Beer, Barbecue and a Christmas Miracle

It may sound crazy, but among one of the biggest trends that have emerged in Chennai over the course of 2014 are hip, new ways to bond with your furry companion. With monthly ‘Petcialize’ events organised and coordinated by emailer, treasure hunts on the beach, and even recovery parties for pets after surgery, city pet owners have opened up to all new ways of spending some chill time with their canines and are often ‘petworking’ with fellow pet owners. Here’s a recap of what you might have missed this December. And there’s plenty more in store in the New Year, finds Sonali Shenoy

CHENNAI: When you’re invited to a beer and barbecue afternoon at a vet’s clinic on Christmas Day, it’s hard not to be curious. Especially when you find this vet doesn’t celebrate it. So of course, we had to attend. As it turns out, the party was in honour of a very special four-legged guest.

Ten-year-old german shepherd Bunty had to undergo spinal surgery in October. And his family of five would take turns driving down from Shollinganallur to Ambattur every morning for the past two months to help him get his daily dose of hydrotherapy post surgery. “There was no certainty that he would ever walk again. But seven days before Christmas, he stood up and took his first step,” says an almost teary-eyed Latha Nambisan. Between grilled sausages,  a home baked doggie cake and some rock ‘n’ roll playing in the background, this might have been any casual afternoon outdoors, between families and pets. Except, it wasn’t. It was the day that Bunty walked again. And his family couldn’t have been more proud.

“In a few days, we’ll finally get to take him home with us,” says Nandagopal, who would lift the 40-kilo dog whenever he needed to be moved for therapy. After hoping, wishing, and plenty of anxious morning drives, this family will finally be ‘walking’  together again.