Chico, My Boy
dogs & more|Jul-Aug 2023
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
Farzana Contractor
Chico, My Boy

"Is this handsome bloke your first dog?" I found myself asking Prateik, who walked into the room, fresh from a workout. "Oh no, no, no, no, Ma'am," he starts off. "There have been many. In this house itself, there have been two before my Chico. Also, my father has had many, he loves dogs, so I did grow up with dogs around me all my life." And he goes on to rattle off their names; Badshah, Simba, Duke and Gabbar, an Indie who ran away! Quite a variety of breeds, Labrador, German Shepherd, Boxer and Beagle. The two before Chico were both mini Dachshunds. "Mickey and Happy, a light brown and a dark brown, like little sausages! Unfortunately, Mickey had a fall and was administered wrong medications and he passed away. Then we got Happy who really made me happy, he was with me for 13 years. I was about 18 when Happy passed."

Prateik's hero though was Dumbbell, ad man Prahlad Kakkar's dog. This is when Prateik was under Prahlad's wing at Genesis, where he worked doing odd jobs. "We loved Dumbbell, she was everyone's pet. My obsession with dogs actually started with Dumbbell, she was amazing, she used to even help kids cross the road at Tardeo where the office was. From my first memory, maybe when I was three or four, I remember being in Prahlad's house. He is a very close family friend who knew my grandparents."

When he says grandparents, he means, the parents of his ma, Smita Patil, the soulful actress who put the world in shock and gloom when she passed away, soon after delivering Prateik. It is their house that Prateik lives in, at Bandra. Charmingly refurbished to suit Chico and his lifestyle.

この記事は dogs & more の Jul-Aug 2023 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

この記事は dogs & more の Jul-Aug 2023 版に掲載されています。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。

DOGS & MOREのその他の記事すべて表示
A Kick on the Butt
dogs & more

A Kick on the Butt

A dazed horse was seen with red ‘injury and blood’ marks on its body during a Muharram procession in Dongri, Bombay, post which animal welfare activists raised an issue.

time-read
1 min  |
Jul-Aug 2024
A Lick on the Face
dogs & more

A Lick on the Face

Hats off to the Uttarakhand law officials who left no stone unturned in rescuing a dog who fell into the raging waters of the Bhagirathi River.

time-read
1 min  |
Jul-Aug 2024
UNDER THE WEATHER 10 Tips to Keep Pets Healthy
dogs & more

UNDER THE WEATHER 10 Tips to Keep Pets Healthy

There is so much you can do to keep your pets healthy and optimise their lifespan, let me share a few tips here.

time-read
3 分  |
Jul-Aug 2024
The Green-Eyed Boy Russian Blue
dogs & more

The Green-Eyed Boy Russian Blue

They’re quite the show-stealers, stunning in steel grey/blue with emerald eyes. Read on to know more about the Archangel Blues

time-read
2 分  |
Jul-Aug 2024
The Enchanting Kingdom of Animals Unusual Acquaintances
dogs & more

The Enchanting Kingdom of Animals Unusual Acquaintances

A part from eating unusual food when one travels the world, what is interesting is meeting people with varied cultures and traditions.

time-read
2 分  |
Jul-Aug 2024
Treat Them with Kindness, No Less
dogs & more

Treat Them with Kindness, No Less

The love and affection that the world-renowned industrialist possesses for animals is hardly unknown.

time-read
1 min  |
Jul-Aug 2024
Loving Family Of Four
dogs & more

Loving Family Of Four

Bringing home pets during testing times is perhaps the best one can do for children undergoing emotional strain. This mother did just that, bringing back many smiles into their lives

time-read
6 分  |
Jul-Aug 2024
Chef Paul Noronha
dogs & more

Chef Paul Noronha

He’s just settled into his role as Executive Chef of ITC Maratha, this seasoned F&B professional. Yet, it’s his role as dog dad to Shia he treasures most

time-read
1 min  |
Jul-Aug 2024
Swedish Vallhund The Cow Herd
dogs & more

Swedish Vallhund The Cow Herd

Their history dates back to the time of the Vikings making them a timeless breed with a warrior spirit. The Swedish Vallhund knows its job well and how to keep its parent happy

time-read
3 分  |
Jul-Aug 2024
Pass me the Popcorn Says the Binturong
dogs & more

Pass me the Popcorn Says the Binturong

Contrary to the skunk, this furry mammal lets off a buttery popcorn aroma to mark its territory. The binturong is full of surprises and quite a creature to uncover

time-read
3 分  |
Jul-Aug 2024