Dog's best friend

Q How did you decide to focus on photodocumenting straysA In 2010 three months into my first visit to India I was in Jaisalmer I had already seen many injured dogs in other cities but one morning I spotted a dog in a market by the fort that was in terrible shape I had to do something so I took it in a taxi and we travelled 500km to reach an NGO Tree of Life for Animals TOLFA in Pushkar Since then I have helped rescue dogs across Indian cities and have photodocumented the issue to help raise awareness and encourage compassionate treatmentA frame by Brett Cole from Leh Ladakh India where a street dog rests under graffiti telling people not to gossipQ The frames appear as if they belong to someone whos familiar with Indias landscape its people and culture How much time have you spent hereA I have spent about two years in India mdash four trips of six months each since 2010 Ive spent time in Pushkar Kolkata Mumbai Leh Manali Varanasi and other cities I love India dearly My favourite cities are Kolkata Varanasi and especially Pushkar which is closest to my heart and which I consider my home in IndiaA homeless man sleeps with the company of a family of stray dogs a mother and three puppies total AllahabadQ Youre an animal lover Tell us moreA I love dogs I grew up with twothree dogs The small blackandwhite Boston Terrier has been the breed of choice in my family My 72yearold mother has lived with Boston Terriers for her entire life Ive been a vegetarian for nearly 30 years so I fit in India Ive helped rescuing dogs cows buffaloes birds and squirrels tooStreet dog standing on an old ruined temple atop a hill overlooking the auspicious Budha Pushkar temple complex RajasthanQ Children are integral to your frames with strays WhyA In any society you have to nurture the attitudes and actions of the next generation to help mature the society Shop owners and adults tend to get tired of stray dogs viewing them as a nuisance But children rarely seem to take a negative attitude Youll see how even homeless children care for strays There can be issues with poor treatment though often learned from adults but kids are open to learning new behaviour when given good examples In Pushkar I connect with nearby families when I see a new litter of puppies on the street I buy milk and biscuits and encourage kids to help feed them This kind of caring impresses upon themA stray dog plays in the Arabian Sea at Juhu Beach MumbaiQ What were some of the discoveries that emerged while working on this projectA It is such a complex issue with no simple answer but with many pieces that we do understand More sterilization programmes are needed to control high reproduction rates Increased rabies vaccinations are necessary to protect the public and spare the dogs the misery of the disease Better control of garbage on streets will limit the food source But there are small things that actually make a big difference Countless dogs get crippled because they sleep on roads and eventually vehicles in motion can clip their legs A simple act by shop owners to wake up these dogs and make them move can save a lot of misery Better connection between the public and the NGOs is needed so when a dog is in terrible shape it can receive services There is a lot of human need in India and it might be hard to prioritise dogs but they are our oldest and closest animals companions and they are here to stay they are a part of the landscape like cows goats and buffalo Empathy and compassion are powerful aspects more than personal ambition These lessons while dealing with animals can help us help people as wellDogs sleeping on a side street full of sweets makers Pushkar Rajasthan Pics and captions CourtesyBrett ColeQ How did you meet with TOLFAA After bringing the dog from Jaisalmer to TOLFA I began to spend time in Pushkar and kept returning annually for the camel fair I would stay on to explore the villages the Aravallis and Thar desert I am involved with TOLFA and have helped with rescues photodocumenting their work and improving their website Their relentless dedication is amazingBrett Cole Photographer amp ActivisQ Tell us about your upcoming projects in India A In late 2015 TOLFA will launch the Vikas Project in Pushkar to serve those living in tent camps with education medical care and arts programmes I will be coordinating the project Its a continuation of social work that I have been doing in Pushkar mdashassisting with health care and education for needy families We will also provide special services to differentlyabled children and travel to remote camps in the Thar desert to provide medical care and counselling Log on to tolfaorgukvikasproject to learn moreLOG ON TO wwwbrettcolephotographycom for galleries on Mumbai and Ganesh Chaturthi