"This adventure, also known as Animal Aid, provided me with possibly the MOST inspiring two weeks of my time thus far in India. Yes, it was that good. Animal Aid is a hospital for sick and wounded street animals: dogs, cats, cows, donkeys, goats, monkeys and buffalo. Located on the outskirts of a small tribal village just outside Udaipur, the hospital consists of a rambling sort of foundation, sprawling kennels and makeshift roofs, paddocks for the big animals, and open-aired rooms. Albeit rather unlike our sterile institutions of straight lines and rubber gloves, this place functions better than a well-oiled machine. It is a center of nurture and healing, not just medical administration.

I just sort of happened upon this place........... Literally, it was at a bend in the road when I was cruising around on a motorbike looking for a lake to swim in one day... Perhaps NOT such a coincidence. I think I'd simply been waiting to find it all along. See, one of the more difficult parts of traveling this country for me has been witnessing the abuse, neglect and general maltreatment of animals. Dogs with massive open wounds are common on the streets as are cows with horridly distended bellies due to consuming the city's trash as their regular diet... I could easily go on. So, Animal Aid is actually tackling this serious problem! YES! 4 vets, 3 certified nurses and about 17 staff comprise the world of Animal Aid. They welcomed me into their network and immediately I set to work pouring love and more love into these suffering creatures who lapped it up as if they've never in their lives received a friendly touch (which they probably haven't). God it was the most INCREDIBLE thing! These beautiful animals and their soulful eyes, as they consider whether your friend or foe.. Within just two weeks, I watched such profound transformations take place. From bloody wound, cowering terrified in the corner of a kennel, to healthy scars and wagging tails.

I spent my days feeding, brushing, walking, cleaning, washing, and nuzzling my fingers far into fur. I got fairly severely attached to five 1-week-old orphaned puppies. All motley in color, and regular puff balls of fuzz, with just the tiniest black noses. They were heaven to cuddle and I did a LOT of that. They fully adopted me as their mom, all competing for my lap and the bottle at the same time.... It was an incredibly rewarding two weeks.”

Sasha Weigel