Dad’s the way for their pooch lovers in Lucknow

Fatherly love is not just confined to humans, feel dog owners in the city. Talk to these proud pooch owners in Lucknow and they say that their pets are no less than their kids. These innocent animals give the gift of unfathomable love to their ‘fathers, which is usually not talked about. This Father’s Day, we talk about these furballs and how their owners/fathers feel about them.
(BCCL/ Vishnu Jaiswal)
Businessman Anurag Mishra, who happens to be a proud father of almost 37 dogs, has raised each one of his ‘kid’ with unconditional love. “I have always lived with a dog, in fact, almost raised by one. As a child, the dog I was raised with, was my constant companion. He used to tickle me, play with me. So, every day is Father’s Day for me as far as my ‘babies’ are concerned. My kids keep showering their love and I keep reciprocating. This is a feeling that only a pet lover like me can understand that these dogs are our babies only,” says Anurag, getting emotional.
Cyrus Cowasji with a few of his ‘kids’ (BCCL/ Vishnu Jaiswal)
Kunal Lamba, who happens to be an animal activist along with wife Caroline, is a proud owner of more than 70 rescue dogs. While talking to us he jokingly says, “I think after about 70, I stopped counting. The amount of love and affection I have for these innocent animals is something which even I cannot fathom. My kids (dogs) are the reason why I met my beautiful partner. They are so lucky for me. So, yes, these are my beautiful kids and even the way I treat them is like a father treats his kids. The same pampering and the same scolding that a human kid would get from his father, these pooches get the same from me. At the end of the day, I am their dad only!”
Telling us about his plan to celebrate Father’s Day with his kids, Kunal adds, “Today, I’m planning to make a collage out of their paws dipped in paint and get the collage framed. That is the best gift that these kids will give me.”
Asteya Awasthi’s pooches sharing some fun time with their dad (BCCL/ Vishnu Jaiswal)
Owner of a dog’s cafe in the city, Asteya Awasthi says, “The first time I held my baby Auli, a golden retriever, in my hand that fatherly feeling came forth. It was as if I was holding my own baby. In fact, the same is the case with all my dogs. My kids have been with me through all good and bad times in my life. Their love is always unconditional. Yes, sometimes, just like a human kids would do, they too throw tantrums and sulk, but then we make up after a small tiff.”
Cyrus Cowasji, who owns a lot of these furry babies, is planning a Father’s Day treat for his kids. “Since my dogs love to swim, I am taking them out for a swim to a pool. With some light music, I am sure they are going to have loads of fun with their dad. It is actually a treat watching them swim,” says Cyrus.
Doggy dad Anurag Mishra surrounded by his ‘babies’ (BCCL/ Vishnu Jaiswal)
High school student Ayush Chaturvedi, who owns a two-and-a-half-year old Labrador named Bruno, while gazing at his dog lovingly, says, “Just like a father would feel that urge to hold his child in his arms, I too feel the same craving. Sometimes I have these sudden urges to pick up my Labrador but I can’t since he’s so big.”Jokingly Aayush adds, “In most cases dogs obey their masters, but in my case, I obey my dog. This Father’s Day I’m planning to bake a cake for my Bruno and take him out along with his friends for a drive.”
- Yashi Agarwal