Trip To The Mountains

Lately Aunty Tooki has been feeling as hot and exhausted as this poor chap.  I decided to give myself a break and go find a cool place to chill out.

Off to the mountains I went.  Thick clouds and rain and mist.  What more could I ask for!  Lovely!



Henri Matisse said, "There are always flowers for those who want to see them."  How very true.

Aunty Tooki says....there are always dogs for those who want to see them.  I saw lots of homeless dogs up there.  This one was waiting for customers to throw her some food.  Look at those scars.

This one slept in the middle of the road.  He didn't care if a car ran over him.

This one slept under a car.  Look at that horrible wound/growth.  Isn't it pathetic?  No one bothered with them and Aunty Tooki felt so, so sorry.

This one tore at my heart.  It was running all over on three legs trying to look for food in the garbage bins.  There was none.  Aunty Tooki bought him a packet of rice with chicken and gravy.  I am so sorry I couldn't do more.  That was probably the only decent meal he had ever had in a long, long time.

Once upon a time, I was a cute little puppy too.  I fed on my mother's milk and I grew fat while she grew thin.  Then she left me to fend for myself.  Where to find food?  From the garbage.  Toxic food that humans threw at me made my body rot.  I was too hungry to resist. 

They live near humans but not many will give them food, even leftover food.  Some are killed in a cruel manner.  Hey, dog killers!  Do you know it's like killing an innocent toddler?  That's the IQ of a dog, a toddler's IQ.

It could have been me.

Sick Dog-Haters

Homeless dog and her 3 puppies looking for food.  This neighbor (don't know who they are) always leaves thrash lying on the ground like that because he/she is too lazy to lift the lid and throw the thrash inside the bin.  I will leave you to say your piece about such people.  I just deleted what I thought of them.

I didn't want to bother with these homeless doggies but I just had to because of this tail-less dog.  Months ago I noticed him walking around with an almost severed tail.  It was hanging miserably, most of it raw and bloody, no more hair on it and just so painful to watch that Aunty Tooki wept another bucket of tears for it.  I contacted an NGO but they told me "try to get the exact location".  My apartment area is already the exact location so I didn't know just how "exact" they wanted me to be.  They conveniently forgot about my plea and then one day it started to make my staircase its home.  Talk about the law of attraction.  It looked so miserable I decided to give it food.  Then the tail dropped off and a bloody end was left and now after many, many nights of boiled chicken and rice (that's why no time to blog) it is nicely healed and doggie now walks with lighter steps.  It is even strong enough to snarl at the little pups.  Every night about 4 or 5 of them plus these 3 little puppies will wait for my insufficient bowl of rice.  It's not enough but it's all I can afford for now so they are still going through thrash left by incosiderate neighbors.  The dogs at my office were so hungry they used to eat poop from discarded pampers.  Yukky, right?  They don't do that anymore.  Tail-less dog is the 2nd dog I've seen with tail severed.  There are some dog haters around here.  Another one probably had boiling water poured on its head because a neighbor saw it walking around stinking to high heaven with maggots.  It's probably dead by now.  I just deleted another gory one which I heard from a colleague.  This place has quite a number of very sick dog-haters.

Happenings Over The Week

The SPCA team finally came to catch and spay the stray dogs last Sunday.  Here's the first 2 returned with bandages and stitches...poor doggies.  Today they will catch and spay another one.  Look, she's a Muslim and yet she's a volunteer who doesn't mind touching a stray dog.  I found out that she's a lecturer of languages at Universiti Malaysia Sabah.  God bless her and her friends for the thankless job that they are doing!

Mr. Big Bully was (accidentally) caught last Sunday and he made a BIG fuss but a phone call saved him from the knife.  The plan was to spay females only.  However, he showed symptoms of distemper so today the poor fellow will be captured again for treatment.  He must be terrified, poor doggie.

Mrs Big Bully #2 went into the trap accidentally but she was released because she just gave birth to puppies.

She hid her babies (only 2 survived) in this miserable dump where rubbish is burnt.  I had to tell them to stop burning for the time being or puppies will be barbecued.

When her babies were taken away for adoption I caught her going to that place to look for them and I felt so, so, so sad for her.  She looked lost and bereft.  Earlier on when my colleague moved her babies to a safer place she brought them back there.  The poor dog thought I was the one who did it and when I stood there looking at her babies she slowly put my leg in her mouth.  I was startled and backed off and she started growling and barking at me.  It was a gentle warning for me to keep off.  She knew that if she bit me that will be the end of her chicken rice supply.

Mrs. Big Bully #1 has gone over the Rainbow Bridge, together with Wawa's mother.  They both died at around the same time a week or more ago.  I was extremely saddened to learn that this dog which greeted me each morning is gone forever.  She seemed sick after her last batch of puppies came and when they were taken away she must've missed them and maybe lost the will to live.  I take comfort in the fact that she is forever released from her daily misery.  I hope they are happy and well in heaven.  How I wish the Rainbow Bridge story is true and how I dearly wish that all dogs go to heaven.  I never understood why the Bible said the day of death is better than the day of birth.  Now I understand because these dogs are born into a miserable life, if they never get adopted.  No food, no love, nobody to care for them.  Shunned, beaten, poisoned or fed with food that gives them horrible skin diseases.  Indeed, the day of their death is better than the day of their birth....:'(

Help Me, I'm Lost!

A dog at my workplace gave birth to puppies again.  Yesterday, for some unknown reason, she moved her puppies to a not-so-safe spot near the garbage bin.  Very little protection from the rain and this morning the sound of motorbikes startled the puppies and made a couple of them fall into the ditch in fright.

 Although he looks happy he's actually yelping for help.

" ..Yelp me..yelp me, Momeee!"

 Mommi said, "I'd like to help you but you are getting heavier and I have to feed your brothers.  Get out of the ditch yourself, you've got to learn!"  That yellow thing is the garbage bin I was talking about and underneath is just about all the shelter they get from wind and rain.

 "The ditch is too deep and I am still too short....sob..."

"Boohoohoo...it's a jungle out here!  Oh?  Who's hand is this?  This kind hand that saves me from my miry pit??"  Of course, none other than Aunty Tooki once she's done with the flashy box.

 "Oh, my brother!  Am I glad you're back!  Let us hug each other and never be parted again!"  Your soft body is also better than the prickly grass.

Exhausted, little lost puppy fell asleep underneath his garbage home.  Good news, a workmate has his eye on this little cutie so he will soon have a loving, forever home.  As soon as this week, I think.

Please Adopt Boonie

This is Boonie.

I am helping Simone and Bella Luna from Doberman's By The Sea to spread the word about Boonie, an unneutered male Lab-Boxer mix who is homeless. We are all hoping Boonie will find a loving owner through our blogs. To find out more about Boonie's story, please click on the link.

Only 1 Life

They say a cat has 9 lives but not poor kitty cat. I took 3 days off work and didn't go to the office to feed it on one of those days. When I went yesterday a staff who lived in one of the quarters (where kitty cat loitered outside) told me that it had died. I know she threw leftover food outside for 4 other kittens so poor kitty cat must've gone hungry and ate bad food. She told me it was purging before it died. At least her husband helped bury it. Although we knew each other for such a short time, he still left a fair bit of emptiness in my heart. My last visit he actually ran to greet me even though his legs must've caused him some pain. I hope you're in a beautiful place in heaven where you limp no more and all pain is gone for ever........!

How Could You?

While waiting for our transport at the veterinary I noticed that kitty cat went after 2 kinds of people. In fact, he limped so fast after them I had to run a little to catch him. First, he was attracted to male figures. And even more so, he was attracted to ladies wearing heard scarves. He will meow and go after them on his 3 paws without looking back at me! It happened too many times to be a coincidence. I think his owner must've been a Malay family and God knows whether little kitty lost his way (unlikely) or whether they just decided to get rid of him. I came across a dog poem entitled "How Could You?" and it was so heart-breaking I couldn't finish reading it properly because I was sobbing too hard and looking for Coco and Wawa so I could hug them for comfort! The author, Jim Willis, needs our help in promoting this poem. The more I see starving and suffering strays, the harder it is to turn a blind eye. Yet, how much can one person do? Here is the poem, it is very, very long.....

How Could You?

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 for a bellyrub.

My housebreaking 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 got 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, 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 your only 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 realized 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 pounded 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 dogspeak, 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 so much loyalty.

by Jim Willis

A Note from the Author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year in animal shelters. Please use this to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals.Please pass this on to everyone, not to hurt them or make them sad, but it could save maybe, even one, unwanted pet.Remember...They love UNCONDITIONALLY.

The Veterinary

The poor kitty cat which was mauled by the dogs in my office didn't seem to get any better and seeing it's leg folded in an odd way I had no choice but to quickly bring it to the vet. The vet was away so his beautiful and immaculately made-up assistant (in high heels - what if she has to attend to a thrashing dog/goat?) attended to the cat instead. She pinched its paws and didn't think anything was broken. That was a bit of good news. After dressing its wounds and giving it 2 jabs kitty cat couldn't be contained in its box anymore. It can now limp about unsteadily. A vast improvement!

While waiting for our transport under a cool, shady tree (negative ions everywhere), I took a few photos of the surrounding. This is a government veterinary - very nice brick building. I noticed 2 goats being unloaded - aha, high heels. Government veterinary is serious business, they attend to farm animals as well as pets.

This is a fruit tree that my mom planted in her garden when I was still a child. I seldom see this tree being grown nowadays so when I saw one growing right next to the vet's house it brought back happy memories of my childhood days. The fruit is called "cermai" (pronounced cher-mai) and is so sour you won't be able to eat it with a straight face. We normally dip it in sugar or pickle it. All I could do NOT to get my hands on that bunch....

Lord! Are You Sleeping?

I am not sure if this kitty cat wandered into my workplace by accident or whether some unkind person just abandoned it there.  When I reached my office 2 mornings ago, it was surrounded by 5 to 6 excited dogs, all out for its blood.  It was almost torn to pieces and although there were lots of people watching, none ventured to lend it a helping hand.  Out of consideration for all the rice and chicken that I had been feeding them, the dogs dropped the kitten on the grass as soon as I went near and shooed them away.  Poor kitty cat can now barely move.  It's hind legs are badly injured.  My cat-lover colleague said no bones broken but muscles are probably torn.  It was still bleeding a little when I left it yesterday....life is full of pain and suffering.  A friend of mine has taken the liberty to remodel God after seeing all the suffering in the world.  Not that he has stopped believing in God, but it is his way of reconciling God and His apparent lack of concern for all suffering humans.  He no longer believes that God is all powerful and all knowing.  To him, an all loving God who can't lend a helping hand is better than an all powerful God who doesn't lend a helping hand.  I think it's more productive to let God use us to ease all the suffering we see each day than to ask Him why He's sleeping on His job.

We Made It!

"Can we come over please......?"

I thought these puppies had died. Their mother had hidden them in the thick undergrowth in a vacant lot next to my workplace. When they made their first appearance yesterday I was delighted. Not only had they survived, they were plump and healthy and surprisingly clean! I hope they find new homes soon. Click here to see my first encounter with them.

More Puppies

Mr. Big Bully was so busy growling at Mr. Wolf that he forgot to eat. So the girls had a good meal.
I heard puppies crying beyond the fence. It was impossible to get into that snake-infested growth so I left. When I was about to get inside my car it started to rain.....poor puppies!

A Sad Day

I was very, very sad yesterday because I saw another puppy die very miserably. Before I went for my long new year holiday the newborn puppies at my workplace were still blind. When I returned from my vacation their eyes had opened. They didn't look well but they were able to wobble about, lean on each other and even growl a bit. One by one they disappeared and only a little white puppy was left all alone. Sick and whimpering and abandoned by its parent. Yesterday I heard it cry very loudly the whole morning but I couldn't get away from my work. Soon as I could I went to see it and found it lying under the sun, unable to move but crying and its eyes looked blind. I carried it to the shade and fed it water from a syringe and wrapped it with a towel because the flies were bothering it. It looked so miserable it broke my heart. Lunch time I bought some milk and said right after work I will feed it. Too bad, it had already died. It wasn't the death that made me sad but the thought that it had to suffer all alone for a whole day or perhaps over that long weekend. Hungry, lonely with no mommy to lick away its pain. I hope it woke up in a better world. I hope it is running happily and healthily in a beautiful part of heaven. With lots of love.

A Stray Cat

About 3-4 years ago, before I had any pets, this stray cat came to my house. Because I fed it everyday, he stayed for about 2 months before disappearing mysteriously. I suspect the family who lived opposite me must have taken him with them when they moved. They probably fed him as well so he was having the best of both worlds!

I was pretty sad when he disappeared because he had such a unique personality. He was a very grumpy cat and I find that so amusing! When I went for a walk, he insisted on following but he will grumble all the way. When I washed the floor he will settle on top of my washing machine and grumble! I really enjoyed our 2 months of friendship. I hope he is well-fed and happy in a nice home.........

It Is Heart-Breaking

Thank you Rubie and this post is for you. It is very heart-breaking when I think that stray dogs have never felt a hand lovingly stroking them or hear a voice speaking nicely to them. A friend just told me that dogs are the only animals who can read our facial expressions (my sister insists her cats can too) so it is heart-breaking that strays only get impatient/angry/nervous stares from most humans. They get babies without knowing why (I imagine) and many times they watch their babies die. I recently saw one of them pushing her dead pup with her nose trying to wake it. Sad, isn't it? Last Saturday I went to my office to check on something and didn't bring food with me. Mr. Big Bully whined happily when I got down from my car and he followed me up the steps but I was so, so sorry I had no food with me. He whined unhappily and slept at my door when I left. I felt so bad I bought a loaf of bread at a nearby shop. When I returned he was still lying infront of my door looking (I imagine) extremely disappointed and hungry. He was disappointed that it was just bread but at least he won't go hungry for that day. Well, there are a couple of things that they enjoy. They are free to roam where they want and they don't have to go through the ordeal of taking a bath.

Mr. Big Bully Overslept

Mr. Big Bully is the only male dog in my office and although all the stray dogs are happy to see me each morning, he is the happiest of the lot. He will run towards my car as soon as I arrive and whine affectionately like a puppy. He then waits for me to punch my card before running slightly ahead of me to his feeding spot. Poor Mrs. Big Bully will wait nearby and watch him eat ALL the chicken, leaving only the rice to her and the others. 2 days ago he overslept and missed my arrival. As a result Mrs. Big Bully ate all the chicken and left him the rice.

Mr. Big Bully

This is Mr. Big Bully, a stray male who will always reach the food first and snarls off all the other dogs. Everyone has to wait until he has had his fill. I shooed him off after he had swallowed two thirds of the food so he is looking at me and wondering why I won't let him eat. However, he has his endearing side. He is the bravest among all the strays, coming near me, whining softly, wagging his tail and lately touching my hand for an instance with his nose. Signs of appreciation. He seems to have put on a little bit of weight and I haven't seen him scratching his back that much. He used to scratch so hard with his teeth until he bled. I tried pouring calamine lotion but he didn't like that at all. Village folks say coffee powder is good for drying up wounds quickly - must remember to try that on him.

Not Too Late

Thank goodness I didn't miss this opportunity to feed a homeless dog - thanks to the PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive. Ah well, this poor puppy will never get to eat Pedigree's Healthy Longevity Food For Dogs but some poor homeless puppy will at least get a full bowl of it.

Where Have You Been?

When I went to my workplace to feed the dogs I was shocked to see a little puppy in the vicinity. It was Wawa's brother, skinny, miserable and unrecognisable after missing for 6 days! I thought some kind soul had adopted it?? I wish it could tell me what happened. I suspect that someone had taken it home and decided against adopting it and brought it back to my workplace. I am so, so sad to see it with it's tail between its legs. I don't believe in just weeping when bad things happen so I am cooking more food in the kitchen now. Just wait, I'll feed you nice and proper in an hour's time.........

Sad Happenings

My adopt-the-puppies effort has paid off. These 2 puppies are missing from my workplace and I assume someone has brought them home. At least, that's what I hope. I fed them a very good meal on Sunday evening and when I went to work early the next morning they were gone. I whistled for them but no hungry, yelping puppies came running. I am happy that someone is caring for them but goodbyes are always painful. The head says one thing but the heart feels another....I'll be okay after 2 days. This morning when I took Coco for a walk an elderly lady greeted me and smiled at Coco. She was sitting alone in the carpark and I thought she was waiting for someone. Without much hesitation she told me that her "bad son-in-law" has turned her out of her home (or his home more likely) and I thought oh-oh. Like I said, Hari Raya is just a day away and this poor old (Muslim) lady has such a tragic tale to tell. And most likely no place or family to celebrate this important Muslim holiday. Perhaps she's senile and making up stories or perhaps she's telling the truth but I thought what the heck - if I can feed stray dogs, a needy human is even more important so that was one reason why I took a day off from work. She didn't ask much from me anyway, just to drive her to the nearby shops to look for more help. I hope she finds some relatives who will take her in.

Bring Me Home Please

Meanwhile, Wawa's 2 brothers are still roaming around my workplace and growing bigger and stronger each day. Wawa is only half their size. I have put up a sign for their adoption and hope some good samaritan will bring them home to love. Before they get run over by a car. They are no longer sleeping quietly in their little corner but exploring the grounds happily, usually in the car park. Mama leaves them on their own most of the time but will come near protectively when they nibble my shoes and yelp for food.