A Tribute to Oreo

Oreo was a special presence on campus. Her playful tail wags, cheerful greetings on morning and evening walks, and the simple joy of stopping to scratch behind her ear brightened countless days. Though she is no longer with us, the memories she gave us will remain forever.

Here are a few words from those whose days were made brighter by Oreo’s warm presence.

Aathira Nair 

Oreo was one of those dogs you had to meet just once to know that she knew herself and had lived her life well. She had a very calm, wise energy about her like she understood more than most of us ever will. She knew she was special- a queen. May she rest in peace knowing she bought joy to a lot of beings around her. She’ll be missed terribly. 

Anushka

When it rained, coming back drenched to the girls hostel, I often found Oreo lying at Old Parijat’s door for shelter. She was a sweet companion on melancholic rainy days. We would often take dogs out that reached till there for fear of them harming the cats but Oreo was always welcome to stay as long as she wished. 

Shreedhar

Oreo was a dog, but she was also a cat. She loved people, but didn’t want them getting too close or too touchy. She, along with Spotty, were the two OG dogs of IIIT who could do no wrong. If someone was scared of dogs, they were the two dogs they had to meet to switch sides.

R. Shaanal

It was one of my favourite dogs and one I saw from 1st year. Oreo was a form of comfort for me every time I came out. The way it changes its sleeping places, the way the dog cousin follows it around and the way it used spend it time mostly outside girl’s hostel like it was protecting us. I can’t forget you Oreo, thank you for being a silent friend Please rest in peace always without pain.

Yash Shinde

My favorite memory of Oreo was when she used to give handshakes to everyone… she was very gentle and friendly… we will always remember her… rest well, sweet Oreo… you will be missed 💜

Radhikesh

It has been roughly two years since Oreo first started showing signs of old age. At that time we honestly thought she wouldn’t last very long. But she did. She held on much longer than anyone expected, largely because of the immense care and love given to her by the CCC members and by the many people on campus who adored her.

Oreo… the Queen of IIITH. A very justified title in my opinion. She never needed anyone’s permission to roam the campus. She walked wherever she pleased, slept wherever she liked, and everyone simply accepted that this was Oreo’s territory. No dog attacked her, and somehow she carried herself with a quiet authority that made the whole campus feel like it belonged to her. Most dogs on the street never get the chance to grow truly old. They succumb to disease, injury, or something worse long before that. Oreo was fortunate. She lived a long life, and more importantly, a very fulfilling one.

In the past few months she had become very weak. During Felicity we were particularly worried. She barely ate anything through the entire event. She would sometimes have seizures, she would occasionally lose control and pee herself, and her hearing had almost completely gone. We were always afraid she might wander onto the road and not hear a vehicle coming. Through all of this, Cousin was almost always by her side, looking after her the way he always did.

Still, we all knew that we cannot keep someone forever. In the end, Oreo passed away in what is perhaps the most peaceful way one could hope for. Quietly, without pain, and surrounded by those who cared for her. In a way, we are also grateful that none of us had to make the painful decision of putting her down ourselves. She spared us that burden and left on her own terms.

For many CCC members, taking care of Oreo had become part of a daily routine. Feeding her, checking on her, making sure she was safe… these small acts slowly became part of life on campus. Her absence will leave an emptiness, but it is worth remembering that she lived a life full of care, freedom, and affection.

When I found her lying lifeless, Cousin was there with her, sitting quietly beside her. He will be immensely sad, but I hope he will be alright.

Thank you to everyone who cared for her, fed her, looked after her, and simply stopped for a moment to give her affection over the years. Oreo was loved by many people here, and she gave this campus a small but unforgettable presence.

I hope she is at peace, wherever she is.

Malini

Oreo passed away this morning due to old age and failing health. To top it, it was extremely hot too these days. Last night too security guards spotted her during rounds. She was panting it seems. Within 15 minutes of announcing, hundreds of students gathered for her burial. Her core caretakers were inconsolable. But it was peaceful death for Oreo. She lived much longer than usual dogs, for about 15 years. Her tough times started 2 years ago but with exceptional personal care of students and facilities team members, she brightened our lives everyday for another few years. We will sorely miss spotting her near Parijat. That was her favorite hangout for getting head pats and chicken. She was loved by everyone and other dogs too were never territorial with her. You can see students cleaning her last poop and washing her up before putting her to rest. In a world where humans are abused and misused, IIIT students are a stark contrast to even care for the voiceless. And the campus birds and animals bless us in turn by guarding our emotional health and adding cheer.

Harshitha

I am currently in my final semester and I have been seeing you, talking to you and playing with you since my first semester.You are the sweetest dog. You will make my day every single time..I Miss you and I Love you so much 🐶✨

Nanda

[3 haikus as 1]

Ray of sunshine, you
Helicopter towards, I
Smile only from you;

Ray of sunshine, you
Unbound, bound to us, your friends
Find gentleness – you;

Ray of sunshine, you
Soft and fierce and sweet, that we
Can’t fathom no you.

Pradeep Kumar Pal

Oreo was the queen of the campus. She would roam all around without fear of other dogs. She would hold her ground even when surround by other packs. She loved people, and would follow them around. In fact, during COVID, Oreo was the stamp to couples. She would follow only couples. Even if the two people deny they are not a couple, they eventually became. Oreo could sense love in the air. Oreo’s love for people also brought her to the kadamba dining hall, where she would patiently wait for her hoomans to finish food. She was a regular visitor to the hall during COVID, and later she would wait outside the mess for her hoomans. People were lucky, if Oreo tagged to them. In fact, Oreo could be said to be the first dog of CCC, or rather CCC came into existence primarily due to the love for Oreo. The OG CCC members came together to take care of Oreo, long before CCC was a thing. When Oreo got old, I would take her on a round in the campus on my scooter. She would very nicely curl on my lap and enjoy the wind. Watching her eyes glimmer with happiness was very satisfying. She didn’t like to picked up, but would give up if she likes you. I was fortunate to be in her good books, as i would pick her up and cuddle like she is a small baby. The younger kids may not Oreo as THE famous dog, but she was the heartbeat of many people years back and Cousin’s forever love. Hope she is happy and watching over us always.

Nandini Chakaravarthy

aw man i loved this guy i don’t remember her but I remember hearing about her aw man

Srijan

Oreo was the first (and only) dog that I let get close to me on campus – she was gentle but a strong warrior and I’m going to miss her a lot

Pardhiv

After I joined CCC I wasn’t much active the whole 1st sem, I just used to feed the dogs and all but slowly as I became much active in the group and met others, I started medicating dogs too this sem. But it was only chintu and I did it with someone else and I always saw others taking care of Oreo but I never got an opportunity to do so. As she got hit by seizures after Felicity, all others were sick so I started taking care of Oreo then. It was then when I learnt many new things, went to vet for the first time, started medicating on my own, changed my whole schedule around her, I never imagined I would be able to do something like that. Unfortunately it wasn’t for a long time, but as long as it was I lived it fully, it was then when I got connected to all the dogs much more. Oreo even if she was the quietest dog on campus, she taught us many things quietly, I met so many beautiful people during this time. Tbh prolly gave me a new life, showed me how responsible I can be. I’d always be grateful for all the people who took care of Oreo, else I would never get this opportunity🤍

Photos drive:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11CkQxtjvoHJCsgIK0pmOz7c94W7AIBQW?usp=drive_link