Cover Hugh Koh and his pet, Baraka
Hugh Koh and his pet, Baraka
1 / 1
Baraka the French bulldog also shows off his coolest tricks
To celebrate National Pet Day, Tatler speaks to three pet owners in our community. We went to visit the co-founder of Malaysian streetwear brand Pestle & Mortar Clothing Hugh Koh and his French bulldog with an African-inspired name, Baraka. As we rang the doorbell, we heard Baraka barking, but as soon as the gate opened, he welcomed us lovingly.
“We got Baraka six years ago from a pet shop and at that period of time, we had just come back from Kenya and learnt about this blind rhinoceros called Baraka, which in Swahili means ‘blessing’ or ‘blessed,’” Koh explains about the origins of his name.
Read more: Ally Mukhriz's fluffy felines can count on her to get out of sticky situations
Above Hugh Koh and Baraka
Hugh Koh and Baraka
1 / 2
Koh also shared that Baraka is more a people’s dog than a dog’s dog and prefers the company of his two-legged friends rather than other four-legged fiends. “I think he has a Napoleon complex so we have to use a leash when we take him out. When he sees dogs that are even five times his size, he would want to have a go at them and he hates cats, on top of being a skilled cicak (lizard) hunter,” Koh says amusingly.
Plus, Baraka is extremely attentive, which debunks the theory that short-snouted dogs are less attuned to their surroundings compared to long-snouted ones. Koh affirms this as his family has had a history with short-nosed dogs like Bull Mastiffs, Boxers, and Pugs, and they all responded properly and had good reflexes.
Above Baraka dresses up for the occasion
Baraka dresses up for the occasion
1 / 1
"I think Baraka has a Napoleon complex, so we have to use a leash when we take him out. When he sees dogs that are even five times his size, he would want to have a go at them!"
Koh brags that Baraka is closer to him rather than his wife. “He’s always there waiting whenever I come back from work because he knows I’m the one who usually entertains him, on top of feeding and showering him as well. But he’s such a loving dog, he loves to come snuggle with the both of us and follow us wherever we go in the house.”
Baraka has slightly sensitive skin, so his diet mainly consists of kibbles and gets carrots, cucumber, or fruits for treats. “However, sometimes he does come to the dining table with his puppy dog face and we just have to pass him some of our food,” Koh admits.
Over the course of the pandemic, Baraka who was forced to stay indoors, managed to upskill himself and learn new tricks too. Koh spent his time at home during the lockdown, training Baraka, after watching the tricks that some other dogs could do. “For example, we saw a French Bulldog in particular that could skateboard and now even Baraka is capable of it,” Koh shares proudly.
Alas, it just wasn’t our lucky day as Baraka left his skateboard elsewhere, but we were treated to other showcases of his skills as he deftly slalomed between Koh’s legs, shook hands, spun around, and played dead on command. Take a look below!
Credits
Photography: Daniel Adams
Content Direction: Zue Wei Leong
Topics
If tall, dark and handsome is what you're looking for, Aaron Pereira ticks two out of three. This fine chocolate man (that is, a connoisseur of fine chocolate), enjoys the theatre, futsal, real-life conversations and of course, the English language. He believes that language should first be used to express, but the business of a sub-editor is to impress.
Check out his Instagram @aaronlpereira.
