Every dog has a different fate. There are some dogs that enjoy the comforts of dunlops, mattresses and pillows living in the houses of the wealthy, while there might be some who live and pass their entire life in the streets and on the roads. The dog living in the house might be haughty and snobbish yet gets the love from its owner while the one in the street gets struck with stones and sticks.
Sardar Gurcharan Singh Dhillon, Superintendent of Police, posted in Jalandhar, had two dogs at his residence. His wife had raised the dogs after they were brought as pups. Both the dogs were of the same breed but both had different temperament. One started barking on seeing anyone. If food was not served in time, it created havoc. No outsider could come close to it. It had to be kept chained all the time.
The other dog met everyone by wagging its tail. The family members and even the Police employees were fond of it. They could even pat and sit next to it without any harm.
One day Dhillon Sahib’s wife told her husband that the second dog had the temperament of a sadhu; he was therefore worthy of living with the sadhus. The other dog was adequate for the family and to take care of the house.
It was agreed to present the second dog to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. With this thought in mind Dhillon Sahib came to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan. Nambardar Didar Singh was present at the Kutiya at that time. Dhillon Sahib paid his homage on the feet of Sant Baba Basant Singh ji Maharaj. He then shared his thought with Nambardar Didar Singh ji and requested, “The dog that has the traits of a sadhu be permitted to live with the other dogs at the Kutiya.”
Nambardar ji sought permission from Sant Baba ji who agreed with the suggestion. Sitting in the Kutiya Sant Baba ji had recognized the level of the dog. The dog was now to be graced by the Holy eyes of Sant Baba ji.
Nambardar ji came along with Dhillon Sahib to his house to collect the dog.
Dhillon Sahib’s wife bathed the dog. It was covered with a stitched cloth and a garland was put around its neck. Both husband and wife bowed in front of it and handed the leash to Nambardar Didar Singh. The dog without any hesitation walked with Nambardar ji and came to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan.
It was kept there in the corral. After a week, Dhillon Sahib came to Nirmal Kutiya Johalan, to pay homage to Sant Baba ji. He went to the corral thereafter to see the dog. An attendant brought the dog to Dhillon Sahib but it did not recognize the old master nor gave any response. Dhillon Sahib called by its pet name but there was no reaction.
The nature of this dog was like that of a sadhu and remaining in the environment of Sant Baba ji for just a week, its outlook had further changed. It had lost interest in the outside world of other humans. It was dedicated to its beloved Master only.
The dogs and other animals in the Kutiya are fortunate to be living there. The Holy eyes of Sant Baba ji graced these animals. The animals look at the sangat coming to the Kutiya, listen to the Kirtan of Gurbani and remain present in the service of Sant Baba ji. The good deeds of these animals in the previous birth must be instrumental in their being in such august company at the Kutiya.
If dogs and other animals can be so blessed, then a human being that is gifted with intelligence and understanding can also be worthy of the kindness of Sant Baba ji.