Some 80 dogs and many more dog-lovers gathered at a field near Chingrihata for the 7th and 8th all-breed pet show by the Beliaghata Kennel Club. “We began this show as there isn’t another on this side of town. The event is getting more popular by the year and we are attracting increased participation as well as spectators,” said Pratap Kundu, founder of the club.
Here are some participants that kept shutterbugs busy-
• Cute as a button but named after a roar! Pug Halum stole hearts and won kisses from everyone who laid eyes on him. “He may be a toy breed but his attitude is kingly, like that of a tiger. So we named him Halum,” laughed Sutapa Roy. “At home he’s naughty, running off with specs and remote controls, but today he’s in the mood to make friends, with eyes fixed at the entrance to spot more dogs to go play with.”
• It’s not what it looks like! Rocky, the Beagle, may have been at loggerheads with Halum, the Pug, but it was just their way of saying hello. Seconds later, Rocky was rolling on his back, as dogs do when they are most playful. “We had a Cultured Pomeranian previously but went for a Beagle this time as this breed has become so popular,” said Santanu Saha. “Rocky’s an intelligent and obedient dog and so her trainer insisted we bring her here for her first dog show.”
• Hassu, the five-month-old Siberian Husky, was most comfortable on Anindita Das’s lap. “She even arrived on my lap. My husband drove the scooter, and she sat with me behind him.” The couple runs a business of trading in puppies and Hassu had came to them in transit. But her parents were imports and so her asking price was quite high. “When no one could afford Hassu, we kept her ourselves,” said Das. “And now she trusts me completely. If we’re walking and get surrounded by street dogs, she won’t react. She’ll sit down and look at me to resolve the problem.”
• Looking at this happy Golden Retriever, no one would believe his spine was crooked till recently. “Ringo is a rescued dog. His previous owner would keep him tied all the time and in such a way that his spine took a hit. He was skin-and-bones too,” said Sagar Sarkar, who had two cats at home, but still took Ringo in. “The cats eventually warmed up to the puppy and Ringo is healing now in body and spirit. This is his third show and I’m so proud to see him winning prizes.”
• Lona the Doberman was adjudged second Best in Show but owner Avishek Chhaochhari was ready to award her the same at home too. “I also have an Indie, a Rottweiler, and a French Bulldog but Lona is the most obedient among them,” said Chhaochhari, who had come from Krishnanagar. “It took over three hours to get here and Lona was quite comfortable in the car. “She’s calm otherwise but always alerts us if there are intruders.”
• Prince was a moody German Spitz. “He has eyes for no one but my husband. If my husband scolds him he’ll refuse to eat,” said Srabani Adhikary, adding that this was exactly what happened that morning. “We couldn’t have him come to the show on empty stomach so had to plead and coax him to eat. Then again, Prince loves to be petted even more than fed, so if we show him affection, he gives in.”
• It was no surprise that Bittu the Shih Tzu was one of the best-groomed dogs at the show. “I’m a professional groomer,” smiled Pranab Chakraborty. “But Bittu is my own dog. The secret to a tangle-free coat is to apply mink or seabreeze oil the day before they are shampooed. Applying conditioner is a must too,” said the groomer, combing the dog’s hair.
• German Shepherd Dog Buddy, Siberian Husky Max, and a Lhasa Apso Poco hailed from the same family but needed three cars to come to the show. “Buddy is playful, Max calm, and Poco, being just three months, is scared of both. So my elder brother got Buddy, younger brother Max and I got the little one,” said Arijit Dhara, walking at most two dogs at a time.