Reaching out to strangers - good or bad?

(I hope I do not get sued for using this image. Honestly I love this character and actress.)
Last evening while waiting for my turn at the hair cuting saloon (Topper's) I met a lady. Actually I was occupying the whole seat meant for two and doing some light channeling with closed eyes. I felt the receptionist telling someone "Here, come and sit here". I opened my eyes and nudged closer to the corner to make space for this senior (older than I am) lady. Talking I got to know that her late husband was head of the Ichhapur Rifle Factory, that she lives all by herself on the 9th floor of the same building as Topper's, that her only son lives in San Fransisco with his family, that she does not wish to go and live there, that she plays bridge with a friend, who lives close to Menoka cinema hall. I invited her to our house, as we stay close by. Whew! More, there is a huge rifle in a showcase as you enter her flat. I asked her what does she do - she said she keeps roaming from one room to the other and plays bridge. I said - I believe it is an intelligent game and what else does she do? Nothing much else. She said that children nowadays tend to have a mind of their own, to which I nodded in total agreement. I also added that times are changing and so are values.
Do we older people tend to give out more information than necessary or is it  because most of us live a lonely life and open up when we find someone willing to listen?  Either which way, it becomes a security issue. We older people reach out to strangers for want of any sympathetic ear. In the process, we give out sensitive information that can and are used to our own detriment.
I sincerely hope that her son is reading this and will understand how much his mother misses having a family around her. Of course, there will be issues, problems, arguments - it is important to have it that way. Otherwise, you cannot be a family - like the Punjabis say - we fight and argue the whole day but at night it is one big happy family at the dinner table.
I am not naming any names, but I sincerely hope families will start living together again, for better or worse. But definitely together. God bless. 

Mongoose which later turned out to be a civet cat!!!!!

Yesterday morning was the usual morning and as usual I was about to sit with my laptop in the northern balcony, while Sandya (maid) scrubbed and mopped rest of the house. The balcony looks out on the road, so noise and confusion is not rare. However, the noise was a bit different, maybe more educated sounds, sober sounds! So I looked down as did my son, Pavitra. I saw some of the gentlemen on this road were looking at something scruffy and dragging itself towards the tree on the opposite pavement. I asked one of the men - "is it a mongoose?" He promptly replied "yes". I immediately logged on and searched all and any animal welfare units (Calcutta) and their numbers; and started calling each on. No response - maybe too early for them to rescue animals! I then called PETA (Bombay). The phone was answered at the second ring - surprise! The gentleman on the other side was very helpful - said there is no PETA in Calcutta and then gave me a mobile number. He said he was sure this lady would definitely help.   The mobile was busy for a long time, but I did not give up and so got to talk to the lady in question at last.
I jus got the name Chhaya, so addressed her as MsChhaya and told her about our dilemma. She was quite responsive. Though her organisation works with dogs and other domestic animals, not with wild life as the mongoose is from that category, she advised me how and what to do before she arrives to pick it up. She said she would hand over the animal to the concerned wildlife agency.  By this time, the local dogs ran towards this dark-looking creature, limping and dragging itself. My son ran out to ward off the dogs and stand guard. Ms Sharda of Chhaya Shelters (on my second call she corrected me), advised that the mongoose should be first entrapped in a cloth and then locked in a plastic marketing basket. Now where to get a plastic marketing basket! Here, we all use just bags not baskets, she said why dont I send someone to Lake market to buy one - that we ruled out.  By now the crowd was thinning, then one of the younger fellows brought a good size carton. So my son, (must say he was brave) folded my clean but old dress over the head of the animal and swung it high and brought to our doorstep. Then the injured little thing was placed inside the carton and waiting ensued for Ms Sharda to come or send her dog-car. The older gentlemen left as they had to go to office, soon the other young man left too for work, so it was my son and I waiting to hand over the 'mongoose' to professional authorities.
Yes, finally, Ms Sharda Radhakrishnan - founder of Chhaya drove up with her assistant and swiftly took the responsibility off our hands. God bless her!
Surprise when she called me later in the day to tell me that the animal saved this day was not a mongoose but a Civet Cat.!!!!!! wow!  She also told me that the cat was injured and being looked after by animal doctors at her hospital; the cat was also happily guzzling milk and swallowing bananas.
I checked with Sharda this morning. The cat is doing fine, so far, her appetitte is good and doctors are monitoring her development. Thank God. Chhaya hospital is in a village called :Sundhya", some 10 km from Sonarpur.
I have seen civet cats in Bandhavgarh Forest, when I used to work there. I should have known, but, honestly I saw the animal from the first floor balcony and when it was inside the carton I did not dare look inside.You see I had seen it snap at my son when he went to cover it with the cloth, I did not want to risk it and go through anti-rabies injections. I am scared of those needles.
The PETA  also sent me some numbers for wildlife (later on). Here are the numbers, in case anyone needs to know:-
033 23583208. Mobile - 9163669809.