Jhanya the six-year-old Shih Tzu is a beacon of light in Dashini Siangalimuthu’s life. With her snow-white fur and grey-tipped ears, the little terrier brings endless joy to the household.
“Her name means ‘life’ in Sanskrit,” Darshini tells FMT fondly.
It truly is fitting: Darshini says the pup has completely changed their lives for the better in the years she has been with them.
Jhanya has been particularly instrumental in helping Darshini during her struggles with depression, staying by her side through thick and thin with dogged – pun intended – determination.
Referring to her affectionately as “Jhanya girl”, Darshini says Jhanya has been there through her ups and downs over the years, particularly when she was at her lowest.
“When things were really bad, she would refuse to go out to eat when my mum called her. She never left my side,” Darshini shares.
It comes as no surprise that she describes Jhanya as an “extremely protective” dog, especially when it comes to the family.
“She’s loving but aggressive,” she says, adding that these are traits the two of them have in common.
Jhanya is also an intelligent girl, especially emotionally. “There were times when I would be crying and Jhanya would come to lick my tears.”
Darshini credits their strong bond as the reason she decided to fight her depression.
“The things she would do for me were behind why I slowly began to pick myself up,” she says. “She has played a huge part in helping me.”
Jhanya is also obedient when it comes to Darshini’s instructions.
“She understands commands very well, like ‘sit’ and ‘come’. She also knows how to ‘give hand’, where she will offer her paw to me,” Darshini says proudly.
When asked if Jhanya has a naughty streak, she giggles. “She can be mischievous if she wants to, especially to my mum.”
Darshini attributes this selective behaviour to the fact that Jhanya knows who will give in to her puppy-dog eyes.
“She definitely knows that between us two, she can bully Mum more!”
But while she can be cheeky, this little terrier is never a terror.
Darshini describes Jhanya as the “queen of the house” owing to her snooty sleeping habits. She loves to sleep on her humans’ beds, and when she deigns to sleep on the floor like a regular dog, the air-conditioner must be turned on!
Truly a princess, Jhanya lives a pampered life full of love and laughter, and there is no doubt her humans love her just as much as she loves them.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PET: FMT Lifestyle readers are invited to send in pictures (landscape format) and a short video (if any) of their furry, scaly or feathery friends to [email protected]. Don’t forget to include details like your pet’s name, age, breed and a short story about them.