Dog & You Archives - Page 7 of 10

Category: Dog & You Page 7 of 10

Switched the viewfinder to the screen side of the camera so that it is easier to take a picture since I am strapped down in the car. Oh look, I got caught in the frame as well, sans head. So there you have it, me and my dog. :P

Mr P was driving so he couldn’t be in the picture :P

For the last couple of months, I have started to worry that perhaps Donna is missing out on building social skills now that she has started life afresh from the shelter. I guess you could even say she perhaps never had social skills to start with. This, after all, was the dog that was isolated with an old man dog (who is too chill to care about crazy pups) because she couldn’t get along with the other dogs in the other bigger fenced yards.

We took her to the dog park, but she couldn’t deal with the dogs that home in on her and got fearful. I introduced her to our cousin’s dog Doudou, but they seemed to prefer the grass around them compared to each other. Oh she wanted to meet the other dogs we pass by on our walks alright, but a lot of times her tail would be wagging stiffly, which apparently can mean that she is undecided if she wants to be friendly or no.

But over the weekend, we drove to a doggy cafe and then to the dog park and she did great with both. She was gentle with the small dogs in the doggy cafe and a little submissive but friendly with the big dogs at the dog park! The people we met remarked at how calm and gentle she was! Good progress given that we have only had her for half a year so far! :D I’m pretty stoked!

Hello puppy

By weliveinaflat

On July 16, 2013

In Dog & You

Sonel’s Black and White Photo Challenge: Family
#1 Her family of used toys, donated from a friend
#2 A t-shirt commemorating her sister, who had passed on

This photo was taken probably somewhere in March. The T-shirt shows Donna’s birth sister, who has passed on. You can read more about her sister here.

While Donna is a local mongrel, she was never a stray like some of the other local mongrels in the shelter. You see, Donna was conceived and born at the shelter. She and the rest of the litter were the unplanned children for a couple of dogs slated to be neutered but have not yet had the procedure done.

It was thus why I had mixed feelings when I read a post about terminating pet pregnancy recently. On the one hand, terminating a litter of puppies will help by not adding additional strain to an already overcrowded shelter support system. But on the other hand, I also can’t help but be glad that the shelter kept the puppies of the already pregnant mother dog or there would not be a Donna. :P

I did write before that when we explored adopting a dog, we visited and wrote to various shelters and the SPCA. None of the dogs left a strong impression on us. And we might just as easily have gone the other way, just continued with our busy lives and not adopted a dog at all.

But we got lucky, we met Donna. And we are still lucky today that we don’t have the problems that some of the other adopters of the same shelter seem to experience – aggression against other dogs, snapping at children, destroying the furniture – things that got some of the dogs returned.

We are lucky.

Life is never black and white. Humans make choices that they either believe make themselves better people or are choices that they just have to live with. The choice is really down to the individual or collective of people. A pregnant dog would not have a choice if the humans decide to take away her unborn puppies. As the guardian, a human that lets the puppies live and is committed to their well-being for their entire lives cannot be faulted. Neither is the responsible abortion of puppies wrong if no one would commit to them.

All I can say is Donna, who was adopted then returned, went on home stay than returned again, got lucky and so did we. And this blog exists documenting the minutiae of everyday, the good and the awful, so that hopefully people who are thinking of getting a dog for their family and happen to visit our blog will seriously consider before taking the plunge. And if they do intend to get a dog, I hope they would consider adopting one.

Dear readers,

By weliveinaflat

On July 16, 2013

In Dog & You

The About section of this blog tells you something about us, our dog adoption story and why we started the blog. In a sense, I like to think that we are blogging the change with every post about our dog Donna.

You see, unlike in the United States where pit bull ownership seem to be the contentious issue, it is not so here. The reason is simple. Pit bulls are not allowed here unless one has a lot of spare cash and really wanted a pit bull. What we have here is a dog ownership landscape comprising mostly of toy and small-medium breeds suitable for people living in flats (the most predominant housing over here), and then some larger dog breeds for people in private or landed property. (Sydney has a post on 10 most popular Singapore dog breeds here.)

Coming back to local mongrels like Donna, they just don’t fit into the scheme of things here. They are not a known breed being mongrels and so they do not appear on the list of approved breeds for public housing. They are generally bigger and heavier than 15kg, which is the weight limit for unlisted dogs that could be approved for public housing on a case by case basis.

There are stray local mongrels that form packs in some areas of the country, namely forested and industrial areas. And because these are feral, not spayed or neutered, they eventually multiply enough to trouble the man on the street. Then the pest control is called in. Yes, the pest control.

Rehabilitating and rehoming dogs cannot be an easy task, let alone rehoming the local mongrel that is larger than most dogs the man in the street is comfortable to meet. A large poodle would be more of a rare novelty to gawk at, but a smaller local mongrel generally warrants a warning from parent to child that “that dog bites.”

So what change are we trying to blog here again? Mongrels for apartment dogs awareness of course! Smart, loyal, obedient and healthy!! IF you take the time to consistently train and care for it.

I would like to end this post by saying, look beyond the breed please. If you are considering buying or adopting a dog, see the dog for the individual that he is, his temperament and how well/keen you are to work with him to help him fit in your home before deciding if you can make the commitment for the long term.

Thank you for reading :)

P/S1There is an ongoing online petition for HDB homeowners to be able to keep a second dog through adoption, see here if you are interested.

P/S2 In case anyone is as curious as I was, these are some of the licensing requirements for the pit bull and 7 other dog breeds and their crosses in Singapore:

1. Dogs must be leashed and securely muzzled when in a public place…
4. The owner must take up an insurance policy for at least $100,000 coverage against injury to persons and damage to property
5. The owner must take up banker’s guarantee of $5,000
6. Any existing banker’s guarantee would be forfeited for non-compliance and the owner must take up a fresh banker’s guarantee of $5,000.
7. Newly licensed dogs must undergo obedience training

More information about the selected breeds requiring additional licensing here – http://www.ava.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/2FCF9F87-1FB1-49C8-A804-0611C26E95FA/18221/SummaryofAB_DoglicensingControl_Rules_15Nov2010.pdf

This post is inspired by Blog the Change.

A dog with a tennis ball

By weliveinaflat

On July 14, 2013

In Dog & You

I normally try to avoid posting very blurred photos. Unfortunately, I don’t have any good photos from this tennis ball fetch session. So… showing you the opposite of the pictures I usually post today.

When your pictures are lacking, group them together so it looks like you intended them to work that way!!!! :D *shhhhhh…..! That’s my lame blogging tip of the day!!*

Anyway, I present to you the long corridor that is the spine of our flat and the highway of our dog’s dash and fetch games.

And the rest of the floor where she sprawls about nom, nom, nom on her saliva-smothered tennis ball.

Can dogs play with tennis balls?

Yes, modern tennis balls “use a safe dye that will not cause harm to dogs”.

But be aware that tennis balls have an abrasive texture that can wear down the teeth of compulsive chewers. Therefore, tennis balls are great for a game of fetch or chuck it but are certainly not chew toys.

They can become choking hazards when broken into pieces that can be swallowed. And in the case of bigger dogs with strong jaws that can compress a tennis ball, the ball could “pop open in the back of the throat and cut off the dog’s air supply”.

If the tennis ball is smaller than your dog’s head, you probably should not give it to him as a toy.

So no more rolling around the floor with the tennis ball in your mouth Donna!

Sources:
– Pet subjects: Are tennis balls bad for dogs?
– There are worse things for dogs than chewing tennis balls
– Are Tennis Balls a Dangerous Toy for Dogs?

A torture rack of toys :O

By weliveinaflat

On July 9, 2013

In Dog & You

If you visit now and then, you may have met Donna’s pink hippo and blue dog soft toys. Donna generally amuses herself with them by spreading them all over the floor or giving them love bites and shaking them into submission. So yes, the human is very much relieved that dogs do not show their love for their humans in the same way. *phew*

Over the weekend I needed something calming to do so I started mending her many grimy plush toys before washing them. So here are the cuddly toys hanging out to dry.

Blue dog: You can torture me all you like, my lips are sealed!!

Toys hanging outside on the balcony to dry

In the flat, a couple of her stuffed toys escaped the wash for her amusement.

Toying with some less used apps and filters and serendipity found me creating a mutant of a cuddly toy bear butterfly with clothes peg feelers, that has caught a duo of evil-doer defaced teddies! Can you see it? :P

Picking cuddly toys for dogs

Avoid choking hazard
1. toy should be bigger than the dog’s head
2. toy should not be filled with small pallets or beanies
3. always mend rips or remove damaged toys to avoid dog swallowing toy stuffing
4. dog-proof by removing all loose/attached decorative details like buttons, ribbons and other small detachable pieces that can be chewed off
5. supervise the dog’s play with any cuddly toy containing a squeaker, remove damaged toys with squeaker exposed
Maximum fun!
1. small/light enough for dog to carry around
2. consider providing a variety of cuddly toys – one to carry, one to kill, one to baby
3. run second-hand toys through a wash so that any smells unattractive to the dog is removed
4. choose cuddly toys made with fleece or plush material which retain the dog’s smell and is more attractive to the dog
5. dog toys not childrens’ toys (tougher and safer materials for dogs; dependent on manufacturer)

To be honest, we don’t practise all of the above. We have bought a couple of $2 stuffed dog toys with squeakers or bells within from Daiso. But all of Donna’s cuddly toys in the photos above are hand-me-downs, regular stuffed toys from home/office spring cleaning and also $1 second-hand soft toy listings from classified ads. But I made sure to dog-proof them and only buy stuffed toys that are not filled with beanie pallets. They don’t look too shabby do they? I do confess I am particular when it comes to toys that I have to see spread across the floor everyday, so no hideous toys for me! :P

Dogs aren’t particular and they are happy to reuse toys, so good for wallet, good for earth :D

Sources:
– http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/dog_toys.html
– http://www.safemadepet.com/what_is_safe.html

That fat cat spying behind that thin tree

By weliveinaflat

On June 27, 2013

In Dog & You

Telling a story takes skill. Telling a funny story that makes people laugh, that’s an art. We’re actually pretty boring people with an ordinary dog, so you will understand if sometimes a post may just sink like a stone. :P

Anyway, I am terrible at reading long form, even if some of the posts here are pretty wordy, so I do try to put in at least a picture or two to liven things up. And then sometimes, when the mood strikes, I give my dog her “imagined” voice.

It could go like this:

Human: “Hey Donna, do you see a movement over there?”

Dog: “What? What movement?”

Human: “Behind you….
…No, no! Don’t turn your head around. It’s obvious you are looking!”

Dog: “Oops, sorry… … but what’s that behind me?”

Human: “I don’t know.”

*puts on night goggles*

Human: “I think it’s that cat from the other day.”

Human: “OMG, I think its winking at us.”

Dog: “That means it’s friendly isn’t it? Can I turn around and look now”

Human: You think?”

Dog: “I think it’s creeping me out.”

Cat: “…”

Storytelling on this blog I hope is an art that will continue to be polished with each post and show that I am getting better at both the words and the pictures used. And I do hope that you will take something of value away with you from here when you click on to the next blog, otherwise I fear I may be wasting your time. :P

With regards to art-art, Mr P recently showed me the painting Beijing 2008 with its accompanying analysis.

Art I find, throughout the ages, almost always take on a greater significance for me when I know the story behind it – the artist, his history, his influences, and the political/cultural climate which caused him to draw what he drew. Of course, a lot of art was not significant at the time they were produced simply because they were commissioned by clients and produced for pleasure. Time was necessary to show them up as representative of an age and more than a thing of beauty or a drunkard or mad man’s creation. But I am rambling.

What I was trying to say was that I probably would not appreciate Beijing 2008, without the text it came with it to explain the context. Much the same as this blog cannot function with text or photos working by themselves. But who am I to compare to an artist :P So I’II spare you the ramblings of an abysmal student of art for now.

Here you go to see the artwork (some nudity) and the analysis, if you are interested.

Note: I tried to find who wrote the analysis originally but failed. But I did learn – both the painting and the interpretation were [said to be] published in 2005. So that’s 6-years worth of hindsight for you. The painting sold for over $3.14m in 2012 which is within the normal range for works by artists of the same generation.

References
– http://econintersect.com/b2evolution/blog2.php/2011/11/11/an-erotic-oil-painting-with-a-profound-worldview
– http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/748644.shtml
– http://www.zonaeuropa.com/culture/c20060507_1.htm

Mugshots are ugly

By weliveinaflat

On June 17, 2013

In Dog & You

What is an ugly picture?

How about a mug shot? After all mugshots are pictures that possibly personify best what is ugly in human society.

mug shot of a dog

The following is a Versatile Blogger Award response masquerading as a fictitious news article. :P

Singapore – Donna the local mongrel who was previously turned in for investigation by the authorities for the first suspected unlicensed protest to be staged by a dog in this country has fled. It is rumoured that the dog police whispered in embarrassment the statement that Donna the local mongrel, made her escape when wardens let her out in the yard to read her pee-mail. The authorities do not have an answer as to why the local mongrel held in custody should have access to pee-mail or any kind of communications with the dog network. They have refused to comment for this news report.

The following are leaked documents from the authorities with regards to Donna the local mongrel while she was in custody.

When contacted about their missing dog, Mr and Mrs P said that they were very worried about their dog that went missing after she was taken into custody by the dog police.

“Do you know, we just got nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award the second time by House Full of Dogs,” Mrs P said as she wrung her hands, “how do we even receive the award if the main character has gone missing? Donna, if you are out there reading this, please come back!”

Unfortunately, it is this newspaper’s understanding that Donna the local mongrel does not know how to read.

Part of the leaked police documents revealed a list of Donna’s online friends submitted by Mr and Mrs P.

When asked about this list of friends, Mrs P said, “The authorities wanted to know Donna’s activity online and these are some of the web pages that we visited in the last 30 days. We THANK YOU House Full of Dogs for the Versatile Blogger Award nomination and in return, we would like to nominate those bloggers in the list for the same award.”

The list included, in no particular order :

scarlybob’s wordpress blog – they live in a flat too; recent post on spaying
ruby the black labrador – big dog, huge oral fixation, long-suffering human:P
the sundog drift – beautiful photos of the sundogs on land and in water
doodlemum – doodles of the family, sometimes with dog. Too cute!
Positive dog training blog – says heel and loose leash are not the same
the smart dog blog – she trains service dogs, post great posts on training too.
dogshaming.com – always good for a laugh
haiku by ku – a poetic pup
wellmindedword – recently wrote about the thundershirt
adventures at runamuck ranch – advocate for the inflatable e-collar
my dogs are cooler than me – a Cavalier King Charles pup called Pal
high strung dog – looks like Donna but Koda is an Aussie Kelpie
merleytwister – kids, retired greyhound and rescued kitty.
pawsabilities – just posted this great post on moving to a flat with a dog
thedoggerel – recently wrote about dog fights and recall.

[Note: Versatile Blogger Rules:

Add The Versatile Blogger award photo on a blog post
Thank the person who presented you with the award and link back to him or her in your post.
Pass the award along to 15 favorite bloggers. Contact the chosen bloggers to let them know about the award.
Share Seven Things About Yourself:

BUT, weliveinaflat would like to say that there is absolutely NO obligation to receive, repost or follow any of the above rules. We nominate because we enjoyed these blogs but we do not want to inconvenience them in anyway.]

The canine squad is launching a nation-wide search for the missing suspect. They have issued the following 7 key characteristics of Donna the local mongrel. Citizens who should happen to see a dog answering to the following descriptions should alert the local authorities immediately:

Local mongrel with distinct black and tan markings on the face and chest/fore legs.
Height: 60cm
Eyes: Brown but may flash green in the dark
Suspect has been known to wear costume and may be in disguise.
Please be alert for suspicious characters resembling Dobby with floppy ears.
Please be alert for suspicious characters resembling Batman or Joker.
Previous identities assumed – Inspector Grass. Suspect most likely will loiter in grassy fields. Please search grassy areas as top priority.

Authorities advise innocent passerbys to alert using the whistle-blowing number [+65-I-found-a-dog] should they encounter any suspicious four-legged canine answering to the descriptions posted above.

The story above is fictitious and Donna is not lost in anyway.

Image sources, because the following images do not belong to me and I will be obliged to take them down if requested:

– Mugshot background template – http://www.gavtrain.com/?p=2586
– image of Dobby – http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/harry-potter/images/17698382/title/dobby-photo
– image of batman – digitalspy.co.uk
– image of joker – sideshowcollectors.com