Name: Cheesecake (1 year and 5 months)
Breed: Local Lankan Pedigree

Owners details -
Name: Dhanya Gunawardana (32)

What was the thinking behind naming her Cheesecake?

A favourite comfort food.

What is your Cheesecake’s daily routine like?

She wakes me up at 6am to take her for her morning stroll which is followed by a little bowl of warm milk and play time before I head off towork. Her lunch is a home cooked gourmet concoction of chicken necks, chicken wings, greens, pumpkin and coconut with red rice which we she will come to you and ask at about 12 or 12.30pm. After that it’s her siesta time downstairs so she can see the household goins on in case she needs to get her curious nose involved in. Then back onto to her favourite spotnand lookout, 'the balcony' upstairs which overlooks the road on both sides where she can people watch or show off her security guard skills to anyone she feels might perch too long near our house. This alternates between checking on the plants and chasing squirrels who might dare to come inside the house without her permission.

By the time the sunsets she is calm and anticipating my return from work and all at-home to give us her loving welcome by a jump jump and hug action. If I go out at night she will try all her tricks to try and make me take her and if not a suprise always awaits me! Like a pile of poo outside my room door, torn up paper or a book I was reading or anything she can find that I have used to show her anger of me not taking her out and about. People say she is a reflection of me... Sigh! I brush her coat just once a week after her bath time but pets and scratches are hourly!

What is her favourite snack?

Dried liver dog treats.

Does she have a particularly favourite place to sleep and hang out?

Sleep – On my bed or under.
Hang out – On  the balcony peering through the grills.

Does she like to dress up and take selfies?

Just a selfie and dressing up is just boring unless she is allowed to rip it a part and make a game of it!

Have you always been a pet lover?

Yes, from the day I was born, we have always had dogs and been a pet lover since and I have had three gorgeous dogs before Cheesecake.

Who was your first pet?

He was a German Shepherd named 'Buster'. An absolute gentle giant.

What is it like having a pet? 

Cliché but true, a best friend in every shade you can imagine. All they can't do is speak word but they do talk and tell you everything in their own dog-tongue lingo. They have the ability to take you from sad to happy in seconds and calm to mad in seconds too, so much like any human!

What is bath time like for Cheesecake and you? Is it a love it or hate it affair?

She likes her bath time only because she gets a good massage/scratch and scrub down all over which in her mind is her weekly spa treatment which I don't even get! Also the finale of getting wiped down with her towel where she shows relief and bliss. The cherry on top is the dabs of herbal oil and body spray on her coat... All 100% organic and homemade.

How does Cheesecake react when you head out of the house?

Shocked,upset and a bit anxious when I leave as to why she can't come along with me everywhere and when I return be it after work or 30 minutes later, she does a up and down run and a small pee shot showing off her excitement and relief of me being home and a jump ‘n hug and a kiss!

Could you imagine life without her?

I could and couldn't. Couldn't only because the giref one has to go through when they are no more and that void, almost like a black hole which you need to make an effort to get through is tougher than you know. My last dog 'Dinky' a lazy but oh so lovable French Bulldog died after 14 years and was 14 when I got him.

What is the most precious moment with your pet?

Every moment ... But the one that lasts longest is the last few breaths they take while looking at you before they leave this world telling you how much love you both share, just in that exchange. What a connection and a reflection of the bond between dog and man/woman.

By Natasha Fernandopulle