Coco The Politician

Before....

.....after.

Before....

....after (pat, pat on the back for Tooki!)



After, after....aftermath.....:(



Here's what it used to look like....:(

I had been saving these Chinese paper cuttings for a long time.  I have always wanted to frame them up (I had 4 of them) and put them on my wall but I proscratinated.  I procrastinated for more than 10 years.  Since I was too lazy to cut and paste I suddenly had this "bright" idea about using them to brighten up that yellow cardboard.  It was no easy task gluing them on because they were so delicate.  10 years of saving and hours of hard work ruined overnight by COCO!!!!

Who?  Me?  Not me!  It is Wawa!

Denying and accusing others....tsk, tsk, tsk.  You are a liar and should be in politics.

Life Is Wonderful

A combination of simple things gave me a wonderful feeling this morning.

It's a holiday today and something nice is cooking in the kitchen.

A cool breeze is making the bells tinkle, tinkle, tinkle.  I watched the leaves falling off the trees as I washed the dishes.  The trees were swaying gently and it promises to be a cool, grey day...mmm, lovely!

A sweet doggie keeping me company while I cooked.  She took away all my loneliness and warmed my heart.  (She probably has an ulterior motive.)

Because you have been so loyal, you get a present from me -- a laundry powder scoop!  Wawa gets nothing because he didn't keep me company while I slogged in the kitchen.

When will the hamburgers be edible?  I am hungry....

Nothing for me, eh?  While you pine for the hamburgers, I will GRAB YOUR SCOOP!  Heh, heh, heh!  Yes, when will the hamburgers be edible?

Selamat Hari Raya, Satu (1) Malaysia!

It's Hari Raya again!  This is Coco's 2nd Hari Raya and Wawa's 1st.  I still remember Coco eating too many sweet cookies and getting sick last year.  My colleague gave me 3 boxes of Hari Raya cookies -- I was surprised and touched by her gesture.  When she shook my hands just before she left for the holidays she wept.  It's usual for the ladies to get emotional during times like this.  Just before Raya they will go round shaking hands and seeking forgiveness and some can get really weepy.  A bit of Chinese culture has crept into Hari Raya celebrations in Malaysia - fire crackers.  Before the big day there will be daily reports of police seizing crackers or some kid's fingers getting blown off.  Fire crackers are illegal in Malaysia although judging from the booms I hear, they are probably closing one eye (or both).  This morning felt a little like Chinese New Year to me.  This is one of the positive things about One Malaysia.  Our Prime Minister is advocating harmony and unity thus there is a One Malaysia everything -- 1 Malaysia Health Clinic, 1 Malaysia grocery store, 1 Malaysia e-mail, 1 Malaysia Foundation and 1 Malaysia Youth Fund.  The term is said in friendly jest by almost everyone I know.  Once I was attending a function and an Indian friend was sitting next to me.  So there we were, a Chinese, an Indian, a Kadazan and a Malay.  Abu Bakar Ellah @ Ampal was the MC/singer at the function and he came forward and said, "Waaah, this is 1 Malaysia!".  Wishing all Muslims a happy Hari Raya!

I Am Lost Without You!

Every inch the bully at home.

Coco! Where are you? Are you down there?

Wawa harasses Coco no end when he's at home but when he lost sight of her at the beach, he sort of panicked.  When I asked him, "Where's Coco?" he suddenly realised that she was missing.  He began searching and furtling frantically while Coco watched us quietly from a distance.  Sly Coco was probably amused and thinking "Serves him right for always grabbing my toys!".  He's a 15kg baby.  Yesterday I had to lug him along when I brought Coco to the groomer.  I also had to lug my nephew along.  He would rather sit in between 2 dogs and get dog hair/drool all over him than stay home with Wawa while I brought Coco.  Which is actually the more sensible choice, any fool can see that.  Everybody thinks it's fun at the petshop and wants a piece of the action.  Everybody except Wawa who was petrified of leaving his comfort zone.  It pained me to see him so frightened but the customers at the pet shop found a shivering dog funny.  Wawa was so petrified he sat quietly at my feet and went into shivering spasms every 10 seconds.  He even splurt a few drops of piss which I pretended not to notice.  The young lady with the cute 2 month old pooch asked if I sent my dog for training.  Ummm, I train him myself (gulp, what a lie), I told her, using food as rewards.  Mrs C my neighbor who has seen the TRUTH about my dogs would shake her head wearily and say, "Ohh, I wouldn't have the energy to bring 2 dogs for a walk loh...".  I was trying to have a conversation with her while having my arms criss-crossed and flung wide open by 2 dogs trying to pull them out of their sockets.  Mrs C would rather go swim in the pool.

Oh, pheewww!  I am so happy I found you!

Saturday Stroll

Hey, Coco!  They're mowing the grass so they won't stick to you when we go for a walk!

Yeah!  I am happy!

Stop running about, Wawa.  Let's go furtle.

So she furtles a little under the rock.....

...and she furtles some more by the little house (while Wawa is still running around madly).

We saw some pretty flowers along the way.

And interesting fruits with an ant still on it.  Those are hateful giant ants which we don't want to step on.

We even saw a hawk/eagle in the sky!  Mommi says she will buy a better camera for such shots.

We saw some more fruits.  Mommi used to eat these when she was little - it's a kind of mini markisa (passion fruit).  Her aunt named it "buah papak" because it makes a "pak" sound when you break it open.

These thorny leaves are hateful to all of us, especially the dried, fallen ones which get stuck on my coat....:(

Last but not least, I jumped into the sea today!  Mommi screamed and was about to dive in when I decided to make a u-turn.  I do have skinny legs, don't I?  Hey Wawa, you should try diving in!  (Coco! Stop teaching your brother bad stuff!)

Pardon Me But I Love Dogs

Blind Muslim woman with her guide dog

I was reading the local news this morning and came across an article indignantly reporting a Muslim actress cuddling what looked like a puppy schnauzer.  There's no denying that schnauzers/puppies are absolutely irresistable creatures.  The report also included a few photos showing a woman (face blurred) cuddling her cute doggie.  The writer went, "I am shocked!  She is shameless! She is too much!  I don't want to say anything anymore!  OMG!!"  I was amused by some of the comments she received.

Dogs are taboo to Muslims and I really wanted to know why.  I searched the net and from a simple thing like why dogs are a no-no to Muslims, it became heatedly religious and political (yes, political) so I stopped reading.  I did learn that some Muslims love and own dogs, especially outside Malaysia.  The blind woman in the above photo overcame strong family opposition to own her guide dog.  Good for her....:) 

Muslims are allowed to touch dogs as long as it is not wet and body parts that get dog drool have to be washed 7 times.  Dogs, I gathered, can be kept for working, not so much as pets.  Thus if a Muslim needs a dog for farm work, guarding property and in the above case, as a guide dog it is perfectly okay.  I particularly like a comment by a Muslim in support of dogs.  Her name is "Nur" and she said, "I am a Muslim and I love, love, love dogs."  She posted this passage, probably from the Quran:

Allah's Apostle said, "While a man was walking on a road, he became very thirsty. Then he came across a well, got down into it, drank (of its water) and then came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst.  The man said to himself, "This dog is suffering from the same state of thirst as I did."  So he went down the well (again) and filled his shoe (with water) and held it in his mouth and watered the dog.  Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him.  The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?"  He said, "(Yes) There is a reward for serving any animate (living being)."

Muslims love cats - well, most I know.  The dog is as much a creation of God as the cat.  Even though the Quran exhorts Muslims to show kindness to all living beings (dogs included), most don't practise this law.  Please realise that shunning is not kindness.  Neither is shrieking and dragging your children away from dogs like they're plague.  Children learn from adults so they end up throwing things at dogs because they sense that dogs are bad, should be avoided and shooed off.  It's just too bad.  Ah well...let's hope they will grow up and out of this prejudice towards dogs and heed what Allah's Apostle taught.

Brindle Dogs & Calico Cats (And Oh, Mary Shit)

I learnt 2 new things recently.  Something that is probably common knowledge to seasoned pet owners.  First, I learnt what a brindle is.  A brindle dog is what I have been seeing everyday for the past 1 year and 9 months in my working place without realising that it is called a brindle dog.  It is none other than....Wawa's natural mother!  I used to think that her coat looked rather messy and a good bath will proabably make her look better.  I am now beginning to appreciate the rarity and finer points of a brindle coat.....:)

I also learnt what a calico cat is.  I have seen such cats all my life but only knew them as "three colour cat".  My mother used to tell us that they are very rare, are leaders and will kill all other cats.  Well, calico cats are everywhere these days and especially in the vicinity of my home and I don't think any of the above is true.  There is a stray calico cat which is being fed by my neighbor.  Lucky cat - she's living like a queen in his carpark and having fish everyday (I suppose).  It's no ordinary carpark, mind you - my neighbor has planted a lush garden and has filled up the empty carpark with deck chairs and table and even his books. I wonder whose carpark is that but oh, never mind.  He'll read his papers there and the cat will be lounging in relative luxury.  God bless him for his kindness.  I have also learnt that people who love animals can be brutal with humans.  My neighbor isn't brutal but he's not exactly a nice person. 

Yesterday I called a certain "Mary" about the stray dogs in my office.  The axe has finally fallen - these dogs are beginning to get aggressive with the public and especially children and the problem had to be addressed.  I offered to take care of it rather than let it go to someone else who'd loved to see them shot. For 2 days I made call after call to the "relevant" authorities.  I was passed around like a potato until this "Mary" finally picked up her handphone and oh boy was she rude.  "Who are you? Which Mary are you looking for?!!  I am Mary the lawyer!!! Growl, bark, snarl!"  She was SO rude I saved her number as Mary Shit.  Eventually, Mary Shit mellowed after she talked for a while and inspite of her attitude she was the one who gave me a relevant contact.  She even asked God to bless me for being concerned about the strays. So there you are, people who love animals can be rather nasty to humans.  After being passed round for the final time, I finally contacted the president of a certain animal society and there seems to be hope.  Light at the end of the tunnel.  Let's see if he will do what he promised to do -- send a team over to relocate the dogs or if that's not possible, to neuter them.  That will reduce the aggression, at least.  He even thanked me for feeding the dogs.  Hmm?  That's very nice of him.

I Hate Loud Music, Love Grass Etc

I attended a charity dinner several nights ago.  My nephew had bought 2 tickets and if I didn't attend, neither could he because he is car-less.  Partly for his sake, I decided to make that rare journey to town after sundown.  Eversince I had dogs I rarely leave the house at night.  I pity my dogs - 10 hours without me during the day is bad enough.  I also didn't want to get more complaints from neighbors about dogs barking madly when they're trying to rest.  The lengths we go to for our dogs.  The sacrifices we make.  The little pleasures we forego.  So being a Saturday, I stayed home for as long as I could and, much to their delirious delight, even took them out for a long walk to tire them out.  That way they will be quieter when I am away for the night.

The dinner was in support of underpriveleged and abused children from different parts of Sabah.  I have a little weakness towards this organization and would make a donation whenever I had saved some.  There was a huge turnout which just goes to show how charitable Sabahans can be!  I read in the papers later that they managed to raise RM100,000.  It was like a huge wedding dinner, 10 to a table and I got teamed up with good friends and some people that I'd really like to get to know.  There we were warming up to each other and the first course came and it tasted rather good.  The pumpkin soup was next and the children were doing some pleasant presentations.  And then....everything turned sour when a singer with a booming voice went on stage and sang non-stop.  The music was so loud we had to go "huh, huh, huh?" when our friend next to us asked us something.  A friend developed a headache (tinnitus more like) and had to go outside for a breath of fresh air. 5 songs later and still no sign of food, I decided to leave.  My nephew drooled over the lemon chicken which never came.  I bought us KFC on the way home.  

Mr. Boom-Boom spoilt an otherwise wonderful evening. One that I had rather looked forward to.  I did a great deal of chores in readiness for it. Like taking Coco and Wawa for a walk under the hot, blazing noon sun. Coco went cuckoo because of that and started communicating with posts. Bathing the dogs and oh...cleaning up the sand and dirt, twigs and branches that Coco carried home. And the most HATEFUL thing about that walk?  No, not just getting sunburnt.

I don't understand why some photos insist on getting turned the wrong way but as I was saying...there is nothing more HATEFUL than a million love grass getting stuck in your pants.  Every single one had to be pulled out and when the pants were done, there was another million stuck on Coco.  I should roll Mr. Boom Boom for an hour in that field of grass....;/

Too Much Of A Good Thing

Oh, talk to me, please! Won't you, won't you tell me your name, you lovely vision in white?

You've had too much sun, Coco. Come away! Come away! It's time to go home, Mommi's calling us....

What Are You? A Whippet?!

Wawa...could you possibly be...distantly...remotely.....

......related to the whippet?

(Mmmm...possible, my great, great, great, great grandfather...?)

Dangerous Dogs

I was looking for some doggie information and got linked to a website in UK(southampton.gov.uk). I didn't know that it is illegal (in that place) to possess the following dogs. All are unknown to me except the pitbull terrier (I am rather ignorant about dog breeds). There have been a few pitbull attacks, some fatal, in Malaysia recently.

Fila Braziliero

Dogo Argentino (nice eyes!)

Japanese Tosa

Pit Bull Terrier

Hey, who put my picture here? I am not a dangerous dog. I only look dangerously psychotic when I sleep.

Cutie Pies In China

I was going through some old photos and found a few that I took before I met Coco and Wawa. This was taken in Guilin, China in 2009. An elderly gentleman was walking his dog.

Everybody found him cute but he didn't share the same sentiments. In fact, he got rather annoyed and chased after a young tourist who wanted to touch him. You're a fierce cutie pie!

This is another cutie pie in Guilin. A little girl tied him to a post and told the security guard at the entrance of the park to "guard her little doggie". She was as cute as her doggie.

The cutest of all the doggies was a......(drum roll)......S*C*H*N*A*U*Z*E*R!!! It was sitting next to my table in this Shenzen restaurant in 2008. She (I'd like to think it was a she) was sitting next to her mistress on one of those comfy chairs. Mistress told her very, very sternly in Cantonese to sit quietly or else! She whined and put her head on her lap -- schnauzer art of self-defence. The waitresses giggled but tactfully brought a piece of newspaper. Many years ago, this discriminating sign was put outside restaurants in China patronised by westerners - Dogs And Chinese Not Allowed. Bruce Lee beat the daylights out of them in his movies. China drove out all her enemies and closed her doors. Can you blame them? To this day when foreigners report it is always "Chinese leaders claimed...this and that" as if Chinese leaders are always lying.

So, that was how I fell in love with a schnauzer. I told myself if I ever had a dog, it will be a schnauzer. I bought Coco in April 2010. Yeah, and because of you, Coco, I can no longer travel to China or anywhere. I can't bear putting you in a pet shop, all caged up for a week without Mommi. You won't be getting boiled chicken or titbits. You won't even get canned chicken. You will be fed dry dog food. Hmm, maybe it's a good way to end your picky ways.