Young Pups Arrested for Drug-related Felony, Sentenced to Rehab, Gets Clean.

Arrow Kombowski (l) and Max Labowski were arrested on charges of drug possession and abuse

FRONT YARD: Two young pups, Max Labowski (4m) and Arrow Kombowski (4m) were arrested here on Saturday morning after they were found covered in a green substance, suspected to be drugs. Eye-witnesses saw the young pups acting suspiciously, and informed the police, which led to their quick arrest.

The young pups were initially aggressive and resisted arrest. An officer lost a nail in the line of duty, but the pups were apprehended. "Losing a nail isn't new to me. I'm just glad to have caught the perps," she said. The pups soon resorted to whining and pleading to be released.

Max Labowski, begging the officers to let him go.

Labowski and Kombowski immediately confessed to their crimes and led the police to the crime scene, where a carpet, covered in the same green substance, was discovered. It is assumed that the crime scene is where the young pups often got together for their enjoyment. "Max was found practically covered in the substance, while Arrow only had small amounts on his body," said the officer who made the arrest.

Max Labowski at the crime scene.

Forensics are on scene, trying to establish the nature of this substance. Narcotics officers speculate that this is a new drug out on the street, targeted at vulnerable youngsters. Labowski and Kombowski are the latest victims of the drug epidemic that is sweeping the nation. "I've been on the force for 2 years... I've never seen anything like this before," said the detective in charge.

At the trial, a three-member jury found them guilty of drug possession and abuse. The young pups were sent to the Back Yard Rehabilitation Center where they are to remain until they got clean. Known to be violent and unpredictable at times, Labowski and Kombowski were escorted to the Rehabilitation Center under maximum security.

Arrow Kombowski at Back Yard Rehabilitation Center

Max Labowski attempts to escape from Back Yard Rehabilitation Center.

While at the center, several futile attempts were made by the pups to escape, which only served to extend their stay. After a grueling procedure that lasted more than half an hour, they were declared clean by the doctors.

Labowski and Kombowski were moved out of the center to The Rooftop, a minimum security facility where doctors kept a close watch on them for fear of a relapse. Most of the reports stated that they were coping well with the rehabilitation and would soon be fit to re-enter society. However, sources say that the young pups could be heard quarreling from time to time, mostly about who's fault it was that got them caught.

Fresh out of the BYRC, the young pups at The Rooftop, a minimum security facility.

Max Labowski and Arrow Kombowski have now been released and they are trying to adjust to normal life. They have been clean for two hours and authorities hope that they will make attempts to stay clean.

Clean for two hours, the pups have a joyful reunion with the officer who helped them leave their life of addiction behind.

Their story has a happy ending. Make sure that yours do to. Don't do drugs.

Dogs of Sikkim: Travellogue Part 7

As an avid animal lover, I feel the uncontrollable urge to pet any animal that passes even remotely close to me. Such was the case at Tashi View Point.

While everyone else was busy shopping and taking photographs, I had my eyes set on the little brown puppy walking around the place. He was simple adorable. And when I got close enough to him, I crouched down and beckoned him to me. The energetic little puppy came running to me and I was overjoyed. It came to me like I was his long lost owner. He started licking my hand as I tried to pet him, and was jumping around, wagging his tail. Getting this reaction from an animal has to be one of the happiest things in the world.

Our embrace was broken up when my parents told me off for touching a dirty street dog. I stood around for a while, watching the puppy. He seated himself in front of a bench, where two men were eating popcorn. It was quite obvious that he was hungry. But he made no noise. He just sat there, hoping to get a bite to eat. I desperately wished I had kept some food with me.

When the men left the bench, so did the puppy. I noticed a piece of popcorn lying on the seat. I discreetly grabbed it and took it to the puppy a few feet away. He started jumping when he saw me, and when I offered the popcorn, he immediately took it and started playing with it, while trying to eat it.

I was enjoying watching this adorable ball of fur before me when I saw him approach. He was a big dog with yellow fur, and he was coming straight at me. For a second I was scared. I didn't have any food to give the new comer. I was crouching on the floor and so this dog was as tall as me. What if he attacks me? It was too late to get away.

But he just stood there benignly. He motioned with his head that he wanted me to pet him, and so I did. And he looked extremely satisfied. I was relieved. He didn't want food; he just wanted someone to pet him.

That's the thing about cats and dogs. Just like humans have three basic needs (food, shelter and clothing), they too have their own basic needs - food, shelter and petting.

I rubbed the dogs head, and I felt there was bond forming between us -  like we've known each other all our lives and we were now being reunited. I wanted nothing more than to take him home with me.

Just then, they called me; to leave the stray dog alone and to come take some pictures with them. I reluctantly left the dog behind and approached them, only for them to look behind me and let out gasps. The big dog was following me around. Apparently, he was not having enough of me petting him.

Even as I sat down on the bench to take a photo, he wouldn't leave me alone. While everyone else saw this as a menace, it warmed my heart to see him following me around. So we ended up taking the pictures together - me with the dog that refused to go away.

All this makes me think, how much the dogs would have been craving attention to follow me around like this. How much they crave to be loved.

Saying goodbye was the hard part. It was like leaving behind a long lost lover, never to see him again. He watched me descend the steps after I kissed him goodbye. I swear, if he had followed me down the steps, I would have cried.

One think I noticed about the dogs of Sikkim was that every single one of them was incredibly handsome. They all had thick fur (I suppose they would need to, considering the climate) and looked well fed. I assume people took care of them, despite them being street dogs. Just like the people, even the dogs here are decent and friendly (unlike the hostile dogs in my hometown). Man, I love this place!

I think I'll move to Gangtok and adopt a couple of dogs. Yep, seems like a good idea.

Then again, why stop at a couple?