At 18, she might just be the city’s oldest canine. However, she is very healthy and friendly with people like ever before. Sridevi Addepalli, who works with an ad agency in the city, had rescued her 14 years ago from a friend’s home. “She was tied up and looked like she had been on the leash forever and beaten up. She was very scared and would not come to anyone. She was brain dead and had forgotten all characteristics of a dog. She would just lie in some corner,” recollects Sridevi, adding, “It took her six months to recuperate. My other pet which is quite cranky did nothing to her. May be, he felt the pain and trauma pony was going through.”
Pony, who was pregnant when rescued, gave birth to two pups. “She had lost faith in human beings and would not let anyone come close to her or her pups,” Sridevi explains. “However, we made her mingle with other dogs. We pampered her and gave her all love and affection and once we took care of her pups, it built a lot of confidence in her.
Till date, she demands only love and care.”
Pony has cataract in one of her eyes and cannot see and hear much. “Otherwise, she is perfectly healthy and fine. She goes out to the park for a walk and is very friendly with everyone even at this age,” says Sridevi, who has three pet dogs at home.