Kerala canine walks with Sabarimala pilgrim for 600 kms

Kozhikode: Pets are the most adorable companions a person could have in life, and among these dogs are also known to be the most loyal, something that has also been portrayed in pop culture in movies like Hachiko and Teri Meherbaniyan.

In an incident that reminds us why dogs are called man’s best friend, 38-year-old Naveen from Kozhikode in Kerala was followed by a canine companion named Malu on his pilgrimage to Sabrimala, as he walked on foot for 600 kms.

A long challenging journey which would be exhausting was better as the straydog Malu joined Naveen on the second day of his journey. The man tried shooing the dog away but Malu was adamant on accompanying him to his destination, as it guarded his belongings and even woke him up when the phone wasn’t working.

Naveen lost Malu upon reaching the Sabrimala shrine, but soon got a call by devotees who saw him accompanied by the dog, as they informed him that Malu had been waiting for him on the stairs leading to the shrine for one and a half days, sniffing every devotee, and joyfully jumped at Naveen when he arrived.

Malu now lives with Naveen in a cardboard box at his house, and the tale about this spontaneous friendship is a ray of hope in times when abuse of animals is raising concern.