The demure Simba is a two-year-old cross between a Husky and a German Shepherd Dog. She was a gift from Parimala Devi’s sister, who keeps Simba’s parents.
According to Parimala, Simba may look fierce and sound fierce, especially when she barks ferociously at strangers, but in her heart of hearts, she’s a people-pleaser who loves to cuddle.
“She loves people and is a happy-go-lucky dog who’s playful, energetic and smart,” Parimala says, explaining that Simba knows the commands “sit”, “no” and “in”.
She does her best to sound and act like a fierce guard dog when she barks at the neighbourhood cats but her tail is a dead give-away. “Simba barks at cats who pass by the house, but I do believe that she’s just saying ‘hi’ as her tail is always wagging.”
An ardent “gardener”, Simba likes to while her time away by chewing up every conceivable plant growing in Parimala’s garden. And when she tires of that hobby, she happily takes on the role of “cobbler” by chewing-up Parimala’s shoes. How’s that for a hardworking canine?
Like most dogs, Simba loves going for walks and is happiest when Parimala is home spending the day with her. “She gives me the saddest look every time she sees that I’m getting ready to go out.”
Mealtimes are special for Simba as she loves her chicken. She also loves to drink milk and chomp on cold carrots. But she will turn her nose up at fish – and no amount of cajoling will get her to take even a whiff, much less a bite of it.
Simba has some odd characteristics. While other dogs go bezerk at the sound of firecrackers snapping in the night, or of thunder, Simba doesn’t even flinch. She does however run for cover at the sound of the vacuum cleaner or the leaf blower every morning.
Simba adores Parimala no end and follows her around the house like a shadow. She is so loved by Parimala, that she even has a bed of her own complete with blanket and pillow.
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