IN PHOTOS: How this Mumbai teen is using art to raise awareness about the well-being of stray dogs

Adhya Soni loves dogs and it is this affection that has inspired her to start two initiatives, 'Pawfull' and 'Aparigraha' to ensure they are taken care of in Mumbai. Ahead of International Dog Day on August 26, mid-day.com spoke to her about her effort that she carries out by creating beautiful hand-painted prints of dogs around her

Updated On: 2023-08-21 05:48 PM IST

Compiled by : Nascimento Pinto

Combining her love for art and dogs, Adhya Soni sells set of five prints at Rs 250 to raise money and contribute to NGOs dedicated to rescuing and caring for dogs within the city throughout the past year. Photos Courtesy: Adhya Soni

Adhya Soni is a Grade 12 student of the Aditya Birla World Academy, who started out with a single painting but has now collected over 997 artworks in the last one year with her initiative 'Pawfull'.

The inspiration for 'Pawfull' is Rani, a dog in her neighbourhood that passed away after it was hit by a vehicle. Soni says it is a tribute to Rani and a personal commitment that she has forged, ensuring that no other creature's remains would be left to decompose in the garbage.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Sonis welcomed Buster, their pet dog, into their lives and staying true to his name, he is a complete stress buster for them, even offering relief during their period of grieving for Rani.

Now, the Mumbai teen has taken her initiative a step further by starting 'Aparigraha', a pet grief counselling project, to help pet parents deal with the loss of their dog. Soni felt the need after she saw how her mother, Sonia Soni, a pet lover could never come out of the grief of losing her pets, while she was growing up.

Today, they have three grief counsellors situated in Mumbai, Indore and Delhi, who are helping Indians come to terms with the loss of their pets, and Soni's mother has also been one of them.

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