Is your child asking you for a pet dog? Then here’s a story you just don’t want to miss! The journey of adopting a pet is often filled with excitement, anticipation, and a touch of apprehension. Sahil and Shruti’s desire to find the perfect furry companion for their 3-year-old daughter, Meher, was no exception.
Sahil and Shruti, a working couple, felt Meher could benefit from a pet companion at home. They felt having a pet would not only benefit Meher but would also enrich their lives. Meher had been asking for a dog for quite some time and they felt they were ready for the responsibility. Shruti had a few reservations. Given Meher’s age it was highly likely that there would be times when she would get upset with a dog or in the heat of the moment, ask her parents to get rid of the dog. These doubts made Shruti skeptical about bringing home a dog and felt that maybe Meher was too young for a pet. These are valid concerns to have! Children till a certain age can be very temperamental and can even get bored of their pets. But, here’s what Sahil had to say! He told Shruti that “there would definitely be many such moments, but we will be the puppy’s primary caregivers and we will help diffuse such situations and help Meher understand and navigate her feelings during such moments.” With that Shruti was convinced and they decided to begin their search for a puppy!
With Meher being a little apprehensive about big-sized dogs, they knew a puppy from a small-sized breed would be the ideal fit for their family. They set out to search for a puppy of a small sized breed for adoption and stumbled on Tofu’s profile on our website – a 4-month-old puppy of a small-sized breed. However, the initial meeting with Tofu didn’t go as smoothly as they hoped.
Sahil and Shruti were thrilled to have found Tofu, who seemed like the perfect addition to their family. They filled the form on our website to express interest for Tofu and we connected them to Second Chance Sanctuary India, the organization that took in Shifu after being surrendered for the silliest of reasons by his previous owners. Eager to see if Shifu would be a good match for the family, they arranged a meeting. While Sahil and Shruti were immediately taken with Shifu’s calm demeanor and playful spirit, Meher’s initial encounter with the puppy didn’t go as smoothly. She felt a little overwhelmed and withdrew into her shell.
Sahil and Shruti were concerned about Meher’s reaction, worried that she might feel neglected or upset about Tofu’s presence. However, they chose to let Meher express her feelings in her own time without pushing her. That night, during their bedtime routine, Shruti gently broached the topic with Meher, asking about her feelings towards Tofu. Meher expressed her concern about Shifu peeing on her parents during the meeting, causing discomfort. Shruti lovingly explained that Shifu was simply excited during their first meeting and that it wouldn’t happen all the time.
Understanding Shifu’s excitement helped Meher come to terms with the situation, and she soon realized that she, too, loved the adorable little puppy. With her fears put to rest, Meher expressed her love and interest for Tofu. They decided to go ahead with the adoption! With all the paperwork signed and medical records handed over, Tofu was officially theirs. However, something didn’t feel right. They felt ‘Tofu’ as a name just didn’t suit the little pup’s personality. For a puppy, he was extremely calm and only had sudden bursts of energy. And so given his zen demeanor and his looks, they aptly named him Shifu after the fictional character Master Shifu!
The bond between Meher and Shifu began to blossom, as they played, snuggled and grew together, forming an unbreakable connection. Today, they are the best of friends and an inseparable part of Sahil and Shruti’s family.
So, if your child is asking for a pet dog, remember Shruti’s apprehensions and remember Sahil’s advice. If you too feel confident that you can amicably resolve any issues that your child may have during the course of the pet parenting experience, then go ahead and take the plunge! We have dogs of different ages, sizes and temperaments available for adoption. Start your search today with Be A Petizen and let us help you find the most compatible pet for you!
