Hearts break as pets perish in blaze | Lucknow News
Lucknow: The tragic loss of human life in the fire that is suspected to have begun in a pet shop here was grief enough. But a number of cats and dogs perished too, in cages far away from their “hoomans”, those strange two-legged beings whom they allow to care and in return rule their hearts.Many pet owners rushed to the clinic when they learnt of the conflagration, hoping against hope that they would somehow reduce their companions. Teary-eyed Vibhu Awasthi said the animals had no way to escape. “They trusted humans with their safety. Thinking about what they must have gone through in those final moments is heartbreaking,” he said.Sunita Pandey, whose one-year-old indigenous breed dog Ramji Bhaiya was among the pets feared dead, sobbed: “I kept hoping someone would bring him out alive. Ramji Bhaiya was like a family member. The house will never be the same.” Sunita had admitted her dog to the clinic on Sunday. “I never thought that would be the last time I would see him,” she added.Kiran Shukla learnt about the fire from her neighbour and immediately switched on the television. “The moment I saw the building on TV, I felt something was wrong. My cat was there. I rushed there praying she had been rescued. We celebrate birthdays with our pets, take them to hospitals when they are sick, and care for them like our children. How do we explain this loss to our family,” she said.Several pet owners stood outside the building waiting for information. Some carried photographs of their cats and dogs, hoping rescuers would be able to identify them.Rakesh Khanna’s Labrador was at the clinic. “My children grew up with him. When they heard about the fire, they kept calling me every few minutes asking if he had been found. I don’t know how I will tell them that he is gone.”Anita, whose stray dog died in the devastating fire, said, “I had adopted him from the streets after an accident. Never thought he would meet such a cruel end.”Another owner said his elderly dog was a source of emotional support after the death of his wife. “He was my companion through the loneliest years of my life. People talk about property loss, but for me this is like losing a family member,” he said.According to preliminary estimates, more than six dogs and cats perished in the blaze. Rescue personnel said many animals were trapped inside cages, kennels and treatment rooms and are believed to have died of smoke inhalation.
