'Sheru meri dunia hai': Man opens up about his childhood passion for livestock for Eid al Adha

Dialogue Pakistan continues to bring unique stories under its initiative Qurbani Aik Ehsass. In the latest episode, a man opened up about his journey and passion for animals that dates back to childhood.

He explained that as children, they would often see cows at other people’s homes and wish to have one of their own.

However, their home in the Golimar area was very small, making it difficult to keep animals. He recalled that they could only keep animals for three to four days at most.

He shared a memory from when he was around 10 or 11 years old, saying his elder brother even went on a symbolic “hunger strike” to insist that their father bring home a cow. This, he said, reflects how strong their desire for livestock has been since childhood.

The man added that whenever they visited relatives’ homes, they would see larger spaces and more animals, which further strengthened their desire. He even once told his aunt that if he ever had a large house, he would bring a cow a month in advance of Eid al-Adha. His aunt would affectionately tell him that he was very fond of animals.

He said that today, by the grace of God, they have been blessed with space and resources, allowing him to fulfil this lifelong passion.

He then introduced one of his animals, a sheep he named “Sheru”, noting its distinctive colour and appearance. Because of its unique markings, he chose the name “Sheru”. He recalled that when it first arrived, it was extremely aggressive and would not allow anyone to come near it, often attacking unexpectedly. For safety reasons, they had to secure its enclosure, especially as there were also chicks and poultry nearby.

He mentioned that the animal had even kicked him twice, once on the body and another time on the thigh, making it extremely difficult to handle during the early days.

The man also shared a family story about how his daughter gradually developed a bond with the animal. Initially, the household found it unusual when they discovered leaves scattered indoors, only to realise that his daughter had secretly brought leaves inside to feed the animal. "Over time, the animal became familiar and comfortable with the family."

He added that each year, these animals become part of the family experience leading up to Eid al-Adha, and they are remembered and discussed long after. He described this as a deep emotional connection rather than a commercial or farming activity.

He explained that their intention is not professional farming, but rather a personal passion and commitment. When an animal arrives, it is treated with care, fed well, and given proper attention, with the understanding that it has been brought in for the purpose of sacrifice in the path of Allah.

He also described how difficult it is to witness the sacrifice of an animal one has raised personally, fed, and cared for. He admitted that it is something he cannot watch directly, describing it as emotionally intense and beyond words.

Despite the difficulty, he said they continue with sincerity and devotion, believing that Allah grants strength and peace in fulfilling this religious duty.