You don’t often get to see dogs at plush shopping malls. Well this was a sight one could not miss at the Phoenix MarketCity on Sunday. The mall was hosting a one-of-a-kind ramp show for Indian pet dogs, who were accompanied by their owners.
‘The Great Indian Dog Show 2018’ organised by the Blue Cross of India stood true to its name.
“I couldn’t wait to get Peggie to the show. She seems to be really enjoying the attention here,” chuckled Chaz, a foreigner who adopted the two-year-old three-legged female dog, earlier this year. “I saw her at a shelter and fell in love with her that very moment. She’s part of my family now,” she said.
The event witnessed hordes of native Indian breeds, walking the ramp with their owners. Some were crippled, some were victims of abuse and some lucky enough to not be harmed by erratic human behaviour. Bhadra, the street dog which garnered national attention after she was flung off a five-storeyed building by two medical students a year ago, also walked the ramp with her proud owner. “If you looked at the video which the men shot while they threw her down, she was wagging her tail, because she trusted them. She still wags her tail everytime she sees people. People must not pull off harmful stunts for sadistic pleasure. It’s not ok,” said Karthik Dhandapani, Bhadra’s owner.
Actress and animal rights activist Amala Akkineni, Dr. Jay Prakash, a renowned veterinarian and Nishka Choraria, owner of the mall were on the panel of judges. Unlike other dog shows, here they were judged based on their nature and the rapport they shared with their owners, like the dog with the waggiest tail, most well-dressed dog, the dog with the best smile, the dog that looks most like the owner were some of the 30 such light hearted categories.
The event also combined an adoption drive for Indie puppies, rescued dogs and kittens.