The second day of Yama Pancha is Kukur Tihar and is celebrated with food offerings to dogs after doing puja (worship) to them with garlands and vermillion.
According to Hindu mythology, dogs are considered guards of Yamraj, the lord of death.[break]
Humans have had a long relationship with dogs over time, and they’ve turned out to be their best companions.
For dog lovers like Sangeeta Thapa, Kunal Lama, Sumit Sigdel, and Rabi and Sapana Thapa, they are not just companions; they mean the world to them and boast a special bond.
The Week caught up with all five individuals and spoke to them about their relationship with their dogs. Read on.
Butte (Butta Singh) with Sangeeta Thapa
Coming from a family that adores dogs, Sangeeta’s love for dogs was inevitable. Her mother currently has 12 dogs of different breeds.
“My son actually brought Butte in. My father-in-law (Surya Bahadur Thapa) was appointed Prime Minister in 2004 and it was very chaotic in the house, and in came Butte,” recalled Sangeeta.[break]
Butta Singh was merely a few weeks old and needed much care, and running after him eventually became a daily routine.
“He’s not just a dog to me but he’s a great friend to me and the whole family,” said Sangeeta. Butte, being a Harlequin Great Dane, is huge and intimidating.
"We´re great friends"
“But he’s very friendly, and very gentle with kids,” explained Sangeeta who also has a German Shepherd named Cookie. She was gifted by her mom and dad because her previous Alsatian had died and she always has had an Alsatian as far as she can remember.
“Cookie leans more to my house manager than me because when she came in, I was away for a few days, but when he leaves at 5, he comes to me,” said Sangeeta smilingly.
But Butta Singh is the life of her family.
“Because he’s very quiet and sensitive, it was difficult raising him and still needs a lot of care, but that just has added more love,” concludes Sangeeta.
Missy with Rabi and Sapana Thapa
Born on December 16, 2006, four-year-old Missy, a cocker spaniel, is family to Rabi and Sapana Thapa.
“We got her when she was only seven weeks old and she was the runt of the litter,” said Sapana, “Raising a dog and a child is the same thing and we’ve raised her like our own child.”
"She´s our daughter. She´s family"
The Thapa family has always had dogs.
“We had Princess, Lucky, Sandy and they were all proud members of the Thapa family,” puts in Rabi.
For the whole family, Missy is not just a dog but a friend.
“When she makes a mistake, she knows what she’s done and hides,” explains Sapana. She recalls once when Missy dug the garbage, she hid her head in the bush while the body was showing.
“It was so funny and cute at the same time,” adds Rabi.
When the family is out of town, they make sure that they call back home and miss her much during their trips.
“She loves playing with us and no one’s allowed to sit on her chair besides the dining area,” expresses Sapana to which Rabi adds that she will have whatever she wants because she’s their daughter.
Six dogs and Sumit Sigdel
Caesar, Tipsy, Sandy, Angel, Sheri, and Lucky make a happy family, and Sumit couldn’t be happier. Recently, his dog delivered six puppies which bring the count to 12.
“My wife and I love the dogs,” shared Sumit, adding, “It’s difficult sometimes because both of us can’t leave the house at the same time because of the dogs, but we don’t mind because we love them.”
"They´re like my children from the day they were born"
Sumit had his first dog when he was three, and so his relationship with the animal is an old one.
“I slept besides Sandy when she was delivering the puppies because she was having a difficult time giving birth, and as soon as it was morning, I took her to the hospital,” said Sumit and added that it was a moment of relief for him.
For Sumit, all the 12 dogs are his family, and without them, his life wouldn’t be the same.
Jimmy with Kunal Lama
“I took in Jimmy when he was five months in 2004. He used to come outside my restaurant (Café Mitra in Thamel) and just stay there, and my boys used to feed him,” shared Kunal. Eventually he took Jimmy in because he was afraid he would get in fights and get bruised.
"We have a love-hate relationship but we love each other."
A vivid dog lover, Kunal said, “He sleeps with me but hates being covered by the quilt.”
A very social dog, Jimmy will just about wag his tail to anyone and doesn’t always obey Kunal’s orders, and so the love-hate relationship continues.
“He’s like my son, and our little fights will always be there. But I love him and I’m sure he does too,” puts in Kunal.
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