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Time for a catwalk

Daynise Awad
Proprietor
Caravans

We are given a rapid once-over by Daynise Awad’s three Persian cats at the entrance to her home, and we seem to pass muster. In turn, we meet Fred (short for Faredoon), of the tawny fur; Boo, of the lady-like demeanour; and Boutros Boutros-Ghali (BBG for short), of the orange eyes. Awad tells us that they are all found cats, taken in at various states of abandonment. And she is only half-joking when she describes them as pedigreed strays. “I have always liked cats. They are loving but also independent. I really enjoy interacting with them, and watching them interact with each other. You can learn a lot watching cats ”

Awad has had an interesting bunch of pets in the past. Apart from assorted cats, she had a horse and a boa constrictor. “It kept people I didn’t like away.” Currently in her home, there is also Bandar, the African grey parrot. The bird generally lets the cats be, except for occasionally going ‘bad cat’.

And there is a ready philosophy to deal with feline competitiveness. “They are very territorial. There will be the question: ‘who is the most important cat in the house?’ You have to let them know that you are the most important.”

Get a load of spirit

Virendra Agarwal
General manager
Moosa Abdul Rahman

We’re talking to Virendra Agarwal in his well appointed living room, when suddenly there is a rush of activity at the door. Before we can say, “Is it a bird? Is it a plane?”, we are face-to-face with Vodka, the friendly Labrador, quite obviously the pet of the household. Agarwal had his last ‘proper pet’ when he was around nine, a cocker spaniel called Timmy, named after the dog in Enid Blyton’s Famous Five series. Nothing serious since, he tells us. “It is a lot of work to look after them. But they are a joy to have around.” When Vodka first came home, he dirtied things, and ran around with stuff, and generally made a lot of messes. For a house that was not pet-friendly or even child-friendly anymore, it was a leap of faith that had to be taken. But training has since established boundaries. “Now, he knows he is not allowed on carpets and beds, and in certain rooms.”

Making his way round a busy schedule, Agarwal takes Vodka for a walk at 5:15am. On their return, he gives him his milk. The bond between the two comes to fore when it’s time for us to take our shots. To say that Vodka is camera shy is rank understatement. It takes a combination of repeated encouragement (“You are such a good boy Vodka.”) and ready incentive (“See how close you are to the biscuit Vodka?”) to get him to relax. Later, petting the one and a half year old, who is seemingly oblivious to the cares of the corporate or any other world, Agarwal says, “You can see what a great de-stresser he is. And you can play with him for hours and hours.”