Celebrating Raksha Bandhan with pets

While most sisters spend the day tying rakhis to their brothers on Raksha Bandhan and nagging them for gifts, here are a few people who'd happily forgo the presents.
For them, the festival is not merely a celebration of love between brothers and sisters; it's also an expression of love towards their pets! Dogs, cats, rabbits and even cows are a significant part of Raksha Bandhan celebrations in some Lucknowites' households.
A CONSTANT COMPANION
Shalini Arora, a well-known TV actor from Lucknow, celebrates Raksha Bandhan with her Pug, Tequila every year. “Tequila's like my brother, since I don't have one in real life. Whenever I come back from my shoots, he's always there at the door to greet me. He's selfless and only expects love. Tying a rakhi to him makes all the sense to me,“ says Shalini.
JUST HORSING AROUND
For 20-something Cyrus Cowasji, an animal lover, each of his dozens animals at his farm, is special.“I tie rakhi to all of them.This one-year-old pony, named Sara, is very patient when it comes to rakhis. She wears it for a while, but the others, especially my monkey Paris, chew them up!“ laughs Cyrus.
RAKHI'S A TOY
Tarni Sharma, a first year B.Sc student at a private university in Lucknow, ties rakhi to her 13-month-old cat, Charlie.“Charlie loves the pampering and loves to play with the rakhi. He's like a brother to me. He's extremely good-natured and doesn't trouble me at all,“ says Tarni.
THEY ARE FAMILY
Lucknowite and television ac tor, Jaya Bhattacharya has been trying rakhis to her pet dogs since several years now. “I've had several dogs and I always tie a rakhi to them. Last year, it was my dog Bitiya, a Lhasa Apso cross, with whom I celebrated the festival, and now, Barood has also joined us,“ says Jaya, who celebrates all festivals with just as much zeal with her pets.“My pets, Bitiya and Barood, have stood by me through thick and thin. Why should they be excluded from the festivities?“ says Jaya.
BLIND FAITH
For Mouli Mehrotra, her five-year-old blind Spitz, Snowy, is her life. “Although Snowy can't see, she follows me everywhere and also sleeps beside me,“ says Mouli, a first year student of Animation at a private university in the city. “I tie a rakhi to Snowy every year and have taken it upon myself to look after her as long as she's alive,“ says Mouli.
HE'S MY PROTECTOR
Law graduate Ankita Pradhan shares a special bond with her 11-month-old mongrel, Husky. “I feel so safe when Husky is with me. When I go for my walks, he stays beside me like my bodyguard, like any brother would do. That's why I will be tying a rakhi to him today,“ says Ankita, who's also planned a special lunch for Husky on Raksha Bandhan.
A SPECIAL BOND
Entrepreneur Mrinalini Pandey's three Gir cows are her prized possessions. “The first thing I do on Raksha Bandhan is go to my farm and tie rakhis to my cows ­ Gauri, Durga and Kanchi.These cows have been with us for several years and are so intelligent that they understand my moods. I love them to death,“ says Mrinalini.
A BUNDLE OF LOVE
Dogs and cats apart, even rabbits are celebrating Raksha Bandhan! Nipunika Sehgal, a class 12 student in the city, ties a rakhi to her fouryear-old rabbit Chotu. Says Nipunika, “Chotu is my best friend and confidante. He follows me around everywhere I go. He's the fifth rabbit that I've had since I was born. For me, he's not an animal but my younger brother.“