Tag: aon happy tails

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Aon’s Happy Tales: Kiyo.thepom

This article was brought to you by Aon Happy Tails.

It’s not every day you find a hooman that keeps cotton candy as a pet. They look so fragile, the strands drifting in the wind. You’d worry that as fragile as it seems, it’d fall apart. However, as Eugenia comes to learn, taking care of Kiyo the pomeranian would be its own reward.

Eugenia first met eyes with Kiyo in 2020, when she and her husband began a new chapter in their lives. The two were looking for a new place to stay and coincidentally, so did Kiyo. Eugenia had always wanted a pet — it was her lifelong dream to have a pawpal to call family. So as fate would have it, Eugenia and her husband met Kiyo and fell in love with her immediately. The three have been inseparable ever since.

An Energetic Ball of Fluff

The pomeranian embodies a sense of wonder that is impossible not to love. When she’s outdoors, Kiyo can run circles around her pawrents with her zoomies, sleep under a shelter, and eat grass. Once indoors, can be found looking wistfully out the window. Kiyo plays tag with them, enjoys receiving hugs, and likes getting cradled to see the great outdoors. 

All that energy burns a lot of calories and it shows in Kiyo’s appetite. She is highly motivated by food and very greedy, so Eugenia uses her favourite chews to motivate the borker and learn new party tricks. That being said, while the family of three do like to explore new ways to have fun, they also enjoy a relaxing sunset walk on days with good weather.

Kiyo shows her pawpal what speed looks like

The Common Worry

As a pawrent of a young pomeranian, Eugenia frets over Kiyo a lot. “My biggest fear is finding out Kiyo is sick,” she mentioned, “as it would be my negligence. Especially so if it is something that could have been prevented.” A common medical condition for dogs is Luxating Patella, where a dog’s kneecap shifts out of alignment. The condition plagues small dog breeds more, and while most dogs can be diagnosed with Grade 1 or 2 Luxating Patella without much pain, its degenerative nature means it will only get worse over time.

Kiyo was diagnosed with Grade 1-2 Luxating Patella. Eugenia has made it a point to slow its progression by taking preventive measures with Kiyo. For starters, she avoids letting Kiyo jump or stand on her hind legs, as those add unnecessary pressure on her joints. Going up or down the stairs is greatly minimised, so the family prepared ramps — even for getting into and out of bed — instead. 

“We’re going to buy baby mats to cushion her joints,” Eugenia said. She noted that these measures can be made more effective with rehabilitation working in tandem. “I feed Kiyo fresh and raw meals, which are nutritionally balanced. On top of that, she is also on hip and joint supplements.” In the near future, Eugenia plans to bring Kiyo to hydrotherapy to help strengthen her leg muscles too.

Role of a Pawrent

Eugenia insured Kiyo only after being diagnosed with Luxating Patella — pre-existing conditions are not covered. However, Eugenia believes it is better to be safe than sorry. “There can be a multitude of unknowns that we may not be able to control or foresee,” she said, “but being insured gives me peace of mind, knowing I am co-insured if I have to fork out expensive vet bills one day.”

Of the many benefits to getting pet insurance, Eugenia (an Aon Happy Tails policyholder) listed out her most important ones:

  1. Being able to bring Kiyo to any vet for the initial check-up.
  2. Offering lifetime coverage
  3. Low premium fees
  4. Coverage of up to SGD7500 and No-Claim Discount (NCD)

Pawrents insuring their furbabies can bring them peace of mind on their furbabies health and future medical expenses. “In an unfortunate event, we may have to fork out a hefty sum,” Eugenia cautioned. “Instead of emptying our wallets, getting loans, or worrying about finances, we can spend more time in the present with whatever is happening to our furkid.”

*Bonus Content*

Say Kiyo could speak hooman for 7 days. What would you say to her / do with her for that one week?

If Kiyo could speak hooman for a week, I would take leave from work, proclaim our (husband and I) love for her, find out about her favourite place to visit, favourite activity and foods, and repeat for that whole week!

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Community Stories

AON’s Happy Tales : Mafan.Mushu

This article was brought to you by AON HappyTails.

He has long, dark hair. She keeps her brown hair short and trimmed. He is a cup of espresso — mellow and unassuming. She likens a latte — sweet and flavourful. These two individuals can’t be further apart. But as James and Jacqueline point out, Mushu and Mafan are not just related — they’re siblings of the same litter.

Having grown up with cats, it was no surprise that James would suggest adding a few to the family. Jaqueline however, was not originally a cat person. It took some convincing from her husband, but thankfully she has not regretted warming up to the idea. Mafan and Mushu have been a part of the family for 4 years now and have made invaluable memories.

James and Jacqueline celebrating Christmas with their furkids

The duality of nyan

Mafan (tl. Mandarin, ‘troublesome’) is ever the curious cat, living up to her namesake. Where trouble is afoot, she is always nearby. The shorthair tails her pawrents around the house to make sure she always knows what’s going on. Her brother, Mushu, is the honour student of the two. Smart and well-behaved, the charcoal-coloured feline prefers to tread on the side of caution. He is also quite the rat, always complaining to his pawrents about his sister whenever she misbehaves.

Mafan up to some mischief

The pair owe their intuitive disposition to Jacqueline, who believes that if nothing else, “people must at least think our cats are smart.” Mafan and Mushu can leap onto their pawrents’ shoulders, and Mushu in particular has learnt to identify letters of the alphabet! Alas, despite the variety of tricks on their belt, they generally live very pampered lives with naps, boxes, and treats.

Growing concerns

James expressed concern over their pawpals’ health and sought a form of reassurance that they could care for the felines in an unlikely scenario. On one occasion, the couple had moved to a temporary residence to wait out on home renovations. Fearing Mafan and Mushu might feel uneasy and escape from the unfamiliar environment, they bought trackers so they could always find their cats.

The thought of insuring their pets was complete happenstance. Shocked by the daunting expenses a friend had incurred while caring for a paralysed senior dog, the two decided to insure Mafan and Mushu while they were still young so that they can afford the best care for them. 

“We picked Happy Tails because it was the only one we found which provides lifetime coverage.” James said, “Other insurance plans only seem to cover cats until 13 years of age, and we clearly hope that Mafan and Mushu will live well beyond that!”James and Jacqueline also noted another reason for insuring Mafan and Mushu under Happy Tails —  Happy Tails provides coverage for chemotherapy (the paralysed senior dog they had met also has cancer), as well as post-surgery expenses, which snowballs to ridiculous bill shock.

*Bonus Content*

Say Mafan and Mushu should speak hooman for 7 days. What would you say to them / do with them for that week?

“Right now they meow at us and it’s really cute. We usually can tell what they want to convey – whether they want to be fed, have water topped up, or if Mushu wants to snitch on his sister to get treats.

Mafan and Mushu love each other regardless.

“But I think if we understood what each other meant we would be arguing all the time. They might just be going “FOOD FOOD FOOD” and we would just be going “NO NO NO”. So it’s better that they stay meowing and we just continue talking nonsense at each other.”

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Let’s Protect our Loved Ones with Pet Insurance!

The month of August marks a special event for Singaporeans.

On the 9th of August, Singaporeans gather around to celebrate their National Day. Due to heightened pandemic alerts, celebrations were held online. As such, many Singaporeans took this opportunity to spend some time with their loved ones in the comfort and safety of their homes. 

Since adopting Dexter, the 9th of August marks more than 1 special occasion for Shermaine. Here’s what she had to say:

What does Singapore mean to you and how will you be celebrating National Day this year?

Growing up in Singapore, this country symbolises comfort and security for me. 

Especially during these trying times, I am glad that our pandemic situation has not spiralled out of control. I feel assured that we are reasonably protected in Singapore!

I also enjoy the peace and security we have in Singapore that I think we should definitely not take for granted! 

This year, the performances have been postponed, but I believe my family and I would still be up to watch the parade! Definitely can’t miss out on the flypast, am I right? ?

Afterwards, it would just be a really chill day. I intend to catch up on some family time and celebrate my little monkey’s* birthday! I ordered a birthday cake for him so I am pretty excited about that. It will be a small celebration though since we are unable to invite his doggy friends. 

*Little Monkey is the nickname Shermaine has for her pomeranian dog, Dexter.

Oh wow, what a surprise! What does it mean to celebrate both Dexter and Singapore’s birthday on the same day?

I was relatively surprised too when I found out that he is a National Day baby. It is great because I can be sure I would always have time to celebrate his birthday since it is a Public Holiday. Plus, enjoy some fireworks! (though not this year) 

Dexter is my second dog after the sudden passing of my first dog named Junior. Hence, I understand wholeheartedly the importance of cherishing every moment I have with him. He is an integral part of my family so I always feel the need to protect him. Especially since he is dependent on me for his living.

He is my baby and I will do anything to keep him safe and happy!

That is so sweet! I can sense that you share a deep bond with Dexter. What are some steps you take to protect your furkid?

I bring him out for regular checkups which are super important. I also believe in the importance of vaccinating your pets. Since Dexter is relatively small, I have to be sure not to over-vaccinate him. Just the essential shots to reduce his susceptibility to illnesses. Prevention is better than cure!

My expenditure for vet visits is constantly increasing. Based on my past experience with Junior, medical costs are always a concern. From the pet owners I have talked to, most of them recommended pet insurance. I think it works similarly to human’s insurance, right?

If we purchase insurance for our family members, and Dexter is family, then certainly I should be getting him some too!

Speaking of pet insurance, have you heard about Aon Happy Tails?

Yes, I have!

I heard that toy and small breeds like Pomeranians are very prone to joint issues such as luxating patella. Dexter is one of them. For an active dog like him who is constantly jumping and running around, I worry about him constantly. However, I am aware that luxating patella is only covered by Aon Happy Tails pet insurance if it is not a pre-existing condition.

That being said, for dog owners who are extremely concerned about their dog’s safety- I would recommend looking into Aon Happy Tails pet insurance. Even though Dexter’s luxating patella would not be covered, I would still consider purchasing it, in case he develops further issues in the future.

Plus, I’ve always heard good recommendations and reviews regarding Aon Happy Tails. Just remember to cut down on the BBT* so that your little one is well protected! #WorthIt

* BBT refers to bubble tea, one of Shermaine’s favourite drinks.

Aon Happy Tails pet insurance covers a wide range of illnesses and medical conditions such as:

  • Luxating Patella
  • Hip and Elbow Dyplasia
  • Cherry Eye
  • Glaucoma
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
  • Femoral Head and Neck Excision

** DISCLAIMER: There is a ninety (90) days waiting period for sicknesses and a twelve (12) month waiting period for Specified Hereditary and Congenital sicknesses from the policy’s first commencement during which sicknesses claims are not payable.

During the twelve (12) month waiting period, if conditions or symptoms of luxating patella begin to emerge, it will be considered a pre-existing condition and will no longer be covered by Aon Happy Tails. For Shermaine’s case, since luxating patella is already an existing condition for Dexter, it would not be covered under her purchase of Aon Happy Tails pet insurance!

For more information, you can also check out their dedicated online portal which helps pet parents obtain a library of pet-related information, as well as ensure their sign up process is smooth and easy to access. You can also access their pricing plans via their website. Simply enter your details and get a quote!

With Aon Happy Tails, rest assured your pet is in safe hands.

You can find out more about Aon Happy Tails pet insurance via their Instagram or Website.

Follow Shermaine and Dexter on Instagram.

** All information found within this article is subject to the terms and conditions of Aon Happy Tails.

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Community Stories

My dog might inherit Hip Dysplasia, what can I do to offset medical costs?

Hip Dysplasia is a skeletal condition that commonly affects large and giant breed dog breeds. It might also occur in smaller breeds occasionally.

Hip Dysplasia affects your pet’s hip joint function. For dogs with hip dysplasia, their ball and socket joints are misaligned, making them rub and grind instead of moving smoothly.

Over time, it can also cause the joints to deteriorate, resulting in the loss of the joint’s function.

This condition is hereditary, however, it can also develop due to excessive growth rates, exercise habits, unhealthy weight and/or improper nutrition — (Source)

For pet owners whose dogs suffer from hip dysplasia, keeping up with their medical expenses can be tricky. Diagnosis of the condition alone incurs costs such as X-ray examinations, blood tests and radiographs.

We spoke to Sandra, owner of Dizzy and Woozy, of which the latter suffers from the aforementioned medical condition.

1. Hello, nice to meet you! Tell us more about your relationship with Dizzy and Woozy.

Dizzy and Woozy are our 2 golden retrievers. We could never imagine owning Golden Retrievers as they shed a lot!

However, in 2019, we had the chance to look after Dizzy due to our job as pet sitters. He came to us fortnightly for a couple of months.

Afterwards, my fiancee and I decided that we are ready for our own furkid, hence we began looking around for a doodle. As luck would have had it, we were given the opportunity to be Dizzy’s pawrents! 

We’ve been looking after him since he was 5 months old and we finally adopted him when he was 10 months old.

Dizzy grew up in an environment with other boarders and daycare furkids. When Covid happened, it got quiet around the house as fewer boarders came to us.

We wanted him to have a sibling to play and grow up with. During the 2020 circuit breaker, we were given a chance to provide Dizzy with a little brother. Hence, we adopted Woozy who was 10 months old at the time.

Dizzy will be turning 3 years old in Aug 2021, while Woozy will be turning 2 years old in 2021. 

We enjoy a very close relationship with both of them.

As we are pet sitters, we are home nearly 24/7, always doing things together especially during the circuit breaker ◡̈ They follow us around the house no matter what we are doing! They particularly love going on adventures and car rides!◡̈

2. How does having Hip Dysplasia affect your everyday life with them?

We suspected that Woozy might have hip dysplasia from the way he walked (his hips tend to sway). He doesn’t seem to have the strength to climb stairs, jump up onto the sofa/bed, and car either.

We have to carry him up to the car, help him up onto the bed and sometimes even wait for him while he climbs up the stairs.

3. How did you find out about your pet’s medical condition?

After a long 8km walk, we noticed that he began to walk a little funny. His hips were swaying a lot, which was very different from Dizzy’s.

Other golden retriever owners also informed us of this irregularity – many of them commented that his hind legs appeared to cross over each other as he walked, which were not common for most dogs.

Out of concern, we spoke to a vet about it. She suspected that he might have hips dysplasia but could only confirm via X-Ray under general anaesthesia, which we did not want.

So, we did not seek any treatment for it as it didn’t seem to be causing him any pain/discomfort.

4. Did you take on any activities/treatments for Woozy as a result of this condition?

The vet suggested swimming lessons and to reduce Woozy’s walking actions. We bring him for swimming 2-4 times a month, each session costing us around $24.

We also feed him rosehip powder daily, around $70-$140/month depending on the promotions available.

Because of swimming sessions, we also have to send him for grooming after swimming, which costs us around $80-$100/session. 

  • With regards to offsetting medical costs, we also checked with Sandra about her interest in pet insurance and how it might help her and Woozy.

5. Do you think pet insurance is helpful to owners whose pets are affected by hip dysplasia?

We have attended a lot of animal events since entering the pet industry, and have heard about pet insurance.

With regards to how it helps– I think it really depends on what the insurance covers. As you can see, hip dysplasia is an illness that requires long term care regardless of it being mild or serious. For e.g. swimming/supplements, and in serious cases, even surgery.

Will any insurance cover all of this? 

If it is suitable for our boys, we are definitely interested in purchasing it.

To answer her question; Yes! Aon Happy Tails does cover hip dysplasia under their specific hereditary and congenital conditions!

Under their insurance policy, the surgical treatment of any sicknesses, injury or accident including post-surgical follow-up during the policy term.

Also covered are specified hereditary and congenital conditions and cancer treatment.

Photo Credit: Instagram @aonhappytails

However, there is a ninety (90) days waiting period for sicknesses and a 12-month waiting period for Specified Hereditary and Congenital sicknesses from the policy’s first commencement during which sicknesses claims are not payable.

During the twelve (12) month waiting period, if conditions or symptoms of hip dysplasia begin to emerge, it will be considered a pre-existing condition and will no longer be covered by Aon Happy Tails.

Hip Dysplasia coverage will only be applied to pets who are enrolled before six (6) years of age.

You can find out more about Aon Happy Tails pet insurance via their Instagram or Website.

Follow Sandra, Woozy and Dizzy on Instagram