Tag: New Owners

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My China Adoption Story: From the Streets to the Sheets

May the story of Yumi bring you the positivity and strength you need to get you through the most difficult and tiring of times.

Meet Yumi, the strongest and cutest fatty adopted from China. It was his Gotcha Day recently so I finally got some time to sit down and write his story, about how he overcame all odds and came out a happy little warrior despite all he has faced.

From the Streets to the Sheets

Yumi is the only dog in our house that wants to sleep with humans. The poodles like to sleep by themselves in their crates or on their own beds, but Yumi will always want to climb onto our bed and plop his fluffy butt against me and sleep. No matter how I sleep, he will always make sure to have one part of his body touching me. When he sleeps on my bed by himself in the morning after I wake up, he will move up onto my pillow and sleep on that instead. While it may not seem like it, Yumi is actually a very needy dog, that craves the constant accompany of us.

Backstory: Health and Burns

Yumi was rescued from the streets of Shanghai, China, and when he was found he was in extremely bad condition. He was found covered in fleas and ticks (suggesting he has been on the streets for a very long time), starving badly to the point where you could see his bones, his teeth were mostly gone, his legs were all injured resulting in him not being able to walk normally and most scarily, he had two big burn marks on his back.

No one knew where he came from and what has happened to him. Was he abandoned? Did he run away from his previous home? Was he a lost dog who never found his owner? All we knew was that we had a badly injured dog that needed to be taken care of.

These two burn marks covers approximately 20-30% of his entire back.

The vet said that Yumi’s had suffered 4th-degree burns, and he could never be able to recover in those areas. After all, it was literally “griddled” and the skin felt like a piece of plastic that was completely rid of any fur.

Coming Home

This was right after arrival at Changi Checkpoint as he was clearing entry. He was still really confused and worried at this stage.
This photo was taken right after Yumi arrived in Singapore at Sembawang Quarantine Centre and he has pretty much settled down by then.

My mother spent about 6 months nursing him back to health while arranging for his immigration to Singapore. On 29 August 2016, he was brought to Singapore to start his new life. He was finally allowed to go home on 27 September 2016 after clearing quarantine.

Bringing him to the vet confirmed all our suspicions about his legs, Yumi had Grade 4 luxating patella in both knees and his front paws had healed at the wrong angle after being broken (probably due to the lack of medical care when he was stray). What we were told was that we had to be prepared for arthritis to take a toll on him once it sets in. We also had to be super careful about not worsening his conditions.

Aggression and How We Dealt With It

Being a previously abused dog, Yumi inevitably had signs of aggression. He has specific triggers which set him off, causing him to go into a panic and snap at whoever is near him. However, it was through his reactions that helped us to determine his triggers and slowly mitigate his fear.

For example, he does not like any form of sticks, be it long or short. As long as he sees a stick, he will run away and bark fiercely at it after finding a secure spot that protects his body. We try to have him get used to it slowly and help him to understand that not all sticks are a threat to him, but it’s not been an easy process. Unfortunately, some fear is just super-strongly ingrained, and there’s minimal which can be done to make him no longer fear it. But thankfully, our efforts did pay off slightly, as he is now relatively calm with a few items, and can be relaxed even beside them.

In addition, probably as an effect of his days of being a stray dog, Yumi resource guards. He does not allow others near him when he is eating and used to give off warning growls when we approach him during meal times. Thankfully, after years of coaxing, he is now able to eat beside the other dogs without worries and is even willing to share with Yuzu sometimes.

Yumi is very close to Yuzu, and he is always very gentle with her and watchful over her.
Despite being an abused dog, Yumi still gets along very well with everyone.

Still a Happy Little Boy

Despite the adversaries he has faced, Yumi is still always a happy and cheerful dog, and is always happy to meet new friends where he goes. We know that he isn’t young anymore, but he always exhibits puppy-like behaviour with his excitement and curiosity. He is very protective of his family and does not allow anyone to threaten us (human or dog). If the humans got into a fight, he will come in the middle to break up the fight (forever the peacekeeper of the family).

Despite being abused, he does not let his past demons stop him from being friendly with people. He is still quick to warm up to people and is absolutely loyal and loving to the very core. In fact, he won the hearts of all the staff at the quarantine office in his 30 days because of how loving he was towards him. No matter where he is, he always has fun.

Quarantine life? So what! I can still have fun no matter where I am.
Day 1 of meeting his new sister and boom, best friends!
Just keep smiling, no matter what happens. One day, everything will be better.

What I’ve learnt from Yumi is that no matter what happens, always stay happy. Despite having so many injuries on his body, he is still smiling and having fun every single day. He never lets his trauma deprive him of his happiness every day, and continues running around despite his joints aching.

I recall once seeing him at a dog party when he was running with some Spitz when he suddenly just buckled and fell to the ground. I panicked and was about to run over to pick him up when he just got up and continued running around with the other dogs happily. I was worried, and still am constantly worried about his joints, but I never want to deprive him of his happiness and interactions with other dogs. All I can do is to do it in a controlled environment, where he can safely play without getting injured.

A funny story about Yumi which I just remembered. I once thought he went missing at a pet cafe. One second he was running around and the next he disappeared. I kept calling for him and went around looking for a tiny white Pomeranian before suddenly hearing the party beside us ask me “Is this your dog?” while pointing to the fat little Yumi who was hiding among a bunch of Samoyed, stealing some of the birthday cake from that party… He just invited himself into the party and the Samoyed accepted him. *speechless* Cut the story short, he ended up celebrating the birthday for the Samoyed and was even in their group photo lol.

The forever tamjiak Yumi with his pawtner-in-crime hiding behind him.

Nowadays, Yumi is getting older and is no longer as puppy like or moves as much as he used to. He still has random bouts of energy but he no longer keeps up with the other dogs. It’s a truth we have to accept, that our pets will grow old and eventually leave us one day. But until that day comes, I will make sure that Yumi lives everyday of his life happy and loved.

Just to add:
Please do support adoptive causes and adopt instead of buying if possible. Put a smile on a dog’s face, and allow him to feel happy and have a home again. If you wish to buy a dog, please do make sure you’re purchasing from an ethical breeder, not a pet shop or puppy mill. A pet is for forever.

For more adorable Yumi photos, check out his Instagram at @yu.mi.zu

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Review of KONG Toys: The good and the meh

My tiny almost 2kg dog is a land shark. She’s currently teething and is ready to destroy all the toys (and furniture) that comes her way. We’ve invested a lot in Kong toys due to their reputation of being sturdy but not all of them are equally well made.

Read our review below to know which toys are worth it and which toys you can give a miss:

KONG Classic:

This rubber toy is extremely durable. It’s able to withstand my puppy’s constant chewing and as an added bonus, treats inside keep her busy for long periods of time. This is a classic toy for a reason-only downside is it’s not the most budget friendly toy.

Rating: 9.5/10

Taken from Kong’s Website

Dental Stick

The dental stick allows dog owners to hide treats for puppies to slowly chew their way through. Without treats, my pup is disinterested in the toy but with treats, it does its job of keeping a dog busy for minutes. Due to its many crevices, it is a pain to clean.

Rating: 8/10

Taken from Kong’s Website

KONG Cozie

I was so excited to get the KONG Cozie because before this point, all the KONG toys we got were extremely durable. Sad to say this wasn’t the same case with this toy. Within 5 minutes my 2kg puppy was pulling out the fur of the moose and making a mess everywhere. For the price point and the quality, I don’t recommend this at all-the only upside is she seems to enjoy destroying it.

Rating: 1.5/10

Taken from KONG’s website

SqueakAir Balls

We got our dog these tiny squeaking tennis balls thinking (again) that it would be durable. She ended up biting out the fur, making a mess and eating some of the fur out. My dog did love chasing it around. Though you’re better off getting a regular tennis ball for a cheaper price.

Rating: 2/10

Taken from Kong’s Website

Hope my review has helped you! For more questions, feel free to DM us on IG at donut.pawfriend

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Packing a dog go-bag

donut

Having a go-bag for our puppy Donut has been a lifesaver for us. Any time we go for a walk, we don’t forget a single item because it is all packed away beforehand.

One instance where we fully appreciated a go-bag was when Donut had to be rushed to an emergency vet because she choked on a kibble. In one quick swoop, all her items and vet records were with us when we got to the vet.

I’m here to share the items we pack:

Treats and kibbles:

During walks, vet visits, or training sessions-treats and kibbles are necessary to reward and affirm your pup. We always have a day’s worth of kibbles and treats for our daily activities.

Collapsible Bowl & Water

SLSON Collapsible Dog Bowl 2 Pack, Portable Silicone Pet Feeder, Foldable Expandable for Dog/Cat Food Water Feeding, Travel Bowl for Camping, Light Blue and Green
Taken from Amazon

I generally do not allow Donut to use communal dog bowls in water stations because it only takes one sick dog to use it before Donut is infected. We bought these bowls on Carousell for $2 dollars each and Donut can drink anytime and anywhere.

Portable Fan

OPOLAR 10000mAh 8-Inch Rechargeable Battery Operated Clip on Fan, 4 Speeds Fast Air Circulating USB Fan, Sturdy Clamp Portable for Outdoor Camping Tent Beach or Treadmill Car Personal Desk
Taken from Amazon

Singapore’s weather has been extremely unpredictable. It’s raining very hard then a few minutes later, it fee

ls like the heat of the sun is piercing my skin. I’ve learned to prevent heatstroke by bringing a portable fan for Donut. There isn’t always shade or air-conditioning in places we walk our dog but this fan allows us to make them a bit more comfortable everywhere.

Wet Wipes and Plastic Bags

Pogi's Grooming Wipes - Hypoallergenic Pet Wipes for Dogs & Cats - Plant-Based, Earth-Friendly, Deodorizing Dog Wipes
Taken from Amazon

Accidents happen, dogs get messy. From rolling around mud to pooping and peeing in random places, these items help me get Donut clean again.

Vet Records

You’ll never know when you’ll be needing this go-back quickly for an emergency visit. It’s always good to have your vet records on hand in order to give more information to the acting vet. Additionally, some restaurants and dog friendly places ask for proof of vaccination status before dogs can enter their premises.

We hope this checklist has helped you as a pawparent! With our furkids, it’s always better to be overprepared than underprepared.

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What to Do After Your Pet Arrives in Singapore

If you have not read my previous post on the paperwork for importing your pet, please do take a look at it here, before coming back here.

Up to the final paperwork, you can find all the information available on the Nparks website, but here are the bits that first-time importers may be unsure about. What happens after my pet arrives in Singapore?

After touchdown in Singapore

In Changi Airport
Welcome to Singapore / Welcome home!

Go through the arrival process as per normal and get your passport stamped. After picking up your luggage, go to the lost and found office at your arrival hall to submit the import licence and fill up a GST form. If your pet is in the cargo, they will then inform the staff to send your pet directly to Changi Animal and Plant Quarantine Station (CAPQ). If you are flying with your pet, you will handover your pet to the staff.

After leaving Changi Airport, head to Changi Airfreight Centre
Tip: There is no need to rush, grab a meal first if you are hungry

At the pass exchange counter, present the import licence and your IC to exchange for a pass. Make sure that your name matches that on the import licence as the importer.

Drive into CAPQ and make sure that your pass is displayed at all times.
Tip: To facilitate your entrance and exit, do not remove the luggage tags from your luggage so that the security knows it is yours, and not brought out of the checkpoint – trust me, I’ve done this 5 times.

At CAPQ, sign in and hand ALL original documents to the staff there. Depending on the speed of the staff, your pet may or may not already be there waiting for you. If they have yet to send the pet to the inspection office, then simply wait a little while.

After your pet arrives at the inspection office, it will be brought into an isolated room and you can go in to visit him/her while waiting for the paperwork to be processed. This will be a good time for you to rehydrate your pet, give it some treats/food, and let him/her do its toilet business.
Tip: If your dog/cat requires quarantine, you can also bring along a bed, a water and food bowl and pee tray. Whatever is left in the room will be brought together with the pet to Sembawang. As the room at Changi is a little cold, you might want to bring a small blanket for your dog/cat to snuggle up in if necessary.

If your pet requires quarantine, you will have to leave once everything is sorted out. Your pet will be transported to Sembawang Animal Quarantine Centre at 10am the same day/next working day. If your pet does not require quarantine, you can bring your pet out of CAPQ and go home.

Quarantine

At Sembawang Animal Quarantine Centre
On your first visit, there is some administrative work to be handled. You will need to sort out the check-in paperwork and make the balance payment. After you are done, they will tell you the kennel or cattery number your pet is in, so head on down to visit once you’ve sorted out the administrative work.

Be sure to bring along your pet’s favourite treats and toys, whatever he/she is comfortable and familiar with, so that the stay in quarantine is comfortable.
Tip: It will be good to use things that they are familiar with which you will want to dispose of, especially if you are staying in the non-air-conditioned rooms, as it can get pretty dirty (yes there are ticks too). Anything I can’t clean completely is thrown away after quarantine.

Visiting hours
Mon-Fri: 4pm – 6pm
Sat: 2pm – 6pm
Sun & PH: No visiting allowed

Walking Fields
Walking fields are open until 30 mins before the end of visiting hours. Please let the staff outside the kennels know when you wish to go for a walk so that they can schedule you a slot.

Shower Rooms
To reserve a shower room, let the counter staff know that you require a shower room and book a slot.

After Quarantine
On the day of release, you are able to pick up your pet from 10am to 12pm. They will hand you everything you have inside the room. You will wait outside the office as they bring your pet to you.

Things to take note of

Try to make sure that you are touching down in Singapore between 7am and 8pm from Monday to Saturday on non-public holidays. This is because the inspection office is closed from 10.30pm to 8am and on Sundays and public holidays. So if you arrive outside of the opening hours, your pet will be kept in its carrier at the inspection office till the staff arrives.

It is also better to travel during your pet’s natural sleeping hours so that they will feel less stressed during the flight.

It is important to crate train your dog/cat if you are flying in cargo. This can help to prevent unnecessary stress on your pet in the process. Same goes for during quarantine, do try to ensure your pet is crate trained as it will help prevent separation anxiety.

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So, I got a pet from overseas, how do I bring it back to Singapore now?

I will be creating a series of posts detailing the breakdown of the process, including the paperwork and the experiences with some tips. I’ve done this paperwork 7 times, so I am pretty familiar with it by now.

Let’s break this down for you, there are essentially three parts – export, flight, and import, and it is easier than you think.

Export

The export paperwork will differ depending on the domestic policy of the exporting country, but they usually require a health checkup and that is all you need to be awarded an export licence. However, please check with the local guidelines on how to bring your dog/cat out of the country.

Flight

Next step, you will need to handle the flight, you can choose between your pet flying in-cabin with you, or in the cargo. However, take note that there are size/weight restrictions for flying in-cabin. From my experience, I have taken Asiana Airlines, Korean Airlines and Singapore Airlines for travelling with my pets. (I will be making a detailed breakdown into the air travel portion soon, for this post, I’ll be focusing on the import paperwork).

Import

And for the domestic paperwork which seems to scare many, here is a detailed breakdown on how and when to sort out all your paperwork to bring your pet into Singapore. The following instructions are for Category D countries. Please refer to the end of the post for the link to a detailed breakdown for the other categories.)

>6 months before import:
Step 1: Microchip your pet (All vaccinations and health documents MUST carry this microchip number)
Step 2: Get rabies vaccination

4 – 5 months before import:
Step 3: Send your pet for serology test (>30 days after rabies vaccination)

<3 months before import:
Step 4: Send pet for vaccination
Dog: Canine Distemper, Canine Hepatitis & Canine Parvoviral infection
Cat: Cat Flu (Feline Calicivirus and Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis) & Cat Enteritis (Feline Panleukopaenia/ Feline Parvovirus) 
Step 5: Reserve quarantine space (only if your pet is flying from a Category C/D country)

<1 month before import:
Step 6: Apply for a dog licence (for dogs only)
Step 7: Apply for an import licence
Step 8: Book inspection with CAPQ
Note: Be sure to inform the airline that you have a pet and will need to reserve a space

2 – 7 days before import:
Step 9: Send pet for external and internal parasite treatment and fill up the veterinary certificate (See the end of the post for the link)
Note: You may need to send the veterinary certificate and the import licence to your airlines, be sure to check with them. This is also the time to receive the export licence and health clearance declaration from the exporting country.

Just before departure:

Step 10: Submit a declaration of facts to Singapore Customs (for GST)

What’s next?

Click here as we bring you through the step by step guideline of receiving your pet in Singapore.

Common FAQs

How long do I need to handle the paperwork to bring in my dog/cat?
Category A: at least 6 weeks
Category B: at least 2 months
Category C: at least 4 months
Category D: at least 6 months

How much does it cost to import a dog/cat?
This will only include the import licence and quarantine (if required)
Category A: $50++
Category B: $50++
Category C: $307++
Category D: $693++
The prices above are exclusive of the cost of dog licence (for dog owners only), airfare and all costs in the exporting country (i.e. vaccination costs, etc)

For more information

Click here for the detailed breakdown for the respective categories of exporting countries. The veterinary certificate is on page 7 to 9 of the links.
Category A – Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
Category B – Cayman Islands, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Japan, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, USA (Hawaii and Guam only)
Category C – Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, Taiwan, USA (except Hawaii and Guam)
Category D – All other countries not listed above

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Dog Vaccinations, are they necessary or not…?

Vaccinations help to protect the immune system from illness. They work by exposing the body to non-pathogenic viral or bacterial antigens and the immune system remembers how the pathogens cause disease and anticipates. Vaccines can prevent the onset of diseases (or reduce the severity of disease).

Canine Core Vaccines

  • Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)
  • Canine Parvovirus (CPV)
  • Canine Adenovirus (CAV)
  • Leptospira app

The canine core vaccines are recommended for puppies and dogs with an unknown vaccination history. It is recommended to vaccinate puppies at 8, 12 and 16 weeks and an annual booster a year from the last puppy vaccine.

Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous system in dogs. It can spread through sneezing, coughing or sharing of food and water bowls with an infected dog. CDV causes discharge from the nose, fever, coughing, vomiting and diarrhoea, seizures, paralysis and often, death.

Canine Parvovirus (CPV) is a highly contagious virus that affects all dogs but unvaccinated dogs and puppies less than four months of age are at the most risk to contract the virus. CPV attacks the gastrointestinal system which can cause the loss of appetite, vomiting, fever and severe bloody diarrhoea. CPV causes death within 48-72hours following the onset of clinical signs.

Canine Adenovirus (CAV) consist of two serotypes, CAV 1 and CAV 2. CAV 1 causes canine hepatitis where dogs will suffer cell damage in the liver which can cause haemorrhage and death. CAV 1 can be contracted via dogs feces and urine of infected dogs. Symptoms of CAV 1 include abdominal pain, distension, lack of appetite, lethargy and fever. CAV 2 is a relative of the hepatitis virus and is one of the causes of kennel cough. The symptoms of CAV 2 are hacking cough, discharge after coughing and nasal discharge.

Leptospira app is caused by a bacteria and some dogs can show no symptoms at all. It can be found in contaminated water, soil or in rat’s urine. It is a zoonotic disease where it can spread from animals to people. Symptoms of leptospira app can cause lethargy, vomiting, jaundice, weakness and kidney failure.

There is no cure for any of the viruses mentioned above. Thus, it is important to vaccinate your pets if they have not received any vaccination before.

Non-core Vaccines

  • Canine Parainfluenza Virus (CPiV)
  • Bordetella bronchiseptica
  • Canine Coronavirus (CCV)
  • Rabies

Canine Parainfluenza Virus (CPiV) is highly contagious which can cause dry cough, difficulty breathing, sneezing, pneumonia, reduced appetite and lethargy. Most dogs can recover on their own but most dogs are treated immediately by vets using antibiotics since it is contagious. Cough suppressants may be given as well.

Bordetella bronchiseptica or kennel cough, is caused by a bacteria which can spread via close contact to an infected dog, sharing of food and water bowls. The bacteria destroys the lining of the dog’s trachea which can cause coughing. Dogs can wretch or gag as they cough. The symptoms include fever, nasal discharge and loss of appetite. The incubation of kennel cough is around five to seven days. It takes about 48 hours to develop immunity to the disease after receiving the vaccination. It is recommended to vaccinate against kennel cough for dogs doing to a boarding facility. The vaccine is given every 12 months from the first booster.

Canine Coronavirus (CCV) is a virus that affects the intestinal tract. It is not the same virus as COVID-19. It can be passed through saliva and feces. The symptoms include decrease in appetite, diarrhoea and lethargy.

Rabies is a viral disease carried by many mammals and it is also a zoonotic disease where it can spread from animal to humans. It is spread through a bite from an infected animal. Rabies causes acute encephalitis and eventually affecting the nervous system which results in death. Rabies vaccination is usually only required for international travel. Singapore has been rabies free since 1953.

There is no cure for Canine Coronavirus and Rabies.

General Considerations & Risks

Before vaccinating your pets, there are some considerations to and risks. The age of your pet, medical history, environment and overall health. Post vaccination reactions can be seen which include sluggishness, loss of appetite, facial swelling, pain, redness, lameness, difficulty breathing, seizures, collapse and death. It is important to bring your pet immediately to the vet if any of the post vaccination reaction occurs.

If pet owners are not keen to vaccinate annually, there is another option such as the Anti-body Titre testing. The titre test is a anti-body blood test which can help to identify if the previous vaccines is still protecting your dog’s immune system. The titre test can only identify antibodies of CDV, CPV and CAV. It does not measure the level of antibodies.

Conclusion

It is definitely recommended to vaccinate your pets if they have an unknown history for adult dogs and if they are still doing their puppy shots. An anti-body titre test can be done to prevent over-vaccination. Always check with your regular vet to see if your pet needs a vaccination or not.

Prevention is always better than cure.

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What I wished I knew better before getting a puppy

So imagine this. You’re finally at that point in your life where you decide you’re ready to welcome a new member of the family- to raise a dog. You’ve done all your research, asked a couple friends and family for advice and finally decide to book that viewing appointment to see your doggo to-be.

And of course what better time than now right? With Covid-19 sticking around, 2020 is the perfect time to train and build that relationship without much FOMO (*the ‘Fear of Missing Out’)! You also start to rationalize and picture the next 10 years of your life, all while telling (well more like, convincing) yourself everyday that ‘You’re making the right choice! No regrets you got this! ? ‘

Now does this sound familiar?

If it does, then you’re probably a lot like me- optimistic, an over-thinker & someone who underestimates way too much. But hey, consider yourself blessed today because I’ll be sharing the things I wished I could have prepared myself better for while sharing a little more about my experiences as a first-time puppy owner!

The First Interaction

Here’s Calie (the one with the folded ears) chilling with her siblings, now formally known as Dole (in the pen) and Toufu (on top of Calie) at 3 months old!

When I met Calie, she was with her other little siblings playing around and was being this wholesome picture of ‘childlike innocence’ that I instantly fell in love with. Meeting the pups for the very first time almost had me in tears behind my face mask because I was basically achieving my childhood dreams of wanting a dog (yes, I was that child) and it was such a surreal moment for me. But you see, that’s the easy part. The idea of having a loyal companion by your side, giving you that unconditional love and acceptance to brighten up any bad day may seem like such a promising idea most of the time, but you have to realise that this should not be the sole deciding factor – which leads me to my first point:

1. Commitment: It’s the most important!

Now this personally, should be the very first thing you think about before getting that dog in the window! It is a known fact that dogs can live up to 10-15 years and they definitely require a lot of time invested, energy, money and commitment. There are many articles that will tell you that to the point where it literally becomes ‘textbook knowledge’, but you won’t realise how serious this becomes until you live the life yourself! But not to worry, if you’d like to know if you’re prepared for it, here are a few questions you can ask yourself:

  • Why do you want a dog to begin with?
  • Do you have time to train the puppy/dog?
  • Can you afford a dog right now?
  • Is your current home environment suitable for the particular breed you have in mind?
  • Are you ready to deal with the problems (aka ‘collateral damage’) that comes with raising a dog? – from chewing everything in its path to unforeseen health emergencies
  • …Did you do your research?

If you’ve managed to say ‘Yes’ to everything, then you’re pretty much set! On the other hand, if you went ‘Errr…Maybe?’ you might want to rethink the decision for now and wait things out, or adjust a few things in your life before making a choice.

Now as daunting as all this responsibility may seem, there is something so gratifying and rewarding about raising a puppy/dog and you can learn so much every single day from the experience alone- I know I have.

2. Be patient- Good things take time!

Raising puppies / Re-training dogs can be extremely hard! (and I’ve been to nursing school HA). The physical and mental exhaustion can be very demoralising as you help your new furriend to adjust to new environments and it doesn’t help whenever they make ‘potty accidents’, cry almost 24/7 from that separation anxiety, and treat your home like a natural disaster!

On the very first trip back to her furever home!
(aka. moments before disaster)

Yes, the ‘Puppy Blues’ are no joke and it began from the minute we brought Calie home – if you must know, she immediately marked the floors and had the worst cases of urinary incontinence (aka. a leaky bladder) for 2 weeks straight and although this was normal for puppies, I was loosing my sanity by the minute and would have uncontrolled bursts of frustrations where I would lash out or even breakdown at the most random timings. In fact, if you’d like to know more about these ‘Puppy Blues’, hop right over to @hoshi_sheltie ‘s blog after this and read their post as they talk about the real struggles and exploring ways to overcome them!

But just like how a baby needs time to learn manners, you have to understand that dogs are naturally pack animals and have instincts on their own. The more time and training you invest with your pup, the better you can curb negative behavior and build a great relationship! As a person who’s always occupied with tight schedules, it was not easy to suddenly make adjustments to a lifestyle I’ve grown accustomed to for years just so I had enough time to train Calie and help make her adapt well with the family and it was a challenge to be constantly multi-tasking. I also strongly believe in positive reinforcement when training Calie and as a result she’s able to understand and pick up on instructions a lot more efficiently as opposed to negative reactions like yelling/hitting her (which I never do), and I’m proud of how strong our relationship is every single day, because I know all my time sacrificed is not in vain.

On the other hand, I do understand that there are people who may not be able to have the luxury of time and patience but would still like to try caring for a dog. A good suggestion would be to discuss with your families/loved ones and talk about how the responsibilities can be shared or alternatives like sending the dog to ‘puppy school’ or having a private trainer.

“Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.”

JOYCE MEYER

3. Unpopular Belief: Money Trees should really grow actual money for a change!

Now THIS is a real problem for not just myself, but in many pet owners out there especially in this time. The cost of living can be stressful for us hoomans, let alone for a dog & you would not imagine how much it takes to ensure your pup is in its best health and living in an optimal environment constantly. Of course, it would be a dream if I could give my pup the whole world (and possibly even more) if it meant making them the happiest doggos out there!

A visit to the vet for her last puppy vaccination

Before making a decision to bring Calie home, my family & I had to layout the possible costs for the next couple years and honestly it wasn’t such an easy pill to swallow. Besides the initial cost it took to get Calie, some examples of things I would typically get worried about is being able to provide food every month, to the many vet consultations as a result of unforeseen health scares , transportation costs (we don’t have a car to get around) and other miscellaneous items (eg. walking necessities, trivial accessories, etc.) – and that’s just to name a few! As a first-time owner I had my first rude awakening when I saw the bill for Calie’s vet consultation & I really thought my soul was ready to depart my body right there in front of the counter. However thankfully, we’re slowly learning to anticipate better in time to be more prepared for ‘financial emergencies’ & that’s something I hope to be much better at very soon.

Now I’ve heard of different ways to combat financial issues from many people and for new pawrents to-be, I’ve narrowed down a couple tips to consider:

  1. As much as possible please ADOPT, don’t shop! – there are so many fur babies who are still looking for homes to call their own, please think of them first.
  2. Consider applying for Pet Insurance (covering medical emergencies)- you never know when you’ll need to visit a vet and how often you go!
  3. Support Local businesses in the pet community! – There are so many brands out there run by pawrents themselves that cater from food, accessories and toys! (personally I have a list of brands for my reference)
  4. Make friends who can getchu lobang yall! – I’m talking brand ambassador discounts, special offers, and even the many pet giveaways on social media (eg. Instagram, Facebook), which is great news for shopaholics such as myself whoops ?

So resist that temptation to overspend and just leave it in the cart first, trust me. (yes I’m looking you, my fellow bo lui gang)

But do note that you should only spend within your means, because “Money will buy you a fine dog, but only love can make it wag its tail” – Richard Friedman!

Calie sending all the positive vibes your way!

Anyways, those are my top 3 points to consider before thinking of making room for a new fur member of the family. So far, raising Calie has had its ups and downs, but I really do cherish every single moment I have with her always. If there’s anything I regret, it would be me wishing there was more things I could have been prepared for but everyday is a learning process for the both of us and sometimes there are just some things you need to learn along the way!

I can’t wait to see where life takes us in the next couple of years, and I’ll always do my best to ensure she lives a life that’s well-fulfilled and full of love. To all the new pawrents to be, both Calie and I wish you all the best in this new chapter of your life and to have fun with the process, you deserve this! ?

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Community Stories

How to Stop Your Cat From Chewing Electrical Wires

Recently one of our cat started the behaviour of biting wires out of boredom. He bit our Dyson Vacuum wire and Xiaomi Robot wire. I did not notice the broken wire and wanted to charge my Xiaomi Robot, when I switch on the socket, it created a big spark of fire and short circuit the entire house causing the electric to trip outside our electrical riser. And my wife was so scared because I was super near the fire, and I could have gotten electrocuted.
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So I am here to highlight how to prevent your cat from biting wires, because its very dangerous.

When cats chew on wires, plastic bags or other foreign objects. These behaviour may be caused by an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); or health-related / environmental factors. EG: Dental issue, a way for the cat to relieve stress; etc. No matter what is the reason behind it, it is extremely dangerous for cats to chew on electrical cords, it could cause short circuit to your house; damage your appliances, or worst electrocuted. 

Fortunately, there are a few ways you can address this kind of behaviour.

Reasons for Chewing

It might be a mystery why cats choose electrical wires to chew on. The reasons for cord chewing may include:

Stress

Stress can prompt a wide range of odd behaviors. In these cases, the chewing serves to relieve anxiety and simply makes the cat feel better emotionally.

Boredom

When a cat isn’t having enough stimulation or exercise, it will cause boredom and that will result stress may cause it to seek other outlets.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) usually involves chewing and gnawing behaviour.

Although cord chewing may be the primary OCD behaviour you observe in your cat, you may spot other symptoms as well. There doesn’t seem to be an explanation for why some cats develop a particular combination of OCD symptoms.

  • Overgrooming, characterised by a cat licking and chewing its fur so vigorously that it starts to fall out in spots, is also common.
  • Obsessively sucking, licking or chewing on fabric.

Dental

Cats that have pain in their mouths caused by dental problems may indulge in gnawing behaviour in an attempt to relieve the discomfort. So it’s important to visit a veterinary for dental care. EG: Checkups and cleanings.

Pica

A nutritional deficiency called pica is associated with eating odd materials. When a nutrient is missing from its diet, a cat will seek to replace it, but may choose inappropriate items to ingest. Some cats that suddenly begin targeting inedible objects.

How to Stop Chewing

Take your cat to the veterinarian for a checkup if it displays inappropriate chewing behaviour so that any underlying health problems can be discovered and addressed. In the meantime, take steps to keep your cat safe.

  • Cover electrical cords by running them through wire protector. You can also make them less appetizing by using bitter spray.
  • Offer the cat alternatives to chew, such as cardboard. 
  • Reduce anxiety to help eliminate the need for chewing. Consider trying a synthetic kitty pheromone (Feliway) to relieve stress and soothe your cat. Otherwise, make sure your cat’s litter box is spotless and that it has enough toys and playtime with you to stave off boredom.

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Community Stories

What is crate training and why it is important?

In addition to solid and functional obedience, crate training has to be one of the most valuable skills our dogs can have.  Before we go any farther, let’s get one thing out of the way right now – crate training your dog is not cruel, inhumane, or mean.  Often times we as humans relate a crate to jail or feel sorry for a dog that is in a crate, but it’s important to remember that we’re training through the dog’s mentality, not our own.

There are several beneficial reasons to crate training your puppy or dog, and yes, by crate training we are expecting the crate door to be closed.  

In my opinion, here is the most important reason to crate train your dog:  At some point in your dog’s life, they are going to be in a crate.  Whether it be at the groomer, at the vets’s clinic, boarding, at a friend’s home, in a car, or anywhere else, it is going to happen.  Preparing them for these situations is important and, in my opinion, not crate training your dog is doing a disservice to them as it causes a lot of stress, anxiety, and is extremely difficult on some dogs when they finally need to be put in that situation.

1. Provide a Safe Space

I had always thought that crates were cruel. One of the things I learned with the new pup is that crates are not cruel when used properly, and in fact can be a great tool for the average pet owner. Proper, positive crate training can provide benefits for both you and your dog.

Dogs have a natural instinct and crates can provide a haven for your dog when he is feeling stressed or tired and needs some downtime.

2. Help With Potty Training

Crates are great for house training. Dogs and puppies don’t like a soiled bed, so a properly sized crate is very useful to assist you in teaching him bladder and bowel control.

3. Household Safety

Having your dog resting comfortably in his crate while you are not able to supervise him is a bonus. Maybe you are cooking dinner or working on renovations where your pup could cause safety issues just by being underfoot. Having him tucked safely away will give you peace of mind.

4. Positive Car rides.

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Car travel in a crate is far safer for both of you than having him loose in the car.

5. Positive Vet Visits

If your dog ever needs to stay overnight at the vet’s, he will be far less stressed when he is confined in the cage or run if he has already been crate trained.

6. Reduce Damages

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Happily destroying our skirting.. -_-

You wouldn’t want to come home to find your furniture bitten or skirting destroyed to pieces. Unwanted disasters like these can be avoided by providing them stimulating dog toys or chews inside their crate, instead of them finding other interesting household items to destroy when left un-supervised and un-crated.

7. Evacuation

Finally, if you ever have to evacuate from your home in case of any kind of emergency, having a crate trained dog is so much easier for all concerned (Better Discipline). Whether you keep your dog with you, or he has to be handed over to others, your pup will be better off in his own crate. He’ll be more relaxed with his own blankets and toys with your scent on them, than one who is unfamiliar with a crate and therefore experiences undue stress.

To sum it up why crate training is so important.

  • It’s a tremendous aid in potty training your puppy or dog.
  • It makes traveling with your dog much easier as they have a familiar reference point wherever they go.
  • It’s important aid to creating structure in your dog’s life
  • It helps your dog to mentally relax
  • It gives your dog a place of their own to go and get some peace and quiet, especially in big gatherings etc.
  • Proper crate training can help reduce the anxiety when leaving your dog home alone.
  • It help prevent unwanted behaviours, such as chewing household objects, and more when you cannot be with your dog.

Although it may be emotionally hard for some of us, my advice is to put your dog’s crate in the proper location and immediately being crate training your dog from the second he or she sets foot in your home.  When your dog is properly crate trained as an adult, you may not utilise the crate as much but continuing to implement the crate into your dog’s daily routine so the benefits of crate training carry over for the dog’s life.

Misuse of Crates

Crates can also be misused and have a negative influence on your dog. Here are some uses to avoid:

  • It is very important to remember not to use a crate as punishment for your dog. His crate should be his haven. I have often found Kobe resting in his crate of his own accord with the door wide open.
  • While crates can be used for teaching your dog the house rules, it is NOT okay to use the crate as a crutch because of lack of training. Your dog wants to be with YOU, not spending his life in a crate, so be diligent about your training regime early on.
  • Never leave your dog in his crate for too long, especially puppies who have limited bladder control. If you must crate your dog while you are at work, it is important that he gets a potty break. If you are leaving him crated at home, it is absolutely essential that you make sure he gets plenty of exercise and playtime when you are around.

xoxo

Kobe’s Parents (Kendrick & Kimberly)

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Toxic household items for cats you may not know about!

Have you ever randomly Google things like “Can cats eat ____?” or “Are ____ poisonous to cats?”

Well, I always do. As a first-time cat owner, there are many things that I learned along the way (most of which were from my dear friend Google).

One day as I was sipping my morning coffee, Simba came to sit next to me and started sniffing my cup. That was when I wondered, “Can cats drink coffee?” Of course, my first instinct was NO. My concern was more of like, what if I left my cup of coffee on the table unattended, and Simba decided to be a naughty boy and drank from it?

I’m sure most of us would know the common items that are dangerous to cats, such as human medicine, chemicals/insecticides, etc. So I will not go into too much detail for those things. My purpose of writing this post is to alert cat owners of some unexpected household items that may post danger to our furbabies.

Human Food

Coffee – or rather all caffeinated drinks.
Cats are curious creatures and they may be attracted to the strong smell of coffee. Do note that caffeine is a very dangerous and toxic chemical to cats, and ingestion can be life-threatening.

Grapes and raisins
Consumption of grapes or raisins may cause rapid kidney failure for cats, and even just a small amount can make them ill. Repeated vomiting and hyperactivity are some of the early signs to take note of. The good news is – your feline babies are unlikely to show interest in grapes or raisin. But just to be on the safe side, keep them out of reach!

Onions and garlic
Beneficial to human, but dangerous for cats. These commonly used food items can cause damage to cat’s red blood cells and lead to anemia. Although it is unlikely that your fur baby will eat onions or garlic in large quantity, take note that exposure to concentrated forms such as garlic powder or onion soup mix, can also be toxic.

Chocolate
Some of us may have heard that chocolate is dangerous to dogs, but is it just as dangerous to cats as well. Questions is why? Why does the all time favourite human snack pose such a danger to our furbabies? Turns out it’s because chocolate contains a substance that will result in vomiting and diarrhea, high body temperature, muscle tremors, abnormal heart rhythm, abdominal discomfort, increased thirst, and even seizures. So, if you are having a chocolate cake for your birthday, be sure to keep it away from your cat(s) at home!

Raw/unbaked yeast dough
Bakers out there take note! One of the most important ingredient for your bakes is in fact dangerous for your furbaby! When ingested, the dough may expand in the warm and moist environment of the cat’s stomach, and this will cause their stomach to be bloated or distended. Not only so, the yeast could also start to ferment in the stomach, and the process of fermentation may release alcohol and carbon dioxide – which when enters the bloodstream, could cause dangerous toxicity for cats.

Dairy products
Remember the cartoons we used to watch when we were younger, like Tom and Jerry, and Tom always seems to be drinking milk? Well, this is a misconception, and most cats out there are actually lactose intolerant. The reason I said most is because, there seem to be controversial options out there in terms of if cats can be given dairy products. So here’s just what I think after gathering some research, it is probably not the model answer, but I hope it gives you some perspective.

Being lactose intolerant means that cats’ stomachs are unable to digest these products, and ingesting them may upset their stomachs, resulting in vomiting or diarrhoea. Even though some cats appear to be able to take some diary like milk or cheese (in fact, Simba love to have some cheese once in a while), their bodies are just not made to digest the bi-products. At the end of the day, the potential problems actually outweighs the potential benefits. Cats don’t need dairy in their nutrition, so it is definitely okay to leave it out from their diet.

However, there are lactose free milk for cat out there in the market, so if you do want your furbaby to have some tasty milk once in a while, get those ones that are lactose free and save their tummy from being upset. The best alternative if you ask me? Just supply them with lots of fresh water everyday!

Plants

Have a green thumb or love how the plants make your house look homey and nice? Think twice or do some research before getting them and placing them in the house! Some cats like to nibble on plants for fibre, or they may eat them out of boredom. However, do take note of certain types of plants that could be dangerous for your cats!

Lilies***
This is a shocker for me. I remembering seeing a poster of this in my vet’s office in Australia. Lilies are beautiful flowers to look at, however they are deadly to our feline furbabies. The whole plant – including the leave, flower or even the pollen – is lethal to cats. Even if it is just brushing past the plant, and then grooming the pollen off the fur, can be very dangerous. My advise – do not bring any lilies home, because lily consumption is considered an EMERGENCY! (Don’t worry, the lilies behind Simba are fake flowers ><)

Aloe vera
Commonly used as a medical plant, the substance produced by aloe vera can actually result in diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, tremors and a change in urine color if you cat ingested it.

Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum is a popular plant used in drinks in Singapore. Although only mildly toxic, it contains substance that is poisonous to cats and will upset your furbaby’s stomach.

This substance is also found in fleas & ticks treatment for dogs, which is why it is important not to mix them up. If you have not dogs and cats at home, be sure of store those medications in separate places. As they have very similar packaging and small print, it’s easy to grab the wrong product by mistake.

Why does my cat chew on my plants?
This was question I wondered when I first noticed Simba sneaking on my plants and biting on them. Turns out cats chew on plants to obtain folic acid – a type of vitamin that support’s their growth. Hence it’ll be good to have a pot of cat grass at home for your furbabies to graze on them. Eating grass helps to regular their bowel movement as well. You may notice that your cat throws up after eating grass, and this is usually not a cause for concern as he/she is probably doing it on purpose. The process of vomiting helps to clear their digestive tract that may be clogged wit fur (from when they groom themselves). However, do not just let your cats chew on any patch of grass outdoors as some of them may be covered in pesticides/chemicals!

If your cat has been poisoned

You know your cat best, and it is important to look out for signs and symptoms that are out of the ordinary. Remember, every moment matters. Bring them to see a vet if you notice anything unusual, or if they had come into contact with any of the above items mentioned. Bring a sample of their vomit or stools (if any) to the vet as well, so that they can run some tests if necessary.

Keep your furbabies safe!

Hope this article is helpful for cat owners out there! It may not cover everything, but i hope that it brings attention to some common hazards at home that we may not be aware of. As a general rule of thumb, if you’re unsure if something is safe, always check with your vet / Google / other cat owners! Let’s keep our furbabies safe everyone!