Two Dogs and a Baby

My two dogs, Spottie and Bully have been wonderful in welcoming Caleb into our home.  As they're both considerably powerful breeds, we took extra precaution when Caleb returned home from the hospital with us.  Both dogs weren't allowed too close to Caleb for the first month.  We made an effort not to neglect them and continued to give Spottie and Bully their regular exercise.  We currently supervise any contact between Caleb and the two dogs and they've been really gentle with him.  Caleb seems to enjoy their company too.  We still never leave Caleb alone with the dogs though, just to be on the safe side.

Caleb and Bully

Caleb and Spottie

 

Hanging out in the garden together

 

It always saddens me when I hear of people giving away their dogs when their baby arrived.  Please don't.... dogs are part of the family too! 

Little Miracles

Sometimes little miracles happen in our lives when we least expect it, putting a smile to our face and a splash of colour to our daily lives. It happened to me last week.

I went for Andrew and Lizzie's BBQ last Sunday night, and their house is a short drive away from my parents house.

Whilst we were chatting, Lizzie mentioned that a dog had been hanging around her area for the past 2 days, and she seemed to be lost. We searched for the dog and found her afraid, keeping a distance from us. I thought I recognised the dog as one of Spottie's friends that he visits everytime he goes on his evening walk.

I finally got her near me, and she seemed quite friendly. We fed her some sausages and water as she was very hungry. She went off after we fed her and we went home after that.

The next day I visited my parents and thought I'd look for the house where there was a similar looking dog to the one the night before. I went to a few houses, and the owners said they didn't lose a dog. Then I checked the photo I took of her recently, and matched the gate design to find the right house.

I finally found the house, and asked the resident whether he had lost a dog. He said he did! I quickly drove them to find the dog, and they were joyfully reunited! Everyone including the dog was jumping with joy!

This has been a really awesome experience. I believe that God gives us divine appointments in ways that make us happy :) And this reminds me that even little actions that are kind can bring much joy to people and animals. We must never turn a blind eye when we have all it takes to make a difference.

Eukanuba Prebiotics

My dog Spottie has a strange hobby and skill. He enjoys catching flies and gobbling them down...alive. This skill requires great precision in timing and leaping. Spottie's hobby amuses yet exasperates my family at the same time. Due to his rather large quantity of fly consumption, he gets diahhrea once in a while. Recently, he got a serious bout of it and thankfully, recovered in a few days.

Eukanuba has recently introduced a new line of dog food that helps Spottie's kind of situation -Prebiotics. Prebiotics help the intestine better absorb nutrients to keep out toxins and viruses and promote overall health and wellbeing. This results in a healthier digestive system and reduced incidence or severity of irritable bowel syndrome. Prebiotics also combat bad bacteria, thus increasing immunity.

Its vital that dogs are given the extra immunity when it comes to their diet. They consume large quantities of bacteria everyday through licking floors, eating grass (when they're ill), gobbling wierd substances while out on their walks, etc. Like the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.

Thanks to Eukanuba, my dogs can continue to be strong and healthy! To know more about Eukanuba Prebiotics, click here.

Smiling Dog

2 dog videos for today! Here's a very cute video of a dog in Japan that can actually smile :)

Surf Dog Ricochet

Was looking through my mailbox today and saw an email from last month that I had missed out. I accidentally clicked on the link and saw this amazing video!

It's so inspiring to see that even a dog could achieve great things with his God-given abilities. It would be awesome if I could become a dog-trainer too. Wonder whether there opportunities to do that in Malaysia.

Rat! (It's a long story!)

I spent last night at my parent's house because Spottie wasn't well and I wanted to spend time with him. He was having diahhrea on Monday and he ate grass while on his walks. We suspect that he must've accidentally eaten some poison too, because he started purging blood that night.

My parents took him to the UPM Veterinary Hospital in the morning. Spottie didn't want to eat anything but instead drank lots of water. I was really worried and prayed like crazy! When I went home yesterday evening, he was already back to his normal self! Praise God! :)

I hadn't been staying at my parent's house for the past few months so Spottie doesn't sleep in my room anymore. Instead, he's moved to the space in front of dad's home office.

I went to bed around midnight, after watching lots of Astro (deprived of it after marriage) and went to my room. I closed the door, and suddenly noticed something black scurrying around! I had locked a rat in with me in my room. I was mortified! I jumped on my bed, opened the door, closed the door behind me (like an Olympian) and ran to tell my parents that I had locked a rat in my room.

So my dad took a mouse trap and put it inside my room. Meanwhile, I watched some more tv, hoping that the rat would quickly go inside the trap. An hour later, I went to check. No rat in the trap. Dad said that he's going to leave the mouse trap in my room, and I can just go to bed. Horror of horrors! But dad was serious.

Off I went to Spottie... begging him to sleep in my room (the best rat deterrent). But he was comfortable where he was, in front of dad's office. I begged and begged, but Spottie would have nothing of it. He's a big dog so if he doesn't budge, you can't make him.

So I mustered all my courage, crept into my bed whilst looking suspiciously everywhere... and went to bed. I don't know where the rat is, but I hope its not in my room anymore!!

Animal Photographs

Want some professional photos of your pet? Here are some animal photographs from Olivia Oon, a very good friend of mine and a professional photographer too. Oli has an extensive portfolio when it comes to photo shoots - weddings, product shoots, portraiture, corporate events and lots more!

No, Oli didn't ask to be featured here (she probably doesn't like me advertising her... haha) but I wanted her to put her animals photographs on my blog. Animals make great photo and video subjects, they are just so natural, unpretentious and beautiful :)

Hope, the 2 legged Maltese

I found yet another inspiring story on the internet of a Maltese called Hope. Hope was born without her two front legs and as a puppy, she moved around by hopping about (see video below).

As hopping about would eventually damage her spine and bones, an orthotist called David Turnbill created a device with makeshift shoulder joints using wheels from a model airplane for Hope.

It took some practising, and after awhile Hope had mastered the art of wheeling herself around!

Story taken from Daily Mail

Its so heartwarming to hear of people who would care enough to help a tiny puppy like Hope. Many people would have given up on her and possibly have her put down.

I'm reminded that in each person lies the potential to make a lasting change in another person or animal's life. We shouldn't give up so easily but always try to bring a glimmer of hope for one who needs it.

Proverbs 12:10
A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

Hitam the heroic dog

It greatly saddened me today to read that Hitam, the heroic dog that had saved so many other dogs from Pulau Selat Kering (the abandoned island) had died. He was found to have pneumonia and many undigested chicken bones in his stomach.

Hitam made headlines when rescuers discovered that he had swam from the fisherman village to the abandoned island to regurgitate food for the starving dogs. And he did this countless times. Although he didn't have much to eat (the fishermen were said to have fed him rotten fish and chicken bones) he still did this. What a great big heart he had. So he frequently went on rescue expeditions to the abandoned island with Sabrina and her team.

When Sabrina (of Furry Friends Farm) informed the fishermen that Hitam and Kuning (his heroic partner) needed medical check-ups, the fishermen weren't even thankful but shockingly, threatened her and insisted that she return the dogs in 24 hours.

When she returned him to the fisherman village after the medical check-up, Hitam was in perfect health. However, not long after, she received an sms saying that Hitam had died. Such was the outrage of the animal rescuers that they requested for an autopsy. Even though Hitam had been faithfully working as a guard dog at the fisherman village, they returned Hitam's faithfulness with rotten food that eventually killed him.

It deeply saddens me to hear of how dogs are treated in Malaysia. They are hardly ever considered man's best friend but treated like scum instead. Last year, the press even exposed how stray dogs were lined up and brutally killed by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall. And the fine for animal cruelty in Malaysia is a mere RM200 (Approx. USD 57).

I hope more Malaysians will have a heart for animals. People are not the only ones with feelings.

Update: Hitam's Obituary in the Malay Mail on the 25th November 2009. Click here.

Cruelty to dogs in Malaysia

I read about the exile of stray dogs to a deserted island today. I can't believe there are people who can be so cruel... leaving innocent dogs to die like that. This is one aspect of Malaysia that breaks my heart. I really hope our authorities will not take this lightly anymore. Dogs are God's creation too, and they deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and mercy. When will Malaysia change? If you want to help, click here.

Pictures!

Here are some photos I took lately!

Spottie looking out for his neighbourhood friends. He doesn't like taking photos so he'll turn away whenever I direct a camera at him.

My friends from Nepalese Fellowship. Here's where I spend most of my Saturday nights.

The baby guppies at Thoo's aquarium. There are about 40 of them!

Thoo and me at Soho KL after dinner at Ten Ji Japanese Buffet.

Bully made my mum and I laugh the other day by sleeping like this!

He's good at posing :)

Bully wants to play all the time. Everytime I get home he fetches his toy and waits for me at the garden... even though its midnight.

The Wonder of Creation

I love going on walks with my dogs. During my off days, Spottie will wait by my side at 4.30 pm anticipating his 45 minute evening walk. To him, the evening walk is the best thing in the world.

I love seeing Spottie go on his usual route. He will visit his friends from the neighbourhood one by one - the dashund, the labrador, Chloe the mixed retriever, Susie the shih tzu and a few more. Of course not all his friends are pure breed dogs, many are mongrels too! I believe that all dogs are beautiful regardless of breed.

I have learnt a lot from walking my dog. He enjoys nature so much, taking his time to sniff things out, his tail held high in confidence as he walks and the way the hair on his back stands when he's being threatened. I have learnt to enjoy nature the same way, savouring the wind and sun on my face, examining the amazing texture of different kinds of plants and trees and observing how dogs relate to each other.

As we walk together, we have this unique bond between 2 friends, a human and a dog. Both very different in nature, and yet, created by the same God. I believe that God created animals and nature to help us understand more about Himself, teach us how to live fulfilling lives and bring us peace, joy and healing in different circumstances.

And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:24-25

The Loved Dog

I read a book recently called 'The Loved Dog' by Tamar Geller. Her approach to dog training is through rewards and love and I have found this approach most effective for my dogs.

Spottie is half Dobermann and Bully is a Bull Terrier, and they're about the same age. Spottie has a more aggressive trait in him compared to Bully, and Bully just wants to play all the time.

When Bully came, they fought once. I suspect that Bully jumped on Spottie playfully while Spottie was trying to retrieve a bone near him and Spottie attacked. Bully sustained a head injury but recovered quick and Spottie was unharmed. It was shocking because Bully held on to Spottie's neck and didn't let go. One trait of the bull terrier is that they bite and don't let go.

So I began my search of effective dog training to make them friends. One thing the family did was to assure both of them that they were very loved. We played with them, took them on frequent walks together and gave them a lot of treats together. I'd sit both Bully and Spottie together (Bully is always leashed when Spottie is running loose for safety purposes), and give them treats. Now they would naturally sit whenever I'm out with them, anticipating their favourite treats!

Of course the family maintains the safety measures like not allowing both to run free together because we don't want another fight. Nevertheless, things are pretty good at home now as they can sleep close together as long as they're kept at arm's length from each other. And they don't provoke each other.

I think its very important for the dogs to feel secure and loved, they sense it from us and will be much calmer and loving in return. Both Spottie and Bully are like babies at home. However, we respect the fact that they are dogs and must do what dogs like to do - go on walks, get their physical exercise, respect their hierarchies and understand their canine instincts.

Also, dogs need to be socialised with each other from young. Both Spottie and Bully have friends around the neighbourhood and we allow them to play and sniff one another while on their walks. However, we have to be very alert when dogs are socialising because its not always that they get along.

Dogs are a joy to have around. When I get home, they always put a smile on my face. I have learnt a lot from my dogs over the years and I thank God for what He's taught me through them.

New dog at home

We officially have a new dog at home. And we found out his real name. This is what happened over the weekend. My dad and brother were walking Spottie and the bull terrier (whom we named Bobby for awhile) on Saturday evening when a family walking their 2 rottweilers identified Bobby as their dog Bully.

They said they had planned to give Bully away because they didn't get a permit to keep him since they already had 2 rottweilers. However, before they could give him away Bully ran away on his own. They told dad he could keep Bully. So dad's really happy and took Bully to visit his previous owners the next day.

Bully's been really sweet and having a ball since we've been spoiling him a lot. Spottie and him get along quite well, except that they can't play together because Bully tends to jump right at Spottie playfully and this gets Spottie angry. They can sleep side by side, as long as the grill separates them. Now they go on walks together (if one of us is free to go with dad), and have snacks together to help them be better friends. And we have to be careful not to leave their toys and stuff around because this could trigger a fight.

It's interesting how God works. I'm glad we took Bully in although we have to accommodate changes at home. Its a learning experience for all of us. At first we thought we'd just call him Bobby anyway, but we realised he only responds to Bully. Thank God we found out his real name! God works in mysterious ways :)

I can't believe its December... rewind please!

I'm a little frustrated that I haven't had time to set-up the Christmas tree at home and its already the 2nd week of December. I usually get it up by November.

It's been an extremely busy year...especially November and December. And I've had 7 consecutive Sundays booked with rehearsals, events and activities from November to December. I miss having time with my family and Hoi Hian...just having dinner with them and chilling out. I feel like I'm running around constantly.

Anyway, things are more relaxed now... just a few more events to go and I need to clear 6.5 days leave this month, which leaves me with just a few days to work... but still quite some work to deliver.

Anyway, enough of work. 2 things I wanna highlight this month....

Bolt
One of my favourite movies this year by Walt Disney Pictures about Bolt, a superstar dog who accidentally gets shipped to New York from Hollywood. While he's lost, he realises that he's not really a superdog and it was all a lie by the movie producers. But amidst his challenges and loneliness, he befriends a cat and a hamster and together they make the journey back to Hollywood to look for Bolt's beloved 'person' Penny. It truly showcases the wonderful heart of a dog that is perfectly loyal. And a really superb night.... Dew Media Appreciation 2008!

We didn't have the usual thank you speeches... well, just a few. Instead, everyone just let their hair down and enjoyed themselves singing and dancing to the 70s music that Paulos had compiled (lots of Abba)! We had quite a crazy time... with Cindy being the MC. What made it special for me was seeing everyone enjoy one another's company and just being themselves. I had no idea they had SO MUCH passion to dance! No doubt we're all different and imperfect, but we have a God who loves us as who we are... and that's why we should love each other the same way. I shared just one verse with them which I felt spoke to me a lot recently and something we should never forget:-

To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Mark 12:33

Dogs and me

Here's Faith, a miraculous dog who was taught to walk on two legs because she was born deformed. But her human family patiently taught her to walk on two legs, and she eventually did. In Faith's official website, they attributed this miracle to Jesus.. because teaching Faith to walk like that was truly supernatural :) I was very touched by this story because it reminds me of how people are sometimes, so broken, deformed and lifeless. And nobody sees any good in them and thinks they are better dead. But God comes along and sees a beautiful life and he gives them a miracle and a brand new beginning :)

I was born with an intense love for dogs. I remember going to my grandparents' house when I was about five, and I'd head straight to Mickey, the golden labrador and spend my evening patting his head until my hands were all black (because Mickey wasn't exactly the cleanest dog in town). When Mickey died, Captain the boxer came and I loved him the same. But Captain wasn't that easy to pat because he was really hyperactive.

Looking back at family pictures, I saw myself as a five year old with my tongue sticking out - because I wanted to be the family dog. I got my first dog at 14, he was a Pekingese cross Shih Tzu and very lovely! When he was growing up as a puppy, my family felt that maybe he would feel left out as the only dog in the house, so we bought Titi (meaning little brother), a Shih Tzu. I was so proud to have 2 new brothers. I'd tell all my friends that I had 3 brothers - 1 human and 2 furry ones. I learnt much from Butchie and Titi - about love, loyalty and being 'human'. When I cried, Butchie would lick me until I stopped crying. So I would end up with a wet face and also a wet leg.

As I was growing up, I'd spend hours reading dog books. Learning about all the different type of breeds, temperament, height, weight and all that! Now I realise that I can identify all kinds of dogs without much difficulty.

Butchie and Titi died a few years ago - they were 15 and 13. I cried a whole lot of course - it was like losing family members. People say dogs don't go to heaven, but I know - for all the things that God has taught me through my dogs, and all the love I've felt through them, and how God does the impossible and answers my prayers - they are in heaven.

Now I have Spottie - my friends found him in a drain a few years ago. He came as a puppy - shivering, tiny and hungry. And now he's a wonderful family member, dad walks him at least 4 times a day and mum cooks him chicken rice everyday. I love him immensely, just like how I loved Butchie and Titi. I love walking with him on my off days, seeing him so happy enjoying nature and meeting all his doggie friends.

I've never been angry with my dogs - I have been bitten many times by them. Once I had to be rushed to the clinic because I was bleeding profusely after separating my dogs from a potential fight. When I came back, I hugged my dog and told him its OK and I still loved him. When I see 'dog' movies, I cry easily because I can't stand seeing dogs suffer. I love everything about my dogs - the tail that is 'too long', the ear that is 'crooked', the smell from not bathing, the cute look when they sleep...

Having this love for dogs helps me understand God's love for me. That God loves me so exceedingly much and nothing can change His love for me. God loves me so much more than how I love my dogs. His love is immeasurable. He loves me unconditionally regardless of how I look, what my achievements are or how many times I've failed. And God will always take me in no matter how broken or useless I appear to be - look what Faith and Spottie have become. God works miracles.... and He worked a miracle in me by giving me a love for dogs.

I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. Psalm 89:1

Kandu the Jack Russell

I was drawn to a headline online today about a two-legged dog with wheels. I clicked on it and up came a video about a Jack Russell who was born with 2 hind legs only and was about to be euthanised when a couple decided to adopt him. And they made wheels for him! So now Kandu's a therapy dog and visits hospitals to give patients hope. How wonderful! I was very touched by the story and searched more in the internet and found Kandu's website - http://www.kandu.us

It reminds me of how God sees us. Sometimes because of all our imperfections we don't have hope anymore, but God comes and gives us wheels! He's our healer, restorer, provider, source of joy, peace, life ..... He's everything!

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6