Odisha family takes out funeral procession of pet dog, bids tearful adieu
India Today
A family in Odisha organised the procession to bid a tearful farewell to their pet dog, Anjali, who died on Monday.
A family in Paralakhemundi in Odisha’s Gajapati district on Monday organised the procession to bid a tearful farewell to their pet dog named Anjali, who died on the same day. The pet dog had been living with them as a family for the last 16 years.
The entire locality echoed with traditional musical instruments, DJs and fireworks as the hearse van decorated with flowers proceeded towards the crematorium for the last rites of pet Anjali. The owner of the pet, Tunu Gouda, could not control his tears all the way towards the crematorium ground. Gouda and his family were devastated after the death of Anjali on Monday morning.
The entire family had developed an emotional bond with Anjali and they were in a state of shock following the death of their pet. The owners of the pet remained inconsolable.
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Tunu Gouda was born into a poverty-stricken family and used to work at various shops to support his family following his father’s death. It was during that time that Gouda met a puppy and brought it home. Gouda named it Anjali, who gradually became a part of his family.
"I met the dog 16 years back. I had adopted many dogs in the course of time, but Anjali brought good fortune. My financial condition improved and I was even able to build a house of my own," he says with a heavy heart.
On Monday morning, the devastated family bathed Anjali’s body with turmeric water and garlanded it before taking out its funeral procession. Later, Gouda performed the last rites of Anjali as per the traditional rituals. The family is also planning to continue with post-death rituals, organising a community feast which will be performed in a traditional way.
