Meet Thumki, Kolkata’s five-star furry friend

Long before ‘pet-friendly’ became a buzzword, Ratan Tata had transformed Bombay House into a zone of compassion, where street dogs were treated with dignity and welcomed in. That spirit now thrives at the Taj Bengal Kolkata. Meet Thumki, a two-year-old community dog and a social media star, who dashes across the driveway before dawn, weaving between luggage trolleys and greeting staff with tail wags and happy woofs, yet slipping gracefully out of the way when guests arrive.

Thumki with Mohua and her daughter and actress Hiya Chatterjee

“I genuinely believe more people will come here just for this experience. First, it establishes the space as truly pet-friendly, which means so much to those of us who don’t see our pets as animals but as our children. And secondly, seeing an Indie like Aloka roaming around a place like this is incredibly wholesome, it makes you realise just how precious our Indian breeds are,” -Mohua Chatterjee, entrepreneur

Born to wander, raised with love
Thumki’s day begins long before most of Kolkata wakes up. “She wakes up around 4.30am and runs until 6.30am near the main entrance,” says security guard Surjeet Singh. “But she never disturbs guests, she knows the busy hours and avoids them.” Born to the hotel’s long-time resident Chumki on Valentine’s Day 2024, Thumki made the hotel her home after her sister Jhumki was adopted. “She now lives in her little house at the main portico and wanders freely. She’s become quite popular among guests,” says animal rescuer and caregiver Seema Mohanchandran.

Queen of quirks & daily rituals
Thumki has become a viral sensation almost overnight, her playful personality and quirky habits drawing crowds and selfies from locals and visitors alike. “She’s extremely people-friendly and full of spunk,” says Seema. From greeting everyone with tail wags to timing her treat runs with the staff’s shifts, she spreads joy wherever she goes. “She absolutely loves egg yolks and chicken breast,” adds Chef Kavitha Unni, noting how she picks out only the meat from her meals and savours her favourite treats. Visitors can’t resist her charm: “We came across a video of Thumki playing on the hotel premises and immediately came to see her,” says guest Mohua Chatterjee, who is visiting with her daughter and actress Hiya. Smart, affectionate, and endlessly entertaining, Thumki has turned herself into a star, proving that personality, quirks, and a love for good food can make anyone famous.

What makes Thumki special
Born at the five-star hotel on February 14, 2024
Lives at the main portico in her own little house
Knows staff schedules and waits for chef treats
Loves egg, chicken and meat stews but hates veggies
Escorts familiar cars to the gate every evening
Greets staff daily like a four-legged concierge
Regularly vaccinated, dewormed and cared for by the hotel team
A favourite selfie companion for guests
If she takes a liking to any human, she leans on the person with her entire bodyweight

“Thumki’s mother had already been living at the Taj before I joined. When the two pups were born, my wife helped get one of them adopted by a lovely family in Kolkata. Thumki, however, stayed back, even as a tiny pup, she was deeply attached to the hotel and never wanted to leave the premises,”- K Mohanchandran, Senior Vice President Operations , Taj Bengal, Kolkata

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