This six-year-old dog gets FaceTime with mom, actor Divya Seth Shah. Say hello to Maple, the pretty cocker spaniel
She is insane about playing with her tennis balls. So at any given time, there are three in rotation. Apart from that, the little darling has only one expectation, that when guests are over, they greet her just like they greet her human family. And there is nothing wrong in that says actor Divya Seth Shah, for it is Maple’s home too! That’s the love that Maple the six-year-old cocker spaniel gets at home.
Adorable, cuddly, loving and a little ball of fun, Maple is easily the favourite of the entire house. Her day begins with a walk followed by a clean-up, breakfast and a nice snooze. Then it’s time for an early lunch. “She waits till we eat then whines for food,” laughs Divya, the ever-doting pet parent. On regular evenings, Maple plays ball for an hour (which she loves) on her terrace then settles next to her humans and watches TV. Then she eats dinner and goes to sleep. Between this really busy schedule, she finds time to walk around her territory and observe everything around.
Born on May 18, six years ago, Maple flew to Pune from Delhi in Divya’s lap and the bond that began there has only grown stronger. A gift from Divya’s sister and niece for daughter Mihika, Maple was so named because of her colour-that of maple syrup. Easily described as a good, loving dog, Divya says, “Maple is so involved with the family that even when I return in the middle of the night from a shoot, she is waiting up for me.” She is the apple of her family’s eye and has absolutely no restrictions. “She sleeps on our beds even though she has two of her own,” adds Divya. The way Maple has been brought up has something to do with the fact that Divya has had dogs since she was 10 years old. “Tippy was with me until I was 24, then Pepe,” she adds.
Frequent visitor to: Lonavala
Favourite food: Red pepper, moong sprouts, jowar bhakri, dal-chawal and dog chow
Birthday treat: Vanilla ice-cream cup
Tip to first-time pet parents – Love your animal babies. They are your family
And who is her favourite human? Divya smiles, “Me primarily because dogs imprint on one master. And I was the first family member she was introduced to – I carried her on my lap through the flight.” Also, as Divya has observed, dogs take the personality of their family and the way they are treated. “Maple knows she is loved and is a part of the family. Genetics also play a part – her father is a bit moody and possessive, which she becomes sometimes,” explains Divya. The only two humans Maple is terrified of are her vet and the groomer.
So attached to Maple is Divya that she misses her terribly when she has to travel. “I call up for updates, and get the phone on speaker to talk to Maple and even FaceTime with her,” admits Divya of her baby dog. The qualities most essential to being a good pet parent are very simple according to Divya -.Give love, love and love. “For me, there is no difference between my daughter’s well being and Maple’s,” she states. Daughter Mihika too is very involved in Maple’s care. Also, their staff is very fond of the pretty doggy. And that is expected given her unconditional love and sunny demeanour!
Uma Karve Chakranarayan is editor and publisher of Tell Tail, Pune’s only petzine and partner, Petsworld, a pet food and accessories store. She’s fond of animals and is parent to two mixed breed dogs and a Guinea pig. She also looks after homeless dogs in her area.’Furholics’ appears every Saturday on Pune365.
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