The Other Half with Șerban Badea & Kai

Pet parents, their companions & the lives they share

a WHAT IF THINGS GO WELL × OHANA VET editorial series

Some of the most extraordinary bonds happen without words. Stories, little rituals and unspoken connections that reveal another side of the people worth meeting.

Tell us a little about yourself — where you grew up, what you do, and what your everyday life looks like today.

I grew up in the north of Bucharest, in a warm, lively home, surrounded by family and friends. School during the day, basketball practice at night — a pretty typical childhood, if you will. And through it all, our family dog was always there, part of everyday life.

After spending three years in Italy for university, I returned home and started working in the family business, which, fittingly enough, is in the animal health industry. For the past four years, I've also been pursuing my biggest passion: motorsports, competing as a rally driver in the Romanian National Championship.

These days, life is a bit of everything: working hard to develop new products for our brand, Petswell, helping our furry friends live longer, healthier, and happier lives backed by science and care, while still having fun, embracing a little chaos, and finding ways to express myself through the things I love.

Who is your other half? Introduce us to your pet — name, age, personality,

and all the little things we should know.

Kai is my four-legged brother, a beautiful eight-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback.

We're very similar in many ways. I've been told that he's the canine version of me.

He's not your typical dog, happy and playful all the time. He's very independent, proud, extremely cautious, but also the most loyal, loving, and wholesome companion you could wish for.

It's a very peculiar mix, characteristic of the breed, and it takes some getting used to. He lives life at his own pace. He'll give you all the love and warmth you need when he feels like it, but he also expects you to respect his space and his energy.

However, I'm certain he would run through a brick wall for any one of us — and that's at over 50 km/h, mind you. He's got some serious legs on him once he takes off.

Ridgebacks were bred to track and bay lions, after all.

How did the two of you meet? Was it love at first sight, a carefully planned decision, or something completely unexpected?

It was a decision, and a very necessary one.

We had lost Basky, our Golden Retriever, about four months earlier. He was the dog I got as a birthday present when I turned seven, the one I shared my childhood with. After he was gone, nothing felt the same in our house. It felt empty and sad.

We knew we needed someone to help fill the immense void Basky had left, even though it's always a difficult decision to make in those circumstances.

We had been researching the breed for a few years, and when we found Kai, a three-month-old pup growing up on a cattle farm in Lithuania, with his small, goofy head, legs that were way too big for his body, and that deep, warm gaze in his eyes, we just knew he was the one.

A couple of weeks later, after a long journey to Romania, he arrived home at 3 AM. He spent his first night sleeping on my chest, on the couch.

Love at first sight, for sure.

What's one habit or ritual you share that you wouldn't trade for anything?

Our playfights. From the very beginning, he saw me as one of his own, for some reason, and that led to some very intense wrestling matches between us.

He weighs 50 kg and is a very athletic dude, so he can definitely hold his own in a fight. There's a lot of mouthing, wrestling, and paw-punching involved.

It's very good jiu-jitsu practice.

He's a sweetheart, though. He never hurts me.

How has having an animal in your life changed the way you live, work, travel, or spend your free time?

He's always on my mind, so I tend to arrange my schedule in a way that makes room for him.

Work-wise, he's an inspiration to me. I develop products with him in mind — what he would need, what I would want to offer him. So he's a very important part of everything I do, and everything we do as a family.

The number of flights I took when I was living abroad, just to come back and spend a few days with him…

What's something about your pet that only you would understand?

That despite his large, impressive presence and aura, he's really just a little baby.

He gets scared so easily by the smallest things and needs to back up into you for comfort and reassurance.

Car rides? We're gonna hyperventilate for the whole trip.

Water? No way.

If we're going for a walk after it's rained, even the smallest puddle means he has to jump over it rather than get his paws wet.

Summertime by the pool? Mandatory two-meter safety distance from the edge.

He's got all these peculiar little things about him, but that's exactly what makes him one of a kind.

Oh, and the word "pisica" triggers aggressive hunting mode, but somehow, "pisica" never refers to any of our cats.

If your pet could describe you to a stranger, what do you think they would say?

"That's my twin right there!"

Where do you love spending time together — at home, around the city, or somewhere further away?

Home, whether that's inside the house, chilling together on the couch or snuggled up in bed, or outside in the fields and forest next to our family's lake house.

What has your pet taught you about relationships, responsibility, patience, or love?

It might be a bit of a cliché, but it's so true: unconditional love.

The way his world lights up when I step into the house, that genuine happiness and love, makes my day better every single time. And I wish I could bring more of that myself to the people close to me.

Dogs have such a simple way of reminding us how we should strive to make each other feel. And it's in the little things. We can learn so much from them.

Everybody thinks they have the best dog, and everybody is right, because they all make us feel this unconditional love and loyalty that's simply unparalleled.

What do you wish more people understood about sharing their lives with animals?

It's one of the best decisions you can make. It can change your life and the way you see the world, for the better.

But it's a commitment worth preparing for. You'll have to make a few sacrifices here and there, but what you get in return makes it all worthwhile.

If you could keep one moment of your life together exactly as it is today, what would it be?

This one right here is perfect.

I'm on the couch, with my laptop in front of me, writing this. He's sleeping next to me, his head ever so gently resting against my right arm, huffing and puffing every couple of minutes as if he's had a long day.

The fire is crackling in the fireplace, and the coffee is warm enough to counter the cold weather outside.

I'll take this.

THE QUICK FIVE

Who greets guests first?

He does, and his wagging tail usually pays the price as he bangs it against the doorframes.

Who has the better social life?

I have him beat here. He's quite a private guy, keeping close to the family and his cats.

Who gets the best spot on the sofa?

He gets first pick, but it's usually the corner for him, so we can make it work.

Who's the tougher food critic?

He's got elevated taste, unless we're talking dairy (born on a cattle farm, may I remind you).

If he can sense you even thinking about opening a stick of butter, it's game over. He needs that.

Who rescued whom?

In many ways, he rescued all of us.

Having Kai in our family is the ride of a lifetime, and I'm so grateful to him for that.

Vet’s Note — Dr. Alexandra Florea 

Born in Southern Africa, where it once tracked lions alongside hunters, the Rhodesian Ridgeback carries its history on its back: that signature ridge of hair running against the grain.

At eight, a Rhodesian Ridgeback still has an athlete’s heart. They just move with a little more patience now. Large, active breeds often feel the years first in their joints. A slow start in the morning, hesitating on the stairs or losing interest in a run deserves a word with your vet, rather than being put down to age. Keep moving together, at a gentler pace: shorter, more frequent walks, a soft bed in their favourite sunny spot, and the quiet closeness they’ve always loved. A lean, healthy weight is one of the kindest gifts for ageing joints. From seven onwards, a check-up every six months helps catch small changes early.

THE LAST QUESTION

What if things go well — what would a beautiful life together look like?

A life where the movement towards treating pets as true members of the family really takes off in Romania, too. Where Kai and I, along with other pets and their humans, can go out for lunch, go shopping, or simply enjoy whatever a normal day might look like, together.

A life where dogs are recognized as part of the family and treated as such, with kindness and openness wherever they go.

A life where pet parents are more aware of their dogs' health and well-being, taking preventive steps to make sure they're properly cared for.

As for Kai and me, I'd say things are going pretty well. I can only hope that we get to keep playfighting and taking care of each other, in good health, for as long as possible.

in collaboration with OHANA VET

wellbeing and orthopedics vet clinic

Photography: Sebastian Nicolae  Archive: Șerban Badea x Petswell  Editor: Alinz