Dog love spills over to Facebook

LUDHIANA: Social networking has gone up to a whole new level for Ludhianvis. Consultations for sick pets, tracing lost dogs and looking for the perfect match — all of it is happening on Facebook.
So if BRS Nagar-resident Rimpy found his lost Saint Bernard after putting pictures and an appeal on Facebook, Parminder Singh of Sarabha Nagar got to know that his dog is suffering with an eye infection after he put its photos on the page.
On his Facebook profile, the 26-year-old businessman had asked his friends to pray for his pet Angel and help him understand what was going wrong. Parminder had put pictures of Angel on his profile and son enough there were a string of comments telling him that they'll be praying for the dog and sharing tips about what he could do. Talking to TOI, Parminder said, "I am very fond of Angel and when it fell ill, I got very worried and put the symptoms on my profile. My friends got back to me and said my dog was suffering from an eye infection and gave some basic tips after which I took Angel to the doctor."
Chartered accountant Pushinder Kaur has also found comfort in Facebook. Her pet Chief was suffering from liver problems. "It disturbed me a lot but after I shared about it on Facebook and my friends assured me with their wishes and prayers I felt much better. My veterinary doctor, who was on my friends' list, also gave me an online consultation," she said. Pushinder added that it is not only reassuring and fun to talk about pets on social networking sites but "convenient too".
Rajguru-resident Sahib Sehgal said he had got worried when his 3-year-old Rottweiler developed complications during pregnancy. "But I was relieved when someone on a social networking site referred me to a doctor in the city and even posted prayers for my dog's good health on my wall. I would always be thankful to them for those prayers and messages they sent me online," he said.
Veterinary doctor Jaspreet Singh said most of his clients consult him over social networking sites and then come to the clinic only if the problem gets more complicated. "It is a good and convenient way of discussing problems," he added.