Pet lovers in Bengaluru (along with their daily routine) are very conscious about their fur babies that wag their tails with love. Ranging from food to time, medicines to lifestyle products’ they give importance to every minute detail. All the pet parents say that their four-legged babies are the only family they have.
Managing four dogs at the same time is tough says Maude Georgia Abraham founder of a beauty bar who has five Great Danes. She says, “All my dogs are my family since I grew up with them. A modern pet parent takes their pets everywhere they travel so that they spend quality time with them. Dogs for me are not an accessory, they are members of my family. We splurge a tidy sum per day, on their maintenance . This does not include expenses for the their maid and dog trainer. I am happy when I see my dogs healthily wagging their tails.”
Maude adds, “Giving all the five dogs a bath with the help of maid is a tough job but they do love being pampered by me personally. Also listening to my vet’s advice always helps me handle them better. An hour of play with all the five pets post my workout is a great stress-buster. I also lose track of time playing with them after I come back from work. Friends also come over to play with my Great Danes and this also makes them happy.”
In this household, there is an equal ratio of dogs and humans Barsha, parent of two dogs. “Since I can work from home, it makes it easier to raise our fur babies better. People of our generation are more aware and sensitive and believe in treating dogs and pets as family members. Some of our friends, us included, are choosing pets over parenthood for the sheer unconditional love that only pets can give. Without constant monitoring unlike children, this gives us freedom to express our love while still having flexibility to live our lives the way we want to. “
Padmini Mehta owns a Newfoundland, a Husky, a Golden Retriever, a Cocker Spaniel, a Pug and a German Shepherd, that stay in her farmhouse, while Oscar, the Shih Tzu stays with them at home. “Dog trainers and maids in the farmhouse manage these pets and are responsible for their care, grooming and training each day. Our pets love to visit Cubbon Park. Oscar is always the showstopper. He is also very particular about his food and will not eat something if he does not like it,” she says.
Modern pet parents are very insightful about their pet babies and ensure that they travel with them too. In case they cannot, they opt for dog babysitters, who look after the pets in their absence. Pallavi Dasgupta, a corporate professional who owns an adopted pup Lola and a Rottweiler named Groot says, “I pay the dogsitters approximately `2,000 per day. If I myself in a tight spot to pick out a boarder or a pet sitter, I would always choose the one with ample amount of experience with all kind of breeds. I will also educate the pet boarder about my pets’ behavioral traits as well as their medical history.”
