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MUMBAI (India) — "They
never parted company, neither in life nor death and even beyond,"
reports Indian
Express.
In a forgotten bungalow in Bandra, the bones of an old hermit were
found by police on Saturday. Beside the man's body was the
skeleton of his loyal dog, "gazing at his master even in
death."
The remains are presumably those of Dr. Peter Alfred Rebello, 64,
and his faithful friend who had not been seen since June of
2001. Nobody had paid any attention, since the two had for some
time led a solitary existence, never venturing out in the daytime and
avoiding all forms of society other than their own. Only
recently did the doctor's neice grow alarmed at his prolonged
absence and contact the local authorities.
Finding their bodies with no evidence of foul play, police suspect that both Dr. Rebello and his dog died of natural
causes, the man first, followed by the dog shortly thereafter.
Both skeletons have been sent to J J Hospital, Byculla, for
examinations.
"The man was a recluse and nobody seemed to care whether he
lived or died," says Sub-Inspector Bandu Bhosle of the Bardra
police.
The Rebello family was once very illustrious in the Bandra area,
and Peter himself was described as being a kind and well-mannered
gentleman, who always inquired about the well-being of his neighbors.
But that was about a decade ago, says resident Farid Sama.
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"He used to be lively and was a successful dermatologist,"
recalls Mr. Sama. "But he received a severe emotional setback
when his mother died after a prolonged illness in the mid-eighties.
"We would see him only when he came down to borrow water from our
house. Even his dog would never come down."
Grief-stricken Rebello gradually withdrew from the world entirely,
keeping only the company of his dog.
His residence "Rebello House", which had at one time been
owned by his mother, became the property of the Mangalore Garden Housing
Society. After the man ceased to pay his bills, the society still "allowed him to stay on humanitarian grounds,"
explains MGHS
chairperson Melville Mathias.
However, electricity and water utilities were cut off almost five years
ago. Says the Express: "Thereafter, the doctor and his
faithful companion lived in pitch darkness, their bond being the only
source of sustenance."
Or as the poet once said:
A
dog too, had he; not for need,
But one to play with and to feed;
Which would have led him, if bereft
Of company or friends, and left Without a better guide.
William
Wordsworth (1770-1850)
"A Tale Told by the Fire-Side"
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