Heavy Petting

Singh also got a professional photographer to click a portfolio of her four-legged wonder. 8216;8216;He liked Tootsie very much. He said that she8217;s got lots of lazy arrogance; he shot a picture and loved it so much that he did an entire portfolio,8217;8217; she says. Now it8217;s a strict no-carb diet of soup and salad beetroot, spinach, lettuce and carrots for the 8216;8216;horribly lazy8217;8217; pup, who8217;s also forced on long walks to keep off the flab.

The Singhs like to keep things hassle-free for Tootsie. The guest list is heavily vetted so that only hardcore dog lovers come to dinner. 8216;8216;She can8217;t handle attention being divided, and noise beyond 10 pm. If a guest overstays his visit, she takes his shoes and puts them in front of him. Not very subtle,8217;8217; laughs Singh. And of course, the pooch gets to share the family name.

THE JETSETTER
Chickoo, Chinese Shih-Tzu, 7
The Kaushiks are packing in a frenzy. But the only thing seven-year-old Chickoo can manage is a bored sneeze before turning his head and curling up for a siesta.

Sagar Kaushik recently received a five-year transfer order to Singapore. Unfortunately, Singapore quarantines imported pets for a month, but the thought is unbearable for Sagar8217;s wife, Richa. 8216;8216;Chickoo8217;s always been with me since I got him as a four-month-old pup. How can I suddenly let him stay away for a month,8217;8217; she asks.

As soon as she got to know of the move, Richa altered their schedule around Chickoo8217;s needs. First, she cancelled flight bookings on Singapore Airlines because pets have to travel in the luggage vault. 8216;8216;Chickoo will not travel with cargo,8217;8217; says Richa, who8217;s now flying with Air India8212;Chickoo will be on her lap throughout.

Then they contracted a Singaporean agency for a special walker for Chickoo8217;s morning walks, an escort for his evening walks, an air conditioned room operational 24/7, grooming sessions with a dog beautician, and fresh meals.

Kaushik also organised extra visitation rights. The damage8212;Rs 30,000 for the month-long arrangement. 8216;8216;It may go up if I decide to get extra services for him. I8217;ve heard that some agencies have entertainment activities for dogs. It keeps them distracted and they don8217;t get homesick,8217;8217; says Kaushik.

THE STYLE ICON
Cheeto, Cocker Spaniel, 1
Cheeto8217;s reeking of Lambert Kay. The vain cocker spaniel has just been massaged, lathered, hosed down and blow dried during an hour-long beautification project at the Tailwagger8217;s Club in suburban Mumbai. And this is a weekly indulgence. Cheeto8217;s owner Pritpal Bajaj, a voice-over artiste, swears that the little canine sends out feelers when he wants a primp. 8216;8216;He gets extra frisky,8217;8217; laughs Bajaj.

Then it8217;s time for a body massage with olive and lavender aromatherapy oils, then a wash with Good Boy shampoo and conditioner. After the wash, attendants search every inch of him for ticks and other crawlies. That done, his nails are clipped and he8217;s bathed in an imported spray the fragrance changes every month. December was Lambert Kay month8212;his favourite. 8216;8216;He loves receiving the royal treatment and being bathed, most dogs his age don8217;t,8217;8217; says the indulgent owner. Not to forget the special tea-tree oil ear cleaning that he gets as an aside.

While Cheeto hogs attention at the salon, Bajaj checks out dog food in nearby pet stores. He spends an hour picking out Cheeto8217;s favourite fish-flavoured chewies. 8216;8216;I give my kids everything they want. Why should Cheeto be any different? In fact, he8217;s the star of the Bajaj household.8221;

The dog-struck owner is also contemplating a hi-tech hydrosurge bath for his 8216;8216;baby8217;8217;, where great jets of water will wash him down and get rid of skin debris and dead follicles. 8216;8216;I want to keep him clean and healthy because Cheeto sleeps in our bed. It8217;s the same way we brought up our children8212;we take them for haircuts, bathe them and keep them clean,8217;8217; says Bajaj.

THE WINTER WAIF
Lady Marilyn, Lhasa Apso, 5
8216;8216;No photographs please,8217;8217; admonishes Karen Carvalho, account executive with an advertising agency. She8217;s not being vain, merely protecting her five-year-old pride, Lady Marilyn, from the intrusive media glare. The pet recently delivered four healthy babies, but still suffers post-partum blues. 8216;8216;She went through a lot of stress during delivery, so I want her to take it easy,8217;8217; says Carvalho.

What8217;s with the title? The moment Carvalho set her eyes on Marilyn four years ago, she spotted a regal bearing. 8216;8216;Marilyn is an extremely graceful girl. She8217;s got an arrogance that some of the best-groomed dogs in the neighbourhood can8217;t match,8217;8217; says Carvalho.

And the 39-year-old dog lover is indulgent to the core. Last month, she discovered Marilyn8217;s fondness for two colours8212;teal and blue. Since then she8217;s refurbished her home and car in those colours8212;got teal drapes and even changed the colour of her pup8217;s dip-front cuddler. Which is? 8216;8216;A low, extra soft bed that is stuffed with cotton; she also has a matching teal blanket to go with it.8217;8217;

Marilyn8217;s pamper-hamper has more. Carvalho is a regular at Harry Barker8217;s and Je T8217;aime Originals8212;premier dog fashion outlets in New York.

And that8217;s where Carvalho shops for Marilyn8217;s winter wardrobe8212;teal earmuffs, coats tennis and multi-striped, mittens, seat bottoms and the latest addition8212;baby cots for the little ones. 8216;8216;I8217;m going to give the little darlings away. But as long as they8217;re with me, I want to keep them comfy,8217;8217; says Carvalho, as her Lady saunters about in a baby-blue Bark Art bathrobe. 8216;8216;I8217;m off to Delhi where Marilyn will visit her 8216;cousin8217;, King Arthur8212;my sister-in-law8217;s German Shepherd. And since it will be really cold, Marilyn needs extra care,8217;8217; she says, packing in a tub of Paws Wise petroleum jelly.