It’s a good life. Zola eats, Zola plays and Zola cosies in with whoever decides to take a nap in the house. Zola is Bidisha Das’ Lhasa Apso, who came during the pandemic and conquered their hearts.
“I had always wanted a dog but my parents were wary of the responsibility. Nonetheless I am a member of many pet adoption groups on social media and came across this person who was struggling to manage two Lhasa sisters,” says Bidisha. “I saw a video of the puppy he wanted to give away and she was too cute to pass up. Luckily my parents agreed and in she came.”
Bidisha works in a Delhi-based research firm and came back to town when the pandemic began. “The initial plan was that I would take Zola with me whenever I returned to Delhi but luckily I’m still working from home. She sits under my desk as I log in through my laptop,” she smiles.
Literature and France are two of Bidisha’s favourite things so when it came to picking a name for the pup, she named her in honour of the French author Emile Zola. “It’s a short and simple name that she responded to,” Bidisha smiles.
The dog celebrated her second birthday recently with dog cake, dog ice cream, toys and family — and by family, it wasn’t just the Dases. “On her birthdays we invite Zola’s twin sister, Cutie, over. We are still in touch with them but Zola doesn’t recognise her. Since she is a pandemic baby she didn’t get to meet many people or dogs in her initial days. Cutie chased her around the sofa and Zola spent her birthday running from sis!”
But give her time and she’ll make you her own. “When my brother came down for a vacation Zola took a week to get to know him. But when he left she would search for him around the house and wait outside his room hoping he would magically come out of it,” Bidisha recalls.
Bidisha’s grandma wasn’t sold on the idea of a pet dog initially but now fusses over him the most. “Dida isn’t supposed to bend down but if Zola refuses to eat, she bends over and hand-feeds him! I haven’t seen anyone change their attitude this fast before,” she smiles.
Zola gets anxious during thunderstorms and when crackers burst on Diwali and New Years’ eve. “The poor thing trembles! We have to give her anti-anxiety sprays and play anti-anxiety dog music for her to calm down.”
If you have a pet you have brought up at home as a family member and which has its eyes only for you, write to us with your contact number at The Telegraph Salt Lake, 6, Prafulla Sarkar Street, Calcutta 700001 or email to saltlake@abp.in