Meet Stark: the sassy Yorkie Terrier stealing hearts during Kavady celebrations
Stark Pillay, the sassy four year old Yorkie Terrier, has kept three vegetarian fasts during kavady - eating mostly rice with butternut and carrots.
During kavady celebrations on Tuesday at the Chatsworth Siva Alayam, he arrived with his prayer beads, a wagging tail, and what can only be construed as a big smile. There were no complaints and no grumpiness over not having his usual diet of chicken and rice.
Stark was too busy being the centre of attention among fellow devotees, who requested photographs with this little guy.
"During the prayer at the grounds, Stark sat on the camp chair with my mum and just enjoyed being there. He never barked. He remained quiet and watched everything that was going on around him. He loves when the bhajan groups start singing and wags his little tail when he hears the drumming. It's so cute. At home when we pray, he sits and when we all fall down to pray, he does the same," said his mommy, Netrisha Pillay-Reddy, 30, a business owner from Phoenix.
"He always expects an ash dot to be placed on his forehead after prayer and if his grandmother walks past him, he barks at her. Stark loves large crowds. He is always the center of attention. People always walk up to us, asking if they can play with him and take pictures with him, as we always dress him in Indian attire at the temple."
Pillay-Reddy said this year she did not carry kavady after recently being discharged from the hospital. She has been carrying a kavady since the age of three.
"We attended kavady as a family, just like every other prayer. My siblings carried kavady and my parents and I were there to support them and show our love. Unfortunately, my husband couldn't attend due to work commitments."
Their two other fur babies, a Rottweiler named Titan and a Jack Russell called Bruno, were napping at home.
She said Stark, a fictional character primarily portrayed by Robert Downey Jr in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was a "little furball of energy".
"He is always running around, grabbing toys from his basket, giving us random kisses on our feet, but mostly always ready for his next adventure. He loves car rides and definitely has a mind of his own. Stark lets us know when he wants attention on his terms. He is very sassy and loves nothing more than the snuggles from his mum, dad and grandparents. Belly rubs are his favourite.
"Stark is definitely part of the family. He is currently my parents' only grandchild, so he is very spoiled, from sleeping on the bed or couch to having his own toy basket and professional pictures taken. He gets birthday and Christmas presents. We never go on vacation without him. He has his own little closet with his clothes and accessories and the cutest Ironman backpack with his food, treats, toy, poop packets, wet wipes, water and blanket that we carry when we go anywhere."
He also has his own Instagram account: The life of Stark