Some stories are written in fur and feelings. This is one of them! Gabru came into Madhurima’s life, and now this feline love feels sacred!
— By Madhurima Tuli

Madhurima Tuli is an Indian actress and model. You would have seen her in TV dramas and films. Some of her most popular fiction dramas are Kasturi, Parichay, Kumkum Bhagya, Chandrakanta, and Qayamat Ki Raat, and the reality shows Nach Baliye 9 and Bigg Boss 13. She also starred in popular Hindi films such as Baby, Hamari Adhuri Kahani, and Naam Shabana.

But today we are meeting Madhurima, the pet parent!

Firsts are Always Special

When we were younger, we had a pet in Dehradun. He was a Bhutia mountain dog, though he had been living as a street dog when my dad found him. My dad had gone to the market one day, and the dog—who was probably around 3–4 months old—started following him. My dad instantly fell in love with him and brought him home. He turned out to be one of the most adorable and pure-hearted dogs I’ve ever known. There was something very special about him—my mother used to fast on Mondays, and somehow, he would fast with her too. So, we called him Bholu. I’ve never seen anything like that before, and it meant a lot to all of us.

He was truly beautiful, handsome, and incredibly loyal—the kind of furry friend you never forget.

Our Journey Through Paws and Purrs

Over the years, we’ve had 2 pets. First was a dog, and now we have a cat, Gabru Tuli. For me, both of them are very special, because I truly feel they chose us. In a way, animals feel like reflections of something divine—pure, caring, and full of unconditional love.

What my pets love most about me is the time I spend with them—playing, being present, and just being together. When I’m away for a few days because of work, my cat won’t leave my bed. And he has spent his childhood with my brother. When he comes back. He forgets all of us and only wants to play with my brother.

Now, though, he seems to understand that I have to travel sometimes, so he spends his time with my parents instead, making the most of it until I’m back.

Memories For a Lifetime

Whenever we plan a vacation, taking our pet along is a must. He simply can’t stay alone, and honestly, we wouldn’t want that either. We prefer having him with us rather than leaving him with a caretaker—he’s part of the family, and vacations feel incomplete without him.

We always make sure the place we’re staying is pet-friendly. Otherwise, we’d rather cancel the plan—someone has to be with him at all times.

I remember a trip we took to Alibag. On the first day, he took a little time to get accustomed to the new surroundings, but after that, he had an absolute blast. It was probably his first time seeing the ocean and his reactions were just hilarious.

It’s a memory we’ll cherish for life.

Taking Forward the Legacy of Responsible Pet Parenting

As a pet parent, I feel we need to stay on point with their vet visits and vaccinations to keep them safe and healthy. Cats need play! Toys, scratching posts, and interaction prevent boredom. Bathe them only when necessary. Choose high-quality commercial cat food, portion control, and give them fresh water.

We make sure he gets enough exercise by playing in the morning, and we take care to give him proper nutrition so he stays strong and healthy. His favourite dish is his treat. Special treat is Temptation, and he only likes Chicken & Salmon flavour. He won’t touch anything else.

Paw fun

• Playing together – biggest stress buster
• Sometimes he can be moody. All cat parents know this!!!
• Cats keep them clean, and whoever said that cats are selfish is wrong. They shower you with a lot of love and affection.
• Out of nowhere, your calm cat turns into a racecar. Runs across furniture, walls, and possibly your face.