Blackie, "ambassador of love" adopted

Since not many might know about Blackie's fate, thought of sharing this piece of good news from local news publications. Blackie -- the pivot of HDB neighbourliness, the strength of Singaporean strength in unity.

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I'M WILLING TO ADOPT BLACKIE
26 February 2007
The New Paper
Copyright 2007, Singapore Press Holdings Limited

HOW far would an MP go for her constituents?Far enough to adopt a stray dog to keep her constituency happy.

Ms Lee Bee Wah, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, said: 'I don't have a dog. Since the residents have such a strong bonding with the dog, I'm willing to adopt it.'

She was responding to The New Paper report on Blackie on Chinese New Year's eve.

Ms Lee has received about 30 e-mail messages from the public after the story appeared, urging her to save Blackie, the stray mongrel, that has become a pet cause among residents of Yishun Street 81.

LIVING IN VOID DECK The 4-year-old dog had been living at the void deck of Block 825 for the past three years.

In that time, she became a friend to the children and other pets in the neigbourhood, a companion to the elderly, and provided solace to those who lost their loved ones.

The residents call her their 'ambassador of love'.

She had managed to do what any MP or grassroots leaders would hope to achieve: A common bond within the community, and harmony among neighbours.

But two weeks ago, someone alerted the Centre for Animal Welfare and Control (CAWC) of the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) about Blackie.

When the CAWC officers tried to impound Blackie, they were stopped by some of the residents. If Blackie were impounded, she would have been put to sleep.

One group of residents were so determined to save Blackie that they gathered the signatures of 76 people living in 11 blocks in the estate to stop AVA from taking the dog away. Afraid that AVA officers would return for Blackie, resident Jimmy Ng decided to keep Blackie in his parent's kampung house at Lorong Buangkok, off Gerald Drive.

The residents then sought their MP's help to save Blackie.

Ms Lee said: 'I've received a lot of response not to kill Blackie. It'll be good to keep her.'

Nine readers have also written to The New Paper on Sunday after our report, telling us how they are touched by the unity of the residents.

Two of them have even offered to adopt Blackie.

A reader, who identified herself only as Bee Cheng, wrote: 'I am pleasantly surprised to see how a stray dog can foster bonding among people in a neighbourhood, regardless of race and religion.'
Dr Tan Chek Wee, from Geylang East, is touched by how Blackie has brought out the 'kampung spirit' among the residents. He even wrote an e-mail to Ms Lee.

HELP FOR BLACKIE RC chairman Sahul Hameed Kadir has since met some of the residents to discuss how to help Blackie.

Ms Lee said: 'There are always two camps - people who want to keep the dog and those who don't. We shall let the residents decide if they want the dog. Of course, we hope to find a win-win situation.'

When told of the last-resort possibility that their MP, who lives in Serangoon Gardens, may adopt Blackie, housewife Dulcie Lim, 59, said: 'That's good. Let her adopt! Tolong. I trust my MP, that she will take good care of Blackie. Serangoon Gardens would be a nice area for Blackie to live.

'READERS SAY: LET BLACKIE STAY

THANK you very much for doing a feature on Blackie. It was a lovely article.

I am not a dog lover, neither do I live in the estate mentioned.

But I strongly feel that Blackie should be allowed to remain in that estate.

From your report, many people hold the dog dear and value her presence in the neighbourhood as a source of joy and affection.

The Government is always holding meetings, forums and the like to find out how to build the 'HDB heartware'.

Sometimes, social ties depend not on pre-arranged functions and places for people to 'connect', but a common concern for someone or an animal that brings people together in unexpected ways.

Kindness and compassion - isn't that what we want to see in our people?
- Neo Kai Ling

IT was really touching to read the story on Blackie.

I really hope the dog will get to stay with the residents.

Our treatment of animals is a reflection of our society's progress.

I read the AVA's reply with great disappointment.

It is the same type of reply that I have read in other articles.

We are always talking about being innovative and inclusive, but do our actions show likewise?

Let's hope Blackie's case will change the lives of all strays in Singapore.

- Seah Bee Leng

THANK you for a wonderful report.

We are presented with many gifts in this little island, such as our fantastic 'hardware' (upgraded estates).

Yet I feel a sense of hollowness in the software as I see people looking glum or littering our public places.

Reading how Blackie has made alive the endangered 'kampung spirit', I feel a ray of hope for our future. I can only hope that the AVA will be more sympathetic in applying 'man-made' rules.

After all, Singapore has been rabies-free for 50 years, and there are also anti-rabies vaccines available for Blackie.

Blackie is gentle not just to humans but also to cats. She is indeed a good role model for some of our delinquents. I hope that the MP, Ms Lee Bee Wah, will keep this 'kampung spirit' going!

- Dr Tan Chek Wee