Animal stories is slowly and steadily taking baby steps towards adulthoodJ. It is with great pleasure that we introduce another contributor to the blog- Dr Jayant Radhakrishnan. Jayant is an Emeritus Professor of Surgery & Urology at the University of Illinois, Chicago. He has lived in the Chicago area since he moved there in 1972 and when he retired he was the Chief of Pediatric Surgery & Pediatric Urology, also at the University of Illinois. He became interested in working with dogs as a teenager when he saw the Pastrini dogs and eventually he became a certified dog trainer and developed the Shunekalaya kennel in Dixon, Illinois. Since his retirement he spends his time training Labrador retrievers for field work.
Mr Srinivasan 1942
LEGEND OF THE PASTRINI KENNEL
It was 1947, India was about to become independent and the Englishman in charge of a tea estate was preparing to go back home, but he was worried. Not for himself but for his champion male Labrador retriever who would be quarantined in a kennel at the British port of entry for 6 months. After much thought he decided to approach the manager of the neighbouring estate, Mr. V. Srinivasan, and see if he would be willing to adopt the dog. The rest is history. The Srinivasan’s accepted the dog and accommodated the subsequent numerous requests for stud services. By choosing the pick of the litter, rather than accepting fees for stud services, the Pastrini (Pat + Srini) kennel was formed.
Twinky-his last Labrador
These perfectly trained dogs would often travel down from Coonoor to Coimbatore in an open jeep. They would contentedly lie in the porch or the veranda even of a strange house while their owner visited with family and friends inside. They had complete trust that their owner would come out before it was time for their next meal (being Labradors that was all important!). Either ways they had been admonished to behave like perfect ladies & gentlemen, and therefore would never intrude!
In April 1951 the Southern Railway was created from three state railways and they preferred Labrador retrievers to watch their depots rather than Alsatians. Arrangements were made with the kennel to train and supply the dogs. At a time when harsh training methods were the norm these dogs were trained by positive reinforcement. It was mesmerizing to watch them restrain a “miscreant” without harming him in any way! However, it was when they were asked to “drop”, that one got to see the true Labrador character-satisfied that they had pleased their owner, they would sit erect, tongues hanging out of mouths that appeared to be grinning from ear to ear.
Unless they were actually working, the only risk these gentle dogs posed was being knocked over by their furiously wagging powerful “otter” tails. In fact, one of the Shunekalaya dogs, Chewbacca, would routinely knock the neighbor’s 3 year old daughter off her feet with his tail!
From the Pastrini kennel in the Nilgiris to the Shunekalaya kennel in Dixon Illinois….it has been a long, long time-more than 70 years, but it is wonderful to see that the spirit of the Pastrini kennels continues to live in a land far, far away…..
Dr Jayant Radhakrishnan
Jaggery (regal chocolate), Anarkali (reclining princess) and Mowgli Maharaj (seeking moral support from Anarkali), Shunekalaya kennel, Dixon, Illinois, USA
Training the Shunekalaya Labradors
A charming story! Would love to have more stories about the Labradors.
I grew up in Kenya with three dogs – two wonderful terriers: a mother and son, and a dashchund cross who came from Tanga (Tanganyika). The latter was an outright lunatic, more like a canine version of a Tasmanian devil.
How lovely. Please do write an animal story for the blog:)
Lovely to read about how the Pastrini kennels started n see the old photos
Yes. Lovely memories:)
lovely to read that article 🙂
Thanks so much:)
lovely to read that article 🙂
Thanks so much:)
Beautifully written sunitha… yet another marvellous real time story. Your parents…aunty Pat and uncle Srini were such amazing people…can’t believe that’s uncle Srini… Sooo young!!
Thank you Dr.Jayant for that beautiful article and giving us a peek into the inception of Pastrini Kennel. Sunitha is my dearest friend and aunty Pat and uncle Srini were very dear to me. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Thank you once again. Mercy
Thank you so much dear Mercy
Great work, Dr Radhakrishnan 👍👍👍 Can see the dogs are keeping you fit and active . Wish I could send you my boisterous Indie and equally crazy 😃😃 Retriever – but you are too far away. And, Sunitha – your dad looks dashing 👍 Must’ve been quite a head turner during his time.
Thanks so much my friend_)
Sunitha, I rememer your Labs and two Chiwawas. Maybe you‘ll write a story of how you rescued the older Chiwawa. Sorry I dont remember their names. Keep up the good work and looking forward to more stories. Liked your father‘s photos.
Thank you.
Will do the Chihuahua story soon:)
A really nice read! Loved it and all animal stories! ❤️
Thanks a million.
Hi Sunitha what a lovely read !!! Wonderful looking forward to more. Remember your dogs at Cochin and the one I carried by air to Bombay who made friends with all the cabin crew and passengers.
Thank you.
Don’t remember the pup you carried-would make a lovely story! Do write it!