Kottayam: Hearts swelled among those who had been eagerly waiting when Kannan, a security staff member at the Nagampadam Indoor Stadium, returned with his pet dog Kuttan after completing follow-up treatment for the eyes he had lost. It was Kannan’s firm resolve—“Even if he can’t see, I will take care of him”—that brought Kuttan back.

Animal lovers who learned that Kuttan had lost his eyes after being hit by a vehicle were the first to step in. When Kannan had gone to his home in Palakkad and returned, he searched everywhere but couldn’t find Kuttan. Later, locals informed that Kuttan had been found with severe eye injuries, following which Ajitha from the “Save Paws Animal Rescue Team,” a native of Pallikkathode, took him in.

Kuttan underwent surgery at a veterinary hospital in Kollam under the care of Mohammed Faisal, a native of Kollam. However, his vision could not be restored. Initially, both his eyes had been pushed out due to the injury.

“There isn’t even a small scratch anywhere else on his body. Then how could it be an accident? Someone must have thrown something into his eyes or tried to stab them,” says Kannan.

Kannan has been here since the stadium’s construction about 10 years ago. Two years later, he found a puppy on the road and named him Kuttan. Now 8 years old, Kuttan is Kannan’s favourite, and also for the other staff, and those who come to the stadium for training. At night, he would guard the stadium premises.

He is also a favourite among children who come for training and those who visit in the mornings to play shuttle. Kannan, who lives in a room at the stadium, shares his own food with Kuttan. Many others bring biscuits and chicken for him.

Kuttan loves Kannan, and it’s after reuniting with him that Kuttan has begun regaining better health.

“You wouldn’t abandon your children just because they lost their sight. To me, he is like my son,” said Kannan. Moved by his words, Dr. Joji Abraham, who comes to the stadium to play shuttle, took Kannan to Kollam and brought Kuttan back with him.

Now, Kannan and Kuttan are happy—together again at the stadium.