Patna: Brono ko mithai nahi khilaiye (do not offer sweets to Brono), reads a sign inside 10 Circular Road, the residence of RJD chief Lalu Prasad, signalling the tough times the six-month-old is going through.

Brono has a sweet tooth and is readily pampered by visitors given the fact that he is Lalu's pet; the Labrador pup became part of the family a month ago.

Now, however, he is neither being allowed to go near his master (Lalu) nor to enjoy sweets. On Sunday, sweets were everywhere at home, but Brono's best bechara face went unheeded because of the instructions not to feed him sweets, considered bad for dogs.

Two of Lalu's daughters, Misa Bharti and Anushka Rao, were in town to tie rakhi on brothers Tej Pratap Yadav and Tejashwi Prasad Yadav. The sisters also offered sweets to their brothers. Brono was looking at them expectantly, in vain.

"Saheb (Lalu) has strictly ordered not to give sweets to Brono, it will affect the dog's health," a close Lalu aide told The Telegraph.

He also showed the written instruction on display in the house.

"Party supporters used to offer sweets to Brono, which was causing problems for him," the Lalu confidant said. "Lalu ji loves the dog very much but he has not been able to play with it owing to his health. Brono tries to go near Laluji, but we don't allow it because it may lead to infections."

Brono, however, gets to play with Tejashwi, Tej Pratap and their mother, Rabri Devi. The pup also has a dedicated staff to look after him.

"The dog is given special care and Pedigree (a dog food brand)," said a family member. "He wags his tail whenever he sees Lalu ji. Laluji has tolf us to take good care of Brono. Lalu ji sometimes calls out to him and on hearing his voice Brono becomes alert."

Lalu also has over 100 cows which are kept at his farmhouse off Bailey Road near RPS Mor in Danapur.