Marpha village and rest part we covered by bus till Tattopaani. There was heavy road construction work on this way down, their was a place near Tattopanni where our bus had to stop for few hours since the road was blocked by the construction guys to clear the way for cars to start passing.. so instead of waiting in the bus we all decided to walk down to the hotel where we were supposed to collect the trekking pole and chance to see our beloved dog for sometime.
We were looking forward to see 'Bhaalu' more than anything else since we couldn't meet him the day we were leaving for our trek. When we reached at the hotel we looked for him but coul‘by see him around...after 10 minutes or so the lady of the hotel came out to give the trekking pole to us.. we checked about Bhaalu wondering where he is gone..to our relier she said he must be around and showed us the way where he would possibly be found. We spotted him sitting in the yard at a distance..I can't express the moment we saw him there...this was the most beautiful moment of our entire journey, we shouted his name, for a moment it felt he couldn't belive his eyes only😌😌within few seconds he came running towards us..he jumped on both of us with joy to express what he missed for so long…it seemed he was just waiting for us..for an hour or so we just spent time cuddling him thinking what bond we have created with this little creature in no time...the lady told us that in our absence also he would go to the room in which we were staying everyday thinking we are back...man he won our heart forever...these little joys are so precious I never felt before… I am sure we had some past connection with this little one..
Around 5pm our bus arrived infront of the hotel..now it was time for us to say goodbye to our Bhaalu..this was a very tough moment for me and my friend but had no option...with heavy heart we boarded in our bus saying good bye to him and the lady..their was complete silence in the bus since we kept thinking abt him...after a km or so we peeped outside our window.. couldn't belive Bhaalu came running after the bus for us...we overjoyed with happiness after seeing him thr but the very moment we saw he was attacked by few stray on the road..we screamed in pain...since we knew this little one wouldn't have survived the other two huge Pahadi dogs.
Our bus driver and conductor were sooo kind to stop the bus to remove the strays from him but they came attacking again..so the conductor came for Bhaalu's rescue and pulled him inside the bus...this was the moment of pure happiness when we saw our Bhaalu again...there were tears, happiness and feelings of satisfaction in everyone's heart at this moment...
I mean a dog who was found on the road has become so important for everyone..God I have not seen bonds like this..now we were thinking what next...how do we take him with us to India since there are permits required to take a dog to another country..so we decided to cross boarder by bus instead of taking flight for him..but the bigger question was who will take care of him.
For a long time I have been wanting to keep a dog but with my nomadic lifestyle I was in two minds since keeping a dog is a very big responsibility and i thought will be unfair of me to put him in a difficult situation again..and my friend who has a dog at home can't afford to keep another one...in all this discussion after few hours our bus conductor came forward to ask if he could keep him with him at his place. first my friend was little apprehensive since she thought don't know if he or his family would care of him the way we wud do but when we saw the family we got relived that finally he got a house who wud love him the same way.....our departing wasn't easy this time but we were not left with another choice...i still can't get over him...what we both experienced..this was the moment of new feelings and new experience which I felt.. These animals just want to be loved. No matter what you go through, you always know that these dogs are there for you and always will be.
The relationships between dogs and humans that I’ve witnessed through the years have not been equal. Some relationships and bonds are much richer, deeper and stronger than others. The closer bonds have been between the people who’ve worked hard to create those connections by spending more quality time with their dogs and being fair, benevolent leaders. Mutual trust is the basis for any quality relationship, and that includes those between dogs and humans. A dog that knows what is expected of him and feels safe will be much more relaxed and willing to give freely. If you have that with your dog, don’t take it for granted. He is choosing to give that to you because you’ve earned it.
Journey to the hotel from Marpha Village
The moment we saw bhalu came running after the bus and was getting attacked by other stray dogs.
Parting day when I was the happiest to see bhalu after 5 days