Your Pet Story: A happy household is one filled with pets

Nellie likes to bask in the sun. — Photos: Sacha Jacobs

As far as I can remember, I have always grown up with pets. Dad used to be a dog trainer and Mum had a little farm when she was young. So it is not surprising that love for animals runs strong in our family.

For over 20 years, we took in about 15 animals and rehomed many others.

Right now, our family shares two homes in Kuala Lumpur and between us, we have three dogs: Nitro, Nellie and Pepper.

Nitro has been with us since August 2010. He walked into my mum’s workplace one day and made himself at home. She noticed that he was blind in one eye, and adopting him came naturally.

We drove to her workplace, opened the car door and urged him to jump in.

I still remember Nitro looking so comfortable in the car that day. I think he wanted us as much as we wanted him. That was almost 11 years ago.

Nitro has a bit of Terrier in him, so hunting is something he enjoys.

Even though he’s not as young as he used to be, Nitro still loves playing with his toys, running around the garden and sleeping in our bed. I think Nitro has a bit of Terrier in him, so “hunting” is another thing he enjoys.

He has a terrible sweet tooth and will stop at nothing until he gets it. We try to give him a balanced diet as he’s getting on in years.

Nellie was given to us by our neighbour who knew we wouldn’t say no. He found her crossing the street as a puppy.

Nellie is one of those biddable dogs. She’s docile, protective, independent, fearless, and intelligent (and I can go on and on).

She’s been a wonderful sister to Nitro since September 2012.

She will not eat until Nitro starts eating together with her. Unlike Nitro and Pepper who prefer to stay indoors, Nellie likes to lie down under the sun for many hours and loves eating ice cream.

Pepper came into our lives a few days before the lockdown in March 2020. A couple of boys heard cries coming from a drain and found her. They pulled her out, attached a string to her collar and scouted around the neighbourhood hoping to find someone who could take her in. That someone happened to be us. These young lads did something incredible that day. If it wasn’t for them, this little dog would have died in the drain as it was raining heavily.

Pepper was rescued from a drain by a few boys.

Caring for Pepper was a little challenging. Not only was she in a bad state physically, but it was clear that she had been abused and didn’t trust anyone.

Moreover, it was hard taking Pepper to the vet during the lockdown and I would like to thank the kind policemen who let us through the roadblocks after seeing her.

Initially, I was hesitant to keep Pepper for a few reasons, but during this time, my sister and Pepper had developed a bond and this helped her to be calm and settled. After a family meeting, it was decided that Pepper stays.

She’s now on life-long medication and we still have to visit the vet now and then but she’s come a long way from the first day we took her in. Presently, she likes playing with us and loves snuggling with my sister.

One of Pepper’s quirks is her attachment to her blanket. She goes everywhere with it, almost like a little child. The lockdown period went like a breeze for us because we were busy caring for Pepper and guiding our other dogs to get familiarised with her.

I can’t imagine a life without Nitro, Nellie and Pepper.

It often crosses my mind that my fur babies are getting older and I will have to say goodbye when that day comes. I take comfort in knowing that my family and

I gave them the best life and nothing can take that away.

So right now, I will just be grateful that I have the privilege to have them in my life and enjoy their companionship.

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