Healthcare can be tricky, especially when it comes to insurance. After spending hours and hours searching for the best plan out there, you might end up with more questions than before. But there is a reason why we go through this ‘struggle’; all for the sake of our furkid’s health.
This is especially so for Michelle, pawmom to four domestic shorthairs – Toothless, Milkshake, Cupcake, and Chopin. As a talent developer, harpist, and an avid kayaker, Michelle is all types of busy. However, her passion for nurturing pets has always been her number one priority.
Brought Together By Fate
Michelle adopted both siblings Toothless and Milkshake together; she chanced upon an adoption notice for Toothless, and Milkshake was just rejected by a potential adopter, hence she took both in.
During the circuit breaker of 2020, she once again chanced upon another adoption notice by Toa Payoh North Strays for help to rescue an abandoned kitten, and that’s how she met Cupcake.
Chopin, was part of a litter from a pregnant cat at a car workshop – and that completes the family!
POV: Toothless and Milkshake judging you.
Four’s Never A Crowd
You must be thinking: Wow amazing, four cats in one household? Well, that’s actually not all. Michelle also fosters many cats, even multiple at once.
Her journey as a fosterer is not an easy one. She has encountered many of them battling certain illnesses such as Urine Tract Infection (UTI), Feline Coronavirus (FIP), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) among senior cats. Unfortunately, all these illnesses are more common than you think, which is a huge concern for Michelle. But thankfully, they’re all covered* under Aon Happy Tails’ Purrfect plan!
*Pre-existing conditions are not covered and such exclusion is typical with health insurance. Click here for more information.
Michelle with one of her foster kitty.
Preparing For The “What-Ifs”
With so many fur babies under her care, she would have to spend a hefty amount on treatment if they all fall critically ill at the same time, which is the last thing Michelle wants to worry about.
That’s when she chanced upon Aon Happy Tails! Upon looking at their coverage and plan, she felt that it was the perfect idea to get insured for peace of mind in the event of an emergency.
If they could speak hooman for 7 days, what would you say to them, or do with them?
“If they could speak hooman for 7 days, I would convince them to go kayaking with me! I’ve seen some pets going paddling with their owners, which I thought was pretty cool and fun.”
It goes without saying that a pawrent’s biggest wish is to provide a healthy and comfortable life for their fur kid. It can be difficult at times, but to Joanne, pawmom to her two-years-old Japanese Spitz Bailey, it’s all worth it!
Working as a real estate agent, Joanne’s flexible working schedule allows her to spend more time with her loved ones, especially Bailey.
Forever floofy
Japanese Spitz are known to be energetic fur balls who are faithful, affectionate, and well-behaved — with Bailey checking all the boxes. Bailey can always be seen with a smile on his face. He is super friendly with other dogs and even strangers!
And that’s not all! Bailey is also the master of peace; small baby hoomans could be picking at him, and smaller fur friends could be barking incessantly in his face, and he will remain unfazed, waiting patiently for his hoomans to save him.
Another interesting fact about Bailey is that he treasures cleanliness the most! He does not dirty the house even with the worst tummy aches, “the sweetest boy,” says pawmom Joanne.
“Can we eat now?”
The perfect Spitz
Joanne had been searching for a new dog from Australian and New Zealand breeders for a long time, but it took a pause when her previous dog of 14 years had passed on. 8 years later, with the intention of getting a new fur kid, Joanne was recommended by fellow dog owners to search for breeders under Dogz Online.
One of the breeders reached out, with the intention of rehoming seven-month-old Bailey within New Zealand, and with much assurance and convincing, Bailey eventually became the breeder’s first and only export out of New Zealand!
Bailey came from a niche kennel in South New Zealand that breeds Japanese Spitz to perfection mainly for dog shows. The breeders do it out of passion, with the aim of achieving pristine breed standards — not for mass breeding and sale.
As Bailey has a lower confidence level and a larger build that exceeds maximum entry size, he was put for adoption. But, he still makes a perfect house pet!
Bailey wandering around dreamland.
Preparations for the future
Japanese Spitz are known to be prone to Luxating Patella. However, by choosing to import Bailey from an ethical breeder, it allows Joanne to be at ease knowing Bailey was bred to perfection in terms of looks and health. That’s why it was important to Joanne not to get a new dog from backyard breeders.
“Dogs are paired ethically to avoid health issues inherent to the breed as much as possible,” added Joanne.
That said, the best preparation for the worst is always assurance. As a pawrent to a silky terrier before Bailey, Joanne had to spend a bomb to fly in a specialist that manages canine cataracts. In times of emergencies, she hopes to reduce her worry about medical bills and focus more on Bailey’s recovery.
“We are on the Furball plan because my take is to either do it or not do it. Once decided and committed to do so, then it is nothing short of the best within the category!”
Bailey looks trendy as ever.
*Bonus Content*
If Bailey could speak hooman for 7 days, what would you say to him, or do with him?
“If Bailey could speak hooman for 7 days… then he better use that 7 days to tell us all his likes and dislikes across all categories that will affect his life!”
Life is full of surprises, ups and downs, and in-betweens. But never fear, your doggo companion is here! The growing pains of being a dog owner are so rewarding when seeing your fur kid prancing around with its fellow furiends. That is what Xinyi, pawmom to her Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Gizmo, believes in.
A Corgi’s odyssey
Xinyi first saw Gizmo from an Australian breeder, Nireno Kennels. Due to COVID-19 restrictions last year, she wasn’t able to meet him physically. However, the distance didn’t stop her from finding ‘the one’!
Named after the 1984 movie Gremlins, Gizmo is just as adorable as his namesake. Attention-seeking by nature, he craves all the scratches and cuddles that he can get, and has grown to love his hoomans much more than his fur friends. “He is living true to his name!”, says Xinyi.
@gimmegizmothecorgi having the time of his life playing tug of war
Gizmo is a true fighter, and he channels that fighting spirit when it comes to his favorite game, tug of war. He’ll go at it with anyone — even if they’re twice his size!
While he loves to play rough, that doesn’t mean he can’t relax and have a good time. Beyond all that roughhousing, he really enjoys long walks at the park or getting all dirty and muddy at the beach.
Every week, Xinyi looks forward to planning social events for her rambunctious fur kid. “We try to let him experience new things and activities as much as we can so that we can create many happy memories with him.”
@gimmegizmothecorgi loving his water activities
Pushing through the rainy days
When Gizmo was taken for a DNA test, he was found to be at an increased risk for Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) which is a common health issue amongst Corgis. Other serious health issues include hip dysplasia, epilepsy and degenerative myelopathy.
A pawrent’s biggest fear is to see their fur kid(s) getting sick — and this came true when Gizmo had a health scare last year. He has since made a full recovery but the incident convinced Xinyi to get Gizmo insured due to his hefty hospitalization bills.
Happy Tails is the only pet insurance company that covers specified hereditary and congenital conditions — “which is helpful for us as Gizmo is at risk of IVDD and prone to congenital conditions like Hip Dysplasia,” said Xinyi.
Additionally, pups between the age of sixteen weeks and four years enjoy a lifetime co-insurance of 20%. This means 80% of the incurred expenses are covered. Enrolling your pups at a young age means they get to enjoy better co-insurance coverage – isn’t that fantastic?
“I think it provides us with a peace of mind, and means that our fur babies get to enjoy their life to the fullest without us having to worry about the ‘what-ifs’,” Xinyi added.
*Bonus Content*
If Gizmo could speak hooman for 7 days, what would you say to him? Or do with him?
“I would love to be able to travel overseas with him, and to let him explore the different sights, attractions, and food other countries have to offer. If he can speak hooman he will definitely be talking non-stop about his favorite country and food, and also making a lot of friends all around the world!”
Finding your best friend makes the world a brighter place. Especially when he comes in the shape of the cutest Golden Retriever. The epitome of sunshine, the fun-loving star isn’t only a bundle of joy to be around – he’s a star too! Shayne just wrapped up filming a Mediacorp drama, so look out for him gracing your screens soon.
Photo by @GoldenShayne
Love At First Click
Livia first saw Shayne online. After doing rounds of extensive research, Livia first laid eyes on her best friend to-be through videos of Shayne playing in his dog pen with all his toys. She knew he was the one when he calmed immediately when a human would pet him.
“He looked so calm and enjoyed the stroke of human touch. I knew instantly he was the one when I couldn’t stop sharing the videos of Shayne with my loved ones,” exclaimed Livia.
That was all it took for Shayne to be flown to Singapore to his forever home.
Photo by @GoldenShayne
A Ray of Sun-‘Shayne’
Shayne, a bundle of joy and a whole lot of energy, loves to swim. His pawparents encourage his passion for the waves, bringing him to frequent swimming sessions on the weekends. He also goes for playdates with the dogs next door and visits pet-friendly cafes – Livia wasn’t kidding when she said he was outgoing and energetic!
Even so, enjoying quiet time as a family is something treasured between this paw family too.
“My partner and I will usually watch Netflix on the sofa together after a long day of work and Shayne will lean on us as we watch TV,” said Livia.
“Shayne even watched TC too! Especially when he sees dogs going after a ball or a toy. He will stand right in front of the TV to have a closer look if he needs to ‘inspect’ what’s going on.”
Photo by @GoldenShayne
Worries, Prevention and Protection
For a dog like Shayne, one of the biggest fears Livia faces is potential hip problems that would affect his active lifestyle.
Despite getting good hip scores as a puppy, hip dysplasia is common amongst Golden Retrievers and Livia doesn’t want to leave anything to chance.
“We took preventative measures to minimize his risk when he was barely five months old. We took him to a vet and did a JPS surgery, an early intervention procedure that significantly reduces the chances of hip problems,” said Livia.
The medical costs for procedures like hip replacements now are very costly. Livia and her partner decided on getting pet insurance to avoid financial worries becoming a factor in deciding between having treatment – anything that can be done for their furkid in the future was important.
“It gives us peace of mind when the pet insurance provides a comprehensive cover, which is what HappyTails does. Even for hip dysplasia,” said Livia.
When Shayne visited the vet a few months ago, his hips were thankfully in good condition and he doesn’t look like he’ll be in any danger anytime soon. This ball of sunshine can play to his heart’s content.
*Bonus Question*
If Shayne could speak hooman for 7 days. What would you say to her for that week?
“I would want to tell Shayne to trust that we will give him the best life we could give to him! To tell him how much we love him and how much joy and laughter he’s brought into our lives! We are very grateful that he is the one.”
Healthcare is confusing. And expensive. And scary. It’s a herculean task to wrap your head around what you need, what you’re insured for, and what to do if an emergency happens. But there’s a reason why we still do it – to avoid having to do them after something unfortunate happens. Insurance is essential for us, but it’s equally crucial for our furkids. Systems and software engineer Yi Ling, a lover of cuddles, takes us through her journey with her pawpal Ronin who isn’t a fan of said cuddling time. “She kicks us away when we cuddle her for too long,” said Yi Ling. “She gets away with it though because she’s so cute.”
Getting Through Together
The pair first met when Yi Ling adopted Ronin in a foster home. The chubby cat had fallen off a moving lorry during a rainy day but thankfully left unscathed. Now, after spending 2 whole years together thanks to the pandemic and working remotely, Yi Ling knows the ins and outs of her furkid’s personality. Her feisty personality, coupled with a weakness for feathers and food are but some of the main traits that stand out.
Yi Ling and her one and only Ronin
Once every morning and evening, Yi Ling feeds Ronin furosemide drops and Vetmedin pills to treat her heart failure. When the medication first started, the brazen cat disliked it so much she went as far as knocking over two full bottles worth of furosemide. “Now, she just drinks it up and even takes the pill herself,” said Yi Ling proudly.
Even though the vet has advised that Ronin refrain from strenuous activity, nothing can stop her from doing the zoomies at night and going absolutely ham on any bird toy in sight. “When she starts panting, that’s when we know it’s time to stop playing,” said Yi Ling. These days, Ronin has been speeding around less and likes to keep busy while still being on her belly.
Putting The Best Paw Forward
On the 7th of November last year, Yi Ling’s father noticed Ronin coughing badly and whining. When she arrived home to Ronin, the coughing and wheezing had not stopped and Yi Ling quickly rushed her to the Emergency Room. “It was a scary experience, the nurse told me that Ronin wasn’t looking good,” she recalled. “I signed a form consenting to CPR if necessary, and even though it was super expensive, I knew I had to sign it.”
Thankfully, CPR wasn’t needed. But even then, the bill amounted to close to three grand. Yi Ling laughed it off saying “I’ve never even spent this much on my own bills!” Following the medical scare, Ronin now goes for check-ups and medication that cost about $400 each time. The vet says that pets with cognitive heart failure cannot live long but it’s been 8 months since her diagnosis and Ronin’s condition is improving.
“We are just hoping that she stays happy and lives as long as possible!”
Ensuring And Enduring
Even though it seems hard for Ronin to get insured now as she isn’t microchipped if there’s a suitable plan, Yi Ling would get one. “Every paw-rent should get a plan with good coverage.” Not only does pet insurance secure the well-being of your pet if something were to happen, but it also provides peace of mind for owners at a time you already have so much to worry about.
“Pets can’t speak like humans so I know how aggravating it can get for the owner when they see their pet suffering. At the A&E, there were a few owners bawling and it was so scary,” said Yi Ling. “At these moments, having to worry about money is the last thing you want.”
*Bonus Question*
Say Ronin could speak hooman for 7 days. What would you say to her for that week?
“Do you like me or my husband more?”
“I would ask her how she really is, how effective the medicine is, and if she was in pain. Would she rather us save her or let her go? I would ask her what’s her favourite food and make her agree to cuddle with me more to exchange for her favourite food haha. Also, whether she likes me or my husband more!”
There’s a common saying that our pets are caricatures of our character and personality. A stay-home hermit will have a low-energy furbaby who keeps them company, and a high-functioning socialite will have a pawpal who can match their energy. So what happens when you have an outdoorsy hooman who loves swimming, long walks, and a little bit of sun? Eleanor, graphic designer and pawmom, has a furry-footed answer in the form of a Dachshund named Dash.
A friend for the hard times
Eleanor’s transition to pet ownership was by no means easy.
Despite wanting a dog at 17 years old, Eleanor was well aware that she could not afford to maintain a pet as a student. Her father was also allergic to pet fur, which was another setback for her, but that did not stop her from making preparations regardless. “After graduating, I got myself a full-time job walking dogs,” Eleanor said. “Thanks to that, I learnt to handle all kinds of dogs and even do obedience training with the ones I am in charge of!”
Eleanor then switched from full-time dog-walking to simply volunteering at a dog rescue, when she found a new job in the office. But as work took a change of pace and commitment became difficult, she stopped volunteering altogether.
A few years after, Eleanor’s father passed. Then came the pandemic.
To cope with their loss and the anxiety from the pandemic, Eleanor and her mother felt it was time to introduce a furbaby into their family. The two went store to store looking for a puppy that the two could agree on. Their search led Eleanor to an adorable Dachshund pupper.
“It was an instant decision when I saw him interacting with his two sisters,” she said. “His sisters were barking non-stop, but Dash just quietly initiated play. He’s gentle, sticks closely to me, and is definitely the one I was looking for.”
Knight and Shining Pupper
Dash sees all strangers as friends-to-be and approaches them as such. With dogs, he always puts his best paw forward. With humans, he asks for head rubs and belly rubs. More than anything, the Dachshund just wants to play all day.
The doggo is a big fan of walking. “His daily routine includes hour-long walks in the neighbourhood park, playing with his best friends in the evening and chasing them around snatching sticks from them.”
“Every week, Dash gets to visit a fun place at least once. It could be dog runs, swimming at the beach, dog cafes, or just walking around Singapore’s tourist attractions. He enjoys it, and so do I.”
“One can never be too prepared”
Eleanor knows that a doggo as active as Dash runs a high risk of injury from all his running, jumping, and climbing. Her house has since been fitted with cushioned carpets and ramps to make Dash’s home environment that much safer. But one can never be too prepared, so she covered him with pet insurance.
“I purchased Aon Happy Tails on the same day I got Dash because I knew that Dachshunds run a higher risk of inherited diseases,” Eleanor said. “Hip and spinal injuries are also highly probable, and treatment would otherwise be very expensive.” Dachshunds are predisposed to suffer from Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD). IVDD causes a dog’s vertebrae and discs to become brittle, running a risk of nerve damage or spinal damage similar to humans.
“Obviously, I would never hope to use these claims — I have tried very hard to stop Dash from jumping off of stairs or higher ground, but he does have a tendency to forget his training whenever his excitement gets the better of him.”
When asked about her thoughts on pet insurance as mandatory, Eleanor was quick to support the notion. “I’ve been recommending Aon Happy Tails to many Dachshund owners. Specifically, because it will help to cover the otherwise costly bill for surgeries related to spinal and hip injuries — both of which are common to the Dachshund breed.”
*Bonus Question*
Say Dash could speak hooman for 7 days. What would you say to him for that week?
“Dash speaking? If anything, he will be asking me for treats all the time and head out to find his friends! I guess I will get headaches because he is not going to stop demanding it.
Although, I would love to talk to him and negotiate terms with him ?. It will save me a lot of time on training and correcting him!”
One’s life is the sum of all their choices. It is rarely what your circumstances are that matter, but rather how you rise above them that do. Will you let your conditions define you? Cassiopeia, a two-year-old corgi decides to blaze her own trail. With her pawmom Keen, the duo overcome hip dysplasia with peace of mind and explore Singapore’s many nature trails.
When Keen first met Cassiopeia in 2020, she mistook the doggo for a purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Although Cassie did look like a corgi, and act like a corgi, so there was little room for doubt anyway. Imagine the shock, when it was revealed in a DNA test that Cassie was actually part Russell Terrier! “Nevertheless, I wouldn’t trade her for the world!”
Instant energy at the flip of a switch
Cassie’s spontaneity shines in how ready she is to match a mood. The pooch is content with just taking full-day naps or playing fetch at home. But when the pawfamily brings her out, she is raring for an adventure. Keen takes Cassie out every weekend for all sorts of activities, and lets Cassie run alongside her when she’s on her kickscooter. Cassie is also a natural water doggo, and enjoys swimming with her pawrents while out on their woodland adventures.
Funnily enough, Cassie startles easily and lends herself to peer pressure. “She loves humans but is very selective when it comes to other doggos. She has a fear of missing out (FOMO),” Keen said. “Even though she may be cheeky, and uses her smarts for mischief… Though she gets weird about sudden noises, and thus hates our air fryer.”
The thing about small dog breeds
“My biggest fear is, one day, something will suddenly happen that will take Cassie away from me.”
Keen was sorely aware of the health risks that would lay dormant in small dog breeds like corgis. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is prone to Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) and Hip Dysplasia, the latter being exceptionally common among poorly-bred corgis. “We took her for an X-ray when she was 11 months old and sure enough, her hip socket is shallower than it should be.
Canine Hip Dysplasia is a condition that results in a loose fit of the hip joints, causing hip pain and limb dysfunction. There is no cure for it, but dogs can take measures to delay its symptoms, such as maintaining a healthy diet and a regular exercise routine.
The only thing they can do, Keen says, is to make sure that Cass is fed right and take as many preventative measures as possible, all so that she lives her best life every day.”
“It was never a question to get it too.”
Keen wasted no time in finding Cassie an insurance plan. “It’s never a question for us humans to get insured. Considering vet fees are also very expensive, it only makes sense to get insurance for Cassie as well.” They are now insured with Aon Happy Tails, which provides coverage for congenital conditions like Hip Dysplasia and IVDD (with no pre-existing conditions). This way Keen is able to have peace of mind knowing that she will be able to tide through any rainy day expenses, such as surgery.
“I think a lot of people don’t realise that getting a pet costs much more than just the initial price tag,” Keen says. Other than its coverage, pet owners also need to consider the affordability in proportion to the coverage offered. “Personally, I’d rather pay the premiums once a year, than be suddenly hit with a ginormous vet fee with nothing to offset the cost.”
Check out Cassiopeia’s shenanigans on her Instagram, @littlenutcass.
Our pawpals only as much as a quarter of our hooman lifespans. In the short amount of time that they spend with us, we as pawrents would want them to live with minimal discomfort. That is the ethos that Alvina, pawmom of her Japanese Spitz Lexi, hopes to carry.
Alvina works in the IT industry and has made the switch to work from home more often to spend time with Lexi. “I felt our time with our dogs are too short,” she said. “Adjusting to a new job isn’t easy, but having a happy pill like Lexi makes it a whole lot better!”
Great with the neighbours
The four-year-old stepped into Alvina’s life looking worse for wear. Lexi was initially introduced as timid and fearful of everything; a quiet dog with prominent tear stains. “We weren’t sure what to expect at first,” said Alvina, “but the Lexi we now know is more curious and bold in exploring the world around her. She loves humans a lot, and though she is not very vocal, she will bark when her guard is up.”
Lexi is a model resident, greeting her neighbours every evening and taking notice of the hoomans she meets on her walks. On occasion, her neighbours would even pop by the house to greet and play with her. With pawpals, she plays with older dogs more, but not so much with high-energy doggos.
Foodie but also a cutie
“Beyond belly rubs, butt taps, and more love from hoomans, Lexi also enjoys her walks!” Alvina explains. Lexi knows when a walk is happening (Alvina getting her stuff and wearing her mask is a good cue) and will wind up excitedly for it. “Her favourite words are “Let’s go!” and she goes crazy once I pick up the leash!”
In their free time, Alvina also enjoys running through dog tricks with Lexi. The food-driven doggo loves all kinds of food, but Lexi has taken her love a step further — Alvina has realised that Lexi can identify the words “cheese” and “banana”. “Our cheese slices and bananas are always missing a small corner, but who can resist those eyes of hers?”
Hope for a pain-free life
“My biggest fear is her health problems that will come as she grows older,” says Alvina. Japanese Spitzs have a higher risk of developing Luxating Patella (LP), a condition in which their kneecaps dislocates from their normal position. In an effort to give Lexi a pain-free life, Alvina has begun incorporating supplements into her diet.
The underlying concern that pawrents like Alvina face has always been the cost of surgeries. Without proper financial planning, medical care for one’s furbabies can end up at an unmanageable cost. “I heard about the high costs of surgery and vet expenditure, especially when pets developed more ailments with age,” she said.
Alvina believes pet owners should never have to be put in a situation where they had to weigh the costs of medical treatment, which is why she placed pet insurance as an immediate priority when she first heard of its inception. “Pet insurance became an immediate priority when I realised they existed. If we need health insurance, why not our pets?” she said. “The few hundreds you spend on the insurance is only the cost of a vacation at a nearby country. The unconditional love that they give back is truly priceless!”
*Bonus Content*
Say Lexi could speak hooman for 7 days. What would you say to her for that week?
“I’d ask her what are the things she likes/dislikes, things she’d like more of, and what she loves about being in this family. I’d keep talking to her like you would with your best friend. I’ll ask why she barks incessantly at my dad every night, and why she pees on the bathroom rug in the kitchen. Although I’m not sure how talkative she would be, seeing how few sounds she makes compared to other dogs… maybe she’s more of a listener?”
Our pawpals’ love is boundless; our love for them unwavering. We want our furry friends to be at their safest and happiest, and this rings especially true for Denise and Jon, a couple looking to do better to protect their little Maltipoo, Kylo.
A fated encounter
Denise’s journey as a pawrent began with Sasha, a Mini Schnauzer and best friend throughout her youth. When Sasha passed on in March 2021, Denise and Jon were devastated. The months that followed saw the couple visiting pet shops from time to time, looking at the cute puppies to ease the yearning they felt for Sasha.
Denise and Jon made their rounds at the store one day, and the Maltipoo who would later be known as Kylo was out of his pen and roaming about. An instant connection, Kylo made a beeline for Denise and made himself comfortable on her lap. “I felt loved instantly,” Denise recounted.
From left to right: Jon and Kylo, Denise and Kara
Kylo, the ace of hearts
Of course, Kylo’s vibrant personality is not exclusive to his family. The boy steals the hearts of all he meets, making them swoon over his charm. Kylo loves his belly rubs and loves receiving attention from everyone around. On most days, the Maltipoo makes frequent demands to do zoomies in the garden and play fetch with his pawrents. When the tempo of the days takes a lull, he is just as content on the couch next to Jon.
During the weekends, the couple will bring him cruising in the car, and playdates with his equally energetic sister, Kara.
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Left: Kylo excited to go out; Right: Kylo’s playdate with Kara
A necessary safety net
“Our biggest fear as pawrents is definitely [Kylo and Kara] falling sick,” Denise considers the communication barrier with their furbabies, especially how they are unable to vocalise their concerns. “It’s heart-wrenching to see them in pain and discomfort.”.
Denise emphasises the importance of pet insurance for their pets. The promise of a life well-lived with their pawrents means giving them only the best — appropriate dieting, a healthy amount of exercise, and of course, a policy that guards against illnesses.
“In the early days with Sasha, pet insurance was unheard of. Unfortunately, by the time pet insurances were a thing, she could not be covered for her pre-existing conditions.” without a policy that could potentially offset the costs of treatment, Denise and Jon faced a major financial setback. “Who knew a CT scan for your pawpals would be in the thousands?” she lamented.
*Bonus*
If Kylo and Kara could speak hooman for 7 days. What would you say to them/ do with them for that week?
“We’d tell them we love them very much and we’d do anything to ensure they are at their happiest and healthiest. We’d tell them there isn’t a single member of our family who does not love them, and that they bring us so much joy into our lives.
I’d tell them they had a big sister Sasha, who taught us what unconditional love is and how we have become better humans through our experience with her. And with all of that, we’d give our all to ensure their forever with us is all worth it!”
Singapore Specials are a breed of their own — pointed ears or floppy ears; shorthair or fluffy, big or small, black, white, brindle or brown… these dogs look a little bit like every dog. Shef, proud pawrent of Singapore Special Cleo, (@classy.cleopura on IG), proves that these lovely strays are worth every bit of effort put into training them, and making them pawfect urban companions.
Cleo is in Shef’s words, “the chillest and goodest dog ever (no bias!).” Cleo is extremely treat-and-food motivated and often ‘smiles’ for treats, a trait that Shef makes full use of to take more photos of her doggo.
Cleo shares her pawrent’s social energy and loves hosting friends, both pawpal and pawrent. “It lets us both be lazy and sociable at the same time. Cleo really is my spirit animal!”
Story of Cleo and Shef
Cleo and Shef
Before being a part of Shef’s family, Cleo spent her early years living as a stray in a cemetery. She was rescued by Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD) when she was around six years old. Due to her age and size — being middle-aged and not of the HDB-approved size — Cleo spent another 13 months in the shelter, without being adopted.
“When I was going through the adoption process, my adoption counsellor at ASD told me that Cleo is one of the easiest dogs they’ve had at the shelter.” I was given lots of handholding through the initial homestay, and even after I finalized her adoption, they were still very willing to provide guidance and support.” Thankfully, Shef and Cleo are a match made in heaven.
“She was initially a little cautious when she came to me (understandably so), but now she’s happy just hanging around the house with me; napping, interrupting my work calls for the occasional head rub and reminding me when I’m five minutes late to feed her.”
“She loves herlong slow walks but is extremely scared of cyclists and has thunder anxiety, so storms are traumatic for both of us,” says Shef.
In their free time, Cleo would explore the neighbourhood HDBs and greet the community cats.
Cleo enjoying a walk around Robertson Quay
Getting an older dog
Being at the right place, at the right time
Having grown up with a German Shepherd, Shef always knew she’d eventually welcome a furry friend into her life… “I moved overseas for work in 2015 and moved back to Singapore in 2020, straight into the pandemic.” Shef recounted. “I used to travel a lot Pre-Covid so getting a dog was a consideration that was put on hold. Once lockdown began and I settled in Singapore, it felt like an opportune moment to adopt a dog.”
Lifestyle changes
While Shef enjoyed travelling and scuba diving, she is laidback. So when the time came for her to decide on the kind of pawpal she wanted in her life, her mind had already formed a clear image.
“I was clear I didn’t want a puppy as my first pet — I’m not emotionally ready for a 12-15 year commitment at this stage of my life, nor do I really want to deal with teething, toilet training, etc. I was keen on dogs in the 4-7 year range, preferably of the low-energy variety; given my not-so-active lifestyle,” reveals Shef, regarding her thought process and criteria, while adopting Cleo.
Many new pawrents underestimate the difficulty in raising young cats or dogs and tend to struggle with managing their diet, health, and training. Experienced pet owners advise all new/to-be owners to do as much reading as possible on what works best for them, their pawpals, so that they can adapt and integrate the new furry companion into their lifestyle as seamlessly as possible
Adopt, don’t shop
As a first-time dog owner, Shef was not confident in her ability to identify an ethical breeder. “I wasn’t keen on buying a dog from a pet shop, and I was more inclined to adopt from a shelter since my grandma used to volunteer at a children’s orphanage and I’ve heard so many fulfilling tales of adoption from her,” says Shef.
A pedigree pup in Singapore can cost around SGD$10,000 depending on breed and breeder. “If I had to spend that much money, I’d rather spend it on spoiling my dog silly,” exclaims Shef.
Concerns over genetics
“I do worry about Cleo’s long term health,” says Shef. “Given her history, I have no idea about any genetic predispositions or any other health issues I should be mindful of.” As Singapore Specials are the product of generations of strays cross-breeding, they are less susceptible to diseases. However, the ambiguity over their ancestry leaves room for worry over congenital and hereditary conditions.
Insure to ensure
Cleo was taken for a full check-up and blood test upon adoption. “Given Cleo’s age and the lack of medical history, I wanted to get insurance for her, in case it was ever needed (and I really hope I never need to claim against it).
Most of Singapore’s pet insurance caters to puppies rather than middle-aged dogs. Additionally, some have specific age limitations, rendering their coverage ineffective once your pawpal passes a certain age. This might pose a problem for Cleo, whose age is estimated based on veterinary assessments.
“Happy Tails was frankly one of two options Cleo was eligible for, and this is the only one that covers her for her entire lifetime. The coverage offered is also reasonable and comprehensive, for the amount I needed to pay.” [Shef.]
Aon Happy Tails offers an affordable premium as low as $24 a month for coverage that includes surgical treatment arising from injuries, sicknesses, specified genetic conditions and much more.
Shef strongly believes pet owners should insure their pets. “ I hope you never need to claim against it, but in my experience, it is Murphy’s law. The one and only time I didn’t take travel insurance was the one time I really needed it!”
*Bonus Content*
Say Cleo could speak hooman for 7 days. What would you say to her / do with her for that one week?
“I had an AC (animal communicator) speak with Cleo recently to try to understand her better. If she could speak hooman though, I would pretty much tell her what I already do every day – how much I love her and what a good girl she is, and how glad I am that she waited to be adopted by me!”
“I don’t think much would change for us from our current lifestyle — we would still hang out, maybe explore some new neighbourhoods in Singapore. Maybe I would take her back to the cemetery she grew up in to explore (if she really wanted to). I would love to know more about her past life from her. I have some old photos and anecdotal stories from her feeders and rescuers which are priceless, but it would be amazing to hear her version of her life too.”
“I’d love to also talk to her more about her health, any aches and pains she might have, and explain to her why she needs to diet (her and me both!).”
To learn more about Shef and Cleo’s adoption story, visit her post here on Instagram!
