Parenting A Pet
Renu Chhibber is a dedicated civil servant, loving mother, and proud pet mom with a zest for life. Passionate about art and culture, she draws inspiration from both creativity and tradition. A fitness enthusiast and an avid traveller, she loves hiking and trekking to reconnect with nature, while cooking is her way to unwind and destress. Her life beautifully blends service, adventure, family, and the joy of caring for her furry companions…
Dogs have been the heartbeat of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up with wagging tails, wet noses, slobbery kisses, and the comforting soundtrack of paws on the floor. To me, a house without dogs isn’t a home—it’s just a building waiting for love to move in. My years could be measured not in milestones but in paw prints. Each dog has left behind a lesson: patience, loyalty, comedy, and unconditional love.
While some people find solace in books or music, I’ve always had fur. Among my furry cast was Macho, a pug with comic charm. Losing him left a silence that felt too loud. Yet, life has a way of sending new blessings when you least expect them, and that came in the form of Toby, a tiny but mighty Chihuahua with guts far bigger than his size.
The rise of King Toby: From day one, Toby declared, “Mom is mine”. He seized my bed, my lap, my heart, and established himself as CEO of the household. He would curl up next to me like a prince guarding his kingdom and glare at anyone who dared to disturb. Don’t be fooled by his sugar-sack weight—Toby struts with the swagger of a six-foot bouncer. His size might not scare burglars, but inside these walls, he is the law.
Enter the Challenger Batuk: Just as Toby perfected his rule, Batuk arrived. A Lhasa Apso–Shih Tzu mix, Batuk waddled in as a fluffy, wide-eyed baby who treated Toby like royalty. If Toby barked, Batuk vanished. If Toby glared, Batuk froze. Picture a timid younger brother walking on eggshells around his bossy elder.
Tables turned: But puppies don’t stay little forever. Batuk grew—and how! At two years old, he is now a strong, confident young man who struts about like he owns the place. Toby suddenly found himself in unfamiliar territory: The dethroned monarch sulking in the corner.
The daily sitcom: My daily life now resembles a sitcom. If Toby curls up beside me, Batuk barges in like a bulldozer: “Move, small fry—it’s my turn.” If I pet Batuk, Toby hurls himself onto my lap: “How could you, traitor?” Their jostling often ends in fur-flying wrestling matches. What begins as a harmless attempt to sit closer to me often turns into playful growls and serious battles.
Brothers in arms (and paws) of course: Toby’s size leaves him outmatched, but spirit? He has plenty. He never waves the white flag. And beneath the rivalry lies a surprising tenderness. Toby will curl beside Batuk after a long play session, while Batuk puffs up protectively if a stranger approaches Toby. They may squabble, but they’re inseparable—classic brothers.
Confessions of a dog mom: To me, they’re not “pets”—they’re my children. Friends joke that I’m a certified dog mom, and I don’t deny it. At work, I shamelessly call home: “Did they eat? Who won today—Toby or Batuk?” Like any parent, I toggle between referee, cheerleader, and full-time worrier.
The beautiful chaos: Perhaps that’s the magic of dogs; they don’t just share your life, they become your life. Toby and Batuk aren’t my pets—they are the kids of my family, my joy, and my heartbeats wrapped in fur. Life with them is an ongoing story of joy, love, and countless memories. I can only feel grateful that the universe chose them for me. After all, not every love story has to be written in words—sometimes, it’s written in wagging tails and soulful eyes.
Leave a comment