His papers claim that Sheero was born on July 11, but the Golden Retriever himself believes he has five to six birthdays a year. “Whenever a cake comes home Sheero thinks it’s for his birthday. Even if you sing Happy Birthday for someone else he thinks it’s his special day. He’ll promptly go and sit next to the person cutting the cake, hoping for a bite,” laughs Sneha Maity.
The family is careful about giving him junk food and so he won’t get more than a teeny lick of cake but neighbours won’t hear of it. “Our fridge is always stocked with rasgullas as some neighbour or the other sends a handi every week. They are not for us but for Sheero, who loves them! Of course he’s not allowed to eat so much,” says Sneha, who compensates by baking him oil-free chips, spice-free noodles and yogurt.
Sheero is an extremely intelligent dog. Sneha only needs to say: “Snan korbi?” and he’ll run to get his towel. She only needs to say “Chiruni kore debo?” and he’ll run to get his comb and powder. “His favourite outing is to my mama bari in Midnapore and again, I only need to say “mama bari jabi?” and he’ll start his packing his bag. He’ll get the ball, bowl, toy, towel that he wants to take on the trip. So much so that sometimes even if I’m arranging my cupboard and keeping some clothes outside, Sheero thinks we’re off to Midnapore and packs his bag.”
Sheero is highly obedient and well-behaved. He has received balls and stuffed toys from all over the country but has never torn a single one. He plays with them but then keeps them back in place.
Sheero gets his name from the Japanese cartoon character Shin Chan, whose pet dog is a cute white dog by the same name. “I had always wanted a dog but my parents weren’t keen. “So I saved up my pocket money and secretly bought a puppy one fine day after college. He was the only white one in a litter of golden-coloured pups. Immediately I thought of Shiro, the cartoon. In that instant I had chosen the puppy I wanted and the name I wanted for him,” smiles Sneha, who is now preparing for her banking examination.
Once home, it wasn’t easy convincing her parents. “My mom didn’t speak to me for two months after that. But then I didn’t have to do much. Sheero himself cuddled up to her and my mom’s heart melted,” Sneha smiles. “And now Sheero has become such a good boy that my mom asks me to take a leaf out of his book!”
If you have a pet you have brought up at home as a family member and which has its eyes only for you, write to us with your contact number at The Telegraph Salt Lake, 6, Prafulla Sarkar Street, Calcutta 700001 or email to saltlake@abp.in
