By Just Dogs
Everyone dreams of having a pet in their family. Who doesn’t want to come home to a wagging, excited pooch that will attack you with slobbery kisses! Every pet parent can relate to the warm feeling that engulfs your body when your pet looks up at you, love shining in their eyes. As a student studying abroad, coming back home to your beloved pet is another level of joy altogether.
Meet Anmol Jhaveri, a resident of Ahmedabad. He is the pet parent to Oscar – a Newfoundland, a dog not commonly seen in India.
“All my life, I’ve been around dogs. Since I was a kid, my family has always had a pet dog. When I was really young, my dogs were always my best friends; I’ve always had a furry brother by my side. We’ve always had unique breeds; breeds that aren’t often found in India. We enjoy having rare breeds in the family. We had a Rough Collie and a Russian Borzoi; we were actually the only family to have a pet Russian Borzoi in Gujarat! Both of these breeds were basically unknown in India 10–15 years ago; we were the talk of the town. Now, we have Oscar, who’s a Newfoundland.”
Anmol was in the UK for his studies when he and his family started planning to get a new dog. They had been debating between a Mastiff and a Newfoundland; once they decided on getting a Newfoundland, Anmol brought Oscar to India with him. They soon discovered that Oscar is a big sweetheart, who is very affectionate and a tad bit lazy. Many people think he looks like a bear, and in many ways, he is like a giant teddy bear. Anmol had to go back to the UK for his studies, and was worried that Oscar would forget him. “6 months later, I came back. I didn’t think he would recognize me, considering I left when he was so young, but he remembered me. That’s actually one of the first memories I have of really bonding with him. Oscar made the lockdown easier for my whole family, with his calming influence and silly behaviour. One time, while we were on a walk, the police actually approached us and asked if they could get a few photos clicked with him, as he is such a rare sight. While walking in front of the IIM Ahmedabad campus, everyone wants to accompany us, take photographs, and walk around with our giant dog. So many people came up to us for photos; our walks always last forever!”
Becoming a part of a pet’s life is extremely fulfilling, as you become the centre of their world, and they become your safe haven and everlasting source of entertainment. Anmol and Oscar are the perfect example that pets can be your lifelong friend, and once that bond has been formed, nothing can break it, not even distance or time.
Keep your eyes open for new uplifting stories every month!