An Avid Dog Lover

It’s definitely true that dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. A dog is the one who loves you more than you love yourself as “No matter how you’re feeling, a little dog gonna love you.” Waka Flocka Flame. Also, they might only be here for a part of our life, but for them, we are his whole life. All they want is to be there for us and to shower us with unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship till their last breath is what makes them truly special and incredible. The love of a dog is a pure thing and maybe that’s the reason why humans and dogs bond so well.

In this issue of Smart Family magazine, we explore more about Ms. Jyotsna Yogi. Most of us might know her as an actress and a model. Let us all get to know Ms. Jyostna Yogi a little better and explore the person that she is, her thoughts about dogs/cats and who is she beyond the actress, model that we all know through this unfiltered interview.

What inspired you to become an actor and take acting as your career?

Like most of us do, I used to imagine myself as one of those “Heroines” as a kid. Always interested but never had the guts to take on it. My brother and my friends are the ones who pushed me. I realized that this job is so much fun and I carried on and will continue. I’m learning every step of the way.

Going back to your childhood, did you have any aspirations apart from what you are doing now, or did you know that this is what you wanted in life?

I was a curious kid and I guess I still am. I wanted to become lots of things. A children’s doctor, a vet but, I gave up the idea because bruises, blood and stuff makes me squeamish. Then, I wanted to become a police officer, Miss Universe, work in the UN, become a lecturer; I was all over the place. I wanted to get into acting too and now that I have, I just love my job.

How do you describe yourself? (Who is Jyotsna Yogi to you, the one that the outside world is unaware of?)

• I am an introvert, my social pages show the opposite but the net can be deceiving.
• I am clumsy.
• I also love video games, not a pro-pro but I play alright.
• I am very bad at singing but I sing anyway.
• I am an emotional person.
• I am goofy and only my closest ones have seen that side of me.

How have you been spending your days post Covid-19?

Since day 1, I have been staying home, staying safe. Like I said, I am an introvert so, my days aren’t boring. I gossip for hours with my parents, sketch, read, binge watch series, make videos here and there, bake, scrub my room, water all my plants, play with my dogs, work out, so basically, I am always caught up.

Have your dogs been valuable companionship for you and your family in this time?

My dogs are my family. So, we’re each others’ valuable companions.

How and when did you develop the pure love towards dogs?

I don’t think this feeling just developed out of the blue, this feeling of love for them runs in the blood. My parents actually love dogs a hundred times more than I do. I grew up knowing that dogs are family and not just pets, and we are their family not owners.

Since you have three dogs as your pet, what do you think are the best things about having dogs?

Dogs are additional family members, they’re stress busters, they know when you’re the happiest and when you’re at the lowest, they’re good secret keepers and obviously they’re your best friends.

They always enjoy my company even when I’m boring; they miss me even when I’m gone for 5 minutes, the way they make me feel is inexplicable. I would take a bullet for them.

How would you describe your relationship with your pets?

I need them; they make me feel at home. We understand each other a lot. My dogs are my life. They’ve been able to teach me so many things that we humans sometimes lack.

What are the best things that you have learned from your dogs?

The number of things that I’ve learnt from dogs is uncountable to be honest but these are the few:

• Patience
• Forgiveness
• EXTREME LOVE
• Finding happiness in EVERYTHING
• Making your close ones feel special
• Sleeping whenever I feel like

You being an advocate for dog care, what are some of the things that you want to aware us about dogs?

LOTS OF THINGS!

I want people to understand that just because they cannot speak human languages does not mean they don’t understand. They have the understanding level of a 3 years old kid and they learn more gradually.

So, when someone is abusing a dog, their actions are equivalent to child abuse.

Their bodies are very fragile and delicate and they develop illness and diseases just like us humans. They require immense love, food and warmth, health care just like a baby. So, when you leash them or cage them or leave them on your gardens, terraces, balconies, it’s torture. If you cannot take proper responsibilities, it’s better not to adopt them. If you already have adopted one and cannot handle them, never abandon them, you can contact me or many such organizations who will find a deserving home for those dogs.

About the street dogs, you can do your part by helping them if you can and while you can else, just ignore. Never abuse them. When you see people abusing them, stop them, because you can speak, and they cannot.

The street dogs go through a lot of abuse in a day including hunger. Just because they smell bad, look dirty and skinny doesn’t mean they’re bad. If they were to get proper grooming, they’d come out equally cute.

Even we humans get agitated and sometimes rude when hungry, they’re only dogs, what can we expect?

What are your views on dog adoption? Is it safe to adopt street dogs as a pet?

I support adoption but I am not against buying dogs either. I am more inclined towards finding a good family for the homeless, alone, injured, old, abandoned, neglected and so and so.

It is COMPLETELY safe to adopt street dogs/pups but we have to be careful in the beginning. We don’t know their history so all of them need a thorough checkup regarding health status and the vaccines that they’ll need.

In some cases, dogs are abused so, to protect themselves, some can be aggressive but this can be solved too with professional help, patience and love.

If people want to adopt street dogs, where can they contact to?

I have opened an instagram page @bookofpaws where I make posts of tons of dogs and cats for adoption. I also post about missing dogs/cats.

You can also adopt from many animal organizations like Shree’s Animal Rescue, Animal Nepal, Team Paaila, SPCA Nepal etc.

You can always find homeless dogs and pups around the corner of your community and take them for checkups to prepare them for adoption.

After the Corona virus outbreak, many people have been abandoning their pets as owners are concerned that they’ll catch the virus from their pets. What do you have to say on this?

It’s all because of misinformation and lack of awareness. People panicked and took steps that were very insensitive. I saw how people considered their dogs and cats as just animals/objects and not a family member. It was very wrong so, I request everyone totake responsibilities, ask or look up for answers before taking any steps, don’t rush into anything, love your dogs/cats like your own child if you’ve adopted one because all they know is you’re their family.

‘Kukur Tihar’ is in November but even in Kukur Tihar, not every dog is celebrated as street dogs still are not looked properly. What are your views on it?

I think it’s the only day when all the street dogs are actually loved and celebrated because dogs are believed to be the protectors of the deity of death, Yamaraj and guardians to humans in afterlife.

The other days, not everyone but many people seem to forget that. My say on this is, celebrating only one day will not get you across after your death. You don’t need to wait for Kukur Tihar to love or care.

Lastly, this photo shoot is definitely different than the ones that you had been doing. How was your experience doing the whole cover shoot by yourself?

I used to let the professionals do their job but this time, having to check each and every snap was difficult but then learnt so much too. I turned my entire family into shooting team and my dogs into my models. Two of my dogs were like angels when shooting, but the youngest one (the white one), she tested my patience and posed like a frog in almost all the photos and didn’t sit still for any of the snaps.

It’s a completely new experience to be doing a cover shoot by myself but believe me; this job is not easy at all. My respect towards the entire shooting unit, post this shoot has grown so much.

 

 

Rapid fire with Jyotsna

If you could switch life with anyone or anything, what would it be?

Victoria Beckham

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

I would make electrical vehicles in Nepal free of tax and affordable.

How would you like to spend a free day?

Baking.

What is your dream job?

Vet.

What is the one thing you have always wanted to do?

Build proper animal shelters and sanctuaries.

What's the best compliment you've ever received? 

“I’m very proud of you.” - Parents and my Principal.

Who do you admire the most?

Maiya (mum)

What is that one habit that you want to change about yourself?

Over thinking

What is the first thing that you notice about people?

•  

What scares you?

Fake friends

How do you define happiness?

Good food.

What is family to you?

Everything. I don’t think that I can explain even if I try.

Since you are interested in teaching as well, if you could teach any grade or subject, what would it be?

Optional Mathematics to Grade 10

A message to your younger self?

Take a LONG time to trust anybody.

Any message to the readers?

• Always stand up for yourself, for the voiceless, for the helpless.
• Don’t let anyone bully you or anyone or animals.
• Don’t let anyone dictate your life.
• Respect yourself.