Towards a perfectly safe Diwali!

As pet parents, we want our pooches to be a part of our celebrations. But, Diwali is one festival that our dogs dread. Every Diwali, there are numerous cases of dogs either hurt or burnt. Let’s make Diwali safe for our pooches.

–by Varsha Verma

 Diwali is a celebration of good over evil, light over darkness. It is a pleasure to see beautiful lighting adorning the buildings and houses within. The environment is euphoric – various delicacies, lovely clothes, exchange of gifts and sweets- and of course everything done to welcome Goddess Lakshmi to our homes. We all look forward to this occasion. One thing that spoils the festival is noisy crackers. They are not just a nuisance to us but more for our canine friends, who have an acute sense of hearing.

untitled-17How crackers affect our furry friends?

Animals are terrified of fireworks. They become stressed on hearing loud noises. They tremble, drool, bark, howl and try to hide or get out of the house. They refuse to eat and may even lose bladder or bowel control. Sometimes, while trying to escape from home, they may accidentally get hurt as well. Incidents of dog abuse are still prevalent; just out of mere fun, some children and sadists tie crackers to the strays. This burns them severely and results in various behavioural issues in these poor animals.

 How to make Diwali safe for dogs?

Create awareness: Prevention is always better than cure. Ask your neighbours and friends not to use loud crackers as they are harmful to both humans and dogs.

Desensitise the dog: Start preparing your dog for Diwali. Expose him to low levels of noise and then gradually increase the intensity. Make sure not to expose him to very high levels, as this may harm his hearing ability.

Exercise him before crackers time: Take your dog out for his daily exercise an hour before the fireworks, so that he is tired and less anxious.

Feed him early: A hungry dog will be more anxious. So, feed him well before the fireworks start.

Do not take him out when crackers are on: Keep your dog inside the home, with the doors and windows properly closed so that he cannot run out. Leave a TV or radio on.

Make him comfortable: Give him things he like – treats, toys, his bed, etc.

Do not disturb him: If your pooch hides under the bed or any of his hiding places, let him be there.

Do not cajole him: Do not soothe or comfort your dog, it will only increase the problem. Be in control and be cheerful.

Consult your vet: If you have a senior dog or a nervous dog, talk to your vet before Diwali, who can recommend a light sedative for him.

Put a name tag on his collar: Do not forget to put a name tag on his collar, so that in case he runs out, you can still find him.

Give shelter to strays: If possible, give shelter to strays in your neighbourhood, who would also be very stressed due to loud noises. Give them food and water and in case you see any of them injured, call for an ambulance.

Last but not the least: Be with your pet. Your presence is a great assurance that they are safe.

Jennifer Winget & her life with pooches

Jennifer Winget has stolen many hearts through her mesmerising looks and acting prowess on the small screen. Little do people know that this young lady’s heart is stolen by Breezer, her pet dog.

Beautiful actress Jennifer Winget has appeared in many Indian TV shows like Kkusum, Kahin to Hoga, Saraswatichandra, to name a few. She won the Indian Television Academy Awards for Best Actress Critics for her leading role in the Star Plus romantic series Saraswatichandra. Eastern Eye placed her at 21st position on its list of World’s Sexiest Asian Women for 2012. Much has been written about this young lass but there’s more.

My first pet….

“As a child I remember how I always wanted a pet but mum never let me have one. She was afraid of dogs and still is but now with my Labrador, Breezer that has changed. He is the child she loves the most now and gets along with him excellently,” shares Jennifer.

What makes my day?

Every pet has a unique quality or antic, which just melts our hearts. On asking Jennifer, she replies sweetly, “ He makes the cutest face when he wants a chewy to eat. He looks at me and tilts his head a little bit. It’s the cutest face I have ever seen.”

Life with my pooch…

“I enjoy driving with Breezer and simply hate leaving Breezer behind every time I go to shoot. I guess I am the one with separation anxiety when it comes to him. He is six now and unlike most dogs, thoroughly enjoys a drive, popping his head out, with the wind on his face. Though neither of the two of us are early risers, an occasional Sunday early morning is marked for me to take him on a nice long drive followed by his walk,” she tells.

What I love about my pooch?

“Definitely his eyes. He speaks straight to my heart with them. I believe that there is just so much unconditional love that dogs, or any other animal for that matter, can give you for the little that we give them in return. You get a glimpse of this love through their eyes, like a doorway to their soul and they’ll always let you in,” tells Jennifer with a twinkle in her eyes.

What my pooch loves about me?

“I, no matter how naughty he’s been, I will always melt with one of his characteristic puppy-dog looks and also that I let him snuggle on the bed and sleep with me,” tells Jennifer.

Vacations together…

“The two of us have both been on a sabbatical this past year and have been enjoying a relaxing time away at my new holiday home in Goa. He loves it there and I was surprised how easily he made himself at home. The beach is in close proximity so he enjoys his long runs, chasing the waves. What he couldn’t get enough of, though, was swimming in the pool on the property. Every time we got him out, he couldn’t wait to jump right back in,” shares Jennifer.

Taking care of pet’s needs…

As a responsible pet parent, Jennifer makes it a point to take care of his pet’s exercise, nutrition and other needs. “Though I’m not as disciplined as I should be with myself when it comes to the right nutrition and exercise, but with Breezer, I’m like an over-cautious, nit-picky mom. As he grows older, I’ve grown even more careful and make sure he eats and exercises better than I do. Labs tend to get overweight with age and touchwood with regular vet checks and routine exercise, Breezer’s weight is ideal. He’s been prescribed a certain supplement for his bones and he surprisingly laps it all up along with his regular food, like a good boy. I try to play with him in my garden as much as I can; it’s a stress buster for me too,” replies Jennifer.

Most difficult thing about being a pet parent…

Being a pet parent is not easy…a pet is like a family member, who needs your love, time and care. “I know Breezer loathes it when I leave him for a couple of days during outdoor shoots. He lives with my mum on those days; but misses me. Once I was preparing to leave for a few days, he understood from all the packing that I wasn’t going to be home with him that night. That sad look on his face is now etched in my mind because just as we were loading the luggage in the car and he came down with me to see me off, he ran and sat in the boot of the car and refused to get out. My heart breaks every time I have to leave him,” tells Jennifer.

On a concluding note…

“To me, Breezer is family, my most prized and cherished member. We’ve been through great memories and hard times together and though my emotions have their highs and lows, his love for me is unconditional and consistent. It’s the one thing that comes, rest assured, when anything else isn’t going your way,” concludes Jennifer.