
Pet Appreciation Week 2025: Meet the brave pooch who overcame death and abandonment to emerge stronger and happier
Pet Appreciation Week, celebrated in the first week of June, is too short a period to express all the gratefulness our furry friends deserve. At least for me, years of praise for my rescue pooch is not enough to really describe how much he has changed the world around me.
Bringing Peach into my life when he was being abandoned by people who didn't love him was the best decision I ever made. The happy little pup has made our lives more wholesome than it ever was.
Peach's made-for-television story is worth telling. We humans have loved ones to share our sorrows with, and social media where we can narrate our tragedies. Peach had no one. He buried his sorrows in his heart and never stopped loving life.
As a few-month-old puppy, Peach was ecstatic and full of energy. He was a neighbor's dog that my mother and I went to pet now and then. Despite his friendly nature, however, he had little means to express his unreasonable joy.
Peach spent his evenings the same way each day – tied to a door with a not-so-long leash. I would pass by now and then, and see his wagging tail and eyes full of hope, perhaps wishing he could go for a walk or smell the fresh air. These are a pet's basic needs, but Peach was not so lucky.
His attempts to escape the house and run out onto the streets would have harsh consequences. Disobedience was never accepted.
One morning, we found him limping. We were later told that he may have been hurt by someone. My mother called a veterinarian, but despite the treatment, we believe his leg never completely healed.
More than a year passed this way, before tragedy struck. The only member of Peach's family who actually seemed to love him died by suicide. The only witness to the horrific incident? Little Peach.
Peach was inside the house when the door was banged, and later broken down. He heard all the screams and the cries. He was terrified.
Our neighbors made it clear: they would not keep Peach anymore. They vacated the house, and before the little one could be abandoned, we took him in. We already had a dog at the time, and were not ready for another, but Peach's helplessness left us with no option.
Peach developed various behavioral problems after the incident. While we do not know what he thought or remembered, he became an extremely frightened little creature who would be affected by the slightest of noises.
Peach's neighbors would tell us that he enjoyed the rain, and that he would spend hours on the balcony observing the monsoon showers. But after the tragedy, he became terrified of the rain and thunder. He would shiver, hide and become restless. No amount of comforting would calm him down. Nothing would make his fear go away.
Firecrackers started triggering him more than ever. He would run around the house, and try to find an escape or a hiding place. We could do nothing to make him rest.
However, years later, it turns out that we just didn't give Peach a home – he gave us a life worth cherishing. Despite all his trauma, he emerged stronger and happier, and is no less than our personal therapy dog today.
Peach will turn 14 this year. He is old, has gone through the toughest of times, and is still terrified of the rain. But at heart, Peach is still the little puppy who was full of life, energy, and positivity.
We tried to give Peach a comfortable, loving home, and in turn, he taught us several important life lessons. He taught us to embrace and spread happiness no matter how hard life gets. With this bundle of joy around, there's never a dull moment.
Peach is just a formal name. He has hundreds of nicknames – Furball, Land Seal, Cotton Candy, Li'l Sheep, White Rat – you name it!
Despite everything he has been through, Peach oscillates between just two emotions: happy and happy.
Peach's story teaches a bigger lesson. He is not the only dog who faced neglect and abandonment. Every day, pets are abandoned on the streets. Many are abused and thrown out of their house. These pets need you. They need a loving home, a caring family and a safe environment. They don't just need it, they deserve it.
This Pet Appreciation Week, I hope every dog gets a caring home, and every loving family finds a wonderful member like Peach.
Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

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Hindustan Times
04-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Pet Appreciation Week 2025: Meet the brave pooch who overcame death and abandonment to emerge stronger and happier
Pet Appreciation Week, celebrated in the first week of June, is too short a period to express all the gratefulness our furry friends deserve. At least for me, years of praise for my rescue pooch is not enough to really describe how much he has changed the world around me. Bringing Peach into my life when he was being abandoned by people who didn't love him was the best decision I ever made. The happy little pup has made our lives more wholesome than it ever was. Peach's made-for-television story is worth telling. We humans have loved ones to share our sorrows with, and social media where we can narrate our tragedies. Peach had no one. He buried his sorrows in his heart and never stopped loving life. As a few-month-old puppy, Peach was ecstatic and full of energy. He was a neighbor's dog that my mother and I went to pet now and then. Despite his friendly nature, however, he had little means to express his unreasonable joy. Peach spent his evenings the same way each day – tied to a door with a not-so-long leash. I would pass by now and then, and see his wagging tail and eyes full of hope, perhaps wishing he could go for a walk or smell the fresh air. These are a pet's basic needs, but Peach was not so lucky. His attempts to escape the house and run out onto the streets would have harsh consequences. Disobedience was never accepted. One morning, we found him limping. We were later told that he may have been hurt by someone. My mother called a veterinarian, but despite the treatment, we believe his leg never completely healed. More than a year passed this way, before tragedy struck. The only member of Peach's family who actually seemed to love him died by suicide. The only witness to the horrific incident? Little Peach. Peach was inside the house when the door was banged, and later broken down. He heard all the screams and the cries. He was terrified. Our neighbors made it clear: they would not keep Peach anymore. They vacated the house, and before the little one could be abandoned, we took him in. We already had a dog at the time, and were not ready for another, but Peach's helplessness left us with no option. Peach developed various behavioral problems after the incident. While we do not know what he thought or remembered, he became an extremely frightened little creature who would be affected by the slightest of noises. Peach's neighbors would tell us that he enjoyed the rain, and that he would spend hours on the balcony observing the monsoon showers. But after the tragedy, he became terrified of the rain and thunder. He would shiver, hide and become restless. No amount of comforting would calm him down. Nothing would make his fear go away. Firecrackers started triggering him more than ever. He would run around the house, and try to find an escape or a hiding place. We could do nothing to make him rest. However, years later, it turns out that we just didn't give Peach a home – he gave us a life worth cherishing. Despite all his trauma, he emerged stronger and happier, and is no less than our personal therapy dog today. Peach will turn 14 this year. He is old, has gone through the toughest of times, and is still terrified of the rain. But at heart, Peach is still the little puppy who was full of life, energy, and positivity. We tried to give Peach a comfortable, loving home, and in turn, he taught us several important life lessons. He taught us to embrace and spread happiness no matter how hard life gets. With this bundle of joy around, there's never a dull moment. Peach is just a formal name. He has hundreds of nicknames – Furball, Land Seal, Cotton Candy, Li'l Sheep, White Rat – you name it! Despite everything he has been through, Peach oscillates between just two emotions: happy and happy. Peach's story teaches a bigger lesson. He is not the only dog who faced neglect and abandonment. Every day, pets are abandoned on the streets. Many are abused and thrown out of their house. These pets need you. They need a loving home, a caring family and a safe environment. They don't just need it, they deserve it. This Pet Appreciation Week, I hope every dog gets a caring home, and every loving family finds a wonderful member like Peach. Discussing suicides can be triggering for some. However, suicides are preventable. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).


Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Pet Appreciation Week 2025: 30 quotes and messages to honor your furry friend
Pet Appreciation Week is upon us, and it's time to extend a special round of warmth for our furry friends. Started in 1981, this week typically begins on the first Sunday of June and lasts up until the next Saturday, which means that this year the week will last from June 1 to June 7. Given hectic schedules and busy lifestyles, pet owners often tend to filter through the love that is due to their pets. Hence, this week is a time for pet owners to let all barriers loose and go the extra mile in appreciating and treating those closest to their hearts. Here are some words of wisdom to help you realize the true value of pets in life. 1) 'Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job.' – Franklin P. Jones 2) 'Dogs have boundless enthusiasm but no sense of shame. I should have a dog as a life coach.' – Moby 3) 'My fashion philosophy is, if you're not covered in dog hair, your life is empty.' – Elayne Boosler 4) 'What do dogs do on their day off? Can't lie around – that's their job.' – George Carlin 5) 'The dog is the god of frolic.' – Henry Ward Beecher 6) 'I like dogs. You always know what a dog is thinking. It has four moods. Happy, sad, cross, and concentrating. Also, dogs are faithful and they do not tell lies because they cannot talk.' – Mark Haddon 7) 'I don't understand people who don't touch their pets. Their cat or dog is called a pet for a reason.' – Jarod Kintz 8) 'Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.' – Franklin P. Jones 9) 'Dog is God spelled backward.' – Duane Chapman 10) 'All his life he tried to be a good person. Many times, however, he failed. For after all, he was only human. He wasn't a dog.' – Charles M Schulz 11) 'There's a saying. If you want someone to love you forever, buy a dog, feed it and keep it around.' – Dick Dale 12) 'A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.' – Josh Billings 13) 'Actually, my dog I think is the only person who consistently loves me all the time.' – H. G. Bissinger 14) 'No matter how you're feeling, a little dog gonna love you.' – Waka Flocka Flame 15) 'Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.' – John Grogan 16) 'You cannot share your life with a dog … or a cat, and not know perfectly well that animals have personalities and minds and feelings.' – Jane Goodall 17) 'Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.' – Anatole France 18) 'The difference between friends and pets is that friends we allow into our company, pets we allow into our solitude.' – Robert Brault 19) 'The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.' – Mahatma Gandhi 20) 'You cannot look at a sleeping cat and feel tense.' – Jane Pauley 21) 'People who care about animals tend to care about people. They don't care about animals to the exclusion of people. Caring is not a finite resource and, even more than that, it's like a muscle: the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets.' – Jonathan Foer 22) 'The animals are right here, right in front of us. And how we treat these companions is a test.' – Linda Blair 23) 'Happiness is a warm puppy.' – Charles Schultz 24) 'Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms.' – George Eliot 25) 'Pets have more love and compassion in them than most humans.' – Robert Wagner 26) 'Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal: Difficult standards for people to live up to.' – Alfred A. Montapert 27) 'Animals keep you company when you're really lonely. It helps because when you have a friend around who always likes you no matter what – it's harder to feel bad or down.' – Aaron Carter 28) 'Our task must be to free ourselves … by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.' – Albert Einstein 29) 'The poor dog, in life the firmest friend. The first to welcome, foremost to defend.' – Lord Byron 30) 'The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven not man's.' – Mark Twain Wishing you and your furry companions a happy Pet Appreciation Week!


Time of India
11-05-2025
- Time of India
Make your mom feel special with these delicious DIY recipes
Image credits: Getty Images From day to night, your mother might not tell you how much she loves you, but it is always evident in her actions. How she will prepare your favourite food for you, keep it warm for you to eat and wait for your reaction to it. Mothers are always cooking up different recipes to feed their children, not only to keep them healthy but also happy. What better way to show your mom just how much you love her than by cooking some easy DIY recipes that will make her smile and possibly even commend your cooking. Check out these delicious DIY recipes that you can surprise your mom with this Mother's Day! Strawberry Ice Cream Image credits: Getty Images Who doesn't love a tasty cone of ice cream during the summer? This Mother's Day, try this three-ingredient strawberry ice cream recipe with your mother. Operation Sindoor Armed forces maintaining strong vigil after Pak ceasefire breach: MEA Pakistan violates ceasefire: Loud explosions, sirens haunt J&K- what we know so far Behind the scenes of ceasefire: Calls from Pakistan, Washington You need heavy cream, strawberry jam and vanilla and a pinch of sea salt. Whip all the ingredients together until the cream forms soft peaks. Then freeze the ice cream in a metal or glass pan. When you want to serve, scoop some up and put them inside waffle cones for an aesthetic display. Cheese Lemon Basil Pizza Image credits: Getty Images Begin with a store-bought pizza dough that you roll on parchment paper and transfer to a sheet pan. On the dough, put some tablespoons of olive oil, grated garlic and shallots. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 10 Mysterious Photos That Cannot Be Explained True Edition Undo Next, add grated parmesan cheese, thyme leaves, chilli flakes and sesame seeds. You can add layers of other cheeses like mozzarella and provolone if your mom loves a cheesy pizza. Lastly, use Meyer lemon slices as toppings along with basil leaves. Don't worry about the lemons as they lose their bitterness once cooked. Roasted Potatoes with Feta Sauce Image credits: Getty Images If your mom is someone who doesn't like the restaurant-style fries, then this dish is going to be her favourite. Cut the potatoes into long slices and roast them with lemons, garlic and oregano. Halfway through the cooking, pull the lemons and garlic off the pan. Now, chop the roasted lemon and garlic, add a bit of olive oil, honey and a handful of herbs and season them with salt, pepper and chilli flakes. After the potatoes have been cooked, toss them in the oil. To prepare the feta sauce, whip some feta cheese with a bit of cream cheese and add some drops of lemon in it. Serve the potatoes dipped in the feta sauce to your mom and watch her fall in love with their taste. Peach Lemonade Matcha Latte Image credits: Getty Images Drinks are a must with food, right? While serving your mom the pizza or the roasted potatoes, accompany them with this summery latte. First blend some peach jam with lemonade and water. Next, blend some match with hot water and honey. In a glass pour the peach lemonade, then the match and next some milk. Swirl the layers together and enjoy a refreshing drink with your mom! Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Image credits: Getty Images No dinner ends without dessert and this one is super easy to make. First make some oatmeal cookies by blending some oats, almond flour, maple syrup with eggs and vanilla. After they are set, boil some peanut butter with maple syrup and coconut oil and pour the thick layer on the cookies. Lastly, pour a thick layer of melted chocolate over the top and freeze the bars for some time. You can make one of these DIY recipes on Mother's Day or treat your mom to a three-course meal beginning with some pizza or potatoes, a latte and two desserts! Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !