Bhaloo, the carrot-loving veteran

Bhaloo loves his family as much as he loves his carrots. (Vishal pic)

Two English Cocker Spaniel pups came to Vishal’s family almost 12 years ago. As the family couldn’t choose between the two, they decided to keep both.

Although it seemed like a good idea at the time, managing pets can be quite a challenge. And so, with heavy hearts, they had to give one up.

They kept Bhaloo, who was named after the bear in the Jungle Book.

“The dog we had before him was named Mowgli, so we just continued the theme, especially since he does look like a friendly bear,” Vishal told FMT.

According to Vishal, Bhaloo’s sister, Reina, has been living with a loving family with a big garden to run about in. She is also extremely good friends with two little girls who love to put ribbons in her fur.

Bhaloo has a more relaxed temperament, and is sensitive to people’s moods. (Vishal pic)

“We held onto Bhaloo for the very simple reason that he seemed like the less desirable dog. He was not as sharp and alert, and needed more emotional attention compared to Reina,” shared Vishal.

These qualities, which may have seemed disadvantageous at the time, eventually became Bhaloo’s best.

“He was laid back and didn’t need constant stimulation or exercise. However, he was always highly sensitive to any of our mood changes. If he saw that you were sad, angry or just down, he would sit by you. Sometimes, he’d put his head on your lap. He asked for a lot of love, but he gave it back.”

When the tender and affectionate Bhaloo was young, Vishal and his family trained him to do the basics such as sit, stay, shake hand and shake the other hand. Vishal admitted that these did seem like groundbreaking feats, especially for little Bhaloo.

He was given a just reward for all his efforts, and it is the most unlikely thing which turned out to be Bhaloo’s favourite until today.

“Based on a combination of a list highlighting healthy foods for dogs and what happened to be in the kitchen at that moment, my mother decided that carrots would be the reward for a good day in class!”

Bhaloo is not as sharp and fast as he used to be, but still remains loving. (Vishal pic)

Now that Bhaloo is older, Vishal says he doesn’t need to work for his carrots; he just gets them. But just like an old war veteran, Bhaloo never forgets his training and is ever ready to sit, stay and shake with both paws. He would do anything to get some of those lovely, crunchy carrots!

“His hearing is not the greatest and he doesn’t have the same energy to go for walks anymore, but he has the same excitement in his eyes when he sees a carrot today as he did when he was young,” said Vishal fondly.

“But Bhaloo is a silly old man, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

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.

from Free Malaysia Today https://ift.tt/2HHwRZS
via IFTTT