The Editor greets us at the door .She's groomed and ready for the photo shoot - adorned with pretty pink bows and glittering clips and not a hair out of place. The only hitch is that she has a bit of an attitude -she refuses to allow the photographer in .That is, till her owner - Farzana walks in, "Oh Inshy, stop it," she admonishes the frisky Lhasa Apso, as she welcomes us in warmly.

On paper, Farzana Contractor may be the Editor of the renowned food,wine and style magazine -Upper Crust and the CEO of the Mumbai's popular tabloid - The Afternoon Despatch & Courier, but in reality, "it's Inshy who's the true boss," she laughs. "She's not only got me wrapped around her paw, but everyone else at the Afternoon House too, When she walks into the office all she has to do is go up to a staff member and bark. She will be immediately taken for her special walk." A walk that starts at the office, includes meeting her best friend -Tiger,a stray dog down the lane ,going around flora fountain and back .And everyone knows Inshy on her beat. "In fact people stop me on the road and ask me if i am Inshy's mom," she says proudly.

The best decision i ever made was to get a dog," says Farzana whilst readjusting one of the Inshy's pink bows that came loose. "Inshy is my best friend. She sleeps with me on the bed; she's there when i fall asleep and when i awake - it's a wonderful feeling to know that i am not alone."

And Farzana loves to indulge Inshy. "Due to the nature of my work, i travel a lot; wherever i go, i make it a point to bring back a small toy for Inshy," she explains,as she pulls closer a basket full of toys. Inside, there is a woolly sheep from Tel Aviv,toys from Zanzibar, a squeaky sneaker from Toronto and even a lions tooth to wear around her neck! Inshy also has a special diamante collar that she wears when her social owner throws a party. And that's not all;Inshy is one of the rare dogs that has an entire newspaper at her service. When Farzana was recently looking for a beau for her beloved baby,she placed a full-colour half page picture of Inshy in the paper. Needless to say,the suitors were many. "It's a small gesture considering how much unconditional love she gives me," rationalises Farzana. "she's changed my entire life and made me a better person."

Mark Manuel, Editor of The Afternoon Despatch and Courier,and Executive Editor of the Upper Crust agrees. "Inshy brings out the mother in Farzana; with Inshy around she's tender and gentle. I now see a softer side of her that i have not seen in twenty years I have known her. And like any mother, she's paranoid about her dog's health. When Inshy's ill she will wake up half of Mumbai to put right the problem," he laughs. "But i don't blame her,"he adds quickly. "The dog is an absolute ball of fun and intuitively understands people around her. You can't help but fall in love with her."

Would Behram, a.k.a Busybee, her late husband have liked Inshy?? "Oh yes! He would have loved her," Farzana gushes. "In fact, she is like Behram in so many ways - patient ,gentle and adjusting. I don't know why i didn't get a dog when he was around...." she says sadly , staring into space. Inshy sensing her owner's mood,comes over and nuzzles her hand. "But that's why i got her - to fill that void in my life,"she says hugging that dog."She's brought back the happiness and laughter that went when Behram left me. With Inshy in my life, i feel complete once again.."

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