This article is an expansion of Fiona’s submission for our #WhatsYourReality campaign. We recommend reading her story before proceeding with the article.
1. Why did you choose to adopt Bebe despite knowing that she is a senior dog?
I heard about her adoption from a friend on Facebook.
At that point in my life, I was faced with the loss of another furkid. With all of the pets’ products and food laying around at home, I wanted to donate all of it to the shelters. I did not want to have another pet. So when my friend showed me the Facebook post, I wasn’t a bit interested.
But the story with Bebe was, she’s a senior dog that had been in multiple foster homes. I didn’t know what issue she had that made so many adopters returned her. When I went to meet her for the first time with my friend, I have an instant affection for her and I did not want her to live her senior life living in homes that might not even love her.
At that point, I told myself that adopting Bebe wouldn’t be that bad as well because I just have a few years with her. Thinking that it will be easy, but right now I’m regretting it.
Knowing that our time together is limited just makes me treasure and cherish our time together more.
2. Bring us through your training process with Bebe.
Everyone said that training a senior dog is tough because they already have a personality in them and it’s isn’t easy to bond with a senior dog. But Bebe was making things easy for us. Despite all of the pee accidents on our sofa for the first 3 months, subsequently, she is toilet trained and she knows what I want from her.
I didn’t bring Bebe for Obedience Training because I didn’t think that she needs to. For the first few months together, I only walked her at 6 am and 10 pm. During those hours, there isn’t much human traffic and dogs so it makes walks easier for us and for me to observe her under those situations.
Over time, I slowly introduced her to my friends’ and cousins’ dogs. I’m super thankful and lucky that she has no reaction to puppies and babies. She’s actually really well behaved and friendly, which confuses me all the time as to why she was moved from home to home. It took us 6 months for her to be comfortable with us and trust us.
3. You mentioned that Bebe had been diagnosed with a grade 5 heart murmur. Tell us more about the condition, and how it affects her daily life.
Having a grade 5 heart murmur didn’t really deter her from having a time of her life. Even though I try my best to control her excitement whenever she sees her friends in the park or getting overly excited whenever she sees food, having a grade 5 heart murmur didn’t change her life much.
She does tend to cough a lot after having sudden zoomies, and also sometimes I forget that she’s 11 years old, not 11 months. Other than that, she’s a really happy dog and she makes everyone around her head over heels
4. How has Bebe changed your life since adopting her?
Having Bebe pushes and motivates me every single day. She made me so disciplined because her walk and mealtimes are set from the start. So I have to shift my schedule around to fit hers.
Initially, it was really difficult for me as my job requires me to be on 24/7 standby. But I’m very lucky to have understanding colleagues to help me as well.
Plus, not forgetting that she’s always there for me at my highest and lowest and is a great wing woman. She made me learnt how to take care of someone and putting someone as a priority before me.
5. Any advice for new pet owners who might be interested in adopting a senior dog?
Please really do think twice before adopting a senior dog.
Her vet visits set me back a minimum of $300. A senior dog has a personality and character mould, so training and bonding with them take more effort than adopting a puppy or younger dog.
But of course, once you win the senior dog over, the accomplishment, love and affection you get is something that cannot be described and you will definitely feel that you have unlocked an achievement! I hope all of us adopt senior dogs because they really do deserve love and affection like any other dog too! 🙂
Editor’s note: Senior pets are as independent as they come, but do you know that your home can be made more comfortable for them? Roberto Lopez shares insightful tips on preparing your home for your senior pet.
This article was written in collaboration with Karly, owner of @fluffy_boy_bear on Instagram.
My name is Karly, and I live in Canada. I currently own an adorable pyreneesXpup named Bear.
2 years go, my family and I watched as the pandemic in Canada approached us like a tidal wave. Every day, we monitored the news and heard about how close and how fast the virus was coming. We stocked up on supplies and got a new job that wouldn’t be considered non-essential so we could maintain working. We also chose to pull our daughter from school and homeschool her after the shutdowns.
We had no sense of certainty on what the next day would bring in terms of laws, freedom, travel, product availability, etc.
Losing Bentley
Our previous cockapoo was named Bentley. He was our first family dog. We adopted him at the age of 7. He was my shadow, my best friend, my security guard, my comfort. He was extremely under-socialized. We made it a goal to ensure he would not bark at every person that walks by our house. He was a challenge but one that we accepted with lots of love and determination.
He did not eat or drink during his first week at home. We vaccinated him quickly, put him on good food, took him for grooming, cuddled every night in bed and eventually managed to gain his trust.
After that, he was like a missing piece to the puzzle. Once he became himself and showed us his personality (as undertrained as that may be!) we were obsessed.
Unfortunately for us, he passed away. When we lost him, I felt like I lost my best friend. My shadow disappeared. My days felt empty. I stopped going for trail walks. I stopped going outside first thing in the morning. I stopped looking at other people’s dogs and cried when I did. I had never been so heartbroken in my life. I tried to cope with the grief by believing that he had the most amazing end of his life he could have possibly wanted. Filled with love, energy, health, exercise, treats, cuddles.
Yet with grief, we knew we needed to somehow fill his void.
Finding Bear
Adopting Bear was not a decision we took lightly.
When Bentley was around we would conspire to get another Cockapoo (dog breed) after him. We loved the breed. But when the time came, it hit too close to home for us to even consider thinking about the same breed. We needed a complete change. So we settled for a Pyrenees cross, either a puppy or an elder, large dog.
We took our time to search for a suitable dog. It took a while, but eventually, we saw Bear for the first time and knew that he was what we needed.
We instantly set up a meet and greet. His previous foster home consisted of 7 year old hence we felt assured that he would be good with our oldest daughter. We also brought over our newborn to see how he acted with her.
When we first met him he gave us a jump, hug, kiss, and instantly we were sold. The first thing we noticed was how big he was. We were warned he was big. But he was huge.
Secondly his hair. He has an Einstein hairdo, that you can’t help but love.
Third, how happy his energy was. He was exactly what we were missing and the energy we wanted back in our home. He was in our car on the way home that very same day. We met his foster mom outside of a school, took him for a little walk, gave him some love, then loaded up.
Healing during a Pandemic
Bear’s arrival helped to provide routine through uncertain times. We were happy to be back outside in the morning, at the park in the afternoon, going into pet stores, going to dog parks. We regained forms of socialization that we thought we lost.
Bear also promotes calm and happy energies which was a refreshing take amidst the annoyance and unsure ways of the pandemic.
Most importantly, having Bear helped to clear my impressions of love and grief.
Truly, I would never have Bentley back and that fills me with grief, but Bear provides a new kind of love. With him, we are constantly discovering new traits and routines to love.
Of course, we miss Bentley and will always miss him. He was our “grumpy old man”. He would bark at anyone and anything he didn’t know. He curled up on the couch and slept. He never ran always walked with us. He slept all night in our bed. He lost lots of teeth and could only consume soft food.
But, Bear is our energetic baby boy. He helped us to find, such a different form of love.
As you can tell, there is only one testicle in the picture.
Neutering will require your dog to be under general anaesthesia, and even though this is generally safe, there are still risks and complications to every surgery.
Neutering EARLY / at the wrong age / when your puppies’ hormones still have a role to play in his developing body can increase the risk of hip & joint issues. Your puppies’ hormones help them to develop their bones and joints properly. Therefore, puppies may be more vulnerable to hip dysplasia, torn ligaments and bone cancer if neutered at the wrong age.
Neutering increases the risk of obesity as the reduction in hormones will change the dog’s metabolism and hormonal make-up. Daily walks, exercise and monitoring their diet is extremely important to maintain a dog’s healthy weight after neutering.
Cryptorchid dogs are much more likely to develop testicular cancer in the undescended testicle. It is estimated to be at least 8-10 times more likely to develop cancer – according to our Vet.
Cryptorchid dogs have a risk of testicular torsion. Since the testicle is “freely moving” in his body instead of being secured at the right position (his scrotum), there is a chance where his undescended testicle can twist on itself or other surrounding organs – a super painful experience if it really happens.
Most dogs reach sexual maturity at 6-9 months. Generally, dogs reach full growth potential at 12-18 months. Hoshi is now at 16 months and I have noticed he stopped growing in size at around 10 months old. I decided to do it now and not at 18 months because this is my term break from school and I am able to take the time to hawkeye him after the surgery and really monitor him. Hence, we decided to do the procedure at this time when I have the time and I am rather confident that the removal of his hormones will not affect his growth that much. (We have also consulted the vet regarding this as well)
Cone Training
Hoshi really enjoys sleeping in his soft cone.
Purchase products beforehand
ForFurryFriends Pet’s Activated Water Sanitizer
Consulting your Vet
Set an appointment for the surgery
Bring your dog out for a good run the day before
Set a grooming appointment the day before
Day 1 – No bruising, but the “cut” looks deepDay 2 – No bruising yet, but some “flesh” started to grow along the incisionsDay 3 – Bruising along the side and his incisions doesn’t look good (I really got a scare on Day 3, kept watching him and cleaning it)Day 4 – The surgical site looked much better and less swollenDay 4 – Bruising went down by a lot after spamming with healing balmDay 5 – Incision has a clear line of “clotted” blood, no visible swell, the bruising on the side almost all goneDay 6 & 7 – Not much change in the pictures, but this is how it looked after one week. The vet has said that it is completely healed and the scab will come off on its own after a while. The bruising at the side is completely healed.
I hope that these pictures can give you a clearer image of what recovery is like and if your furkid is going through any bruising, please know that it is normal and it will heal!
What would I have done differently?
Brushing him daily
I definitely would have started brushing Hoshi every single day. This is because the cone wearing 24/7 has definitely caused some fur around the ears area to be matted. Previously, the longest time Hoshi was wearing the cone was for only 8-10 hours throughout the night and morning, so I did not notice any matted fur. I definitely would recommend brushing them if your dogs are long-coated or double-coated.
If I could and have the time, I would have waited for him to reach 18 months.
I am still a strong believer that dogs would need their hormones in their growth. If I had the time and option, I would love to be able to wait till he is 18 months or even 24 months. However, to avoid any complications from potential testicular torsion (as Hoshi is an extremely active dog), and to do this procedure during our break this is the best time for us.
Teaching him to lie on his back
This would definitely come in handy when I need to check his wounds, clean them and apply the healing balm. Hoshi doesn’t like to be on his back, hence we pick him up to do these instead. If I had the time, I would probably train him to be comfortable being on his back, or even better to do it on command.
If you have read till here, thank you so much and I hope you have learnt a thing or two! For pawrents who have neutered or spay their dogs before, what other tips do you have for those who have yet to neuter their dog? For pawrents who have not neutered their dog, do you have any questions for me? Leave them down in the comments below and I would love to answer!
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.
With working from home restrictions slowly easing, pets raised during the pandemic may grow to develop separation anxiety once their owner is out of their line of sight.
In order to help pawrents whose dogs may suffer from separation anxiety, Team #TWA has reached out to QiuLi, AKA @taroandtoastie, to learn more about what it entails.
Read on to learn about QiuLi’s experience with crate training, and how Taro’s separation anxiety has since improved.
Experience with Crate Training
Hello! Tell us more about your relationship with Taro.
Hello! Taro is my first dog and I’m mainly the one feeding, training and playing with him that’s why he is very attached to me.
Credits: QiuLi and Taro
Being a first-time dog owner, I didn’t know much about dog training. At 3 months old, Taro was a little terror. He showcased slight aggression when handling, a tendency for resource guarding and kept chewing on things he’s not allowed to.
It definitely wasn’t what I thought having a dog would be like. But since working with him on setting structure and boundaries, our relationship definitely grew stronger and he is able to understand what is most expected of him.
What is separation anxiety and how does it affect your daily life with Taro?
I think Separation Anxiety in dogs is characterised by their inability to cope when left alone.
They would get stressed and start to whine, bark, howl, pace around. They just can’t seem to lie down and settle. If left to roam freely, they might even display destructive behaviours or have indoor accidents despite being potty trained.
As I work from home most of the time, Taro had always been by my side and follows me wherever I go into the house. He is only able to nap during the day if I am nearby or within his line of sight. Thus it became quite stressful, especially on days that I am heading out because he would whine the moment I accessed my closet.
If he’s allowed to free roam, he will obsessively follow me everywhere and start pacing around because he’s either excited that we’re heading out or panicking that I’m leaving him at home. I used to arrange for someone at home to accompany him but he refused to engage with family members either. He would just wait for me to come back and that’s when I realized I needed to do something to boost his independence and to have a healthier state of mind.
Bring us through a day of training with Taro.
Taro was crate trained since the day we brought him home. He is able to sleep overnight and nap during the day in the crate in the day but once he is awake he whines and barks to be let out. Other than that, he spends most of his time free-roaming throughout the house.
When I started working on his Separation Anxiety, I moved his crate out into the living room so he could learn to sleep overnight alone. The first night, he barked and howled throughout and would not settle down to sleep. After a week or so, he could sleep overnight without any whining. We also stopped engaging with him at home, refrained from giving him too much affection (though I still do sneak in some affection time haha) or playing excessively with him.
Credits: QiuLi and Taro
Hence, whenever he’s at home, he’s either in the crate or hanging out on the cot. We stopped letting him free roam the house as well. I would bring him down for potty and walks twice a day and I use his meals to do training for some mental stimulation. When we go outside, I would use his toys to engage with him. This taught him to focus better despite having distractions.
On days when my family members are not at home, I will also take the opportunity to leave him alone in the crate while I sit outside the house and observe him through the camera. He usually naps for the first hour but once awake he begins to whine before going back to sleep. After 2-3 hours, I will go back in and he will begin to whine for my attention. Despite this, I will continue to ignore him for at least 1-2 hours depending on how fast he calms down. This helps to teach him that leaving and coming home is not a big deal.
How long has it been since you started crate training and have you noticed any improvements?
Credits: QiuLi and Taro
It has been about 3 months since we started this new routine and his Separation Anxiety has significantly reduced. He used to whine when he saw me gathering clothes, or when he hears me preparing my bag to head out. He even whines when I am just visiting the toilet. After training, I can head to the toilet without getting him anxious. Though he still does whine a little when he sees me preparing to head out, it is a lot lesser compared to last time and he stops when I step out of the house.
Advice for Beginners
Do take note that QiuLi is not a professional trainer. Hence, interested pawrents are advised to consult a professional if they encounter behavioural issues.
How can I introduce crate training to my dogs?
If you have a puppy, that would be the best and easiest time to crate train them. Older dogs that require crate training might need a longer time to adapt. You’d need a lot more patience to endure the transition period where they’ll be whinier.
The ultimate aim is to let them know that the crate is a safe haven that does not harm them. This would help them fully relax in the crate. I always use food and toys to help them associate the crate with positivity so that they would enter it of their own free will.
You can start by feeding meals outside, yet near to the crate. Afterwards, slowly progress to placing some food inside the crate so that they would willingly step inside it. For puppies that nap frequently, invite them to nap inside the crate for short periods of time throughout the day. If they’re awake and starts to bark, do not attend to them immediately and only let them out when they’ve quieted down.
It is also important to choose the correct crate size. Small crates might be uncomfortable for them. Big crates may result in potty accidents inside. The length of the crate should be just ample for them to walk one round and height should still provide some allowance while they’re standing.
When it comes to crating overnight, most puppies tend to whine in the middle of the night as it’s a new environment and they’re separated from their family. I took this chance to potty train Taro. When he begins to whine in the middle of the night, I wait for him to quieten down before bringing him out to his designated potty area. I then put him back to the crate straight after.
Credits: QiuLi and Taro
While doing this, you want to make sure there are no fun distractions as we do not want them to think that whining can get them out of the crate for some cuddle/baby (affections) instead.
Sometimes after he has gone to potty and he still continues to whine in the crate, I would bring him out to potty again so he knows that whining only provides potty visits. There are times we went to and fro from crate to potty at least 3 times (and all 3 times he did go) before he settled.
Another method that worked incredibly well for us (after you know he definitely cleared his bowels), was to sit in front of the crate door and leave the door open. The moment he attempts to step out, shut the door to prevent him from doing so. I would repeat this until he gives up trying to come out and would eventually settle. After around 1 week, Taro was able to sleep in the crate without waking up in the middle of the night.
What should pet owners take note of when pursuing Crate Training?
When it comes to any aspect of dog training, I think consistency is very important.
Do the same thing every day, set up a routine, and make it into a habit and they’ll adapt/learn quicker. I know some people cannot bear to ignore their whines when they’re crated and hence give up. Yet, I assure you crate training definitely has more pros than cons. We just need to persevere during the initial stage and be consistent and you’ll be able to reap the results after.
PROS
It provides your pet with a place to relax and sleep, hence reducing their sense of heightened alert whenever a passerby walks outside the house.
It keeps them out of trouble and from practising bad behaviours, your house and items do not get destroyed and there are no potty accidents.
Preventing separation anxiety as they learn to settle on their own. Remember to not only crate them when you are leaving the house as they might then associate the crate as being left alone. Crate them during the day for short periods of time even when you’re home so it becomes a normal routine.
A big thank you to @taroandtoastie for sharing her experience with crate training! For pet owners whose cats suffer from separation anxiety, we urge you to readSherlyn and Leo’s experiences.
If there are other styles of training that you think is important for pet owners to know, let us know in the comments below!
Flea and ticks thrive in warmer climate hence the humid weather of Singapore increases the vulnerability of our pets. If left unattended, flea and ticks can cause serious health problems such as tick-borne illnesses and allergic reactions. Not to mention, the constant aggravating itch that your pets will endure.
Bravecto recently formulated an oral chew for dogs, that targets most fleas and ticks. A single chew provides you with up to 12 weeks of protection! During which, the chew promises to eradicate pests such as the brown dog tick, American dog tick and even the lone star tick.
It also addresses other ailments such as ear mites, sarcoptic mange and Demodex mites. Bravecto also kills newly emerged fleas before they lay eggs. Thus, breaking the flea life cycle.
Their long-lasting coverage also breaks the average monthly medication cycle – Say goodbye to monthly purchases and/or medication reminders! With their Bravecto Chews, paw-rents can kick back and relax as the chew works its magic.
Not forgetting that this tasty chew makes it easy to feed. You no longer have to worry about forcing your pets to stay still while you apply topical ointments onto their fur.
Bravecto Chews disguises medication in a delectable coating making it a treat your dogs would be eager to consume.
Check out what our pet owners had to say!:
Super fuss-free and easy to feed even for picky eaters like Eurus!
Instagram @babyeuruschan
It worked so well with Toto, and I can also administer it less frequently than other monthly treatment options. ??
Instagram @Toto_thedoodle
I am a Bravecto super fan! I’ve been using Bravecto for almost 3 years now and I’ve never had a single tick spotted on me before – serious, not kidding. Bravecto is fast, easy and lasting as it kills active fleas and ticks within 12 hours.
Instagram @Yuri_thecorgi
A few attractive benefits stand out:
Easier to administer than topical ointments
Effectively kills all fleas and ticks (within 8-12 hours of consumption!)
Lighter on the wallet – long-lasting protection means fewer dosages = less medication required!
Bravecto owes part of its success to its active ingredient – fluralaner. When a chew is consumed, fluralaner is dispersed throughout your pet’s body hence killing all fleas and ticks upon contact. Not to worry, the substance itself is safe to consume. However, it may be wise to check with your veterinarian if your pet is suitable for the product before switching over to Bravecto chew.
They are currently offering attractive discounts for Shopee and Lazada’s 7.7 sales! Try them out today! Their storewide sales cover all of their Chew variants – do check your pet’s weight before purchasing the corresponding product.
Get up to 20% storewide!
Purchase 2 for an additional 7% off! Alternatively, paw-rents looking to stock up can also purchase a bundle of 4 and get 1 pack free!
You can also continue to check out their ongoing discounts on Shopee and Lazada.
Studio Kinu offers one of a kind shots with their cosy picturesque backdrops– meant to mimic the comfort and ease of your daily home.
Though their speciality appears to be family photos, their clientele reaches far and wide: On their portfolio, they showcase engagement pictures, pregnancy shoots, and most surprisingly, pets!
Credits: https://www.instagram.com/p/CFL0Y3fnq2w/
We interviewed MK, Studio Kinu’s founder, and main photographer to find out more about their business. We also reached out to you! (Pawjourr community) for some questions.
Interview with MK of Studio Kinu
@promisethedoggie: What inspired you to start this business?
I started my photography journey as a wedding photographer when I was 18. I truly enjoy photographing my clients and it means so much to me that they’d entrust me to capture their big day. However, as most wedding ceremonies are often held over the weekends, it meant that taking more jobs = burning away my weekends.
After meeting my life partner and having our dogs, weekends are so much more precious to me. I started to think of ways that I can still do what I am passionate about, while at the same time spending time with my loved ones. Thus, the idea of a studio came to life! People and animals are the inspiration for the name of our studio – KINU, a mashup of KIN (relationships) + INU (dogs).
Indeed, the photos produced at Studio Kinu do bring out the best in our relationships. In fact, they appear to carry a strong aura of nostalgia and family. Perhaps it is the bright cool-toned temperature of their pictures that appear as though it has been pulled out of your memory or all too familiar sofa sets that you can find in your grandparent’s home; Studio Kinu’s photoshoots emphasise on capturing the smiles you share with the people you love.
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CQpmfR0nAcn/
As mentioned, their photos are not constrained to the human business, as they offer photoshoot packages that accommodate your pets as well. That way you can capture precious moments shared with your animals too!
Jane, Tay and Oolong had such great fun at Studio Kinu. Oolong posed well for the camera, all thanks to the accommodating nature of the studio!
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/oolongmilkytea/
Accommodating Your Pets
@zorro_tales and @theobislife: How does your studio work to accommodate the needs of our pets?
Before the photoshoot, we usually communicate with the owners to let their pets pee and poop before coming up. We take some time to let the pets familiarise themselves with us, and when the photoshoot starts, we have squeakers and treats to help capture the attention of your pet!
Our mini sessions are the perfect trial packages for anyone who is keen to try out studio photoshoots! It is a short 20 mins session, perfect for those with young babies or a family with grandparents and daddies that aren’t as keen to be in photos.
@harley.pomsky1008: Do they have outdoor and indoor packages?
Yes, we do! Please check out our rate card (linked below!) which includes our studio packages, as well as outdoor packages.
Emma and Toto on studiokinu.com
@iamcookiebae: How much does it cost per photoshoot?
It depends! For studio shoots, we have 3 packages. Mini session $288, Classic session $428, Deluxe session $628. (Full rate card down below!)
@loudtwinklebaby: In lieu of the COVID-19 restrictions, how many people (and pets!) are allowed for a single photoshoot?
According to IMDA, up to 10 pax can appear in a photo unmasked and the studio can have up to 15 pax.
Graduation Shoots?
One thing that stood out the most to us is the studio’s potential for graduation photos! In lieu of the recent pandemic, many of our recent graduates are unable to attend live ceremonies to celebrate their achievements. Hence, graduate photoshoots are in high demand as it helps them commemorate this significant milestone.
The most standard graduation studio shot likely involves a green screen or a giant fake image as your backdrop. However, with Studio Kinu styled sets, your pictures will definitely stand out. However, if you do prefer solid colour backdrops- this option is still available!
Quote ‘PAWJOURR15’ when booking for 15% discount on both indoor and outdoor shoots.
Pawjourr+ members can claim an additional 5% off! Click here to reveal the code.
Download Studio Kinu’s rate card below for more information:
From bows, leashes to bandanas – your pet will be the star of any occasion!
Plus stay tuned at the end of each section for exclusive discount codes for our Pawjourr community!
Levupets
This Japanese inspired pet accessories store specialises in cute, dainty bows for all your furfriends. Made available for both cats and dogs, their bows are easily attached to any pre-existing collars or harnesses. You can also key in their width to ensure the best fit!
Photo Credit: Instagram @sausagedogsncat
Their Nijiro Rainbow Bow Tie is highly customisable. You can choose up to 5 colour preferences along with a charm of choice! You can add their charms on the centre or on the sides of the bow, allowing you to come up with your own unique designs.
Perfect for paw-rents who might own more than 1 pet! Get 15% off with a min. spend of $40 with the code ‘LVPAWJOURR’. Code ends 17 Nov 2021.
For the practical parent, do check out Staple Craft’s collection of Biothane leashes, collars and harnesses. Biothane refers to a polyester webbing with a TPU or PVC coating. This ensures the product’s durability, as well as imbue it with waterproofing and is easy to clean.
Photo Credit: Instagram @furiousfloof
Take a look at their Maxi multiway leash which comes in varying widths- Skinny or Standard. Pet owners have the option to add on accent colours, braiding and even a traffic handle extension.
Unfortunately, it does not seem that their pet leashes are made suitable for cats. Regardless, this would be a great gift for dog owners!
Get 10% off with every purchase with the code ‘PAWJOURR’. Offer ends 31 Dec 2021.
Lastly, check out these adorable bandanas by Petsplaylove.
Photo Credit: Instagram @petsplaylove
The look and design of these bandanas are left completely up to you to customise! Interested paw-rents can place their order by detailing the choice of fabric, font and neck circumference. They even provide an option for glow in the dark font, meaning you’d be able to spot your pet (and his or her bandana) even in the dark!
Plus, this handcrafted product helps to ensure the best quality for your pet. Get 10% off with a min. spend of $10 with the code ‘PAWJOURR10’. Code ends 31 Dec 2021.
In the spirit of celebrating Pawjourr’s new coupon page, we will be sharing some awesome deals from our local home-based businesses that you can redeem on Pawjourr’s Website! ?
With up to 20% off your TOTAL bill and FREE bows offers, you’ll be able to spoil your furkid at a wallet-friendly price! ?
It’s hard not to notice Waggyaffairs with their insanely adorable CEO tobithespitz ?, who inspired his hoomans to start the business in the first place. It started when their pet was feeding on commercial treats and was evidently consuming more water, which made them question the preservatives and sodium content in those treats.
From there, Waggyaffairs became the solution to their worries.
Their treats are made with human-grade ingredients and no added preservatives, making it the pawfect treat for your little ones✨.
Shop at Waggyaffairssg and get 10% discount off your total bill with coupon “PAWJOURR10” today!
True to its name, Staple Craft Co. offers staple items such as leashes, collars, and harnesses for your furkid. Utilizing Biothane material to craft out customizable water and stain proof products that are versatile, the hoomans can use them for multiple occasions without worrying about them breaking!
They have a wide range of products for you to get your paws on too, so you’re sure to be spoilt for choice! I guess Staple Crafts really does live up to its name of being a “staple” in your lives!
If your furkid loves flour-based treats, they will definitely enjoy Snacclikemad! Specialized in making flour-based treats, such as peanut butter cookies and yogurt puffs, they believe that such threats can be yummy and addictive while maintaining their nutritional value.
Allow your furkid to snack like mad with a 20% OFFDISCOUNT to your total bill on Snacclikemad.
Representing a sense of adventure and outdoors, Puptribe has the perfect products for your furkid’s daily walkies. They believe that leashes and collars are not just accessories, they are definitely essential for your furkid’s lifestyle.
Join the tribe today with an exclusive10% discount off your products.
Looking for some accessories to dress your furkid up? Look nowhere, TheSundayPup has the solution to that problem! ✅
Handcrafted with high-quality fabric and excellent workmanship, your furkid will surely enjoy wearing these comfortable products. Other than accessories, TheSundayPup also offers curated lifestyle products for your furkid.
You can also dress your furkid up at an affordable price, with a10% discount on your total bill.
Can’t get enough of these $avings? Check out Pawjourr’s newly added coupon page to see more home-based businesses that you can use your coupons on!
? Happy shopping & Happy saving!?
– – –
Are you a home-based business interested in working with Pawjourr? Drop us a comment below to let us know, or head to Pawjourr.com and send us a message!
