Chiku has stayed with his current family for almost all of his life; he was only 8 weeks old when the Kumbhar family brought him home. The Kumbhar’s had not initially considered getting a dog, as no one in the family had any experience with a pet before Chiku, other than the family fish. But Khushbu’s son, Om, was desperate for a dog, with dogs even appearing in his dreams. And after months and months of begging and pleading, Khushbu relented and started researching to find a suitable breed. Finally, they settled on a small, hypoallergenic, low-shedding dog: the beloved Cavapoo. 

 

Khushbu found a local breeder, and they set off. However, at the breeder, the family was offered a difficult choice. There were two puppies ready for adoption. One was playful and energetic, while the other was calm. It was a tough choice until Chiku “walked onto the sofa and fell asleep on me,” remembered Khushbu. The decision was easy after that. From that first interaction, it was clear that Chiku was made for this family, so they signed the paperwork and brought him home.

 

Chiku is named after the tropical fruit Chiku, commonly known as sapodilla. It is found in parts of southern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and many other places with similar climates. However, much of it is cultivated in India, making it a common treat for locals. It is known for its sweet taste and rich, deep brown exterior, which are characteristics that Chiku the dog exhibited at a young age as well, thus the name. Chiku’s calmness is a rare virtue in dogs and has helped the Kumbhar family in many ways. Chiku never barks or bites, which are two of the most common problems dog owners deal with, especially in younger dogs like Chiku. He can also act as a therapy dog, with an innate ability to calm you down, even though he was never trained to perform these services. He is great with kids, allowing him to interact with anyone at any time without any worry from his family.

 

However, Chiku is not always the extremely calm dog he was advertised to be. He loves to play as much as the next dog, and will play just about anywhere, from the Kumbhar family’s backyard to the play structure at parks. He follows everyone in the family around, constantly looking for opportunities to play. He also loves to perform tricks, as he knows he will get a treat for it. He loves his walks, fetch and hide and seek most of all. He will hide his toys and eagerly ask his brother or parents to find it.

 

Overall, Chiku is a great dog with an equally awesome name. He is the perfect balance of gentleness and fun-loving spirit, with an incredible ability to bring a smile to your face, no matter the situation. He cares deeply about his family, making sure no one wastes a day sad. But above all, he is the best boy.