Paw Times

Dr. K. G. Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He has been a lecturer in clinical medicine at Vet College in Bangalore for 15 years, and has won the 'best teacher' award in the year 2000. He is a member of European Society for Vet Dermatology and is presently working for…

Being a pet parent I love to share stories and anecdotes, peeves and laughs with other pet parents. So when I came across Dawn Kairns’ book on the Internet, ‘Maggie: The Dog Who Changed My Life’, I knew I had to read it. The book is all that it promises and more. At one level it’s a sweet and…

I wish someone would tell me what it is That I’ve done wrong. Why I have to stay chained up and Left alone so long. They seemed so glad to have me when I came here as a pup. There were so many things we’d do While I was growing up. They couldn’t wait to train me as a Companion and a friend.…

Q: I am planning to get a Doberman pup and I want to get his ear cropped. What care should be taken before and after the cropping? – Chaitanya Raut, Yavatmal, Maharashtra Dr KG Umesh: Ear trimming or Ear Cropping (Cosmetic Otoplasty) does not need to be performed except on the pet owner’s request.…

Q: My 9-year-old cat Princy is having trouble urinating. Please help. – Priya, Goa A: Dr KG Umesh: Such urinary problems can result from behavioural or medical disorders. Behavioural causes are associated with toileting preferences/aversions and marking. Typical aversions/preferences may…

Have you ever seen the happiness, the excitement and the frenzy …when you take your lil’ pooch out for a drive? The moment you roll down the car window, two tiny paws and one beautiful head is ready to peep out…you exclaim, “No,” pull him back and roll back the window! He gives you a ‘not so happy…

My mom was always fond of pets but she was reluctant to have a pet because of us. Stella, our first pet, came to us by chance. It so happened that we went to a family friend and their Golden retriever Lara had four pups. The pups stole my mom’s heart and Stella became a part of our family. But we…

I have been married for two years and both of us were struggling to balance our careers and social life, leaving us with hardly any time to catch a breath. Our life found a whole new meaning when we mutually decided to get home our first pup – a Golden Retriever named Zack. Suddenly we found…

Hello everybody! Are you ready? I’m going to tell you, About me and my family. My name is “PANTHER”, And for strangers, I’m a danger. As my name suggests, my nature, I have a royal gait and posture. I’m a German Shepherd male, When I charge, everyone turns pale. In my family, I’m the youngest. My…

Q: What are the behaviour changes in cats with respect to climate and food? Dr Sunil Kumar C, Thalassery, Kerala Dr KG Umesh: Cats are true carnivores. They generally prey items, which are rich in water, protein & fat and low in carbohydrate and have no requirement for plant materials.…

It’s celebration time of the year again full of parties, goodies and not to forget the amazing weather. Being a dog parent, you know how your furry darling is always up at crack of dawn- and not to forget the signals for you to get up and move for his daily – most imp ritual- THE WALK. The signals…

Bruno, a 14-year-old Golden Retriever, was not fine and his pet parent called me for a home visit. Bruno was suffering from chronic renal failure, I patted his head and he made a brave effort to wag his tail. Bruno’s sufferings were unbearable. His pet parent couldn’t see his miserable condition.…

Q: Joey, my six-year-old Pomeranian was well toilet trained but since past six months, she has forgotten everything. In fact she loves our carpet in the drawing room and relieves herself there. Please advise. – Tarun Bhatnagar, Chandigarh Dr. K. G. Umesh: It is not unusual for dogs to have an…

The proud heritage… Nancy was a lovely white-brown stray dog who came into my life during my internship in a village. We loved to spend time with each other in the evening, during which, she used to chase goats and look for words of appreciation from me. Those were the golden moments gradually,…

Tuffy is my love – my pooch who is very smart and intelligent. He loves food and gobbles whatever we give him with love. He is very alert and fetches us the newspaper in the morning. What’s amazing is that he has learnt it on his own. Tuffy keeps surprising us by learning new tricks and I hope by…

Presenting ‘Sasha’ an outstanding and awesome cocker spaniel. In one word to describe…………….she is a ‘Beauty’. In two words to describe …………...she is ‘Most Adorable’. In three words to describe,…………she is ‘Admired By All’. And in one sentence to describe…..‘No words can do justice to our little…

Every issue of D&P is very special and this an extra special one. I must tell you why? We have featured the English Springer Spaniel this time and you know what, my life is ruled by the most adorable and lovable Springer. When Sparkle became a part of our family, we were told that he is a Cocker…

Cookie is my name, Playing ball, my favourite game, I love barking, Be it night, evening or morning. I am a Boxer female, With the most expressive eyes and a cute tail A very long tongue –makes everyone around me tease, This is our most adorable defective piece. In my family, I was the first dog to…

Ginger is my adorable four-legged friend and his love and compassion for his fellow beings cannot be put in words. I still recall a particular incident when Ginger saved a little pup from stray dogs. It so happened that Ginger and I were taking our routine walk one day when we heard the stray dogs…

I’ve wanted a dog since I was three. My mom was scared of dogs. So my parents tried one excuse after the other to dissuade me. But pester power prevailed in the end and mom finally gave in. So when our friend’s dog littered, we brought home a little Labrador puppy whom we called Shadow. From the…