Life lessons through the eyes of a dog

The story behind the book.

Laddoo seemingly one amongst a million such dogs of his kind that we have seen, liked or ignored in our lives, had a much deeper impact on the life of not only his dog mother, Yogyata but almost everyone he came in contact with – be it humans or his fellow canines. He touched people around him in a manner that very few could, turning those wary of dogs into bona fide dog lovers, dispelling the fear or loathing that many develop because of unpleasant experiences they may have had.

As it happens with every living being, Laddoo had to move on to the great beyond leaving behind moist eyes and happy memories. In his life, through his very ordinary acts as a house pet, he conveyed very extraordinary life lessons. Reminiscing about his life led to the realisation that his was a life that deserved a memoir, not just because he was beloved of many but also that his memories bonded many too.

The best way to preserve his memories was to compile them in a form that could speak nonverbally but as emphatically, just like he did. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, illustrations conveying Laddoo’s own musings through human eyes seemed to be just the right way to go. Interspersed through this series of charming illustrations with their textual take aways, are expressions of love and affection by those who knew him intimately as well those who knew of him. Keeping with the theme of the book, these expressions are in form of sketches and drawings by children, with whom Laddoo had a special bond along with memories, learnings and feelings penned by adults as a tribute to Laddoo.

This book, a labour of love, though came into being as a memoir, is however written with an objective of sharing the message of how loving and therapeutic dogs can be. If this book is able to inspire, coax, cajole even one person to adopt a dog or just offer succour to numerous strays around, it would serve its real purpose.

Loveable Laddoo

By Yogyata Khullar

Pets change our lives, let’s save theirs

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Laddoo’s Family

Yogyata

I am entreprenuer by day and an accidental writer by night. i have always grown up with dogs, and have rescued dogs all my adult life. Laddoo was the first pet I adopted. A flluffy ball of white, he had to be named laddoo, after the famous Indian sweet. He left mark on all those he met, not the biting kinds thankfully :). Laddoo throught his life taught me the life's difficult lessons in the most simple doggy way. When I lost Ladoo, I thought to myself sharing his life and lessons with the world and making a memoir. This book is a culmination of that.

Shubhendu

I got acquainted with Yogyata at a time when many of us were literally gasping for air, watching and hearing about the loved ones succumbing to the dreaded disease that plagued all of humanity for good part of two years. It was during those terrible times, that I also happened to hear about Laddoo from Yogyata and her desire to build a literary memorial for him, in a manner of speaking. Through the process of writing the book, looking at the world from a dog’s perspective, the covert dog lover in me broke through hesitation I had towards adopting one. Today Whiskey the Prima Dogga in the picture, is youngest and most pampered member of all the ladies in the house – across three generations!

Kajol

Hi, I’m Kajol! A high-spirited Designer & Illustrator. I have a knack for all things that are artistic and creative. I love to paint and explore new forms of creativity. I’m a huge animal lover and absolutely adore dogs, you can always find me petting cute strays and pets everywhere. Working on this book has been one of the most exciting and imaginative experience for me! I felt personally connected with Laddoo and his fantastic charm!

Payal

I'm Payal, a marketing communications specialist. I write for a living, but Laddoo's book is more of a compilation of accounts from all the people that golden canine had touched in life and death than a fictionalized version of his life. I had never met the beautiful dog this website and book is lovingly dedicated to, but I know the gentle Labrador through the eyes of everyone who had met him when he was still here, lighting up the mundane world with his otherworldly kindness. I'm very proud to have met his human mother and helped her with the book.

Aakash

Hey, Aakash this side. I enjoy the process of converting ideas into full working products. When I came to know about the essence of this book I felt like contributing to it in any way possible since I personally believe that dogs are the best companion that someone can get and Loveable Laddoo conveys this message very beautifully. Developing the website for Laddoo had been really rewarding for me, it was more like my way of showering love to all the cute doggos out there.

Laddoo’s memories

What people says about the book

Aneesha Sood

Even though I have never met Laddoo I sense him and his antics and habbit's really well. Surpressed memories of my 2 labs Mustard & Bagel have come up. I got seperated from my 2 children and i have been brave till i read this book, now i know just how much i miss them. Yogyata has brought to life every aspect of love, closeness and sharing with a dog. There are few of us who feel loved and understood more by our dogs than humans. I loved the illustrations on each page and how every action is so meaningful and comforting. It's incredible to bring it all to life on these pages.

Aishwarya Mohan

They say, learning is a constant process. "Loveable Laddoo" expands that idea to exemplify that every life has a lesson to learn from! A very well conceptualised book with vivid descriptions. I read it in a single shot and was all smiles! Personally, I loved Laddoo's side of story 😜 Thank you Yogyata for sharing Laddoo lessons with us! 😃

Sushil Bhasin

‘Loveable Laddoo’ is all heart. And smart. Yogi has beautifully curated a memory book on her beloved Laddoo. It has memories, words, visuals and an interesting twist for self-reflection for a reader. Loved the content, format and the size of the book.

Mrs Neera Sood

What an utterly enduring book about this incredible and loving dog.
Laddoo this loving golden lab who found a special place in everyone’s heart. His sensitivity and human like emotions reminded me of Mustard another gentle and adorable golden lab. Such similar mannerisms made me think they may have been twins on a past life.
Also, reminded of a very special Apso darling who came to my daughter as a fluffy ball of cotton wool and was named Cuddles. Darling Cuddles lived for 16 long years and was allowed on sofas and beds. Her sensitivity left me spell bound. My daughter went to work in the USA and I was obviously depressed but this darling dog would console me by jumping onto my bed and gently put her paw on my shoulder and comfort me.
Basically I think dog lovers are humane and kind people. A neice adopted 6 abandoned puppies and travelled from Delhi to Goa with the dogs who are now fully grown up.
Your book triggered all these stories and pent up emotions and I simply adored your book. It’s very special and my heartiest congratulations on a superb doggie book🌹.

Shilpi Sahi

I just loved your book. One word, Interactive! .Seeing the world from Laddoo's eyes is fun. I can imagine myself to be Laddoo.

Parul Mehrotra Ohri

What a sweet book this is 💕
Very lovingly put together.

Adhirath Singh

I never knew Laddoo. And every time Laddoo was mentioned, a part of me grew to harbor a spot of admiration for the bugger.
That's what happens when you're at the tip of the iceberg.
Laddoo loved. Immeasurably.
And he was loved immeasurably back.
It is said a person's legacy is how mamy they affected.
Laddoo has a legacy in his own right, in the form of the lives he touched.
To Ladoo, wherever you are, I hope you are happy. It is magical to get to know you through the eyes of the people you've loved. I can only wish, I could have experienced your magic myself.

Sagar Shrivastava

There was a boy who lived, and there was the dog who lived, and unlike the fantasy boy, laddu was magical for all to see, feel and hear, bringing the adoration and love from even those suffering from acute cynophobia. The book does wonder for any dog lover, atleast for me it was able to bring out the memories that I've shared with my dogs, and all the small and big things that they did to have my love and attention. I've never met Laddu, but I feel that I've seen his journey through the eyes and words of her human mommy Yogyata. One of the most real and emotionally involing book I've read in long, and it was such a sweet small bundle of happiness, which I'm assuming Laddu was a well.

Ambika

It's a beautiful ode to a furry friend Yogyata! I think it prompts pause and self reflection through an outlook that's playful yet notably pragmatic. The stories and takeaways are pawsome. :)