Heartbroken? Maybe. Scared? Definitely.

There are pictures and then there are mysteriously amazing pictures. This one was clicked about an hour ago by my flat-mate, Pais. In case you’re wondering who’s that in a bright red winter-wear, it’s Ranga. Zoom in to have a better look. It cuts a lonely figure. Like he’s staring into the horizon having lost the purpose of life or something. We knew he spends a lot of time on the terrace — ours is a two-storey walkup and we stay on the second floor — but we didn’t know he spends his time sitting on the ledge! That’s the height of daredevilry; literally and figuratively. He can’t get out of the building lest fellow street dogs attack him. As a result, he stays confined to his territory. It’s been six months since he adopted us and almost everyday we learn something new about him. It’s quite obvious that he hasn’t achieved a lot of kindness from humans. Even when we pet him, there is an unhidable awkwardness from his end. Perhaps it’s not easy to shed away years of abuse he must have endured like the way he is shedding away his fur this winter.

PS. We always wonder where he goes to relieve himself. Not sure but his absolute lack of vertigo must allow him to deface neighbouring terraces. Or sneak out at night. Shhhhhh…