Dogs have probably the biggest fanbase in the whole world. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube earn a huge chunk of their revenue from dog posts and videos. And Pratima Devi is taking the dog love to a whole new level.

This is the story of Pratima Devi, people call her Amma (mother). She single-handedly takes care of 400 stray dogs of South Delhi. She doesn’t own them, she just takes care of all of them. Her dogs are healthy, well fed and vaccinated. And she is no billionaire, she is just a ragpicker. “I may or may not get food but the animals should always be fed,” she says. “Whatever I do, I do it for them”

Amma’s Journey…

A native from Kolkata, Pratima suffered marital abuse and had a dysfunctional home. She ran away from home to start a new life in Delhi about 30 years ago. After a few years of working as a cook for households, she started a tea shop at the PVR Anupam Complex in South Delhi. An animal lover from childhood, Pratima started feeding a couple of dogs which used to roam around the stall. Soon the dogs grew in number but Pratima did not back off! “Abhi hum inke sath bohot khush hai, apna pati ke sath khush nhi tha”(I’m very happy with the dogs, I wasn’t happy with my own husband) she says with a sweet smile on her face.

Her house, a small shack she built for herself was destroyed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and accused her of dirtying up the neighborhood because of the dogs. She didn’t eat for days and couldn’t feed the poor dogs but they didn’t leave her side.

Now she is a ragpicker, earning few bucks selling garbage and litters. Whatever she is able to earn she spends on the well being of the dogs. Now she has around 400 dogs.

The Dog Army

The dogs are her family and Pratima makes sure that each and every member of the family is happy. Locals also raise a helping hand by donating money, milk, and bread. 17-year-old Vivek, who lives nearby aids her in tending to the canines. Pratima cooks huge amount of food and together they feed lunch and dinner to the dogs along with milk in the morning and evening.

“We love dogs that’s why we try to be with them most of the time and help them and care for them” Vivek simply sums it up.

Ramesh Kumar, another local voluntarily helps Pratima’s dogs in treating sick dogs, providing vaccines and ointments for the dogs. The government doesn’t provide any aid, all the people help on their own.

Pratima stays strong with the dogs and the loyal dogs never leave her side.

The Obstacles Can Never Stop Her

The authorities turned her shack into dust, locals complain and in 2003, an arsonist set fire to her hut. She burned her arms and stomach but what she still mourns about is the death of the dogs who died in the fire.

But even the life-threatening incidents couldn’t move her will. She is back living in the same spot with more dogs and more affection.

Locals often complain to her and she strongly argues “I would do anything, I’m feeding the dogs. What is your problem? You are not feeding them”.

Amma’s Only Concern

Pratima is a powerful lady and a mother to the strays. “ For as long as I am alive, I will never leave these dogs, I will die with them,” she says. Her only concern “Who will feed the dogs when I’m gone? They will be orphaned. There won’t be anyone to look after them”.

Her aim is to find someone who can take her place. “I request the public to help this old lady out. Because I want to do so much for them. That’s all I want” the strong lady says in a heavy voice with her hands clasped together and tears in her eyes.

Sudeshna, inspired by Pratima’s work, decided to help her by running a crowdfunding campaign. The expense keeps growing with increasing number of dogs.

The heartwarming tale of Amma stirs a mix of emotions. A lady who is alone, lives on the street and has no one to look after her has the mountain of courage to give all she got for stray dogs, the neglected part of the society which sees them as a nuisance and wants them to be euthanized. We fail to acknowledge that dogs are the human companion and not wild animals. The dogs have nowhere to go. They are dependent on humans for food and shelter. And Pratima, a true matriarch seems to realize that. And she has the heart to do something about it. Sometimes all you need is a lever and a place to stand to move the whole world.