Rishi is a 11-year old Labrador-mix, named after the Menon family’s previous dog, Rishi Nath who passed away from jaundice.
“On that same day, my grandmother told us to get a new dog, with two conditions; firstly, it must look like Rishi Nath and lastly, it must be named Rishi as well to ensure that his name did not leave our tongues dry with sadness,” Radha says.
And so, they journeyed to PAWS, an animal shelter in the Klang Valley. And there he was, a six-month-old Labrador mix, looking extremely excited to see them.
“We took him for a ‘test drive’ to see if he could get along with us. He got into our car and 20 minutes later, my sister’s slipper got stuck in his poop. We knew from that moment, that this mischievous little pooch belongs to us,” Radha says.
She says the family kept their word and named the little pup Rishi. In fact, they called him Rishi Honey, because he was sweet like honey and had honey-coloured fur and eyes.
“He is active, always giving us the run of our lives. Sometimes we are not sure if we are taking him for a walk or if he is taking us for a run. Occasionally, he does puzzling things like chasing his own tail, and pawing at insects,” Radha says.
Rishi is happiest when everybody stays at home with him and will think up creative ways to stop or delay anyone from leaving the house.
“Our socks or shoes will go missing only to be found later, buried in our garden. It’s his way of saying he was doesn’t like us leaving him alone at home,” Radha says, adding that Rishi always wants to be with them.
The only exception is visits to the veterinarian. “He pants nervously and his tongue will start lolling about. His fear is well understood when the doctor declares that Rishi needs to lose weight. Duh. Who likes being told that they are fat?”
Remembering his days as a pup, Radha says Rishi would whine pitifully whenever she gave him a bath. “Later we realised that he didn’t like the cold water and so every time it was his ‘bathy’ time, I would have to balance the temperature of the water for our young prince,” Radha says.
“After his usual bath, I would go to the altar and pray for his health and longevity and then, apply ‘tilak’ on his forehead.”
Rishi is an intelligent dog and rather friendly, Radha says. “He does not attack everything he sees so I think that is a good sign. There are times where even the birds are allowed to share his dog biscuits.
“But naturally, his kindness has its limits. He is not fond of sharing his canned meat with others; usually he just gobbles everything before you can say ‘Rishi Honey, bathy time’,” Radha says.
It has been 11 years since Rishi joined the Menon family and Radha says he is still “vivacious, vibrant and vigorous”.
“He keeps our hearts full and our clothes bitten. The doctor still says that he has to lose weight. Our shoes still find its way to the garden, mysteriously. Where the dog is happy, the family is happy as well.”
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PET: FMT Lifestyle readers are invited to send in pictures (landscape format) and a short video (if any) of their furry, scaly or feathery friends to lifestyle@freemalaysiatoday.com. Don’t forget to include details like your pet’s name, age, breed and a short story about them.
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