How Could You?

This article published in the July/August 2007 issue of Pets Magazine (author: Jim Willis) is a little long but very touching.

"When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend.

Whenever I was "bad", you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" But then you'd relent and roll me over a belly rub.

My housekeeping took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect.

We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only get the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, who is now your wife, is not a "dog person" - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her, I was happy because you were happy.

Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a prisoner of love.

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch - because your touch was now so infrequent - and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog", and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family", but there was a time when I was only your family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter.

It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers".

You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed, "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.

You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago.

At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind; that this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.

When I realised I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room.

She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounced in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days.

As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.

She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago.

She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said "I'm so sorry". She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself - a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place.

And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you as much loyalty as I do."

If this story brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine when I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the thousands of formerly "owned" pets who die each year at the SPCA shelter and the AVA pound. The decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life. Animals deserve our love and sensible care, and if you really can't take care of your pet, finding another caring home for your animal is your responsibility. Please do your part to stop the killing by encouraging sterilisation campaigns to prevent unwanted animals, stopping irresponsible breeding, and adopting instead of buying.

Save the Bears, Save the World

Join the Save the Bears, Save the World Meme and pledge an action that will help free bears in China from being farmed for their bile. It is a terrible life for them in cages so tiny they cannot stand or turn. In addition, catheters are permanently stuck in their side to drain bile from them.

Help Animals Asia rescue and rehabilitate these bears. Let them live out their lives with dignity and happiness in a sanctuary.

List yourself and your friends you have tagged here and add their permalinks (optional: and pledges):

1. MightyMouse
2. Bird
3. Regina
4. Gobby
5. Bao

Spread the word and happy tagging!

Beauty Galore

I went for the Royal Canin (RC) cat show yesterday, 15 July. It was an event I had looked forward to for some time. RC has a wide range of formulas so I was expecting to see a variety of breeds and new contestants - I wasn't disappointed. I didn't see as many DSHs like I did in the previous cat shows but still they shone (I'd always root for them).

I managed to catch the final ring for the household category. The judge said those who made it for this ring attest to the TLC (`Tender Loving Care') their owners had showered on them; demonstrated good disposition (he remarked that owners need to exercise their discretion if their cats are able to take this kind of public appearance in their stride); and the cats entered for the household category are not for breeding purpose. Of all the categories, this is my favourite because that's where you see all the lovely DSHs.

This is the second runner-up - nice colour combination and good body structure.

1st runner-up, a munchkin. This breed is not recognised by the Cat Fancier's Association (there is a genetic defect).

And the champion goes to this gorgeous, even-tempered ginger tabby! His name is Chester.

Other eye candy...

The Maine Coons

This might be a Siberian?

The unmistakable Persian (?)

Hey, Singapore's first and only (for now) Syphnx!

It's amazing to me how the owner managed to put a shirt on this sweetie. Mine - no way!

And if I were to pick a cat of the show - my choice would be this one. Look at the cute patches on the lower back. I cannot imagine if the judge do all that "stretching"/touching to my girls. He'd be in deep, deep trouble...

Happy Wedding Anniversary!

Grimlock and I tied the knot three years ago on this date, 11 July. Happy wedding anniversary to us!

A wedding is a one-day affair but a marriage is a lifelong partnership, somewhat like taking part in a marathon. It doesn't feel anything like being married for three years. It seems we have been together for longer than that, probably because we've been long-time friends. Our relationship started back in 1994, so we were already together for 10 years before we got married in 2004. We were considered "not-your-usual-type-of-pairing" then (though we ourselves didn't see the big deal about it).

What I understand about having a spouse who has been with me for that long is like having a buddy, having someone who knows your likes and dislikes; seen the best and worst of me (oops!); whom I can be completely frank with; being understood without having to speak; being able to pursue my space; and being comfortable with quietness when it comes.

I searched through my archive of motivational articles and I'd like to share this one with Grimlock on this special day, as a reminder to both of us:

"Staying in Like" by Annie Chapman (source: http://www.christianitytoday.com/, adapted from "Married Lovers, Married Friends")

People get married because they love each other. But they stay married because they like each other. Partners who like each other have a relationship founded on respect. When respect, and the "liking" it fosters, flourishes in a marriage, you can bet the relationship rests on solid ground.

Here are five ways to put more like in your marriage.

First, don't try to be everything to each other. My husband is my closest friend, but he isn't my only friend. While God intended that our relationship take priority over others, he never intended that we exclaim, "Us two will do!" Relationships with others enhance our liking for each other. They add a dimension to us we couldn't get if our circle of two never expanded to include anyone else.

Second, be likable. When you choose a friend, don't you look for someone who's pleasant, attractive, and enjoyable to be with? I don't tend to stay in long-term friendships with people who are always negative, boring, or unhappy, and I shouldn't expect my mate to either. Since he and I are committed to each other, we want that "staying" to be as fun as possible. I don't want just to be his wife; I want to be someone he'd choose as a good friend, even if we weren't married.

Third, grow in respect for yourself. I've found that my self-respect grows most quickly when I'm stretching and venturing into new challenges. Take up a sport you've never tried or install the garage-door opener yourself. As we grow individually, our life together grows, too, because we have more to bring to our marriage.

Fourth, respect readjustments your spouse must make. Any time either marriage partner makes a change (even a change for the better), it brings about a change in the balance of the marriage. And change can be threatening, or at least uncomfortable, just because it's different. As we take on new challenges, we need to surround our mate with the reassurance he or she needs to see that we're growing together.

Fifth, share your feelings and thoughts. How easy it is to get so busy just keeping life going that we fail to share our deepest thoughts with each other. It doesn't always have to be serious. Sometimes it's good just to laugh or simply be together. Sometimes the quietness of being together can feed the soul with the knowledge of your oneness.

Real love lives in the heart-openness the two of you share. True love starts with a "kiss of hearts," and falling in like is the way to make that kiss happen.

Skoda Junior

I've a calendar fridge magnet and this was one of the pages. I imagined Skoda's offsprings to look like these, grey just like Skoda and with the distinct marking on the forehead:

Have You Seen the Girl?

Cats are ingenious when it comes to their choice of sleeping places or hideouts, bringing much amusement to the finder. That's what I call 'thinking out of the box'.

We used to have a waste paper basket in the study, until Skoda kept digging out the contents. Once I went around in the Cove looking for her, and there she was!

The Cove is a 90-square metre apartment, but some times we've difficulty seeking out our girls. Look at this photo and you'll know why I say so.

When Skoda was much younger, we used the pet taxi to resolve some discipline issues with her. She soon "adapted" to the confinement and even made it one of her favourite snoozing spots. So now if we need to bring her to the vet, she needs no coaxing to go into the pet taxi.

Only a cat would find such sleeping postures to be comfortable...

Earlier this year, we sent the sofa covers for dry-cleaning and stacked the cushions on top of each other. Skoda and Braun knew exactly what to do with the "loop holes"!

Every time after we switch off the DVD player, we've to ensure there's no cat inside the cabinet before closing the cabinet door. One of them just might be taking a nap in there.

Nothing beats a dark, cool spot but resting her head over two chairs?

This was our old shoe rack. Braun loved to sleep on top of the shoes.

Then Braun had a bout of ringworm so to keep her off our dirty shoes, I bought a vertical shoe rack. STILL she found a way of making herself comfortable...

How did I think that she wouldn't love to take on a vertical challenge, anytime...

Alright, alright, Her Royal Highness gets her way! We no longer put shoes on the top tier.

The unanimous No. 1 most favourite sleeping place/hideout goes to - Cosy Corner!

Where could Mikki be?

"Hey, I'm not here!"

Mission PG: The Sequel

Not one who will concede "defeat" without even going through the full works, I bought a box of Four Paws cat grass on last Wed, 27 June. The soil and seeds (comprising of wheat, barley and oats) are packed separately, hence there is a much lesser incidence of creepy crawlies. A thorough inspection confirmed this. Mission 'Plant Grass' (PG) is ready for take-off!

GROUND ZERO (Wed, 27 June)

Initial inspection by Mikki...

Mix, mix, mix, mix it well...

DAY 2 (Fri, 29 June) - The first 'baby' shoot

DAY 3 (Sat, 30 June) - Hurray, more new growth!

DAY 6 (Tues, 3 July) - It's 'chomp, chomp' time!

This looked like the maximum growth. We were expecting the planter to be more filled out. The centre was quite "empty". We decided to let the girls enjoy the grass while it was still green. Snapshots of their reaction when the grass was served (15 slides arranged in chronological order):

Skoda was lukewarm, she looked on most of the time. Braun thoroughly enjoyed the "feast", she ate most of the grass. Mikki was more interested in playing with the soil, so much so we had to keep her away in the room at one point so that Braun can munch in peace. There are still several seeds that didn't germinate so I repeated the process again. Let's see if there'll be a second batch of grass.