World Dog Day; Mrs Successful title winner and PhD scholar Mithila Jose running pet grooming shop with modern facilities

KOCHI: Palakkad native Mithila Jose, who wowed at the Mrs. Universe beauty pageant in Seoul, is now a pet lover and foster parent. Having pampered more than a dozen pet dogs at home, Mithila chose the same path for business. A pet grooming shop called 'Bobo the Wise Dragon' was launched on the 18th by renting a heritage house near Fort Kochi Santa Cruz ground.

There are facilities including medical baths for cats and dogs. Small rooms where pets can run and play will be provided for pets dropped by families who are travelling. Full-time staff to take care of them. For those who come with pets, there is a book stall and a cafeteria to relieve boredom. Pet-friendly dishes are coming soon.

Mithila (35) represented East Asia, which includes India, in the 2022 competition held in Seoul, South Korea and won the title of 'Mrs Successful'. Mithila, who has a master's degree in English literature and a B.Ed. and MPhil, is doing her PhD at Calicut University. Her PhD topic is the history of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry. Mithila is the daughter of the late Kompan Jose, a native of Palakkad. Her son, Antonio, is a class 8 student at Rajagiri Christu Jayanthi Public School, Kochi.

12 day-long event

Mithila participated in a beauty pageant for the first time in 2019. She became the first runner-up in the Mrs. Malabar contest. Mithila got a chance to go to Mrs. Universe in Seoul when she became the title winner in the Mrs. India International Pageant held in Malaysia the following year. Mithila was awarded the title of Mrs. Successful in the 12-day event in which 108 contestants competed. She was awarded prize money and the title of National Director.

The Pet Cafe was prepared at a cost of 80 lakh rupees. Grooming and boarding charges start from Rs 500 for cats and Rs 700 for dogs.