Wawa's Sleeping Positions - 3

Snoozing among Coco's possessions....zzzzz

Not Again??!!

Another cd wrecked....... :( :( :(

Coco's Suitors

The vet said Coco must be having some kind of hormonal imbalance because she shouldn't be bleeding again after 3 months. A dog has its period once in 6 months. She has been attracting a couple of suitors which didn't pose any major problem until yesterday when we went for our morning stroll. We were mauled by an over amorous dog. I know he didn't mean any harm but I had to lift Coco away from him and he had his paws on me instead. The guy who jogged with him daily wasn't the owner and the dog was unleashed and I suspect no one actually owns that dog. I was so annoyed I had visions of poisoning him, have him shot or run over with my car. All my sympathies for strays flew out the window because he almost pulled my pants down trying to get at Coco and when I reached home my attire was stained with mud and there were scratch marks on my thigh. While the tussle went on I noticed Wawa hiding under the bush in fear and watching us. If it wasn't so horrible I could've laughed at his expression. I had to leave him behind while I ran into the house with Coco in my arms and the lustful dog howling behind. I deposited Coco in the house, went at the mad dog with my fly swatter (he left in a hurry) and rescued Wawa all in one breath. No more strolls for the time being!

Sayonara....

A day after the little puppy reappeared at my workplace, a young couple asked me about its adoption. I was reluctant and told them it wasn't feeling well, how about waiting a week? I wanted to spend more time with it, see it get well and transform into its old sprightly self before saying goodbye but the couple seemed pretty adamant. I showed them where the puppy was and that was that. At least you came to say sayonara before leaving for your new home. I hope you will be well looked after and showered with lots of love.

Are You The....King?

When I told a friend that a stray dog had given birth to 9 puppies she said among the 9 there will be a "king" and it will be very good to own that one. How to identify, I don't know and I think neither does she. Perhaps it will be outstanding physically or mentally? Maybe exceptionally faithful? More loyal? No idea but I managed to get Wawa, the sickest and tiniest of the lot and compared to his siblings who have died or been abandoned he sure is living like a KING in my house!

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.........

Kuih Sapit

These kuih sapit are so deliciously crunchy!!

Moon Cake Festival

Before Hari Raya (month long celebration) is over, the Chinese will celebrate Moon Cake Day on September 22nd. My friend visited me 2 days ago with her dear Mom and very lovely daughter. And they brought these beautifully packaged mooncakes for me........thank you! Mooncakes are too sweet to be enjoyed (at least by me) so we buy for 3 reasons -- tradition, beautiful packaging and it's everywhere.

Hari Raya Delicacies

Today is the 3rd day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Something I like about this festival is the sweet delicacies served in every home. My workmate gave me some that she made and I topped up some more from the supermarket. A long time traditional favorite is "kuih makmur", the round white ones which melt in the mouth. The long ones are called "batang buruk" which means rotten logs. Coco and Wawa will sit at my feet and drool when I so much as open the lid.

Life's Ok

This is supposed to be a hamster blog but I didn't know that dogs will be a part of my life when I started blogging! My 3 hamsters are living very contented (albeit boring) lives and they are also putting on a bit of weight. An An eating and falling asleep........

Pain In The Neck

Coco has been in a very bad mood since she gotten ill. She lost her patience with Wawa's rough playing more than once and looked ready to snap. Wawa must be a pain in the neck for Coco - he grabs her toys and food (especially) and jumps on her, biting her paws, her jaws, her whiskers, her ears, her tail.....anything. He also gets to sleep on my lap while Coco has to lie on the cold floor. She gets leashed up when it's time to go outside while Wawa is free as a bird (can't find a leash that small) and sometimes he goes out more often than she does - reason being he shits more often. But Coco doesn't understand that so she yelps at the highest pitch when she sees us going out.

Cyber Home

Brought Wawa to the clinic today for his first vaccination. On his first visit he weighed a mere 500g. Today his weight has gone up to 1 kg! I only come to my "cyber home" on weekends to blog and to do other online things because weekdays I stay 25km away by the seaside (nearer my workplace) where there is virtually no internet connection. So Wawa had a great time exploring "cyber home" and not heeding when I call but when it came time to nap, he sweetly did so at my feet. So endearing - how can I send you away in 9 weeks' time? After 9 weeks and 2 more vaccinations, he will be ready to board the plane and fly off to his new home and owner (my sis).

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.

Get Well Soon

2 jabs later.....no more her usual self. Get well soon because I miss the old active you!

No More Sweet Indulgence!

Coco hasn't been well since Sunday (vomiting and diarrhoea) so I brought her to the vet today. No infection, no fever, just a case of overeating. Hari Raya is just round the corner so we had been indulging in cookies and sweet things........by the way these oatmeal cookies are really good.

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.

Coco! Let Me Out!

A book I bought says confining a dog to a crate is one of the kindest things you can do for it (afterall, wouldn't you confine a baby to a crib for safety etc etc) but these 2 dogs have conspired to do this unkind thing to me. Perhaps Coco couldn't endure Wawa's cries for help and decided to take matters into her own hands.

Good Friends

Wawa giving Coco an ear massage.

Wawa's Sleeping Positions - 2

His favorite sleeping place is my lap - he will curl up and sleep instantly.

Wawa's Sleeping Positions - 1

Another favorite sleeping style.......

I Am Exhausted

He can sleep anywhere after a meal. Coco and I left the house very, very quietly for our evening walk to avoid waking him up. We shouldn't have worried because when we came back, he was still in the same position.

You're My Mummy Now

I found him dozing ever so comfortably on Coco's rump one night......

Life Of Luxury

This little puppy sleeps a lot and he knows where the best place is......in Coco's toy basket.

Wawa

I decided to name him Wawa because he looks like a chihuahua. Wawa has a way of making you shed tears, maybe because his tail is always down and he's got a constant frown on his face. He whimpers for affection but Coco is very stingy with that. She runs away when Wawa draws near and tries to lick or touch her. So Wawa will be whimpering with loneliness and following us around whenever he's strong enough. He'll put his head on my feet when I am nearby. When I put him on my lap he will stop whimpering and go to sleep instantly. I had to return him to his mother the next day which was difficult. That will be returning to filth and dirty food again but at least he will be able to snuggle up to his mama and brothers. And I will check on him as often as I can.

Sleepless Night

I couldn't resist the urge to bring tiny tot home so that was just what I did on Thursday after work. I bundled him up, brought him home and bathed him. His ribs stuck out and his belly distended in an unhealthy way, probably full of undigested, rotting food and rubbish. He shivered for more than an hour after his warm bath and I wrapped him and he slept until he stopped trembling. Then began his hourly purge and I couldn't sleep till dawn! But he had toilet etiquette, weak and sleepy he clambered out of his basket to pee/purge religiously. The next day I brought him to the vet and he was jabbed 6 times and he screamed so loud and long that I had to leave the room. No worms (thank goodness) but he has a protozoal infection. And flu. And ticks.

You Happy, I Happy

The little puppies can now recognize my feet, at least. Whenever I visit them they will yelp happily, expertly jump off the curb and mill around my feet. They will wag their little tails and lick my fingers and really make my day. Their happiness makes me happy.......:) I keep my sister informed about them constantly and she is happy too. My text and photos always make her weep and now she feeds the strays around her house too.

Street Pups

These claws are actually for mama dog but the pups looked hungry even after they had eaten their puppy food so I just let them have a taste. Only started eating 2 days ago and these little pups already know how not to choke on the bones. Street pups are way smarter than.....Coco my pampered dog!

Today's Recipe

What I just cooked for hungry mama dog.......chicken feet/butt again! Does not look very palatable but it is better than all the trash she has been feeding on. I have been spending many hours on my computer, blogging and seeing what other people are blogging about their pets. This is very time-consuming and Coco is bored stiff. She has given up trying to make me play with her and is walking around the house with a very dejected expression. Poor Coco!

No Toys For Me

Coco gets a new toy every other day but this poor little doggie plays with trash....plastics, empty cartons, bottles. A chinese saying says "tong ren bu tong ming" meaning all are humans but not all have the same life or fate. Some live lives of comfort and luxury while others sleep on the streets. Likewise, all are dogs but not all are equally blessed. Coco is lucky to have an owner who dotes on her but these dogs have no-one to care for them. When I go near, they cower in fear or run off. An annoying colleague makes derogatory remarks about dogs all the time and sneers when I feed them while another threw stones to shoo them off. More often than not, they are regarded as a nuisance. But I am happy to say that they are slowly changing and because I care they are beginning to see them in a different light too.

Lean On Me

My job is nothing to shout about and I am not really a people-person so seeing these puppies and feeding their mother give me a lot of pleasure and really make my day. I don't know how long I can feed them or whether I can do it everyday but I don't worry about that at all. I try my best to live one day at a time so I only worry about feeding them one day at a time. Tomorrow has enough worries of its own.........

Not Again!

It fell into the drain again today but I couldn't rescue it this time. I hope mama will get her out.

Don't Know Why But I Like You

This is the tiniest of the lot and the one I'd like to bring home when weaned. It's skinny, has poor eyesight and wobbles on its feet. The other day it fell into the drain and yelped super loudly when I rescued it. It was still screaming when I returned it to the mother.

We Have Each Other

At least they have each other and are most contented when mama is around. Mama = milk = survival. When there were still 7 of them I used to put food near mama and puppies but that only drew the attention of the other dogs. To protect them poor mama carried them one by one to another secluded place across the street. I didn't realise what she was doing and thought that she had abandoned her pups. They were yelping on top of their voices all morning and when I went to check on them during lunch I found one lonely pup crying miserably for its mother. I thought someone had taken the pups home (and left this one behind) and as a result mama abandoned them. So I put it in a box with some towel and tried feeding it milk. It couldn't drink properly and kept whimpering/yelping for mom when it wasn't sleeping. I decided to bring it home and let Coco be stand-in mom. As I was about to leave the office its mother found me and was I relieved to see her! She didn't give up looking for her baby even though I kept it in my room for half a day. She's a great mom. For mothers who dump their babies (sometimes still alive) in garbage bins - please learn from this dog!

Life Is Miserable

One of the puppies - no home, no loving owner, not enough food.....life is miserable indeed.

I Am Full - At Long Last!

This is a stray female at my workplace which gave birth to 9 puppies about a month ago. Very sadly, I only see 4 puppies now. I have been feeding it for the past month but the other dogs will get her food as soon as my back is turned. It's Saturday today so I decided to cook a BIG meal for all the dogs (they were surviving on bread and sardines which barely filled their stomachs). It looked so delicious I was tempted to drink the soup (chicken feet/butt)....no, I didn't. When I arrived all the dogs were nowhere to be found except for this mama dog and her pups. I gave her all the food and went to check on her puppies. When I came back she had finished everything and not even a tiny bone was left for her friends. Or enemies, rather.

Footwork

Mimi cleaning her foot.

Stray Dogs

The other day my colleagues and I were drooling, oohing and aahing about the maid who inherited 12 million from her rich owner. Didn't read the details but she sure is lucky - don't you wish it's you. What would I do if I had 12 million? I would open a shelter for homeless animals. Thanks to Coco I became more aware of the stray dogs at my workplace (after ignoring them for the past half year) and finally did what I was trying hard not to do all the time - feed them. Puppies appeared and I became particularly fond of one which came running each time I whistled. One by one they were captured, hopefully, into new homes. Who knows, some might end up in a pot. Sad but true. My little favorite was the last to be captured because it knew how to run away when strangers approached. It was finally caught but not before giving the fellow a long jog around the building in the rain. The man seemed suspiciously persistant and I felt uneasy when he took hold of a stick. I couldn't do much except tell him you better take good care of the dog and not eat it!! Coco and the likes are having a good life but strays lead very, very miserable lives.

Great Inovation

Very useful device for picking up dog shit. Step 1 - cover excrement with sufficient tissue. Step 2 - pick it up with the device. Step 3 - flush it. Step 4 - clean up what's left on the floor. Any useful device for mopping up urine?

Go To Sleep!

The best time of any day is when this dog sleeps.

Snout

Schnauzer's snout....... : )

Send Me The Pillow

I bought new pillows for my hamsters and as usual Momokuai is always the one to tear it apart. That's one thing she has in common with the dog.

Dreaming Of Shangri-la

OK...we will wait for our shangri-la....zzzz....

Poor Dears

A dog is so consuming that Mi, An and Mokuai have been rather neglected. Their daily routine consists of sleeping 12 hours during the day, stirring when the sun goes down. Stretching and yawning and then preening themselves like an emperor's consort for at least another hour before jogging till dawn on their wheels. That is so boring but for the moment that will have to suffice. Till the day when I can get them a bigger playground, with lots of tunnels! Hang on there hamsters!

Lao Bak Giu

Did I hear you call me "Old Man Dog???" I am female and barely a year old....

Old Man Dog

This is Coco's favourite toy and she knows it by name. When we have time (rare, rare, rare) we'll play hide and seek with her. We will hide her octopus and then ask her where's your octopus Coco? Then she'll start searching for it and looking very pathetic at the same time. Schnauzers have a kind of pathetic look about them and the nickname for it in Chinese is "lao bak giu" or "old man dog".

Envious Dog

Coco now refuses to eat dry food so I have changed her diet to rice + meat and now it's just meat because the rice sticks to her whiskers and I am too tired to pick them out one by one. She loathes the dry pellets and prefers to starve each time I put them in front of her but she'll swallow anything I feed the hamsters. That includes all the maize and nuts that they eat. It's just envy. Once in a while, Mi, An and Mokuai eat dry dog food. Still a lot left. It must be very unpalatable because even starved stray dogs refuse to eat them.

No More House

I have confiscated my hamsters' igloos to give them more space in their new fish-tank homes. Why do they need to live in a house within a house anyway. They can no longer hide and in future I can see more of their cute little tummies. I love it when they sleep on their backs. Even the dog sleeps on her back and understands urut-urut (massage). When I say "urut-urut?" she'll roll over and let me massage her tummy. What a win-win situation. She gets massaged while I get tickled. If only my hamsters will let me do that.....

Oil Country

I drove to a neighboring oil-rich country with friends and family and it was most enjoyable. There was so much fun and laughter. It isn't a big place and living there can be pretty boring but it is clean and tidy and virtually crime-free. A neat place. And that dome probably has real gold in it. I am sure of it.

Another Weekend Trip

I went for another weekend trip in June and this time I left Mimi, AnAn and Mokuai on their own. I made sure they had lots of food and enough water and left with a slightly heavy heart but experts say it's ok for a couple of days. When I came home they looked slightly groggy but after fresh shavings, fresh food, fresh water and clean homes plus lots of soothing words, they went jogging on their wheels like nothing ever happened.

So Busy!

Life has been so busy and before you know it, July is here. Half of 2010 is gone. No time to blog, no time to aim my camera at my hamsters and dog. These wheels, which have been lying dormant since I bought hamster balls, are now put to good use again. Balls are now tattered and almost unusable while cages have been exchanged with fish tanks which are easier to clean and big enough for a wheel to go in. I hope they're happier.......