When you ride 9,000 kms across the country, you’re bound to meet an interesting mix of people. But these are not the encounters Sushant Ajnikar was looking forward to when he decided to set forth on his expedition. He was keener on canine companions.

Sushant Ajnikar at Khardung La, Leh, one of the highest routes he rode during the cross-country expedition he undertook for the cause of the stray dogs

Back in Bangalore now, where the designer lives with his wife and an adopted pariah, Ajnikar spent 31 days on the road on his Royal Enfield. Although he’s been on long-distance solo rides before, this time he wanted to dedicate it to the country’s large pariah population. “Every time I stopped for a break I’d go say hello to the stray dogs. The trick is to tempt them with biscuits. That way they know I’m not out to harm them and the initial aggression they may show dies down,” says Ajnikar, who created Facebook page Paws of India to document his journey from Bangalore all the way to Leh and back.