Pet dog makes a meal of it

Updated 12.36 Tue Aug 28 2007

Keywords: pet, dog

Making meals has become a doddle for one family in India after their pet dog started helping out.

Housewife, Valsala Suji's pet dog, Jully - a Labrador-German Shepard crossbreed - loves nothing more than to de-husk coconuts, which comes particularly handy considering they form a key ingredient in south Indian cuisine.

Valsala Suji's pet dog, Jully loves nothing more than to de-husk coconuts, which comes particularly handy considering they form a key ingredient in south Indian cuisine

Coconut pulp and oil are used extensively in Kerala's famed cooking. The fruit is also offered to deities in temples, and finds an important place in most religious customs.

Valsala said: "Peeling was a difficult task for me before preparing our meals, but now when I need one I just put it in front of Jully and she does the rest of the work."

Jully is nuts for coconuts and starts barking and jumping every time she catches sight of one.

She gets through at least two or three every day day between naps.