There are literally hundreds of them on Jetalpur Road - mostly sandy coloured - owned by nobody and cared for by none. The rule of the wild dominates and they fight over territory, over mating and over domination of a pack. They are a rag, tag, moth eaten, thread bare, emaciated bunch - up all night, guarding territory, lying in front of gates and driveways, barking at the slightest sound, protecting property for an owner who doesn't own them. They sleep all day - making a hollow in the dust, they lie spread out in the sun at the side of the road, their ribs projecting, making a bony profile. There's one which must have had its legs run over at some time, in the past, because they've healed, bone has grown together, but the four legs are splayed and bowed outwards, six inches above the paw, like a piece of Chippendale furniture. This doesn't seem to impede the hound, he runs with the rest, quite the dominant alpha male and his Chippendale features do not diminish the respect with which he is regarded by the other dogs.
And yet, despite their hard life, they can still wag a tail and look at you with recognition and expression in their eyes, always willing to forgive.
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