Pandit Ravi Shankar, renowned across the world for pulling strings consummately, could not persuade a Pune 5-star hotel to allow him to check in with his therapeutic dog. The hotel adheres to a strict no-pets policy, apparently because the sight of an animal lounging in the lobby makes its foreign guests believe that the property has gone to the dogs.Ravi Shankar, 87, is visiting Pune to perform at the Ganesh Kala Krida Manch on December 15. The event will represent his first recital in India after two years, and the first in Pune after 19 years.

But the comeback to the city began with a riff of discord when Ravi Shankar – accompanied by his wife Sukanya and their daughter Anoushka – reached the Sun-n-Sand hotel. The touring party was told that there was no room available for Suki, the therapeutic dog that has been accompanying Ravi Shankar for the past few years.

According to Ravi Shankar’s personal assistant, doctors had prescribed the company of the dog after the maestro fell ill with viral double pneumonia. Such breeds are said to hasten recovery.

But C Behl, the general manager of Sun-n-Sand, told DNA that no exceptions could be made because of policy considerations. “Shah Rukh refused to stay at my hotel when we denied entry to his pet,” Behl said.

“Salman Khan stayed with us while his pet slept outside in his car. We strictly adhere to a no-pets policy because more than 72% of our guests are foreigners and they are very sticky about animals moving in the lounge and corridors.”