Raageshwari
Raageshwari as a kid would pick up stray pups and kittens; and to her surprise, her parents would readily welcome each of them. “My first pet was a brown and black kitty named Poncho,” she recalls. After Poncho, she had another cat called Nonie and then a parrot named Gangaram. And her experience with canines was marked with the entry of a Pomeranian couple named Fiddle and Leutty. Fiddle was a rowdy brat while Leutty was like the well-behaved queen, very composed and polished.
Total recalls…
Raageshwari has beautiful memories of these lovely pooches running all around the house bringing back a fun atmosphere at the Loomba Residence. Leutty, being the obedient one, never required a leash or any kind of supervision while Fiddle who was always taken down with a big harness would hate to see Leutty galloping around on her own. “Fiddle would chase all kinds of moving objects and eventually land up in mucky puddles to amuse everyone around. Sadly, Fiddle passed away at an early age,” she added.
Leutty, who went on to become Raageshwari’s favourite lady, lived for a good span of 18 years but with her demise came a terrible patch of grief and sorrow. Recalling those awful days, Raageshwari says, “My family and I did not eat for weeks when she passed away. We had swollen faces for days and we just couldn’t control our tears. Like most dog lovers who lose their pets we also swore never to get another pet. It’s simply unfair that their life span does not match ours.”
The little clown of the family…
After Leutty’s death there was a sudden void in Raageshwari’s life and she started craving for a pet companion again… this time wanting to have a Jack Russell Terrier who was almost on his way from Delhi but as she puts it, the Cosmic Powers were striking a connection some place else. The very same day, she was informed of a litter in her garden but the sad bit was that the mother was run over by a car soon after delivering the pups. One look at the stray pups and Raageshwari had made up her mind to adopt one of them and that’s how Mr Harpo Raageshwari Loomba arrived home. Today, she feels great about the fact that she got home a pariah pup who was in need of a family. Raageshwari in a super excited mood tells us more about this little clown of the family…
Adorable thing about Harpo…
“My ‘Harpo’ is a twin soul in many ways. He bullies me and never listens to me but my family tells me that he gets miserable when I travel. He looks at my towel and clothes and sings in a morose tune. He keeps lying down only in my room. The moment I get home he meets me like fifty children in a circus. He is all over me – singing, whistling and then follows me into my room and sits on the bed and endlessly stares at me,” she told happily.
Leisure time together…
“Harpo loves to go for long walks and drives. He has a toy called ‘Gudda’ which is the ugliest looking toy ever but Harpo loves it like crazy. We perpetually end up playing the ‘Fetch Game’ that he loves to play with ‘Gudda’ but we got to play it his way wherein… we throw the toy and then fetch it ourselves, while he hides! Then we have to find him and lure him into grabbing the toy… then he growls and we have to beg for him to give it back while he rolls his eyes! It’s a game for the daft family and we sort of qualify completely!” she laughed.
Harpo’s idea of being loved…
“I think he loves the fact that I always listen to him. In fact, at times it feels like he owns me and he is my master! Harpo is a spoilt brat, so if he is lazy I let him sleep; if he wants something to eat, he gets it only from me. Even if I am working on my comp, he will get his toy begging everyone to play with him, only I will stop everything and play with him. So, I guess he hopefully likes the fact that I am always there for him,” told Raageshwari.
Holidaying on hills…
“Harpo is very high maintenance so we can never leave him without a family member. I have never holidayed without him and as a pet parent it’s an obvious sacrifice you got to make. We simply cannot take off on a holiday where Harpo cannot accompany us. I would hate to fly him since cargo accommodations in planes are really stressful. So, we most of the time end up out trips to nearby places. We always go to the hills and resorts located close by where we can drive together and Harpo loves every bit of his leisure trip,” told Raageshwari as a responsible pet parent.
Special dog’s special antics…
“I have met and interacted with many dogs but Harpo seriously is a rare one. The way he greets us when the family gets home is indescribable and astonishing. We simply stand still as we get worried someone will get hurt. He jumps all over the house, gallops like a horse, licks us unremittingly and this goes on for half an hour until we faint. I love the fact that he expresses so much love and saves it only for his dearest family,” she chuckled.
Harpo’s exercise regime…
Harpo makes his pet parents exercise! “We have to run behind him while he gallops, hold him to save mortal guests who arrive; we have lost oodles of weight since he’s been with us. And it’s his super active behaviour that keeps him good in shape and health,” she laughed.
Harpo’s wholesome meals…
“Harpo is a glutton… apart from his assorted meals of fish, chicken and mutton everyday, he craves for more always! He is a total foodie and we invariably end up pampering his taste buds,” she told.
Tips on responsible pet parenting…
“Sorry he is my son, but I can honestly say, that he is the most spoilt, ill-mannered, ill-trained, neurotic, passionate dog… he is a mean machine for any seventh person other than his family of six (that is us)… so, while he is an adorable baby for us, with others he is simply Hell-On-Wheels.
I should not and cannot share any tips as people after reading this wouldn’t obviously want to end up with training their pooches to become a monster like Harpo,” smilingly concluded Raageshwari.
But an adorable monster indeed! Harpo occupies a very special place in Raageshwari’s life and we hope that our pretty angel someday succeeds in taming this little devil called Harpo.