#adithi joshi

[upwards-descent]

When you find out your traditional immigrant parents are actually super cool even though you're literally a gay supervillain

[doggiedrawings]

Indian Street Dogs is a new illustration that celebrates the street dogs of India, in appreciation of the hard work done by individuals and groups to improve their quality of life.

Thank you to Jessica Haltzman from Delhi, The Street Dog Foundation for suggesting that I create a print to show the beauty of Indian Street Dogs. You can buy this print (11″x14″ size, signed, $30) from Delhi, The Street Dog Foundation - proceeds will go towards the rescue work that they do. Link to Delhi Dogs website.

TO ORDER, please email:  [email protected]

Thank you also to Aditi Joshi in Mumbai whose recall training with street dogs is inspiring and heartwarming. Aditi was my consultant on this poster about the body types and colors of common street dogs, and she pointed out details to me that I wasn’t aware of before. (eg, the half-moon notch on the ears of neutered/spayed dogs) Link to Aditi Joshi’s GoFundMe for Street Dogs

My drawings in this print are based on Jessica’s and Aditi’s streeties :)

[upwards-descent]

Good News

"I'm coming, I'm coming!"

Adithi yelled at the phone as if it could hear her or stop ringing by voice command alone. She plucked up the landline from the receiver and made sure she sounded as warm and hospitable as possible.

"Thank you for calling the Joshi residence, this is Adithi speaking, how may I help you?"

The other line was quiet for a moment and her brow furrowed in confusion. Had the caller hung up already? Before she could repeat her greeting, a familiar voice finally spoke up.

"Hey, sorry, as soon as I dialed something came up."

"Ah, Vikkie, so nice for you to call," A big smile crossed Adithi's face immediately. It was always a treat when her only child called out of nowhere. "Do you need something, meri jaan?" 

"I've got huge news, mama, I'm hoping you're gonna freak as much as I think you are."

"Uh huh, tell me then, so I may 'freak' over it."

Vikram went quiet again. There was a little shuffling, the clink of metal on metal. Finally, he piped up again, his voice soft.

"... He said he loves me back."

Adithi went silent, eyes wide, heart pounding. For some unknown reason, she glanced at the clock on the wall, maybe to confirm that this was real and she wasn't dreaming. 

"Who said so, Vikkie?" She asked, just to be safe.

"Remember I was telling you guys about my assistant? Otto, the uh. Y'know. The robot. He uhm. He said he loves me back."

Even if he sounded nervous, Adithi knew her son well. She could hear the smile in his tone, practically feel the anxiously excited energy radiating off of him and through the phone. There was a delay to her reaction in kind but as soon as she found her voice, she used it.

"Vikkie!!!" She squealed, almost jumping in place, she was so amped. "Ohh, that's wonderful! You have to bring him over as soon as possible for dinner--" She turned her mouth away from the receiver to yell down the hall. "Yuvraj!!! Do you still have the number for those cleaners? This house must be SPOTLESS for when Vikkie visits next!"

"Did something happen?" Yuvraj called back from his office. "Good news?"

"VERY good news!" Adithi's attention shifted rapidly back to her son. "Oh, this is so amazing!!!"

"Called it," Vikram sounded adorably smug. "No big rush though, okay? Otto doesn't have a digestive system but I'm making him one from scratch so he can enjoy your cooking."

Adithi felt tears peck at her eyes. No wonder her son cried so damn much, he got it from her.

"You're building this man a stomach and such just to eat our food?" She sniffled.

"Aiiie, mama, it's okay, don't cry! I've been wanting to since I first got him but you guys definitely motivated me. He's gotta have baba's vindaloo."

"You are absolutely right, Vikkie," Adithi nodded like a soldier, her tears vanishing as she got serious. "I'll have to go shopping, get some really good tea, and make the best cookies. I've got my work cut out for me."

"Glad I could add some excitement to your guys' retirement," Vikram laughed, bright and full and his mother felt another pang of delight. It was always so nice when he sounded happy. "I'll give you guys a heads up once I'm ready, 'kay? Gotta make sure whatever he eats doesn't wind up melting his circuits or some shit."

"You tell us right away, okay? This is serious."

"Of course, mama! You two are top priority, always. I gotta go now, work stuff. Love you!"

"Love you, too, Vikkie." Adithi smacked a loud kiss against the receiver, hearing one last bubbly laugh before her son hung up.

Yuvraj toddled out of his office shortly after, holding up his latest project. 

"Ooh, is that the Lego Sydney Opera house?" Adithi shook her head with passion, physically dusting off the distraction. "Yuvraj! Our son is in love and his loved one loves him back!"

"Of course he does," Yuvraj scoffed, moving to set the plastic architecture down. "Anyone our Vikkie sets his sights on will come to love him, easy. I'm not surprised."

"You could at least act excited about it," Adithi huffed before she went to fetch her grandmother's cookbook. "Vikkie wants you to make him-- make Otto your vindaloo."

"Ooh. Okay," Now Yuvraj looked interested. "We'll have to go shopping."

Adithi only laughed. Great minds think alike.