Jack's teeth and ears

Jack is an avid chewer, and one of his favourite toy is called "Puppy Keys" - basically a bunch of plastic keys. He likes to bring it around and chews the ring.

This is probably the 3rd or 4th replacement.



This old one is to be discarded.

Noticed how he managed to chew through the ring and bend it?

Searching through this blog, HC realised that it took Jack 11 months to do such damage.

Jack is about 13-15 years old now.... HC doesn't know exactly how old as Jack was an abandoned dog.

Recently, HC finds that Jack respond to her command slower than normal. She's not sure if it was selective listening or he really can't hear.

But the other day, we were at the park at night. HC moved away from her usual spot to find a seat to rest on. Jack, who was wandering around came back to HC's usual spot, and couldn't find HC. It was dark, and HC could tell Jack was a bit worried as he looked left, right for HC (HC was wayyyy behind him). HC started calling Jack.... and she can tell that he could hear her - but doesn't know which direction.

So I think Jack's hearing has deteriorated. Perhaps, HC will send him for an ear check soon.

How can a dog with such big ears have problems hearing?

(Jack smiling for once)

Thunderstorm and a Birthday

The weather these days have been very stormy, and I get abit scared whenever there's thunderstorm. Luckily, HC was at home the other day. I sat as close to her as possible. As the thunderstorm progresses, I decided HC had to carry me. *begging to be carried* *please, please??* When HC ignores my pleading, I got more demanding. Jack does not care about the thunderstorm and slept throught it. It's was also his birthday last Saturday. The Birthday Boy (looks good for a 14 years old, eh?) HC didn't have time to get us a cake. So she decided to pamper us with an extra serving of chicken thigh. We usually eat our meat raw, but as a treat - HC decided to fry it as it is more fragrant. Removing the oil. Cut into smaller pieces for us. Birthday boy gets to eat his chicken first.

Night-time Snacks

We have 1 proper meal of raw meat in the morning, and a night-time snack before bed. The night-time snacks are usually steamed pumpkin, which will 'end up' in a nice, firm poop the next day :) The other day, HC was buying pumpkin for us. While she was looking at which pumpkin to pick, a middle-aged aunty saw and told HC how to choose sweeter pumpkin. She passed HC one and said "this is sweet!" and proceeded to lecture HC on how to cook it. HC then replied that it was for her dogs. Upon hearing it, the aunty grabbed the pumpkin from HC's hand and pushed another smaller (not so fresh looking one) and said, "ah for dogs? take this smaller one then. Dogs do not need to eat so good pumpkins!!". The aunty then walked away as if she couldn't be bothered about this 'crazy' woman buying pumpkins for her dogs. HC was dumbfounded for a while at her reaction - and then secretly laughed at the aunty's ignorance and stupidity. .......... ........... Here's how HC prepares our pumpkin - fuss free. She buys quarter-cut pumpkin about twice a week. Put the pumpkin in a deep bowl and steamed it for 1/2 an hour. When it's done, HC discard the middle portion with its seeds. The pumpkin will then stored into a container. Once cooled, it is stored in the fridge and would usually be able to last us for a few days.

SCDF assisting in Japan quake

HC has been glued to the news since last Friday... sadly watching grim pictures of a tsunami-swept Japan.


There were also news of Singapore Search & Rescue dog team....


From CNA:
SINGAPORE: The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has sent five search specialists and five search dogs to Japan to assist in the rescue operations following the 8.9-magnitude earthquake which hit northeast Japan on Friday.The SCDF officers are from the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) contingent, codenamed Operation Lionheart.The team is led by Search Platoon Commander, Major Tan Loo Ping. Read more HERE


The officers that are in Japan now are regularly train us in our voluntary SAR - S.S. Lean, S.S. Jega, S.Kelvin,.. and another one whom I couldn't catch the name fast enough. I think some of them just came back from New Zealand quake mission - and barely 2 weeks later, they are in Japan.


It's a rough few weeks for people of NZ, China and Japan.. and I am sure the dogs are suffering too as they may have lost their owners. Most of these dogs are so domesticated that they would have a rough time in the ruins, esp in Japan when the temperature is freezing.


For the dogs that have perished in the quake and tsunami... rest in peace.


I hope the humanitarian societies there assisting in relief work will not forget to look after the homeless dogs and cats.

I feel so blessed to have a nice warm blanket to sleep in.

UK Soldier, Loyal Dog die on same day

In recent canine related news - a UK Soldier was killed in a firefight with insurgents in Helmand Province and his bomb-sniffing dog suffered a fatal seizure hours later at a British army base, likely brought about by stress.... read link here

The dog, who is very young (22 months) probably died from a broken heart after knowing his handler was dead. Dogs who worked with their handlers usually formed a very close bond.

Even though HC has two dogs - Jack and I, she has to admit that I bonded with her alot more.

She has attended Search & Rescue training with me for the last 8 years (I started SAR training when I was18 months old), and through these many many sessions - both of us have learned alot. She has learnt to read my body language and I have learnt to work with her seamlessly.
For example, when my SAR vest come loose while working, I would pause midway through my sniffing work and let her tighten my vest.
Once, she saw from far (usually she is about a few metres away from me) that there is a big gaping hole below where I was standing, and said "careful". I look down to see what she is talking about and moved away from the site. One of the officers was there to witness it, and was impressed with how I could understand what she meant.

I have always love going to the dog park and play fetch. But once, a friend brought us there instead.. and no matter how he enticed me with the ball, I wasn't in a mood to play fetch, and would stand by the entrance waiting for HC to appear.

Dogs are loyal beings... but sad to say, not all humans are.

Water Purifier

HC recently bought a water purifier with a 3 stage filtration process - for all of us to share at home.

The water is great tasting, and HC noticed that we seem to enjoy the water and drink abit more compared to before.

Putting a dog to sleep? Kindness?

We (human and canine) were trying to take a Sunday afternoon nap when HC received a call from a friend.

Apparently, this friend's brother is going through a divorce with his wife, and the wife demanded him to remove their blind dog as she does not want him anymore. The friend's brother is also at a loss, as he does not have his own apartment for now, and is lodging in somewhere elses' home. So the question made to HC's friend was... " is it kinder to put the dog to sleep?".

HC was really pissed off with the attitude of such owners. They are fighting over a list of assets and child custody.. but the dog is not in the 'wanted' list.

She has came across so many of such owners over the years. Lovey dovey new couples get together and decides to get a dog with reasons like "it completes the family" or "seal their committment to future lives together." blah blah blah. A few years down the road, when their relationship breaks down, or they have a new baby - the once coveted dog is now cast aside. If the dog is lucky, he probably still get fed and short 5 min walk, if not the dog may be abandoned or rehomed.

For this case, HC truthfully told her friend (not the dog's owner) that it is not easy to rehome a blind dog. After much persuasion, she sorta managed to advise this friend to offer to temporarily take care of this dog, and when his brother finds his own apartment - he could returned the dog to him.

I am not sure what future the dog will have, but I sincerely wished him the best. (HC has offered to help in anyway she could, except to take this dog in!)

There are lots of dogs who are in such situation, and I hope that potential dog owners think twice before getting a dog cos having a dog is a lifetime committment!

There goes our afternoon nap - HC simply couldn't sleep after hearing this case.

SAD....

Chinese New Year Holidays

It's the Chinese New Year and we are enjoying a quality 5-day long holiday with HC.

On the first day itself, HC gave us a red packet filled with treats.



We had to do a obligatory pose with the oranges and red packets.

I am usually very accommodating to pose for pictures, but Jack kept his head away.

(HC : Jack usually reacts at this when he is near Joey and treats. He knew from experience that Joey gets very possessive with treats.)

After posing, we get to tear open our red packets.

I was very enthusiatic with mine.

However, Jack was too polite so HC had to open it for him.



We also get desserts... I think it is called a mini-pear?

It's really MINI.

Again we had to pose for pictures.

and again... Jack turned his head away as I was on his left.

We also get to see my little cousin.

He's a 7 month old maltese, and about 1/3 of my size. He's less than 2 kg.

HC couldn't get a good picture of him with us as he is crazily obsessed with licking our lips and ears.

We also get to go to the park for a good fetch game.

On the back home, Jack was so tired although he doesn't do much except sit by the fence.

He was totally knocked out and didn't mind smelling my butt throughout the car ride. haha

In my last blog - I mentioned that we won a car seat at the Dogs Charity Lunch?

Well, me the hunk gets to enjoy the seat! The uglier one - Jack has to sit on the floor board hahahaha



We also got to taste Scuba's new treat from Japan.

Horse Tendons!




Trust me... they are really yummy. HC is trying to find out how to get hold of these in Japan.

Dogs Charity Lunch

Yesterday we went to a very interesting Dogs' Charity Lunch.

This is the first (and last??) time a dogs' charity lunch was held in a hotel and dogs were of course included.

HC expected some rundown hotel..howevee, we were at the hotel unexpectedly earlier and walked around and saw through the glass windows that the boutique hotel, Klapsons is very classy. As hotels in Singapore generally does not allow dogs' admission, we had to take the fireman's lift to go up to our designated function room on the 29th floor.

The view from roof garden is amazing!



The dining area.


The humans were treated to a buffet lunch, and dogs were given a huge lunch box containing pasta, tuna, potatoes and carrots.

As it was a huge serving, HC made us share 1 box, and brought the other back to give it to our neighbour's dog.

Luckily HC brought our own bowls so we do not need to eat from the lunch box cover like billyjean (the black dog behind) hahahaha



To live up to her shopholic's nature, HC had to buy something from the charity organisations...

She bought an umbrella (we had dozens of umbrellas at home), a watch and a hair clip.

The rest came from our goody bags. All the sample kibbles pack were given away to my very lucky neighbour's dog.



Best of all, we were lucky enough to win a car seat cover! This is a front seat passenger cover which is perfect so HC has no excuse not to let us sit beside her.

We also engaged the organiser's photographer to take photos of us.

Unfortunately, softcopies of the photos were not given, so these were captured via HC's phone - so that quality wasn't as good.

What was Jack doing??

Jack had to be held by HC as he kept trying to get away from the camera. And look at how handsome I am!!!

Again, Jack squinted his eyes and looked ugly.

I am sure you can tell that I am the hunk in the family, right?

Blinkers

We got our Xmas presents from HC!

We used to have pet blinkers a while back, but somehow both were lost along the way.

So HC ordered from ebay.



This new type of blinkers are better as they have a push button on the side for ease of switching it on/off.

These are great for our walks, so that cars can see us afar!



Have a Happy New Year!

Domineering Me

Jack and I have different characters and most times, we complement each other. There were days where I will give in (by looking away to avoid confrontation) when Jack growls at me. But when it comes to HC's affection and food - I am usually the more domineering one.

Today, I did a really naughty deed and I hope Santa is not reading this.

The source of confrontation...

Big, red juicy 'rose' apples that HC bought for all the humans to share at Scuba's place.

Both Jack and I were running around HC so that she will notice and feed us, when I heard a voice in my head saying "bite Jack so I have all the apples to myself!!"

So I did what I was told... turned around and bit Jack on the face.

Fortunately, HC shouting "hey!" stopped the evil demon invading my thoughts...

but the damage was bloody apparent..

Jack had a cut just above his eye and was bleeding slightly.

We quickly returned home so that HC can wash his wounds. Luckily for Jack - HC has a anti-bacterial ointment that is safe to apply on/around the eye.


Jack had to wear the lampshade so that the ointment can work its magic.

HC doesn't think that Jack's eye is hurt - but she will continue to monitor closely the next few days due to the last incident.

(HC : Jack and Joey both tore their cornea before on 2 separate fights. But I am lucky in that they do not fight often, and one usually gives way to the other, plus they will stop their nonsense whenever I reprimand them. And they do not bear grudges - they could fight/squabble now, and within a minute, quietly sleep near to each other.)

Willy is here

Willy is here for a short vacation as his parents were out of town.





His fur has grown longer and more beautiful. However, having a longer fur is not good news for HC, as on the second day, Willy had wet poop, and HC has to use a whole package of wet wipes to clean his bum and the surrounding fur... eek.




(His wet poop was probably due to over eating LOL. Thank goodness it cleared up after eating some slippery elm.)


Jack, the goldilocks trying out Willy's bed. He found the bed not right, and promptly went back to his own.




Peacefully napping on a rainy afternoon.


Although Willy brought his own bed, he asked to sleep with us on the big bed every night.



So I graciously allowed him to use my sleeping bag.




He slept like a pig every night.... only woke HC up once when he felt the need to poop (again, over eating!)


Me? I slept on my very own laura-ashley sheet.



We also prepared sumptuous meals for Willy.


Boring chicken breast on day 1.



Duck on day 2.



Venison on day 3

Day 4 onwards - lamb meat.

We fed Willy raw too, as he has eaten it while HC was looking after him for a couple of months 2 years ago before his adoption. So we know he can handle raw meat with no problems. However, as he has little teeth left, HC will cut the meat to smaller pieces so that he can eat with ease. HC had the funny experience whereby Willy screamed when the meat was not cut small enough (***brat... hahahaha**)

There's also pumpkin in the evenings.

And rabbit snacks!

yes, HC bought rabbit meat sticks from Australia.

I wonder how our cousin bunbun feels about us eating her own kind.

Bun bun : RABBIT MEAT???