Beyond the Training Manual

I am a first-time author who only writes when inspired. Some of my wildlife articles have been published in reputable publications. If you had asked me five years ago if I was going to write a book, I’d have replied with raised eyebrows. I was tucked away in the serene Himalayan town of Landour, amidst the deodars and oaks. Unfortunately, I was in bad shape due to a physical ailment. So, the answer would have been “No”. A book wasn’t part of my plan till a year later. When Pretty, a hungry, pathetic wretch of a stray, strolled into my life and took it over.

Of Pretty and Karma –

A Tale Etched in Paw Prints and Serendipity

I’ve been emotionally leashed to dogs all my life and am fascinated by animal behaviour. In 2019, I completed a certified course in ‘Operant-Conditioning Dog Training’. The workshop was taught by an all-women team of experts. I was attending an online follow-up when Pretty surreptitiously arrived at my doorstep. My pets had moved on; I was inspired to train Pretty, who impressed me with her intelligence, and became my star pupil. Through our training timeline, the clever girl strategically introduced me to her son, Karma. And then the immediate pack and the extended pack. The dogs would arrive out of the woods like clockwork every day for a free meal, overriding my training goals and resolve. They never left, and I was happier for it. I gained amazing insights into their behaviour and pack dynamics. I learnt of their amazing networking skills and resilience. I, in turn, was healed by their love, trust and broke out of my isolation to befriend the larger community of dog carers who I didn’t know existed. I even began to take better care of myself.

The Stray Dogs of Landour Network is a collection of interactions with the strays of Landour. A compilation of all the learning, loving, and understanding of the secret lives of strays. They survive in a harsh environment where roaming leopards, a few heartless humans, and unrelenting winters are real threats. The Stray Dogs of Landour Network is a story I didn’t plan for, but one I felt compelled to write. I owed it to Pretty.

Feeding Debate to Frameworks of Care – Where We Stand with Stray Dogs?

Stray dogs are making the headlines now. If you are ever in a situation where you feel a dog needs to be rescued from someone, the first thing you need to know is the law. Always try to reason with rather than argue or threaten a dog abuser.

We are still a long way from resolving issues that follow the feeding of strays. Especially, in building complexes where space is limited, and the affinity for dogs and opinions are divided.

Regular sterilisation and vaccination programmes, permanent facilities, including recovery spaces, help stray dog management.

Decision-making involving communities is bound to resolve many issues. Some NGOs visit localities to inform, share, and sensitise houseowners and RWAs. I think we need more of them to create awareness. And cultivate empathy, a more compassionate attitude for all sentient beings. The stray dogs of Landour imbibe the Ubuntu way: ‘I am because we are’, an attitude we would do well to adopt and respect. I hope my book echoes that sentiment.

Four Years, Countless Lessons, and One Book to Show for It

My journey as a first-time author of The Stray Dogs of Landour Network has been arduous. I initially tried the traditional route. By submitting my manuscript to a few established publishing houses. Practically all of them, except for two (bless them), didn’t reply. Unless you are an established author or have contacts in the echelons of publishing, it is a slow, sometimes painful exercise. The agony is not knowing if your manuscript has been unboxed and read. Publishing houses are often inundated with manuscripts. If only they embraced the Ubuntu way: Announce submissions are closed on their website. Or reply with a one-liner after the extensive three-month-long waiting period.

The alternative, i.e., self-publishing, is no bed of roses either, even if you opt for assisted self-publishing. I am happy I took that route, only because it took less time to see my book in print. Nothing tarnishes that joy. Post-publishing, the author has to work on marketing, social media, and endless communication for a review or mention. There is no shortcut here unless you can afford professional help. And then there are so many scammers out there promising you the world; it’s a slippery slope.

Despite the hurdles, I am thrilled my book is published. It’s a labour of love that took me four years to complete. I designed the cover and was very involved in the formatting, proofreading, and the overall look. I couldn’t have done it without my family, who participated every step of the way very patiently. I am so grateful. It’s been 100% worth the effort. If there’s one piece of advice I have for everyone, it’s to follow your passion. If you have a story to tell, start writing.

About Lalitha Krishnan

Lalitha is a writer, photographer, and nature enthusiast whose work explores the bonds between humans, animals, and the natural world. Based on a hillside in Ranikhet, she is at ease with silence and the absence of city lights. Her passion for dogs and their behaviour led her to write The Stray Dogs of Landour Network: A True Story by a Failed Dog Trainer, released in April 2025. The memoir brings together her observations, experiences, and dog stories shared by others. The foreword is written by travel writer Bill Aitken (1934– 2025), who also contributed a chapter titled “Mussoorie Dogs and Dog Lovers I Love.”