Bobo

The only time 'love at first sight' is real is when a puppy bounds into your life, bringing with it the certainty of love, innocence and a feeling of 'home'. Last year, as my family reeled from the reverberations of my father's unexpected, traumatic demise, my aunt made a decision which would change us completely. She reached out to Angels of the Voiceless and asked them to bring two puppies.

Two black, furry bundles of joy, Bobo and Rocket, entered our lives, teaching us to feel joy, compassion and love and chasing away the greater part of the sorrow through their energy. We learnt their small habits: how they needed to be fed biscuits at night otherwise they wouldn't sleep; how they liked to sit on chairs; how they chewed through the toughest of toys within minutes.

More than once, I was convinced that it wasn't us who saved them but the other way round. When - literally a year after my father's death - I experienced the most profound betrayal, their presence and unconditional love reminded me of the goodness in the world. They kept watch over me as I processed the nightmares. In short, they saved us from profound depression and helped us feel again. Like fluffy Patronuses.

Dogs are truly the most amazing creatures.

Yet, in Mauritius, we have not yet learnt the fundamental values of empathy and compassion. Bobo was poisoned. Something which happens all too frequently in Mauritius, especially in rural areas. The silence where she used to be is heavy, and I am painfully aware that I won't be greeted by her innocent eyes and excited jumps when I come home.

I don't really know what to say. If you have a dog, for God's sake sterilise it. Adopt, don't buy - there are so many furry friends just waiting for a home (and who cares if your dog is a 'chien de race' - will you be talking of designer babies next??). If you want to help go have a look at what PAWS/ Angels of the Voiceless/ the Human Society are doing in Mauritius. If you're one of those dickheads who thinks it's ok to mistreat animals, do us all a favour and jump off a cliff or something. It makes the world a better place when we treat animals with compassion. They are more than deserving of our love. I'm not so sure if we are deserving of theirs.

Goodbye, Bobo.