The Ibizan Hound Of God-Given Beauty

A slim waist, slender legs, a long snout and a short glossy coat, this hound could well have been a descendant of the Egyptian God, Anubis. The Ibizan is beautiful to look at and a rare breed indeed

In Love With Dogs & Words

Both these pretty young ladies share a deep affection for animals, especially dogs, and for the written word. Riah Rajani and Naisha Kanodia share a slice of their life with us, which includes Tisa and Cuba, their furry little ones

Zayn Malik A Hopeful Ambassador

The pretty boy of the once hugely popular One Direction boy band fame has now been officially designated as the Ambassador for Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Brentwood, Essex.

Pets Can be Church-Going Too

Traditionalists will balk at the idea of an animal in the sanctum but all living beings are God’s creatures, we say, and as long as they stay quiet during the service, who’s to stop them from attending mass?

Robin, the Canine Crusader

After he fought crime in Gotham City as a young Robin, alongside Batman (Adam West) in the 1960s, Robin took on the cape of canine crusader.

A Lick on the Face

It takes a young and intelligent mind with a heart that bleeds for animals to come up with a product that is like no other.

A Kick on the Butt

Instead of helping out a leopard in distress, the villagers of Dewas district of Madhya Pradesh ridiculed it and even made an attempt to ride it.

Taronish Bulsara

The young and popular animal welfare activist, Taronish Bulsara, tells you what it's like being a pet dad to so many, and to three in particular

The Secret Agent The Mole

They burrow their way through the earth and can remain inconspicuous underground for most part of their life. They are amazing sleuths, let's call them that. About time we bring the mole out of its hole

The Merchant Cats

Between Almas and her three sons and five Persians there is abundant love floating around the household. We can throw in husband Ashraf - a giant in the timber industry - and a large battery of staff, too; all who contribute in making the Merchants' home in Bombay one of peace, love, compassion, humanity and utmost humility

The Burmese A Silent Observer

Put this cat by the window and he can sit and watch the world go by. The Burmese is a keen observer of the world around and is an active breed when young and curious

UNDER THE WEATHER Foreign Body Ingestion

I had two patients last week who came in looking miserable, vomiting, salivating, not eating. After a series of investigations we found that one had eaten a piece of cloth, the other a mango seed. The cloth came out after an injection to induce vomiting, but the other dog had to undergo a prolonged surgery to remove the mango seed.

HEART BEAT AT MY FEET Pets Keep You Fit Too

People ask me what is the secret of my fitness, my up-beat-ness. Pssst… let me answer that today. I have dogs in my life. My pets, my saviours. For the past two decades. And they have not only kept me fit, but also sane.

Food for the Soul

While the strays - community animals to be politically correct - of Bombay might be fed to their soul's content, it is more a soulful experience for the humans who feed them. Here are a few established feeders to introduce to you

Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen The Charming Frenchman

This 'shaggy' dog has the sweetest face with the disposition to match. It's quite old-world, the air that the GBGV carries, coming from an interesting lineage of hunting dogs in France

'Paradise' on Earth

That's what this formidable animal lover has worked hard all these years to create... A paradise for all animals in distress. On her two-acre plot in Karjat, she has given shelter to dogs, cats, donkeys, horses and what have you. Roxanne Davur and Probably Paradise make the cover this issue

D&M Awards

The Good & the Bad

Shama Sikander

The voluptuous Indian TV actress - who began her career with Mann and is best known for her role in Yeh Meri Life Hai - enjoys time with her fluffball, Casper

Birds of a Feather

Bird Scientist has such a lovely ring to it; ornithologist, the more scientific name for it. Salim Ali was India's Bird Man and this book by his grandniece serves as the perfect backdrop for our Other Animals this issue

The Foodie Feline Father

It's all about food for this well-known - one of the earliest - bloggers, author of The Travelling Belly, and consultant. Finely Chopped's Kalyan Karmakar has even named his cats after food items he loves. He tells you their story in this exclusive feline feature

The Ragdoll Distinctly Sweet

Ever wonder how a cat can be so agreeable? The Ragdoll is docile and loving, quite a species to admire for its looks, too. Take a look, cat lover

UNDER THE WEATHER Anxiety in pets - II

This column is a continuation from the previous issue which dealt with the causes, symptoms and prevention of anxiety in pets.

HEART BEAT AT MY FEET Caring for the Ageing

It really can't be a coincidence that the word dog spelt backwards is God. Just can't. They have to be special creatures that God created with all His love. And please don't spoil it for me by saying their ancestors were wolves. That's just so hard to believe.

Drools A Global Brand

Growing the pet industry in India and taking it across the world, Drools is now a global brand associated with quality pet food focused on the customer first and foremost

Skye Terrier A Fashionable Companion

Once a sign of royalty, always by the side of his Duchess, the Skye Terrier is today a lovable pet. He's also known as a vermin-buster, multi-talented is this breed

Chico, My Boy

Prateik Patil Babbar makes an immediate impression as a sweet, vulnerable and respectful young man. That he is an animal person is written all over him. Simple, straightforward, sensitive and loving. He does have blessings from above, with mum Smita watching over him

The Persian A Purrfect Cat

There is an air of aristocracy and an image of perfection that surround this breed. With that luxurious fur and "chubby cheeks" look, the Persian is quite a remarkable one

Mahesh Mathai

He goes about doing what he does quietly. But he's a fierce media professional and even more fierce dog dad. Mahesh Mathai - founder of Highlight Films and the erstwhile Blue Frog - is our Tail End-er

The King of Madagascar The Lemur

They look like they're perennially caught in the headlights, but they're cute, nonetheless. The lemur is a primate that evolved before monkeys and apes and exists only in one region of the world

The Cat Corporator

Cats are a lot easier to look after, narrates Harshita Narwekar - BMC Corporator for South Bombay - to Farzana Contractor. So, she got two of them. She tells us what it's like being a mum to her four kids, both pet and human