Can’t buy me love
When Srihari Kelath moved to Coimbatore from Chennai, he was pleasantly surprised to find through Pet Pals that the city had an animal shelter. “I was impressed by the work they do,” says Srihari, about Humane Animal Society. Srihari helped his neighbour adopt a puppy from one of their camps
When Srihari wanted a companion for his own senior dog, he visited HAS again after seeing a post in the column for an abandoned adult German Shepherd. During his visit, he learned from volunteers that the dog was better off in a single-pet home. Srihari stayed in touch with HAS and eventually adopted another abandoned German Shepherd named Bruno, in July this year. He is glad to report that Bruno has settled into a beautiful friendship with his senior dog.
Srihari advocates strongly for the adoption of rescued animals like Bruno, and cautions people against the exploitative pedigree pet business.“I would just like to say this to people: never buy dogs! Only when the buying stops, the supply stops,” says Srihari who laments the conditions under which pedigree pups are bred for sale. “Everyone and anyone starts a puppy mill,” he says, referring to unregulated breeders who relegate mother dogs to the status of neglected machinery. “Just see the dog as an animal… don’t look at gender, don’t look at the breed of the dog. Every dog is a fantastic dog”.
Bringing home mischief
By Aadhithya Narayanan (12) and Vetrichelvan (8)
We remember when we first got our dog, Mischief, through Pet Pals. A big thanks to the rescuer, Kowmari aunty, who bore with our nonstop questions as to whether Mischief likes this toy or that. Kudos to her — she rescues so many animals, and is a very compassionate person.
Our dog has been with us for nearly a year now and has brought joy to our lives. He is the crazy sort; he howls when my dad goes out for tea. If he gets hold of something that you both know is important — he bolts to the terrace and we play a game of polo, kabaddi, whatever you want to call it. Usually, the prize is something like Amma’s slipper, or something worth more, like the television remote. When you pet him — he rolls over and bares his teeth. If he gets a case of the ‘zoomies’, he runs around, and zeroes in on you like a homing missile! Before you can say “ouch”, he bangs into your feet! He is our baby; we have even held a naming ceremony (Cuddle Boy, Puppoto) and a birthday party for him.
Marble’s magic
Lubna Hafeez had always been afraid of cats. “My daughter convinced me to get a cat,” she reveals, adding that her niece suggested looking at the weekly adoption photos in Pet Pals. Lubna called one of the rescuers in the column and visited to adopt a kitten. Though she had planned to adopt just one, she was relentlessly pursued by another determined multi-coloured kitten (also a rescue). “She refused to let go,” chuckles Lubna who caved in and adopted both. This was 10 years ago. “Marble is very much a part of our household now”, she says of the spirited kitten. Marble changed Lubna; today, she even fosters other rescued kittens.
Pakki’s day out
Ezhil Amuthan and his uncle were distraught when the latter’s dog Pakki went missing one day, after squeezing through a small spot in their gate and wandering away. The family spent the whole day looking for their pet in vain. He also sent Pakki’s photograph and description to Pet Pals with his number. “Someone spotted the dog and recognised him from his picture in the paper,” he recalls. The family then rushed to the spot and picked up their beloved pet.
