Geologists are like research engineers 👷♂️
They use their acquired knowledge of the 🌍earth sciences and apply to identify, study, and finally use their innate skills to extract the earth’s physical characteristics.
vast mysteries
They are able to scale the hills, tame inhospitable terrains with the help of their teams, each one of them with defined skillsets.
Here comes the twist 💡
Animal Companion
Interestingly, it often escapes our radar that contributors to teamwork can also include non-human entities.
Dogs, never expect anything in reward, unlike humans save a pat on the head nuzzling its slender snout.
Let me give you an account of an animal that stayed with my parents for about eight years, spared no efforts to protect the life of his master.
We dig in..
Arid Rajasthan
a huge team to assist
Somewhere around the early 1960’s my father, Dinabandhu Lahiri, as a junior geologist was making his wild official errands across the harsh deserts and craggy hills of Rajasthan.
He was always accompanied by men, and materials; however, there were numerous instances when he had to venture on his own to explore the deep recesses of the earth or climb the hills single-handed.
Equipment list consisted of a geological hammer, a compass, maps, pencils, topographical sheets, diary or a notebook to record.
Raju’s Presence
The only living companion who stayed with him at all times, was his four-year-old canine associate, a mixed Alsatian named “Raju“.
from sudden exigencies countess times
At Jodhpur …
It was a weekday, dry, and sunny that any inhabitant of a desert can expect.
My father was on a routine work to examine a section of the rocky face of a hillock.
Sensing Danger
The camp was about five miles away and the Jeep started to climb an elevation to the base of the hill. After traveling about a mile and half, the road simply disintegrated, and the Jeep had to be stopped. With an axe and the hammer, a canvas bag dangling on his shoulder, he reached the big rock face.
Raju who was about four feet in front jumped on to the ledge that protruded out along the rock face.
He sniffed his way through the jagged rocks and vanished between the big vertical crevices that lined all the way up.
My father was close behind and jumped on to the rock holding himself and was about to get into those crevices to let himself in and go deeper when Raju came charging in and stopped him on his track.
Lethal Predator
He barked away and was looking at my father and once at the base of the slender broken path through the hill faces. He went on shouting but would not let him enter.
About ten minutes had passed, with both looking at each other and Raju, crouching behind on his front legs and standing tall.
have been over
Raju became quiet too.
The unmistakable “hiss”; a sound all too familiar to the Indians could be heard from behind the boulder which was sitting in front.
Very cautiously, using the boulder sides as grips, he crouched low and saw the deadly head of a spectacled cobra, sticking its menacing tongue out intermittently as the hooded eyes, with its cold yellowish-gray color, perfectly still looking at its visitor.
The entire snake was curled up ready to strike.
Astonishing Save
He drew back, and jumped back on to the level ground, closely followed by Raju. My father wanted to reach out to caress him or at least touch him to show his gratification, but he was gone, with the knowledge that his master will surely not make the mistake of going back in.
Mouth slightly apart, he vanished over the rocks and jumped into the Jeep.
Raju Bails Out Again
beside them, to look out for slightest of danger that lurked around
At Degana
Halfway through the day, my father had finished his lunch, carefully packed and lovingly cooked by my mother.
Creepy Killer
with his master
In those days, he used to puff a pipe; after the hearty lunch, he ambled across to get the matchbox.
He marched on towards the parked Jeep. He was sure, that the matchbox must have been left behind in the canvas bag, kept on the driver’s seat. Raju, as always was walking about a meter in front.
In a flash, the dog bolted at the Jeep, sniffed the air around, and ran around the Jeep, kept under a tree.
Incredible Senses
allow him to go further
The barking started. He came back and tugged my father from behind. It leapt around but would not allow him to go to the Jeep.
Rammohan, a junior officer was about six feet away and approached the Jeep from behind and very stealthily drew near the Jeep’s rear open end and peered in.
Death Coil
At first, he was not able to see anything amiss, so closed in and through the opening between the two front seats, he saw the poisonous coil that had almost strangled the steering column.
painful death, it is so poisonous
About, four feet long, and the girth, two and a half inches, the slightly horny, black and gray colored, white-banded striped skin rose and fell.
Moving slowly about the entire steering all the way down to the clutch pedal.
It was a full-grown matured Indian Krait.
as Raju used to sit at his feet near the tent
One of the deadliest and most poisonous snakes that lurk this subcontinent.
Rammohan retreated and came back, quite ashen to have seen the reptile that has snugly wrapped around the Jeep’s steering.
Wildlife lover
Father was informed of the lethal creature. He was, an avid animal lover, ordered the local village crowd to call the snake catchers and advised, let go the snake.
Dad’s moist eyes looked at the deep black, brown eyes of Raju as they held each other for an eternity ♾️
Raju did his bit once again.
Why Man and Dog Connect
- Loyal Companionship – Dogs are known for their dogged loyalty, forming strong bonds with humans and offering consistent emotional support
- Non-Verbal Understanding – Dogs can effortlessly read human emotions and body language, creating a deep, non-verbal connection
- Mutual Dependence – Humans and dogs have evolved together. They rely on each other for protection, companionship, and purpose
- Shared Activities – Both man and dog enjoy outdoor adventures, or simply relaxing at home, dogs and humans enjoy spending time together
✨Life of a Geologist, 1960’s Series 👇
| Part 1 | Life of a Geologist, 1960’s – British Doctor’s Haunted 👻 Circuit House: A 👨👩👦 Family’s Unnerving Experience |
| Part 2 | Life of a Geologist, 1960’s – Ranikhet, ⛰️ Mountain 🛑Encounter and Unexpected ☠️ Danger |
| Part 3 | Life of a Geologist, 1960’s – Father’s 🔥 Passion for 🛩️ Flying: A Journey of Dreams and Adventure 🏕️ |
| Part 5 | Life of a Geologist 1960’s – Rajasthan 🧑🔬🌍 Geologist Adventure: Surviving Floods 🌊 |
SPITFIRE GAUTAM 