It’s a dog’s life and no one’s complaining

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Link:

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1061226/asp/jamshedpur/story_7185434.as

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It's a dog's life and no one's complaining

 

My Pet

 

Meet the royal ones at the Bhattacharya household, who rule the

roost

 

If one needs to know where on Harihar Singh Road the Bhattacharyas

stay, ask any neighbour and they will say " follow the barks " . The

oft-heard barks belong to Duke and Bruno, a German Shepherd and a

Boxer and they rule the roost in the Bhattacharya household. Atanu

Bhattacharya, a businessman and a dog lover, cannot do without his

pets. Fortunately his elder brother Ajay, wife Pushpa, the young

ones — Rahul, Ateesh, Asmita, Arindam and Adrish — and Atanu's wife

Ratna, all share his love for the furry friends.

 

Pet care: Milk in the morning, according to the mummys' diktat — so

for the young ones, it's a litre of milk with loads of chappatis.

Then there is meat and veggies in the afternoon, then nap time,

playtime, followed by dinner comprising the same fare. Did we

mention that mornings are meant for playing, too? It's a dogs' life

as they say. The little big ones are taken out for strolls by the

younger family members and they admit (reluctantly) that it is a bit

of an " issue " as street strays and the royalties do have a tendency

to bark at each other, rather fiercely.

 

The two men in the family are in charge of the weekly baths, while

others take turns to brush the lush coats.

 

Pet love: Keeping dogs is fun, but its hard work. Take, for

instance, the time when the entire family went on a holiday and soon

rushed back, panic-stricken, as the two had quit eating. Now group

holidays are a thing of the past as one member has to stay back to

take care of the dogs.

 

But Asmita is quick to her darlings' defence and says that the duo

dotes on the family. Naturally, it's cruel to leave them alone and

it's completely " disloyal " .

 

Around Rs 2,000 is spent every month on Bruno and Duke. Frankly, the

family believes, they are worth every penny. As Ratna says, they

are " adorable " . Ateesh believes they are his " friends " and Asmita

doesn't want to hear a word against the two. With the pure joy the

two naughty ones bring to the household, can anyone blame the family

for being so besotted?

 

Boxer facts

 

It is believed that the Boxer breed originated from the Brabanter

Bullenbeisser, which can be traced back to Belgium. This dog was

described as a strong and agile dog, much as the Boxer today. The

Brabanter Bullenbeisser was used by elite Germans to help in the

hunting of wild boar.

 

AS TOLD TO CHANDRAJIT MUKHERJEE