Don’t smash up that old TV just yet – it could have another, very sweet, use.
Take note from Abhijit Dowarah, 32, who has turned old TV sets into comfortable homes for stray dogs . The businessman had been concerned for the dogs’ health on the streets of Sivasagar, northern India, especially in the recent bad weather, so he came up with a creative solution.He dug out an old TV set from his home and turned it into a sanctuary for any dog who needed it.
The mini home was such a hit that Abhijit decided to make more, tracking down other unused, old-school TV sets, painting the exterior, adding a water bottle, and making the insides cosy. ‘One can see the dog house from a distance,’ says Abhijit. ‘Yellow will attract them and green merges the house into nature.
‘These dogs get hit by speeding vehicles. They live in terrible conditions hence I thought of doing something for them.
Is it a duck…or a dog? The Newfoundland breed has a water resistant coat and webbed feet. This dog was originally bred to help haul nets for fishermen and rescuing people at risk of drowning.
‘A few years ago I was riding pillion on a motorbike when a street dog got stuck under the two-wheeler.
‘We both fell. I was very angry at the dog and also realised how they be hit with vehicles.
‘Five years ago, my brother gifted me a dog and that changed everything.
‘I started feeling compassionate for the animals and always thought of helping them.’
Abhijit and his friends now also make sure to give food to the dogs using his shelters.
‘I started this a month ago on December 4 and I plan to make at least one dog house every week,’ he added. ‘My dream is to provide shelter to all these stray dogs.’
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