Leopard attacks dogs of St. Mary’s High school

My heart is weary; my eyes are misty like the furling mist that has been eddying the hills and dales of the Abode of the Gods. I’ve lost another dog of mine to the feline predator of this hilly range. Jennifer, on the 11th of November 2012 out of the blue, asked me to accompany her to school. Jennifer asked me to accompany her to school on November 11, 2012, saying that she had something important to do and needed my help. Knowing her, I resigned myself to accompanying her. On reaching school, she headed for Ms Trina’s cottage. She had a confab with her and then spoke to Brother Mervin. She seemed ecstatic and with gusto hurried me to the Brother’s quarters. I was keen on what this girl of mine had in store. On reaching, Mervin greeted us and on the lawn a litter of Great Dane pups (born on the 6th of October 2012) that was up for sale.

I begged her not to get a puppy because she wouldn't be home to take care of it. But she insisted and bought a Great Dane with a black coat and white on its chest for 2K. She was on cloud nine; she danced, pranced around with the pup, and urged me to make a beeline for home before I could change her mind.

I’ve been a dog lover from a child; now that my daughter had brought this pup home, I would once again become involved and have another soul mate. I never ever wanted to pass through this emotional stress of becoming too fond of God’s most adorable creature: the DOG. My heart broke a short time before when I lost my Basset hound, Bosky, and I had resolved never to take another dog the longest day I lived.

Buddy grew up fast and became a real Scooby-dobby. As a growing pup, his curiosity knew no bounds. He was a natural goose; even the sudden fluttering of a small bird in the field would send him running helter-skelter. Once he poked his large snout into a bunch of red ants, what a treat we had plucked out the ants that had adhered to his snout and chin. We spent a lot of time with him, especially during our winter annual holidays. He loved the long walks we would take him on. At home, we treated him more like a family member than a mongrel. He was a very loving dog and spoilt by all at home.

My daughter’s house on the first floor could no longer contain this gigantic dog of hers. Finally, he came to live in our humble abode. Here, he had full freedom to run around and bust his energy.

After my unfortunate accident on the 16th of April 2013, which left me physically challenged, I could not take him out for his daily walks. I could not hold him locked the entire day in the house, and when I would release him, he would head for the village. The villagers seized the chance to come to my place and complain about my dog's misbehaviour with their cattle and prized fowls. Jennifer took him on his walks, but he had gone too big for her to handle.

Against my better judgment, I gave Buddy to a home that could take good care of him. Finally, we sent him to the place of his birth. The Brothers were happy to have him back. In the month, August 2014, I sent him to the school. It was a heartbreaking decision; my daughter continues to have not forgiven me for sending him away.

The kids of the school loved Buddy. He became the favourite of some of the residential teachers; he could come in and out of their quarters as if owned the place. All those who came in touch with him admired him. We, from this end, will miss him greatly. Whenever any one of us went and gave him a visit, he would be all over us, lapping us up with his love and affection.

On the 4th night of 2015, around 3 a.m., the leopard struck. Buddy, who had not been called into the cage by the night watchman, became easy prey. The school authorities should have been on high alert because once a leopard has lifted an animal from a place, it will return soon to the same place. The feline struck again last night and attacked the gigantic female Brownie. It could not take her away, but she died this morning. Max, another of the great Danes, had also done the disappearing act. Shadow, the ageing old Dane, was also mauled.

I was told by Trina and Theresa an hour ago that Max had returned but had a deep hole in his head. Probably an attack by the leopard last night. Out of the six great Danes, now the school is left with two (others have been the prey to leopard attacks.)

Last year, when the census of the leopard was recorded in the sanctuary area, the authorities reported that they found 38 of these felines. Their numbers had dwindled over the year.

Buddy at one month

Buddy at two months

Buddy with his favourite Ghugadha age 3 months

Buddy at 4 months,

When I visited him in Feb, he almost knocked me down

In Feb when we visited him, He gave chase to a monkey

Jen fed Buddy on her last visit to the school.

I will add the photographs of the other great Danes as soon as I can get them. The ones on my computer have disappeared. Well! that’s Life. One day we all have to go. Till then Adieu!

P.S

I received the news of Buddie's demise on the 9th of July, via WhatsApp. I cursed myself for being invalid and not protecting the love of the family dog. It was just for this very reason that I did not want another dog in the house. I knew I would have to break this heartbreaking news to both Liz and Jennifer. I had already delayed it for two days, but the burden was bearing down on me, so yesterday I broke the news to them. My very being felt a deep void surging through my senses when I witnessed the remorse and sadness pouring out of the two whom I hold dearer than my life. Both mother and daughter could not contain their grief and sobbed their hearts out for losing their beloved dog.

Liz had always been a lover of animals; the number of cats, dogs, street mongrels and squirrels that she has reared over the years has been astounding. Buddy had taken to her like the proverbial moth attracted to the flame. He loved Liz as if there was no other human being so precious to him. She spoilt him to the extent of allowing him to sleep at the foot of her bed. He had become very possessive of her if he did not recognize a visitor. He would stick to her side like a bodyguard. The shower and affection given to this dog by all the family members were exceptional.

Keith will miss his Buddy boy. He loved Buddy to no end. He’s in school, and I’m sure he must be as heartbroken as the rest of the family.

Buddy at 3 months Dec 2014.

The dogs that became prey to the leopard

Ceasar last year while on a Jungle walk with boys disappeared
Bailey was Taken away earlier in the year from the school premises.
Buddy was taken away on the 5 July 2015 around 3 am.
Brownie succumbed to the leopard attack on 9 July 2015.
Shadow, an old male mauled by the leopard on 9 July 2015, recovering.
Max attacked escaped into the forest and returned later in the day mauled on the head is being treated by the vet.

Flash died earlier in the year of old age.

I took the snaps of the dogs below on 10 Feb 2015. We had gone to the school to see Buddy and were welcomed by the entire pack of dogs. After a while, they busied themselves trying to catch a pair of mongooses that had entered the passage that went out to the back of the school.