Rashmi - Dog Mum to Steffi

Home is where Steffi is. :)

Rashmi and Balraj with Steffi

In 2014, when I met Rashmi for the first time in Hyderabad, India while walking our dogs, little I knew that we will be neighbors in Singapore too. She moved in early 2015 to Singapore and got her girl along too, Steffi. She made all the arrangement herself to bring her all the way from Hyderabad to Singapore. They traveled from Hyderabad to Chennai in train because the flight that allowed pets was only from Chennai, India. All the paperwork was handled by her without involving any agent.

Whenever I have met Rashmi, she is always cheerful. I clearly remember when Steffi was severely hurt as some strays attacked her and she got stitches, at that time also Rashmi was all positive and happy providing her best to make her girl feel better. It feels like Rashmi is born with a big smile on her face. I have never seen her without it. Sometimes I wonder first thing she wears before stepping out of her home is her BIG SMILE.

Me: I can see how Steffi and you are connected beautifully. How the journey has been till now?

Rashmi: The journey has been quite awesome and wholesome. I am truly content with my life and being mum to Steffi. Balraj and I are married for more than 20 years and Steffi is our second pet. She is super energetic, hyperactive, playful, demanding and naughty. All this is quite a handful to handle. There have been some big challenges to be dealt with a good amount of learning and of course a lot of happy and lovely moments.

Me: Oh Steffi is the second one. What about the first one?

Rashmi: Technically Steffi is the third one because my in-laws also had a pet named Rosy. I was 24 then when I got married to Balraj.

Me: That is very long back.

Rashmi: Yeah, very long back.

Me: So what has been the most beautiful part of being mum to Steffi?

Rashmi: There are so many stories but I would like to share one which is closest to my heart. I actually wrote about it on FB in 2015 . I’ll share the same with you.

I took Steffi for a evening walk leaving Balraj at home as he was tired after our movie date. It was a bit dark and I was continuously talking to Steffi and she was walking in front of me simply not interested in my babble. Suddenly I tripped on a iron manhole cover and with a big thud fell forward with my head, face, palms, and knees hitting the concrete pavement. I got hurt with severe bruises and first thing Balraj asked me after reaching home if I was hit by a car.

Balraj got the first aid kit and as soon as he started to clean the bruise Steffi started barking and jumping on him and did not let him touch my face.

However hard he tried to pacify her the reaction was same. Ultimately I had to clean up and dress the bruises myself with Steffi standing guard at the washroom door. And until I recovered totally she did not ask me to take her out even once for her walks. She was just too happy at home with me not bothering much. Me: That is so beautiful. So thoughtful of this girl. But am sure amidst all this there must be some challenges as well.

Rashmi: Absolutely. Being a pet parent is a challenge in itself and the most challenging part is travelling with your pooch baby. Back in Hyderabad, we did lot of road trips and tagged her along with us everywhere.

In Singapore, like majority we also don't own a car so we haven't gone anywhere till now together. I have never thought of leaving her in a kennel because I find it a bit difficult to leave her alone.

Me: But kennels are great alternative. I am surprised to know you never used one.

Rashmi: Yeah we never used kennel services though the search for a good kennel is ON.

Me: OK. Another thing I was curious to know about why did you choose to have a female dog? Mostly people want male dogs.

Rashmi: It so happened that our first pet was a Lhasa-Apso was male who unfortunately crossed the rainbow bridge too soon and we were still grieving his loss when we decided to bring another pet. In order to avoid any comparisons between the old and the new pet we decided to go for a different breed and a female.

Me: OK. And why did you choose the name Steffi?

Rashmi: Well this is interesting. Balraj and I are big fans of the the legendary tennis player Steffi Graf and looking at our pooch baby’s love for long play sessions the name Steffi was an obvious choice.

Me: This is cool. Steffi is very energetic. Do you believe that your dog tells your personality? I believe that.

Rashmi: Oh totally. Your pet is just mirror of your personality. It shows in the pet, what kind of pet parents you are. They imbibe some of our personality traits but a lot of other qualities are purely their own.

Me: So in what ways you find Steffi similar to you and Balraj?

Rashmi: Her playfulness and love for challenges from Balraj and sensitivity from me. She is extremely patient and gentle towards kids like both of us. But God only know why is she so unfriendly towards other pets.

Me: Right. She loves human company more. Recently your friend came to stay while traveling to Australia with her pet. Thankfully Steffi was very good with her.

Rashmi: Yes. Even we were surprised to see how Steffi and my friend's pet, Joey, stayed for a month togehter. It was great to see both of them playing but he was the only one she got friendly.

Me: How Steffi and your day looks like?

Rashmi: Steffi's typical day starts at the break of dawn by licking my feet as if asking for my blessings to start her day and then after getting my blessings as hugs & kisses she becomes this unstoppable bundle of energy who I have to keep actively engaged throughout the day, by playing several rounds of "fetch" which should be called as " I fetch only if you run along me" and "catch me if you can”. Two visits to the nearby parks in the morning and evening and power naps after having home cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Me: Good amount of work for you during the whole day.

Rashmi: Yes Yes. She keeps me on my toes, only for the days when I am feeling under the weather she doesn't bother me.

Me: I know you and Steffi are well connected. And I find that connection magical. Can you share something about it.

Rashmi: Well the connection with all the three Dogs has been different for me. Rosy ( my in law’s pet) was a senior dog and our connection was of mutual respect. We both gave a lot of space to each other. Fluffy (our Lhasa-Apso) was very gentle and a noble soul and had two different colored eyes and what instantly connected me to him was his gentleness and the complete trust he had on me from the very first day I took him in my arms.

Steffi’s sharp gaze with her black piercing eyes connected me to her instantly from the very beginning and her eyes still challenge me every day to understand what is going on in her mind.

Thank You Rashmi for being part of blog series, Dogmothers. I always knew you were amazing as a dog mum but got to know more about you.