Project JK - Just Kindness, from our souls to theirs

Contractor needed

2011-08-30T23:13:00.002+08:00

Anybody knows of a reliable contractor who can help build a wooden doghouse for 3 dogs at a local shelter, including a German Shepherd male? The doghouse will go a long way in helping the dogs sort integration issues and allow these 3 dogs to have a bigger enclosure to roam and get good sunlight, instead of staying in smaller kennels.

Contractor will need to survey the place and can refer to existing doghouses built in the shelter. Thank you.

Please contact: general@animalloversleague.com

Mission Relocation - Projected Costs

2011-07-12T02:34:00.003+08:00

As at 7 July, here's the projected costs of what we need to raise in total for Mission Relocation. Figures will change as we move along with the activities (hopefully they don't increase). Note also we are targetting to secure one month boarding sponsorship so that we can at least guarantee each dog is covered for the 1st month. We will need more help and funding for the long-term boarding of these dogs. Contact projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg for more. Thank you.

Mission Relocation

2011-07-04T23:32:00.005+08:00

At the moment, I shall call it "Mission Relocation" because it involves moving dogs from one place to another for them to seek refuge. Akin to what we did for the tapioca pack a few years ago. This time, the farm has a new management and has plans to develop a large part of their premise and they want the dogs out. Period. We've had talks with them, spoke with the workers, consulted supporters, considered various options... and pretty much arrived at one viable option that partly addresses it: relocate the dogs. To save as many as we can.

So Mission Relocation includes all efforts and costs that go toward:

Construction of a partition dividing an existing enclosure into two, and kennels in one of the sub-enclosures: >$2,000

Monthly boarding fees: >$100 per dog per month

Dog catching fees (of the ever skittish mummy dogs): To be advised

Transport fees (hopefully we can minimise these with our own transport): To be advised

We are given only one month and we got to start somewhere and do things quickly. In Singapore, it is difficult to prosecute anyone who terminates the lives of stray animals without concrete evidence against the criminal or perpetrator. The fact of straywork is, dog poisoning conducted by various means is a REALITY in Singapore. And those who've done it have gone scot-free. I want to avoid this and move the dogs, even just a few of them, to somewhere safe.

The first steps to getting this work include building the enclosure (quotation given by 1st contractor already, now waiting for 2nd contractor to survey area) and moving 3 of the mangey looking ones to the shelter. The management has expressed that these outwardly sickly looking dogs affect business image.

If you're interested to pitch into Mission Relocation, contact projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg. More could be discussed and answered. Receipts will be provided. We need the funds, the transport, the connections and the support. Thank you.

Saving the dogs in these pictures. Photos taken over the years of the packs.

Patchy boy (left) whom we have sterilised in recent months and one of initial pups we sterilised (right)

A cosy nook for the dogs. Behind the office of one of the farm workers. Unfortunately, this compound is marked for commercial development.

Dogs surrounding the enclosure we built a few years ago to minimise the dogs' movement. Black mummy dog (large circle) has given birth to many batches of puppies. Hachi-looking brown mummy dog (small circle) is hard to catch as well, and has given birth to generations.

Momo when she was young. Recently sterilised and had a chicken beak stuck in her teeth while she was gobbling chicken heads as treats. The chicken beak actually got stuck in her teeth for a few days and finally dropped off.

Circle: Longlong (gone missing/died) and Chocho (now residing at foster home for a few years already). Both caught by AVA and later redeemed at $1,000 or so.

Friendly pack who belonged to the now-defunct farm across the road. One of the first packs we sterilised back in 2006 when they were still small. Black fluffy boy (small red circle) is no longer with us.

Buffalo, old dog in foreground, chaperoning his younger counterparts. Dog with patches (background) died of tick fever a few years ago. He was noticed suffering with trembling limbs when he was still a young dog, after we had him sterilised.

For lack of

2010-06-07T04:30:00.004+08:00

creativity, I shall call him Boy. The aunty caregiver refers him as the "fierce cat from the school". But, he's not fierce, just a dominant male in the colony of community cats. Volunteers have weaved in and out to help the few elderly caregivers -- one in her 60s and another in her 80s, caring for separate areas -- but few actually stay long enough to help.

Boy was found more than a week ago with a patch on his back and a few days later, another bald patch appeared, as if hair was completely sucked out of the spot. The two patches hang on his back symmetrically. Boy was dull for a few days and resumed eating for two days before the caregiver rang me and asked me for help. I had a bottle of Negasunt (used to treat against maggot wounds) with me, but because the patches look very unusual and we wanted to play safe, we brought him the vet. At the time of this writing , we await for results from the vet after she's done with the culture test. If I interpret this correctly, culture test entails scraping some hairs and putting them into a culture of solution. It takes about 3~4 days for results to be out.

I brought up the issue of ringworm to the vet, but yielded no response. Boy's patches look like a fungal infection, but the vet is not ruling out something internal. He eats well, rests well and moves around just fine at the moment. Together, we have set a quarantine place within the caregiver's house to confine the spread of infection to other cats as much as possible. I was told this could spread to humans too, and washing of hands after handling Boy is absolutely necessary.

Bringing Boy to medical attention is part of our ongoing effort to manage community cats, even though the stray cat rehabilitation scheme that worked very well years ago had been scrapped. Boy is sterilised, ear-tipped and vaccinated, but like a typical alpha male, he roams around and makes the effort as the leader to chase intruding cats into territories far from home turf. Among most, he's the most people-social one and would saunter confidently to anyone who approaches the caregiver's house while he guards it fervently. We have made a payment of over $50 to the vet for the treatment this time (Boy's on oral medication), and if you believe in the community cats rescye cause and would like to help us defray Boy's medical cost, please write to projectjkteam [at] yahoo [.] com [.] sg. At this juncture, we sincerely appreciate all advice on Boy's condition. If you're a cat owner and caregiver, and have come across similar encounters such as Boy's, kindly write to us too.

What are also the preventive measures we can do to restrict the spread of infection to other cats?

Thank you.

Boy, resting on a chair indoors. The perfect opportunity for us to "scoop" him into the carrier and bring him to the vet's, knowing he is one to struggle.

Aerial view: two circular bald patches on the shoulder blades

Hair's totally gone as if completely uprooted

Spotty and her puppies

2010-05-20T17:52:00.004+08:00

Yesterday, 6 hours spent on the road with the six dogs that were the target of culling bodies. We received an appeal from a stray caregiver that she needs help, and yesterday for the first time after many online correspondences, ventured into one of the spots of the remaining wildernesss of Singapore. What greeted us was actually a nice place, a heaven on earth for the dogs. The quiet of nature, the vastness of space, bushes, a hut and an enclosure to keep the dogs from running into neighbouring premises.

We targeted to bring about 3 dogs to the vet's, but the Kangoo could fit in more, so we took 6 of them all at one go -- Spotty and her timid but friendly kids. At the clinic, the dogs were verified sterilised, dewormed, vaccinated and microchipped -- the latter in compliance with statutory prescriptions.

5 young dogs, over one year old. They are all sweet-natured Spotty's children. Disgruntled, they waited for their turn at the vet's after what must have been their first horror of a car ride. And they resorted to lying low on the floor to cope with all the stress; shut themselves from the rest of the hubbub. Occasionally, they wagged their tails or inched to sniff at the caregiver discreetly, their pack leader, when she approached to pat them. We could tell these beautiful dogs are very fond of their caregiver.

Save for one sturdy male, the rest of Spotty's offsprings are females. Thankfully, all are sterilised to prevent multiplication of stray numbers. The caregiver made it a point to have all of them sterilised.

That's spotty on the extreme left of the photo. She sayangs the white dog the most and would mouth into his ear to clean out the dirt, dropping fat grey ticks on the floor in the process. Motherly grooming. Whoever adamantly believes dogs are without emotions is gravely miseducated.

Waiting for their turn. We brought them into the doctor's room one by one to have their surgical markings verified. No frills, not much of a struggle with any of the dogs. They were really very obedient, considering they are not home pets.

In the back of the vehicle. Nary a car sickness. While her kids cowered and curled up on the floor, Spotty kept standing, like a mother watching over her kids. I took the opportunity to spray Accurate on them and ticks (dead ones, fat ones, shrivelled ones and baby ones) dropped like flies. On one of the dogs that weighs only slightly over 12kg, there were so many ticks lining inside and outside her ears that if you were to run your fingers across, you could feel a deliberate "texture" on them. Absolutely gross. Parasites.

The leashes criss-crossed as the dogs moved frantically about in the car. That's Spotty's side profile.

A male dog that's been skinny for a long while even though he eats a lot. Newcomer to the community. We'll need to get him castrated as well, lest he roams and mates with unspayed females.

.............................................

This case is one out of the many we encounter in our collective attempt to keep the stray numbers at bay. Like many caregivers, we receive no government or organisational funding to help the street animals, and many times, depend on individual donors and friends to support our work. While the existing number of dogs needs to be controlled, the same should be done at the side of imports and breeders. For now, we'll focus on what we can do, as there is nary a statutory application of animal welfare laws that effectively CURTAILS the unnecessary imports, breeding and sales of dogs. The key here is effectiveness and sadly, we have yet to see what that can be done, done effectively here.

The total bill for yesterday's expenditure is over $500. And there'll be more to incur with sterilisation of the strays in the area, if you'd like to contribute, kindly email projectjkteam[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]sg. Receipts will follow.

Thank you.

Fauna play key role in circulating seas, says study

2010-03-08T18:01:00.000+08:00

PARIS (AFP) –
Creatures large and small may play an unsuspectedly important role in the stirring of ocean waters, according to a study released Wednesday.

So-called ocean mixing entails the transfer of cold and warm waters between the equator and poles, as well as between the icy, nutrient-rich depths and the sun-soaked top layer.

It plays a crucial part in marine biodiversity and, scientists now suspect, in maintaining Earth's climate.

The notion that fish and other sea swimmers might somehow contribute significantly to currents as they moved forward was first proposed in the mid-1950s by Charles Darwin, grandson of the the legendary evolutionary biologist of the same name.

But this was dismissed by modern scientists as a fishy story.

In 1960s, experiments compared the wake turbulence created by sea creatures with overall ocean turbulence. They showed that the whirls kicked up by microscopic plankton or even fish quickly dissipated in dense, viscous water.

On this evidence, sea creatures seemed to contribute nothing to ocean mixing. The clear conclusion was that the only drivers of note were shifting winds and tides, tied to the gravitational tug-of-war within our Solar System.

But the new study, published in the British science journal Nature, goes a long way toward rehabilitating the 20th century Darwin, and uses the quiet pulse of the jellyfish to prove the case.

Authors Kakani Katija and Joan Dabiri of the California Institute of Technology devised a laser-based system for measuring the movement of liquid.

They donned scuba gear and then released dye in the path of swarm of jellyfish in a saltwater lake on the Pacific island of Palau.

The video images they captured showed a remarkable amount of cold water followed the jellyfish as they moved vertically, from deeper chillier waters toward the warmer layers of the surface.

Katija and Dabiri say the 1960s investigators had simply been looking in the wrong place.

They had been on the alert for waves or eddies -- signs that the sea was being stirred up in the creatures' wake -- rather than vertical displacement of water.

What determines the amount of water that is mixed is the size and shape of the animal, its population and migratory patterns.

Churning of the seas is a factor in the carbon cycle.

At the surface, plankton gobble up carbon dioxide (CO2) through photosynthesis. When they die, their carbon-rich remains may fall gently to the ocean floor, effectively storing the CO2 for millennia -- or, alternatively, may be brought back to upper layers by sea currents.

William Dewar of Florida State University in a commentary, also published in Nature, said the new paper challenged conventional thinking.

"Should the overall idea of significant biogenic mixing survive detailed scrutiny, climate science will have experienced a paradigm shift," he said.

Source: http://www.fight4home.com/2009/07/29/fauna-play-key-role-circulating-seas-says-study-afp

It's either these 4 pups are surrendered

2010-01-21T19:01:00.005+08:00

to SPCA. Or we give it a try, to get them a home. If not all 4, then at least 1.

Right this moment, many many young lives are being born or weaned, while old lives are slumbered in rest. Life and death, a continuous cycle. The only difference? Where you are born.

Big Boy Russell (Rusty)

2nd boy - Ray

Girl - Little Anne

Girl - Little Beth

These 4 pups are born in a farm where there are a few wary females and males, uncatchable. Home for these 4 pups is a wet, dirty, gritty ground between slabs of bricks, under a container. As they grow and get more playful, the farm area is unsafe with vehicles coming to and fro.

Home for now

We will try to rehome them. If not 4, then at least 1. In the reality of stray work with limited resources and very few people stepping forward to adopt, despite varying opinions and statements, unwanted puppies are surrendered to SPCA.

* Pls email us at projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg only if you've experience with local breeds/big dogs, and have thought thru entirely about the difficult phase of looking after a very young pup - the whining, nipping, pee/poo-ing all over the place etc.. - and the 10-15 years lifelong commitment to a full grown adult dog. No matter what.

We hope u understand the difficulties involved in rehoming, and that we only want the best for these animals.

* Pls also email us if you can support with donations, dog food, neem/tea tree oil and sprays, thank you.

* Local breeds/mongrels grow to be medium-sized dogs and are not legally allowed in HDBs.

2010-01-18T16:45:00.003+08:00

Early in the morning on the way out yesterday, I stumbled on a black mass lying motionless on the street. I didn't need to examine further to know with ominous certainty that it was the neighbourhood Blacky all right. Blacky -- the female street cat we had tried to catch when her caregiver sounded out to us that she was suffering from conjunctivitis. Red sore eyes. We could see so clearly from afar that her eyes were infected and in need of medical attention. We used cat traps, waited for hours for her, peeked beneath vehicles, tiptoed to her quietly, lured her with different food baits, but like many strays, Blacky eluded us. She longed to be her carefree self, going only to humans (her elderly feeder) for food.

About a year ago when C the cat hoarder moved out, Blacky was one of the handful left behind the vacated house when her owner could not house and take care of so many. While some were caught by pest control after adjacent neighbours quickly seized the opportunity to complain about the cats left unattended, Blacky was smart enough to explore the area behind C's house. She took shelter at an abandoned duplex for many months, quietly sleeping there and also met with our elderly feeder who decided to place food along the pavement for Blacky.

Blacky was the the human-wary sort. She took on a stance of either complete ignorance of passer-bys or scampering quickly to underneath cars when humans approached. But patiently and loyally, she would wait out at the feeding spot under some random foliage and hoped in the heart of hearts that no one would hurl a stone at her, stamp their feet so loudly to scare her or upturn her water bowl. Those were our hopes too.

Then, as if part of Singapore's waves of urban residential property redevelopment, the empty house where Blacky stayed was rapidly torn down and workers' quarters, piling materials and the intermittent crane replaced the plot. Blacky was evicted and was found more often than not seeking shelter in the vicinity of the feeding spot (the pavement), what choice did she have?

According to the feeder, she would sometimes be pursued maliciously by an alpha ginger cat, or hissed at and intimidated by other gungho males who followed the feeder to her spots. Blacky did put on a little bit of weight from the good nutrition, but as time wore on, I realised she was less adept to responding to sudden motions or sounds. Her deteriorating eyesight impaired a fraction of her agility and nimbleness. The delayed turn of her head, the contortion of her nose to sniff out her surroundings more deeply... I guess these were signs people who observe cats long enough could tell from. Blacky's reactions were a tad awkward, if I may so say.

And perhaps because of such handicap, in the wee hours of Sunday morning, Blacky was knocked down by a speeding vehicle travelling downslope along the street. When I found her, her body laid motionless on the concrete of the street. Her eyeballs were ejected, the subsequent cars must have continued to roll over her.

But her body was intact. Fresh, yet bludgeoned by machines without respect and regard. I had a blue towel in the car, so I wrapped her up in it. My heart teared a drop.

Finally, for the first time, I could lay my hands on Blacky. No longer to give her medical attention, but to grant her some peace, respect and dignity.

We buried Blacky in the caregiver's backyard. Her body covered in the same blue towel.

Uncontrollably, our 80+ caregiver burst into sobs. The demise of the one she cared for and loved. While passbys judged and condemned.

"Remain positive for the rest of the cats." All I could force myself to tell her.

Blacky was nobody's child, but our caregiver gave her the love and warmth she snugly burrowed in.

Blacky, about to be buried

Her body seems microscopic in the richness of the earth

Covered and compacted. In shalom peace you rest, Blacky.

Video of Little Oliver

2010-01-10T00:09:00.002+08:00

Evidence that he can climb out of his bathtub-bed and able and willing to climb back in. :)

Video link (take by his foster): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17XHDARhozI

Little Oliver has left the construction site

2010-01-07T23:19:00.008+08:00

An eventful day. With 3 dogs sent to the vet for sterilisation, we were later informed by workers at a construction site that there is a puppy.

When I walked further into the site, I was saddened to see a very young pup, lying lifeless beneath a bench. His neck area was wet with an unknown substance. Fleas crawling all over his baby face and worms made his little tummy appear bulging like a sack. He looked weak and sick, and could bearly walk, stumbling as he tried to get up.

Once we brought him into the car, his hunger drove him to sniff out the box of char siew bao we had, his weak little body suddenly alive cos his hunger was so strong, he used his little strength to paddle towards the scent. He ate and drank, clearly his last meal was very long ago. We then took him to the vet to be treated for fleas and dewormed. And he later came home with me.

Although I had only known him for a few hours, this little boy has a loyal heart. He at times turns back to look at me with his puppy-round eyes. And when I placed him on the sofa or floor to lie down, he will look up at me, and moved to place his head on my lap, or just his body next to me. He comes when I call. And he sits still to be wiped clean. He even knows to poo on the newspaper!

This boy has won my heart. And we have decided to give him a second chance. He will grow up to be a medium sized dog. We are looking for someone who is familiar with local breeds and is willing and able to raise up a very young pup, who may whine and cry at night (but he will stop as soon as you place him near you), needs to be trained and forgiven for his puppy mistakes for now.

Someone who understands the commitment to the lifetime of an animal. Pls email us at projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg to discuss more on a little special boy I think I will name Oliver, maybe? Little Ollie.

To support Little Oliver's second chance in life, pls donate to POSB Savings 108-15188-9. If you would like to donate puppy milk formula, puppy kibbles (we're giving him Natural Balance puppy kibbles now) or pee pads, pls email us at projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg . Thank you.

Project JK's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#/album.php?aid=188688&id=185453072387&ref=mf

"I take up compassion

2010-01-07T15:07:00.002+08:00

and surrender my excuses.
I stand against injustice
and commit to live out simple acts of God's love.
I refuse to do nothing.
This is my resolve."

A quote I read and remember. My resolve.

6 dogs in 2 days and counting....

2010-01-06T18:52:00.007+08:00

Gerry and Georgie waiting to be sterilised.

New girl was found to be on heat, with the help of a farm worker, she was also taken in to be sterilised.

Going back the next day

Ready to go back to their site after surgery

New girl is shy and chose to sit at my feet

Familiar smells...

And back she goes to the farm where she came from. Keep safe, New Girl.

Female Corgi-cross living at a kelong, on her way to be sterilised

Lost and found Terrier-cross on his way to be sterilised.

* We seek your support in all these sterilisation costs and more to come. Donations can be made to POSB Savings 108-15188-9.

Each surgery is a determination of a pup-free female dog, and a relief on the part of stray-carers who may be physically/financially unable to undertaking sterilisation plans on their own.

More sterilisations. Fewer pups. Fewer strays. Fewer unneccesary killing of innocent lives.

It is a simple conclusion. Let's keep it going.

A morning with the dogs

2010-01-02T18:56:00.006+08:00

Favourite spot for a shade

Sweet Jonah

A good bath for Jordan

Please...

2009-12-29T23:07:00.000+08:00

WALK YOUR DOG

Took a walk along

2009-12-28T12:29:00.011+08:00

the streets last week. After months away. Same streets. Different lives.

I do not recognise some of the dogs who greeted me that day. Where they have come from and where their lives will lead them.

Young

Bold

Injured

Wary

All they need is some food, shelter.

And a little bit of kindness and humanity. To allow them to live out a life that was given. A life not for us to take.

Walk with us into a new year we hold with courage and hope. With bigger and bolder dreams for the animals as we claim the promises for a better world.

* Donate to POSB Savings 108-15188-9 and together, we will create miracles for the animals in 2010.

Blessed New Year. The best is yet to come.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-JK-Just-Kindness/185453072387?ref=ts

Food donations for Mdm Wong's Shelter

2009-12-22T04:13:00.002+08:00

Contact derrickrover@yahoo.com or yee.alycia@gmail.com

Gerry's leg needs funds to heal

2009-12-17T09:20:00.007+08:00

Gerry and her brother (whom we have left unnamed for now) live out their existences at a construction site occupied by stockpiles of metal beams, barb wires and other materials, cranes and tractors in motion, landfill piling and dumping in action.

In the darkness provided for by the container quarters of the construction workers, Gerry and her brother find refuge--away from other stray packs in the neighbourhood and strange men who poke their noses into the quarters in the day.

They are friends to the workers but the one they are closest to is a Thai worker who returns in the evening after his work. Sometimes when he's around, our caregiver will pass him food for the dogs and willingly he feeds Gerry and her brother. Other times, we have found that the food passed to a random worker would be left to hang somewhere in the quarters and rot for a few days, unfit for consumption.

Perhaps that's why when we brought Gerry to the vet's with the help of her familiar Thai worker, she was found so underweight and undernourished by the vet. Dehydrated and running a temperature. The Thai worker told us Gerry's right hind leg had been injured and limp since two months ago. A lorry had run her over.

Prior to that, the caregiver and us visited the site in the morning in the absence of the Thai worker and were met with futile attempts to capture her. The moment she saw us, Gerry scampered swiftly away and hid herself from a pile of construction materials. In her limps, she jumped on nails, scratched herself against the rusty edges of old poles and grazed her back more, ducking, climbing and negotiating rough corners.

Until we had to call it a day and give up. A nagging worry on our heads that we needed to bring her leg to medical attention. We feared if her bones had been crushed.

A few days of hospitalisation at the vet's saw marked improvement in her behaviour: Gerry warmed up to all the vet staff and when walked, was able to put weight on her injured leg. Ginger and gentle. She responded happily when we put our hands on her head and patted her with a prayer of encouragement and healing.

The vet gave Gerry medication and various vitamins. Knowing that she's but a puppy actually, she suspects Gerry's case and being unaccustomed to using her right hind is a matter of bone development, aside from the lorry accident.

With our limited animal rescue budget, the best we can do is pump her health back, bypassing any need for any surgery, so that she can still continue her life at the construction site. We have no place at all to board Gerry and allow her to recover ideally.

This is Gerry, checking us out from afar, after our failed attempts to pursue and capture her.

Gerry's brother, the friendlier one -- responded to us lovingly for food and caresses. We target to sterilise him, and Gerry when she's well. At this stage, it's not recommended that Gerry goes through any surgery.

Gerry's brother.

This is a brief story of the initial stage of rescue of Gerry and her brother. As part of the objective to manage stray numbers, both siblings will be sterilised, vaccinated and microchipped--the best that we can do in alignment with what the authorities treat of stray populations.

At the moment, we are concerned with the recovery of Gerry's right hind leg which was run over by a lorry. Being female with an untreated limb, she faces the advances of other male dogs in the wild and could be impregnated in a matter of months. Where immediately possible, we will bring her for spaying.

There will come a day when the construction site is vacated and the workers move elsewhere. After all, this is a temporary dorm. Honestly, I do not know how many years we can continue to tend to Gerry and her brother (they could be displaced when the Thai worker moves), but as far as they are part of our caregiver's feeding route and within our reach, we will continue to provide for them. For as long it takes to keep them alive and well.

If you would like to donate to Gerry and her brother's rescue efforts, please email us at projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg. No amount is too small and each bit builds into something to help make their existence possible. To keep them alive.

I thank you for your generosity and act of encouragement this Christmas season.

We speak forth

2009-12-09T23:21:00.001+08:00

healing and all good things for our animals.

This is Daisy

2009-12-09T21:53:00.005+08:00

Gentle, calm, serene and girly.

Regrettably, I haven't got the chance to blog about Daisy's story.

For the past weeks, it was sort of a heart-in-your-mouth experience for us. Daisy came down with a lump on the right side of her neck--two marbles large and hard as stone. What's more, she suffered from severe nose blockage and everytime little Daisy heaved, the discharge snorted and leaked out of her nostril.

We put her at the vet's for 10 days or so and were told that Daisy might not make it, given the condition of her lump. Their first opinion was that Daisy's lump could be cancerous and the procedures of biopsy and chemotherapy entailed thereafter would mean hefty medical costs for us. We were given the option to put Daisy to sleep, otherwise she would, just the same, "waste away".

Aunty S, the 80+ caregiver, and I picked up Daisy, with an uncertainty what her lump would mean to her life. When she was brought out of the ward, both her fore limbs were shaven for injection of glucose drip.

On the exterior, Daisy shrivelled, weakened and her meows became gentler.

Her mother, a dark-haired community cat whom we named Suzy and previously suffered a gaping sore on her back, missed her so much that she loitered in the backyard of the caregiver's to get closer to Daisy. As Daisy rested in the cage we set up for her, quarantined from the rest of the cats--the many the caregiver could take in herself without causing a fuss to her family and neighbours--Suzy held vigil for her daughter.

She hanged around the room where Daisy stayed and never so much as strayed from the place. If policies imply that animals are emotionless, Suzy's demonstrated behaviour for her daughter defy any clinical principle on which the policies stand.

What followed in a few days was the absence of glucose supply for Daisy and her rapid loss of appetite. As the weather got colder with the December rain, Daisy became thinner, weaker and paler. Daisy was literally bony.

Side profile: in the red circle, you can tell her neck is thicker due to the lump

Profusely leaky discharge from left nostril. Just common cat flu, the vet said

Back from her 10 days at the first vets: Daisy explored the room and climbed the window grilles to seek a spot to escape. We let her be for her to settle down

There was an inner prompting to take immediate action: take Daisy for a second opinion.

At the second vet's, Daisy was met with a basic checkup. Results?

Gingivitis judging from her pale gums; dehydration (her skin eased softly down when pulled up; and an unmistakable lump which was not abscess after extraction test.

Daisy was so weak the veins on her limbs collapsed and the vet could not, at all, put her on drip. Except through the back--a slower process though. With her health so poor, it would be life-threatening to operate on her to remove the lump.

After a round of consultation with a senior vet, Dr V. felt it would be best to let Daisy be for the lump was mischievously located at a spot linked to a complicated network of arteries and blood vessels . No-go for surgery for sure.

And in a few days' time, after rounds of prayers for her recovery, Daisy sprang back to life: her appetite revived, water intake normal, flu let up. Just the obstacle of a lump still present.

Daisy was discharged and brought back to her cage quarantine. Suzy was happy to see, even from a distance, her daughter again cozying up in the cage in peaceful recuperation.

Today, I received a call from Aunty S to check on Daisy. I rushed to her place and saw her in the cage where S managed to put her in (Daisy ran away a few days ago!), felt her lump and realised her lump is 90 per cent reduced!!!

Her gums have returned to a healthy state of pink. Aunty S's tip: apply Bonjela.

.........................

Gladness. We await to confirm with the vet if it is still necessary to bring Daisy back for a review.

*********************************************************

Daisy's case has fetched up to a few hundreds for us. If you would be so kind, please contact projectjkteam [at] yahoo.com.sg to help us with her medical bills so that Aunty can continue to do the good work she's doing.

At over 80 years of age and managing, on her own, a few colonies of community cats, Aunty needs all the help she can get. Please, if you could... help us help Daisy.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We welcome you

2009-10-18T22:06:00.002+08:00

to join us on a more interactive platform over at our FaceBook Page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-JK-Just-Kindness/185453072387?v=wall

For those of you who have already joined in, thank you. We hope to continue our walk together in uplifting the awareness and creating a conscious participation in our animal welfare scene.

And may each encounter with a needy animal make our hearts more tender. Our minds wiser. And our actions kinder.

We look forward to seeing you on Project JK Page.

Watch out for

2009-10-12T09:42:00.000+08:00

星期二特写 on 13 Oct at 10.30pm Channel 8.

"The programme is featuring the harsh lives of our street dogs as well as their caregivers"...thanks G for sharing!

Ahhh... and our husky boy takes a breather

2009-10-11T22:11:00.005+08:00

Photos of Shin, the rescued Siberian Husky, taking a breather after quite a length of a walk. Had a last minute urge some evenings ago to walk the boy and although I hadn't seen him often enough, he knows when I visit, it means treat and a walk in the park.

After J's effort to bring along ice-cold water for Junior & Ginne on one of their excursions after vet consultation, I've been mindful that in our local tropical climate it is best to bring along water for the dogs however hardy they seem to be. Especially for Shin.

So towards the end of our traipsing the length of the park and back, I poured water over his coat to reduce heating in case his body was overheated beneath the thickness of coat. At least he didn't seem to mind. Water for quenching thirst, for hydration and for reducing body heat.

I've been, mostly, a mongrel person when it comes to dogs. Would you have any tip in caring for or walking an Arctic breed in Singapore (although I'm not exactly supportive of the idea of the presence of such breed in this country) ?

Beautiful walk with Shin.

Remembering some of the strays

2009-10-08T01:00:00.002+08:00

whom we've crossed paths with. Much as I hope is not the case, many more are still out there - among farms, in forested areas, construction sites - often out of sight thus out of mind for many urban dwellers.

Thus our efforts to bring to light the reality of the strays living amidst you.

Spare a minute for these lives out there and find a space in your heart to help them, in any little way you can.

Appearing old due to his chronic mange

I named her Frodo

Lovely girl living in the forest with her brother, she has since disappeared.

Born wild

Buttercup - last surviving gal from a first-time mom and later run over and killed by a lorry.

Replying emails

2009-10-06T17:27:00.003+08:00

Hi all, it seems that Yahoo mail could be undergoing extreme revisions which has resulted in a number of emails not sent out, be it new compositions or replies. We realise that a few emails assumed to have been sent out remain as half-saved drafts in our Draft folder and even when we clicked 'Send' a few times and a series of success messages appeared, the email was never sent.

For now, I can't even log in to file a feedback to the technical team, hence, if you've sent an email and there are still no replies, after a few days, please resend us.

projectjkteam [at] yahoo dot com dot sg

Adopt a Siberian Husky

2009-10-03T20:30:00.008+08:00

THEN... AT POINT OF RESCUE

NOW...

Shin, a 6 year-old male Siberian Husky, was rescued from a HDB home where he was leashed to the kitchen window all day—no walks, no opportunities of socialisation. He slept, ate and defecated within a 1m radius.

When we rescued him in ’08, his legs were found wobbly due to stunted growth and his nails were hooked and long. He was given a mere plate of rice, meshed with an egg a day.

Now after a year of proper foster care, Shin is completely different. He is fattened up, well socialised and lives in a community of other dogs. He is ready to go to a good forever home.

We are looking for an owner who understands the needs of the breed and knows the requirements of keeping a Siberian Husky in Singapore’s humid climate. Importantly, we are looking for a family who is willing and ready to commit to loving and caring for Shin for the rest of his life.

Shin is: 6 yrs old/male/people friendly/loves his walks (cool weather)/castrated/vaccinated/dewormed/groomed regularly/trained of basic commands/a loving companion for life.

We appreciate if you could forward this to your family and friends. Interested parties, do make a careful decision. Contact projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg

Petshops' profits

2009-10-03T01:39:00.002+08:00

Question: can a petshop make money without selling animals?

Or may I rephrase: can a petshop make as much money without selling animals, as a petshop which sells animals?

How moving, how inspiring

2009-10-02T02:50:00.002+08:00

From Monty Roberts' The Man Who Listens to Horses

Horses had no answer to the [Genghis] Khan's cruelty, had no voice. But they did have a language. No one saw it, no one tried to see it, but that language has probably existed for 45 million years, virtually unchanged. We should put this into perspective: Humankind has been on this planet for only a few hundred thousand years, and already human language has fragmented into thousands of different tongues.

The absence of communication between human and horse has led to a disastrous history of cruelty and abuse. As a result, we did not gain the willing cooperation of the horse nearly as much as we might have done. Our loss has been considerable--the emotional connection with the horse has been diminished, but so has the performance and work we might have gained.

It is a balance I have tried to redress during a lifetime's work with horses. Happily, that work continues.

Sweetie and pet abandonment

2009-09-28T02:36:00.004+08:00

This is Sweetie, presumably 5 yrs old or older. She was abandoned with Shyshy, another much warier dog at a farm. Later, they moved to another farm just a street down and hid themselves away from the street dogs in a storehouse, seeking food from the caretaker. I say 'abandoned' because these 2 mongrels appeared out of nowhere and because they looked/behaved like domesticated dogs.

Sweetie, for one, is lovingly friendly to almost anyone--even to myself, on first occasion; plus, she can do 'paw' and is most willing to offer her paw without one even asking for it. In the first 3 photos above, you may tell it was difficult to take her pictures as she was merrily moving about, her tail swinging in every direction as her caretaker showed me where she was 'hiding'. A few months ago, Shyshy unfortunately went missing and since the afternoon the caretaker discovered her absence, we've never found Shyshy.

Because Sweetie has grown chummy with a patchy-black male dog which we've failed to capture for castration a few times, we sent her for sterilisation upon suspicion that her tummy could be getting bigger. At the vet's, we scanned her for presence of microchip but found none.

I often wonder what part of the Animals & Birds Act actually and practically applies to the act of abandonment. Publicity rhetoric discourages pet abandonment and states that abandonment is a crime. But I've encountered a few major cases in which I was informed my attempts were futile because there were lack of evidences to prove someone abandoned their pets. Several dimensions to this:

To prove that the pet belongs to alleged owner
To prove the very act of abandonment
To prove the owner has intentions to abandon pet

But what happens if a dog is not AVA licensed but is obviously known to belong to the owner and has resided on owner's property for a long time? So how is anyone supposed to be there when the owner releases his dogs from his car? What happens if dog is abandoned by a family friend or relative, not the owner himself, and the former acts on instruction from owner? Is a witness supposed to take a video of it? Even with a photo taking, how credible are images, as the owner can always deny that he was taking the dog out for walk and the images are insufficient to prove this?

Is abandonment an unspoken reality that all of us know about?

There are certainly gaps in how the Act applies to real-life cases and I hope for many of us involved, these questions reinforce the notion that the Act needs to be improved.

For Sweetie's case, we've spent quite a bit on her sterilisation, vaccination, deworming and micro-chipping. If you would like to help chip in, do email us at projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg. We sincerely appreciate all amount of donation.

Sweetie is a lovely girl.

Coo coo people in animal welfare

2009-09-24T00:29:00.001+08:00

I am glad that the majority of animal welfare enthusiasts/activists are genuinely concerned for their animals, but there are persistent pockets of people who choose to expend efforts in assigning blame to others and miss the whole point of, perhaps, why they started out volunteering. So is animal charity truly altruistic? I doubt so.

Or had their cranal network gone haywired?

And this is one big reason why would-be volunteers often withdraw from further commitment, and walk away with the impression that animal welfare people are—no need to hypothesize—coo coo. From complete no-show by club representative to the random volunteer who insinuates and finger-points in email threads: it is no wonder that there is hardly anything such as teamwork, and caregivers often function in silos.

Worse, where blameworthiness is not even in the picture, these individuals may choose to make something out of nothing. And I imagine the female Pomeranian which needs to have the last bark.

Am glad that for the few pals involved in this, we maintain our level headedness and rationally defend what is right for our animals and what ought to be corrected to ensure little impedes our activities.

So we put the noise aside and onward we trudge.

Emailing us

2009-09-17T15:17:00.003+08:00

Sorry if you didn't receive any email reply from us. Trawling and filtering through spam mails is a routine and inadvertently, we might have deleted your legitimate email through mass removal. We have too many spams!

Please email us again. Thank you.

Thank you S

2009-09-14T15:39:00.002+08:00

for helping me blast your emails to your desired audience. I really need the support, and I sincerely appreciate that you did it out of your horribly busy schedule.

Turning words into REAL actions.

Adopt Chocho - Intelligent, Peace-loving Mongrel

2009-09-07T11:54:00.006+08:00

Name: Cho Cho
Sex: Female
Age: 1 yr plus
Coat: Chocolate-brown, short-haired
Size: Medium, slim
Breed: Mixed (Local mongrel)
Sterilised: Yes
Vaccinated: Yes
Dewormed: Yes
Microchipped: Yes

Brought up at a farm, Chocho was ostracized by the resident male dogs and had to fight for her food. In Feb this year, she became the target of cullers and was unfortunately caught and brought to the pound. Our rescue team redeemed her in the nick of time and brought her to the safety of a boarder.

Since May, Chocho has been relocated to a private home foster and has undergone milestones of transformation--learning from the pack to be a domestic dog, settling into the routine of her walks, baths, makan, playtime and sleep, integrating into urban life and very importantly, getting used to people.

Although cautious of strangers, Chocho has learnt to trust people more. She has no dog-to-dog aggression.

Chocho loves her walks, lunges at squirrels and cats, is an alert dog and is strong for her build. She is adaptable, healthy and fit, and a highly intelligent dog.

We are looking for a reliable adoptive family for Chocho which:

- Is patient and understanding in bonding with and socializing a dog which is naturally shy

- Is aware of and willing to commit to caring for her, i.e., the next 20 yrs

- Is able to commit to feeding, walking, bathing and socializing her, with love and care

What you will receive are:

- An immeasurable experience of love and joy

- A loving, doting family companion for life

Please consider Chocho. Contact projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg

POMCHI (POMaranian n CHIhuahua) Puppy for adoption

2009-08-22T02:20:00.002+08:00

* Born on 19 May 2009

* Colour: Brown

* Father: long-haired Chihuahua

* Mother: Pomeranian

* Vaccination: 2nd vaccination on 16th august 2009 (done), deworming done

* Personality: Active and playful, like all pups

Interested parties, please write to JoyEng1@gmail.com. Thank you.

Been thinking more lately

2009-08-10T11:00:00.000+08:00

about what we're doing and the direction(s) our animal welfare work is going.

For one, our caregiver's route has been cut down and she now only plies certain spots and visits the shelter to enjoy interacting with her favourite Mama Rock, and son, Bruno. The tapioca pack resides, eternally joyfully, in the enclosure and enjoys their dip in the pool each occasion we let them out with a supervisory eye for potential scuffles.

Ginne and Junior are still as cheerful and affable, the most hospitable chaperones to all of us. John John looks forward to the chunks of boiled chicken thigh each time I enter his kennel, he loves them just the same.

Then at times, I lapse into thinking, "So what? And then...?" What's next for our animals? Am I acting upon the long-term plan to rehome them or have I lost faith in sourcing for and locating the right owners for mongrels, or are these potentials completely extinct in Singapore?

Some waves of stagnation and some urges of inching forward. Attempting to make progress in things.

Years ago, we already recognised that we could be, well, combating the little bushfires in the whole scheme of animal welfare rescue. Some individuals are good at fighting the mini bushfires, they too have their niche roles to play, and we should let them carry them out the best they can stretch.

And maybe it's because I've been trying to extinguish the little bushfires for too long, too much, that I feel I've become held back in certain areas. It's hard to inch forward or out of the quagmire of mini hotspots fighting when one is strapped.

So, what is it in for me? So what is it in for everyone of us interested to make a change in the current animal welfare status, to better the lives of the animals?

Certainly, we don't want to miss the woods for the trees. We want to do what we're best at, in areas where we can unleash supernatural potential, effect change and impact the welfare world significantly -- and with a satisfaction that tastes so good.

No inhibitions, no reservations. Just go all out to do it.

Followed up with little blackie, now named as

2009-08-09T18:56:00.007+08:00

"Schnorkz", an approximate of her full name in German.

Save for a few pictures at the top not in sequence, here's the full chronology of Schnorkz' growth from 'rescue to rehome':

First day into domesticity: this is Schnorkz in the blue basket. Still with fleas crawling all over her tiny body. March 2009.

Playing in her litter pan. Barely a few weeks old. This is the cage she called home for a fortnight, siphoned from my two adult cats

T, her new owner, sent me this MMS of her perched on the cage of another cat at home. By the second day, she was already pally-pallying with other bigger cats

Snoozing on T's bed -- she's given the authority!

When we visited Schnorkz... she was struggling to wring herself free!

Significantly bigger now

Schnorkz now plays constantly with Bluhenzi, another black female a few months her senior

July 2009: beautiful posture. Schnorkz in her forever home.

Another visit to one of our rescued dogs,

2009-08-05T23:41:00.005+08:00

that is, Chocho.

Indeed, today's visit came as quite a random decision, on a random August afternoon.

Knocked on the door of the apartment and the pack in which Chocho didn't have much of a problem integrating sang to me with their affable barks. I'd fondly called the pack the 'United Colors of Benetton' -- for the obvious diversity of breed, size, shape and colour all under one roof.

We've got in descending order of rank: Gigi, the shiba inu, Lil' John, the cocker spaniel, Dizzy, the retriever, Wawa, I presume, a terrier-mix, and Chocho, our chocolate medium-sized mongrel. What a sight, what myriad splendour of the canine world! A's pack epitomizes, truly, the global village of dogs of different sorts.

Chocho's deep-throated bark, which I heard for the first time, was part of the pack orchestra. While Lil' John and Dizzy literally stood on their hinds and greeted me as if to offer a welcome embrace, Chocho squirted pee in the back of the party -- out of the chain effects of excitement mixed with anxiety, perhaps.

And then, her tail upright, she was prancing confidently and happily with the rest. Her eyes sparkled bright. Her body language gave her wariness away, that was yet tempered by a familiarity of my scent and figure that she still cannot quite put a finger to. She would duck her head away when I went so close as to rub her forehead, but very visibly, there was less stiffening of her limbs, as compared to previous times, and vibes that spelt she was opening up to me -- just still quite cautious.

Save for Wawa, each had a oral-hygiene rawhide bone. It was most interesting to watch how Chocho who naturally doesn't take fancy of such commercial flavours actually observed how Lil' John zeroed in on the treat so comfortably, received her assurance from the exuberant feasting displayed by everyone else, and then, chewed on her share of rawhide just the same.

Next, in the cool of the late hours of the afternoon, R and I took Dizzy and Chocho out for their earlier-than-usual walks. I say 'earlier-than-usual' because in the foster's pack, the routine inclusive of pee/poo time, walks, meal times, treat occasions and slumber hours has been built into the dogs' individual body clock and their system.

R with Dizzy, and myself with Chocho. Our chocolate mongrel took lead and showed me her afternoon route through the pathways cloistered by hedges and trees, the nooks and crannies of the neighbourhood. This girl sure knows her walks.

Every so often, she would look up to me, as if expressing uncertainty over the bizarre timing of the walk and as if most likely expressing, why the heck is he walking me and not my pack leader, R? At the same time, she would gaze back at R and Dizzy, who looked joyfully living in his own bubble, to keep her newfound family in sight and perhaps make sure she wasn't just stuck with me.

As A informed, Chocho doesn't like men in general and in particular, men donned in dark clothes. Upon such encounters, her tail would droop down and be burrowed between her legs. We attribute this to either an unpleasant experience with said figures when she was living out at the farm, or the occasion when the professional dog catcher strategized to capture her after she ran away from her foster home.

As a result of her escape, A and R have since opted out of leashing her to merely a collar, but securing the leash to a harness with double rings. Less chance to wriggle out of the harness' straps at times of unpredictable paranoia. Simply, we cannot afford to lose her again.

For a dog who's been through a series of 'misadventures' -- from darting from unnecessary human attention at the farm to fighting with other strays for food to repeatedly asserting her position, however low, in the stray pack to being captured by the authorities and brought to the pound to being handled by strange hands of her rescuers to being tackled by a man in dark clothes -- the transformation that we see in Chocho now is, indeed, encouraging.

The socialisation into the pack, the socialisation with other dogs and humans, the routine built into her system... have established in her a sense of belonging to A's family, enhanced her receptiveness to the ways of domestic dogs, effected a boost in her confidence and improved her potential, behaviourally, as a pet dog, a family companion.

Not so much that she's less of a stray and more of a dog in 'captivity', but that she now lives and sleeps peacefully within the boundaries of SAFETY. There's a warmth she is experiencing and can seek solace in, being a social creature, a sentient being.

In time, we will make efforts to rehome her.

Lil' John and Chocho at the door

Wawa -- she's already 20 plus years old

Lil' John savouring his treat privately under the chair

Alpha female Gigi taking time to nibble her treat

Dizzy wasted no time in breaking his rawhide into smithereens

Chocho testing out hers

Dizzy and Chocho

Lovely... Doby

2009-08-04T21:50:00.004+08:00

Exploring...

A day out -- at the vet's. Doby's mini excursion.

Ah... the little paths and the grass

And the sun

Feet on the grass, it feels good to be outdoors

Doby's thyroid blood test

2009-08-04T20:23:00.004+08:00

turned out to be negative, so we are rest assured that it's not a matter of his health, but a matter of the lack of socialisation, of going out for walks to stretch, smell and work out his pent-up energy at home that's, perhaps, contributing to his somewhat aggressive tendencies.

To relieve J of her existing commitments to raising a baby (and one more to come!), housework and her profession, we finally took Doby out of his foster home and boarded him at a boarding facility.

Doby will be quarantined for a week.

We laid out his favourite mat on the floor, his Tigger toy, soccer ball and treats, in the hope that these familiar objects and their scents will reduce any potential separation anxiety. When J's husband left from one door of the quarantine, Doby kept his gaze at the door. The sights and sounds of other dogs in the surroundings did unsettle more than excite him, I feel.

And he wouldn't want to budge into his kennel after I let him out for a walk along the quarantine walkway since there were no other animals boarding, save for a cat at one side. A mistake I made.

An hour of futile coaxing and tugging left me with no choice but to double-muzzle him (for he may snap when hands are slipped under his armpits) and lug him into the kennel.

Pacing along the length of the quarantine.

To prevent Doby from bolting out of his cell and from leaving him in it with his leash still around his neck, I leashed him to the furthest corner, and with a tip from K who'd be tending to him for the week, looped another string into the hole of the loop of the current leash; next, I walked out of the cell and into the neighbouring cell to unhook his leash... and very carefully and steadily, unlooped the leash from around his neck by tugging it with the extra string. Simple device, but clever.

If there's anything I'd learnt in my walk in animal welfare thus far, it's the often impermanence of adoption or fosterhood that we have to handle in many rescue cases. Even if it is voluntary.

On the very positive side of things, J did provide very significant foster care -- in the face of the challenges she had to grapple with and the forces of opposition, I'm sure, from her family. Not easy to raise a gungho, territorial dog in an apartment, that's for sure.

In this fosterhood, Doby has gained a much closer step in moving in sync with humans, by his successful compliance to the commands of "sit", "down", "heel", "stay" and a zestful "okay!", when we permit him to lunge for his reward, after "stay".

The growls when one takes his food bowl, the snaps should one quietly approach him from behind, the baring of teeth when the vet tech draws blood from his front limb... to be frank, these are understandably natural reactions of a territorial dog, but perhaps in the opinion of those who'd prefer the cuddly sort or used to home dogs, Doby is not that easy to handle, as a pet.

For this matter, we're looking for a trained hand in succeeding J in fostering Doby. Best if it's someone or a family with the experience in rehabilitating dogs with behavioural problems, or who knows what to expect from a dog of Doby's sort.

Doby's not a fight dog, as some may presume, but like any mongrel, any dog, a man's best friend who swears by his life to fervently guard his property and loved ones. That's Doby, that's his loyalty.

If you have a foster or adoptive home in mind, please contact us at projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg

Visited our boys,

2009-07-29T02:43:00.013+08:00

Junior, Ginne, Mama Rock and Bruno for one last time on Saturday. I like my time there with our dogs, and oftentimes I wish to stay longer. To just relax and watch them enjoy their time out of the enclosure, running free, jumping into the pool, sniffing the grass, greeting the dogs over the other fences (though not always friendly greetings!).

We let Mama Rock out free and she assured us of her steadiness and cool attitude in the face of warning barks from other resident dogs. She will stand her ground for a moment and then walk away. I am personally certain that she can be let free without any concern.

She was tentative around the pool area, but once she got over the first wet paw, she totally sprawled herself in the water. Lovely to watch.

We're not that sure about Bruno's temperament yet so we had him on leash as we led him around the area and also into the pool.

Our tapioca pack of boys all came out for their free runs and swim. Star, as usual, headed right for the pool. Ben followed. Jamie, Jordan, Tiger, Tommy are not quite water babies. Jonah is the funniest dude. He would head right for the pool and jump right in, always underestimating the depth of the water and his stature - so every time he would jump into the water, paddle to the edge and come out all coughing and gagging from water rushing up his nostrils I guess!

The boys back into the enclosure after their free time. Ginne watching from beyond their fence.

Tommy is now living away from the boys in the inner kennels, mainly cos his enclosure is now taken up by Mama Rock and Bruno. Thus, we hope to quickly socialise Mama Rock and Bruno into the outer packs and Tommy can return to his enclosure soon.

For now, while we are there, we'll take him out for his run and to get some sun and wind on his face. He is a very good boy on his own. How much we had hoped that he would stop picking fights, but unfortunately he still does, and for that, he cannot free roam.

After his run around the pool, we placed him in this small area (while we let the other dogs out) which was put up for one old crippled dog to get some outdoors beyond the kennel hours. Tommy will watch the scenes from the fenced up area and when it was time, we walked him back to his kennel.

This tapioca pack of boys have gone through a lot in their days on the streets. Constantly hit by sticks from the foreign workers, hit by fast vehicles, dumped into dirty pools of water....and of cos, the constant threat of being caught and culled, despite being already sterilised.

Since they were rescued off the streets and relocated to the shelter last year, the boys had got into ocassional fights likely due to the close proximity now among 6 male dogs in an enclosure. Thus, the priority for each visit is to let them out for free runs.

All of them have a good long life ahead. And it is not my wish for them to spend their whole life behind the fence of the enclosure. Even more not so when each of them are so human-friendly and affectionate and smart.

Jamie and Jonah are so sweet. Star is fiesty and fun. Ben is a big baby boy, affectionate sometimes to the point of being clingy, but that's just him. Tiger is quite a coward beneath those 35kg of fats. Jordan is full of life. Tommy has a sad doggy look about him that makes you kind of wants to find the best family for him.

Click for larger view

* Thus, it is our hope that you keep them in mind when you're ready to adopt a local breed.

* It is also our current appeal for donations towards their regular upkeep and boarding fees (we are behind by a few months due to a delay/temporary pause by a few sponsors). They have all recently received their vaccinations.

We also appreciate your support towards the boarding fees of Mama Rock and Bruno, and the constant needs of dog food, tick/flea repellents, kennel sprays, supplements for the many strays/farm dogs out there.

Every dollar counts. Kindly email us at projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg for more details. Thank you.

Taking some final moments

2009-07-29T02:17:00.004+08:00

here in the wee hours of the morning, to share with all of you our experiences of the past week, before I fly off again in not too many hours from now.

I had the privilege to meet Colly in this return trip. A handsome young Husky who is so full of life and joy, ever glad to meet a human-friend, and ever eager to check out a canine pal (though not all of them are equally pleased to see him, since he could be over eager in his greetings).

My first meeting with him was a brief one as Y took him out of his kennel for a walk. I only got to know him better when we took him for his vax and microchip. After spending a few hours with him, Colly proved himself a very amiable fellow, easy-going and pleased to come to you for pats and hugs. A little nippy when he gets excited but otherwise a very good boy who understands basic commands.

On his way to the vet.

Thus, we reckon he must have been owned and trained by his previous human before he was rescued from the farm, where he was kept 24/7 in a dirty cage with no proper shelter. A Husky in our climate, without proper shelter in the heat of the day. Totally unacceptable.

While at the clinic, he impressed the vets so much that Dr O contacted a family who came right down to meet him, with their female local breed, who didn't quite like him at first sight, especially not when he got too up close with her. However, the family likes him and a second meeting was arranged for yesterday, where the 2 dogs met up at the shelter's dog run.

A romp and a chase and some playing in the rain. Colly was so thrilled by the rain that he stepped into the only stream of water he could find (which is a narrow drain filled with rain) and waddled about, stopping now and then to lift up his head, with mouth wide open, to catch the raindrops falling into his mouth! Classic. I love that sight. :)

Happily wet!

The 2 seemed to be getting on better and things look favourable as the family decided to take Colly home. As of this morning when we visited, Colly has settled down well, having constantly been on the move checking out his new home and ocassionally getting into little scuffles with the resident dog when he tried to get too close. We're sure they two will sort out their mutual feelings and level of intended intimacy with each other, and come to an agreeable living arrangement. Our best hope is they become good mates for life!

For now, we are very thankful for his new family who is willing to put in time and effort to help Colly adjust to his new pack and environment, and is forgiving of any of his misbehaviour while he learns his ways with his new humans and new canine pal. He'll be looking forward to many long walks and runs and swims. Thank you M and family!

Blood test

2009-07-29T02:09:00.003+08:00

for Doby turned out to be normal, as likely expected by us.

His is a pretty straightforward case of too much pent-up energy in a street-smart local dog's body, that simply needs to be released and redirected by long walks/runs/play to stimulate body and brain which cannot be provided by his current caregivers due to family commitments and priorities which we fully understand.

Thus, the best thing now for both family and Doby is to find him an immediate foster home/adopter. Someone who is familiar with local breeds and is patient yet firm in re-conditioning Doby to an amicable human-dog family life.

Being as smart as he is, we are pretty certain Doby will make an impression on his coming new family. So, keep him in mind. Email projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg for more info.

A very satisfying day

2009-07-25T23:33:00.004+08:00

for me personally as I get to meet Doby again after quite a while. It was an early morning meeting with him, amidst some tension and fear from the family as there had been unfortunate instances of biting before and recently as it seemed that Doby's temperament was a bit unpredictable.

So naturally, the family was concerned about us handling him as they had our welfare in mind, having suffered some bites from their very own pet of about 4 years.

The Doby I met today was young, vivacious, alert, full of energy. Raring to go.

The family's fear rubbed off a teeny bit on me as I find myself being more cautious in the beginning with him. However, after a few minutes of fast walk, with him pulling (more out of eagerness than lack of manners), and asking him to wait if he pulled too strongly, praising him when he walked well - he was looking just like any other perfectly normal, young local dog. It is a pretty normal case of pent-up energy with other social misinterpretations that sort of relegated him as being an 'aggressive dog'. From my time with him today, I would not agree. Though I would not invalidate the caregivers' feedback and shared observations about Doby, as they had firsthand experiences of his seeming unpredictability and have been putting in effort for the past years in having him go for obedience training and adjusting their lifestyle to try and fit him into their family structure.

Doby was eager on his walk. His pulling and lunging at other dogs and edginess at the vet clinic I can understand. He was good in the car, alertly scrutinizing the moving scenes and lying down when he was tired. At one time, on his way back home, he was getting more comfortable with me to lie close with his body against my leg. Earlier on, he would keep his distance.

Did a blood test on him to rule out possibility of hyperthyroidism (where dogs may show signs of hyperactivity, nervousness, irritability), as advised by A, which is not that common as also he doesn't display other symptoms related to that condition but we got him the blood test to completely rule that out for peace of mind, and a confirmation that it is simply a case of lack of walks, social activities and pent-up energy. Also had his vax up to date. We'll get the blood test results on Monday.

Meanwhile, as his current caregiver cannot handle him anymore due to family commitments and a general sense of fear in the family that does not work out well both ways for humans and dog and a young baby, it is best for both parties that we find a new foster/home for Doby as soon as possible.

He is a good, loyal boy who simply needs a family who's familiar with local breeds/big dogs and is able to give him long walks everyday and lots of social interaction to boost his confidence and downplay his over-eager lunge-greetings to other animals,. A family who is calm and assertive to show him that his human is his pack leader, and he can trust his pack leader's steadiness and calm regularity. A family who is gentle and patient to give him time to relearn his place in his pack and be reassured that he does not need to be on high alert all the times, that he can relax and be a happy family friend.

In my personal opinion, Doby will offer his new family many good memories of the simple, honest, steadfast human-dog relationship.

Email us at projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg for more info. Thank you.

Hitting animal as serious as hitting a human

2009-07-20T23:55:00.002+08:00

Mon, Jun 16, 2008
The New Paper

If you hit someone on the road and flee from the scene of the accident, you will get into trouble with the law.
But what if you knock down an animal? Well, don't think you can just drive off.
Be it a person or an animal, the same law applies.
Under the Road Traffic Act, if you are involved in an accident where a person or an animal is injured, you have to stop your vehicle and help the victims.
If not, you can face a fine up to $3,000 or be jailed up to a year. For a subsequent conviction, you can be fined up to $5,000 or jailed up to two years.
Lawyer Luke Lee told The New Paper: 'Animals are protected under the same law as humans.'
And those who injure an animal in a hit-and-run case face the same penalties if the law is violated, he added.
Ms Deirdre Moss, executive officer of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), said: 'Most people, unfortunately, do not think that such cases are important just because (the victim) is an animal.
Student Andrew Teo's dog was one such victim. On 4 Jun, the 23-year-old took his 2-year-old miniature schnauzer, Vodka, for their usual evening walk. At 9.45pm, they were about to cross Choa Chu Kang Crescent when a white van sped towards them.
Mr Teo said he was standing on the pavement while Vodka, who was on a leash, was already on the road.
On seeing the van, Mr Teo tried to pull the dog back, but Vodka slipped out of his collar and dashed across the road.
It was hit by the van and blood oozed from its right ear and nostrils.
Mr Teo saw the van had stopped a few metres away and two men came out. Mr Teo said that when they saw him, they quickly got back into the van and allegedly drove off. But he managed to take down its licence plate number.
Three passers-by, two of whom are Mr Teo's neighbours, helped him move Vodka onto the pavement.
He said: 'By that time, I knew Vodka was dead. His body was intact, but you could feel that his skull had been crushed.'
Mr Teo took the dog to its vet to get a death certificate and then went to a police station to make a report.
A police spokesman confirmed Mr Teo's report and said they are investigating the accident, which happened between Block 662 and Block 691A at Choa Chu Kang Crescent.The road has no pedestrian crossings or traffic lights, but Mr Teo and other residents said that it has low traffic even during the day.
The vet's medical report declared Vodka dead on arrival. It suffered severe trauma to the head and chest.
Mr Teo is upset that the van occupants did not stop to help and feels they must take responsibility and be punished accordingly.
AWARENESS NEEDED
Motorist William Neo, 28, was unaware that the penalty for hit-and-run cases is the same for both humans and animals.The project coordinator feels that motorists need to be better educated on road rules.
He said: 'Most people would probably think hitting an animal is much less serious than hitting a person.
'Informing motorists of the consequences would make them think twice about driving off after hitting an animal.'
The SPCA said that when pets are injured in road accidents, the owners should alert the SPCA and try to move the animals to the side of the road.
But those with little experience in handling animals should not try to pick them up. They should wait for SPCA staff members to arrive, while alerting motorists to slow down and drive cautiously - the traffic police will generally assist in this area.

Source: AsiaOne Motoring http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/Story/A1Story20080616-71108.html

Today's activities

2009-07-18T23:59:00.007+08:00

started off with a homely lunch with A and pals, P and J, and their 3 goldie girls. The weather was kind with a breezy light rain as we dine under the outdoor shelter, the rain stopping just in time as we finished the mains to walk the girls around for a bit.

After a good interaction with fellow dog lovers, we set off to meet Mr G for whom we've recently sterilised his young female dog and 2 female cats. A very kindly and welcoming family, albeit still stubborn in the belief that sterilisation is 'cruel' to the animal. Thus the current situation of more than a handful of cats at his farm which we are steadily convincing him towards the benefits and finality of sterilisation. To ease his mind once and for all from any worries of yet another impregnation. The next batch of cats for sterilisation should be set for next week.

Then off to visit Ben and bros, Junior, Ginne, Mama Rock and Bruno. Gave all of them a treat of steamed chicken, cleaned out their enclosure, cleaned their ears, fixed the roof abit and took Mama Rock out to explore the outer areas on leash to give us better control against any unexpected reactions from the other residents.

Mama Rock displayed all the calmness of a mature dog. No sense of threat from her to the older residents, the only moments she stopped was to sniff and be sniffed, before moving onto other interesting scents on the grass. To the common eye, she seems a good candidate to be let free very soon. We have yet to see how Bruno will react to the outside crowd. We hold onto the hope that both of them integrate well with the outer packs so that they can roam more freely and also for Tommy to re-emerge from the inner kennel and back into his enclosure. We plan to try the integration again next weekend. Have hope!

Meeting the boys again

2009-07-13T18:13:00.002+08:00

Back in town

2009-07-10T23:37:00.010+08:00

for a few weeks, with a heart excited to meet the boys tomorrow for a couple of hours.

6 boys in an enclosure could be getting a bit too close for comfort. Thus, whenever we visit, we strive to let each of them have a free roam in the bigger area. To run off any excess energy, stretch those long legs, cool off in the pool. A fast free dash to feel the wind in their face.

Can't wait to see Mama Rock and son together, finally, in their enclosure. No longer confined 24/7 to a small dirty cage or tied up for extended periods with no proper shelter. I'm sure mother and son are catching up on so much lost time of play and simple togetherness.

Wanting to meet Cho Cho again also after these few months. And see how the wonders of home fostering has transformed her.

For those who are unaware, I have been away and out of action for the past 5 months. JK work has been handled mostly single-handedly by K with great help from J, Y, S, A, T and others who've given their time and effort along the way. Thus, we have not been able to meet every one of your requests for help, which would be an impossibility even if the whole team was active. An area where we seek your understanding.

Will start getting into some action now, while I can.

J.

"Cruel", that's what

2009-07-06T00:02:00.002+08:00

the farmers of a (floral) nursery told us. Not that they are heartless owners but that they were too entrenched in a mindset that sterilisation is against the order of nature and is bodily and psychologically 'cruel' to the animal. It cripples the animals, it deprives the animal from its entitlement of being an animal, on its most primordial terms.

As a matter of fact, sterilisation does remain a debatable issue.

We tried many times to persuade the farmers into getting their dogs and cats sterilised and the furthest they budged was allow a volunteer of one animal welfare society to take one of their female dogs to be spayed.

After what must have been time in memorial, a few weeks ago, they finally rang me and said YES to sterilisation. Just last Wednesday, T brought one female dog and two female cats to the clinic for spaying. I arranged for all three animals to be vaccinated (I mean, since they were all already at the clinic...) and perhaps not quite to the farmers' expectations, to have the female dog microchipped as well.

The total expenditure for this batch nears $300. By right, onus is upon the owners to pay for the fees, but where farmers are more often than not ignorant of the benefit and purpose of sterilisation, unreceptive to animal welfare ideas and make claims that they are not legitimately or legally responsible for the dogs based on the premise that the dog was dumped on my farm by someone else and I took pity on her and took her in, I need to execute sterilisation asap without the farmers changing their minds.

A spayed female dog means saving future litters of the dogs produced from one fertile mother. It's that important.

If you would like to contribute to our street animal sterilisation cause, kindly email us at projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg

Updates and receipts of expenditure will be followed up accordingly.

Thank you.

Freedom

2009-07-05T23:49:00.002+08:00

Merrily they run. No pretense.

Saturday, we set off early

2009-07-05T22:28:00.008+08:00

in the morning to the shelter to bring Junior and Ginne for their annual health check and vaccination at the vet's. Itinerary included a day of fun and relaxation at the dogrun, to the foster's for bathing, ear cleaning, feeding and reunion with foster, and then back to the shelter.

Thanks to J for holding on to both girls and keeping an eye on them while I drove. Thanks to S for steadily walking the girls both at the same time. Great teamwork!

Ginne noseying through the potted plants of the foster's miniature garden

Junior combing the stretches of the dogrun. This is a place she's familiar with, having visited the run quite a few times already.

As usual, she would go from tree to tree, scanning the barks for tree lizards or any moving insects. A true-blue hunter dog with an eye for detail. Anything that so much as rove an inch.

Even during playtime, the twin work like a closely-knit duo exploring the field together, in sight of each other.

At one point in time, Junior went into 'hysteria' when I untied Ginne's leash and took her for a short walk. Like a dog with separation anxiety, dear Junior was whining and struggling to free herself from being tied to the bench.

As we walked further away, Ginne kept turning her head and stopped in her tracks to look at Junior.

Separation anxiety, I guess, with respect to me and Ginne.

At the clinic, both girls were taken for blood tests to check for presence of heartworm, lyme disease and E. Canis and also for their annual vaccination.

While Ginne is cleared of these known afflictions, Junior is diagnosed postive for tick fever.

The second dot was transparent on the test kit which meant her 'exposure' is slight (the other dot solid), particularly in view that Junior displayed no detectable sign of weaknesses or lethargy and her gums looked a healthy biege-pink.

A joy to watch

Junior and Ginne at the clinic. We returned the girls to the shelter and informed the caretaker of Junior's minor tick fever condition.

Junior will take doxycycline for two weeks and most likely be given more after this course by the caretaker to keep tick fever at bay. I was told the anti-bodies stay in the affected dog and will manifest as tick fever when the dog is stressed.

There is however a method to treat a dog by purging both good and bad bacteria, that is, flushing out the anti-bodies and getting the dog back into health by giving multi-vits.

Momo, a people-friendly Daschund (belonging to owners who obviously love the dogrun) which made affable contact with her newfound, bigger-sized mates, Ginne and Junior

Unintended symmetry: Junior and Ginne chomping down their late lunch of wetfood and sausages

Ginne. Isn't she beautiful?

Perhaps like an excited parent, I looked forward to taking my girls, Ginne (pronounced as "Jeannie" by previous owners) and Junior for a day out. Approximately three years have whizzed past they were abandoned heartlessly by their ex-owners, as domestic[ated] pets in the wilderness some 40km away from their home and some four years have passed since I decided to take in Junior, then a dog whom no one really wanted nomading from home to home, as my first and till date, only dog I ever fostered.

Walks in dog-friendly nature parks. Beaches. Dogruns. Streets of different neighbourhoods. Just me and my dogs. Quiet companionship and a real connection to canine behaviour, experiencing and witnessing how these intelligent mongrels navigate through familiar routes, lunge for squirrels, monkeys, monitor lizards and occasionally turn their heads to look straight at me, as if, asking, "Is it okay? How are you doing so far? Is this where I should go?"

And then continuing -- with their great strides. Paws on tarmac and their noses highly sensitized to the whiffs of the likes of passing bikers, dewy grass, sand from construction sites or the lab behind the gates of a duplex.

In a world of animal communication. Companions that are so manageable. They don't require much, they just love their walks, love their time with their master, their pack leader.

For dogs I have grown emotionally connected with, I bear no shame in romanticizing my time spent with them. Each snapshot of memory doused with so much sentimentality. Simply, I just love my dogs.

-----------------------------------------------------------

If you would like to contribute to Junior's and/or Ginne's boarding fees at the shelter or Junior's tick fever medical treatment or the girls' consultation at the clinic, kindly email us at projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg

Thank you.

How apt

2009-07-01T00:32:00.002+08:00

"There are many social psychology experiments which suggest we do not challenge the status quo or authority, and that we prefer to stand with the majority. These include the Stanley Milgram experiment in Yale University on how people bow to expert authority, and the Solomon Ash experiment on the length of lines, which demonstrated how we conform to popular opinion.

In real life, Ms Kitty Genovese was murdered in New York, in the early hours of March 13, 1964. Thirty-eight witnesses saw her being stabbed 64 times over 30 minutes in three episodes. No one called for help. There was diffusion of responsibility - the 'bystander effect' - and social information suggests doing nothing is the appropriate thing to do.

The thinking is that, surely, if something were really badly wrong, someone else would have acted. As for oneself, one would go along with the group first.

...

Very often, we do what the group wants, not what is right."

Taken from "Why no one seemed to see the crisis coming" published on the Straits Times, Review - Others, 23 Jun 2009, by Tan Suee Chieh, NTUC Income's chief executive.

From foster...

2009-06-29T02:26:00.001+08:00

Today, "Chocho had lamb chop and cheese cake and ice cream for dinner, as it is Lil' John's birthday."

Yay.

Dog walking is not only therapeutic and

2009-06-29T01:25:00.004+08:00

an effective avenue of stress relieving for people, but also a vital part of a pet dog's life. As a layperson who hasn't so much gone into the analytics of canine behaviour, I see dog walking as a routine, as a part-and-parcel of life in allowing the dog to be a dog.

To smell the flowers and the air of the great outdoors. To loosen the joints and work out out whatever pent-up energy from a day of staying indoors. To express itself as an animal of territoriality by marking on lamp posts, bushes and pavements. To sniff out, capture and remember the scents of other dogs in the neighbourhood. To poo and pee. To be in touch with nature -- grass, the bark of trees, fallen leaves and even the imported sand at the playground. To bond with its owner through a 'mutual' activity. To satisfy curiosity.

Which was what we did with Doby on Saturday and Sunday, while he boarded at a landed home -- while his foster family was out of town. For 4 consecutive weekends of training Doby, I had never so much as broken the barrier between Doby and myself that was wrapped up in my fear of his aggression -- until when I personally visited him as he awaited in his large-enough playpen, enticed him with treats that took place along with basic commands fulfilment and brought him out for his walk.

Just me and Doby. Trooping upslope while the neighbours' dogs peered and barked at us. Trotting along the concrete pavements of the park in the cool of a raintree's shade. Exploring the turns of the streets. Linked by a leash and his harness. Connected by a mutual fancy of the experience of walking, just walking.

At 3 years-plus old, it can't be truer that Doby is at his prime. Each time he lunges to catch the treat in mid-air, stands on his hinds to suss out his triple "A" treats in the trainer's pouch or intently studies a foreign passer-by in a position as if ready to charge -- I come to terms with his superb agility as a young, active dog and his potential as a guard dog. Faithful and loyal to his owner and property and potentially ferocious to any alien intrusion which compromises safety.

This is Doby, notwithstanding the fact he is sterilised.

And like any regular domestic ol' faithful, he looks forward to his walks. At the sight of the leash, he is perked up like an eager birthday boy ready to unwrap and open up his present.

And I learnt also that he is, after all, not that 'hopeless', as most may perceive of a 'pariah' dog that bares his teeth and looks so unfriendly to cuddle or be patted on the head.

(Great thanks to A.) If anything, Doby has proven to us his outstanding mongrel intelligence and his ability to accomplish the basics of obedience training. I would say he has pretty much mastered his 'sit', 'down', 'stay', 'heel' and with A's positive reinforcement-based training, Doby has come against our perceived odds in:

* Being able to continue his walk harmlessly to the public via distracting and guiding him to a new point of attraction or direction of walk
* Being able to nicely trot beside owner/walker without pulling and lunging via enticing him with treats
* (Just today) Being able to search for his reward underneath obstacles such as plastic bags at the prompt of 'find'
* Being able to physically 'stay' and then go for his reward placed at a distance at the quick command of 'ok'
* Being able to run towards owner, in one direction and as if single-mindedly, without being distracted by external noise in recall

No need for electronic collar, choke chain or the whip. Though I haven't experienced the full spectrum of the positive reinforcement training, I feel aggression challenges can be overcome without having to shock the nerves, painfully desensitize, inflict pain and suffering, enforce punishment or reducing the dog into a miserable non-dog.

It takes an experienced trainer and definitely patience and consistency, on part of the owner, to see changes which will be so life-changing, rewarding and beneficial to the entire family. And it requires that the dog is walked adequately throughout the week. All to work together for constructive behavioural improvement.

Thanks to A for training with care and love, and J for her motherly fostering in these few years, in spite of the difficulties to juggle baby, family and work. Progress is on it way.

Doby in his playpen of boarder. After his walk, he practically spread-eagled on the floor. Panting tongue, heaving chest -- happy dog

Doby training over weekends -- alert, eager, praise-worthy

A. rewarding Doby with his AAA treat which varies every week to whet his appetite and help make him look forward to each training session

Doby transfixed at A. as a source and provider of yummy treats. After 2-3 weeks, we could see how we can walk Doby without him tugging his leash taut but in unison with the walker's pace

This Siberian Husky was

2009-06-24T00:41:00.006+08:00

'presented' to a stray feeder as the new kid of the farm -- apparently a discarded pet that his previous owners did not want anymore. Colly, as he's been named, now resides in a boarding facility and seeks an adoptive family.

I have not interacted with Colly personally but you may find information about this beautiful dog below these pictures:

* Name: Colly

* Sex: Male

* Age: Estimated 3 yrs

* Size: Stout

* Sterilised: Cannot confirmed as yet, but testicles found missing

* Behaviour & Temperament: walks excellent on leash, does not tug and pull / understands basic commands like 'sit' and 'stay' without aid of treats / very friendly with people / so far, okay with other large dogs but not sure of reaction with small dogs

* Comments: On first encounter, Colly appeared with a neat set of coat and trimmed nails, boasting a healthy husky shape.

Interested parties, pls contact 9727 7359 / noelleohm@yahoo.com

It's been about 2 months

2009-06-19T01:42:00.005+08:00

since we transferred Chocho from the shelter to her new foster family comprising the resident shiba inu, who's the queen of the pack; a golden retriever who loves a mouth-hand tug-o-war over his prized soft toys; a soulful cocker spaniel who's 'larger than life'; and a old female shih tzu who's crooned over and protected by her owners, living her sunset years in peaceful dignity.

Thankfully, the foster stepped forward to offer Chocho a new lease of life--into domesticity.

The first day Chocho entered, A. locked her in the laundry section of the kitchen, which at least offered Chocho an 'infrastructure' of safety and comfort, with the makeshift pens and window grilles. At the first instance, our girl even tried to clamour through the square of the window grilles and got us a tad panicky of her escape tendencies and the endless possibilities a stray 'escape artist' can conjure and act upon, and catch the humans unawares.

A routine of 3x walk per day and regular meals was built into her, together with what was 'administered' to the rest of the pack. Just when we thought Chocho was beginning to take comfort in the regularity put in place that one late Sunday morning, one week into her fosterhood, Chocho, by a sheer occasion of accidence, wrangled out of her collar and took off!!!

The next thing I knew, we had a 5-man search team frantically combing industrial estates, buildings, fields, petrol kiosks and the neighbourhood; frantically scrambling after her, after we failed to corner her within a hedge of bushes; waiting for her at the periphery of a forested area while she suspectedly hid behind the clumps of greenery and peered at us--her pursuers.

A very wild ride indeed.

It was such an experience: locating her at several junctures, asking people if they'd seen our chocolate-brown girl, sprinting after her, (literally) diving for her, losing sight of her again from time to time, pacing beside her--all the time taking care not to unnerve or scare Chocho, in what seemed to be an existing state of pandemonium.

A dog which wanted to be free but completely clueless that all that we were doing was to protect her from harm. And Chocho, according to the security guards of the building, was almost knocked down by two vehicles--one of which a double-deckered bus--when she tried to cross a busy carriageway. A scenario that we feared to think about.

What ensued after Sunday was the establishment of even more troubled hearts and while we grappled with the wounds and aches sustained from Sunday's event, each of us was worried: Is she safe? What is she eating now? Where does she sleep? Has anyone discovered or seen her? Did she join another dog or a stray pack? Is she still within the area or has she crossed over to other parts separated by the highways and roads?

At least for me--I couldn't control my mental monologue series of speculations and the what-ifs.

A dog that 'outplayed' and outran us, but alas, clues of Chocho surfaced when A. caught news that others had actually seen Chocho on the loose in the estate; further clues that showed she'd returned to the doorstep and ate the food put out for her; and finally, a good confirmation that she was alive when they (the foster family) as a matter of fact saw her, our chocolate girl resting right on the doorstep. Cautious of her surroundings but seeking refuge in a 'familiar' place, even though it had only been one week since she settled in from a completely different environment and location.

We figured that the one week of routine did her good and helped provide her leads with which she managed to smell and track her way back home. A. was playing cautious with her cards and strategised to rebuild confidence in Chocho--hopefully influencing her to associate this very foster home as her source of food, water and a place of rest. And smartly, Chocho did return intermittently in the next few days.

After yet another failed attempt to corner her with human bodies, we engaged a professional dog catcher, who with methods unbeknownst to us, actually successfully and effectively captured Chocho in the wee hours of the morning.

And a burden was lifted from all of our hearts, stress disintegrated.

With due vigilance, Chocho is now watched over and taken care of by the foster and we are sure glad she's found a pal in the resident retriever, played chase with the alpha female and am showing all signs of guards lowered and submitting to the comfort and safety of her foster home.

Here's an update from foster family: -

Chocho is doing fine and I am so surprised that Gigi, my queen plays with her. She is not normally so relaxed about another dog i.e. play with them. The 3 of them were making so much noise playing in my living room over the weekend, Gigi, Diesel and Chocho. It is just so nice to see them happy, especially Chocho.

I think I have totally spoiled her with our choice of menu at home. Sorry, whoever adopts her will have to adapt to her style!!

I am going to give her a bit more time and probably do some basic training with her. We shall see how that progresses.

Now isn't this wonderful?

Trial between animal welfare group ACRES and contractor begins

2009-06-08T00:00:00.002+08:00

Channel NewsAsia - Tuesday, May 26

SINGAPORE : The company had allegedly dumped wood chips on the site of an animal shelter construction project, which contaminated the land. Now it is not only disputing the claim, it is counter claiming S$180,000 from the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES).

ANA Contractor and its director said the animal welfare group had defaulted on payments since September 2007.

The arrangement between the two parties, rather than the contamination, took centre stage at the start of ACRES' lawsuit.

The animal welfare group had appointed ANA in September 2006 to construct a Wildlife Rescue Centre to save animals from illegal trade. It was supposed to be finished by April 2007.

ACRES claims that the contractor did not meet the deadline and did not finish works, including an entrance porch for the office block and volunteer house.

But ANA's lawyer Lee Kwok Weng said in his opening statement that "throughout the construction of the project", ACRES did not state "any requirements or covenants".

He added that "the time of completion is at—large, with no fixed completion date" since the progress of each stage of work depends on "the availability of funds" from ACRES.

The non—profit organisation is still unable to operate the rescue centre because of toxic waste from wood chips dumped into a landfill.

ANA was supposed to level the plot of land by transferring earth from higher ground to lower ground.

ACRES is asking for damages of $180,000 for wasted rentals paid to the Singapore Land Authority and also wants ANA to pay for the costs of excavating the waste and re—building structures that have to be demolished because of the excavation.

So far, ACRES has received two quotes of between $4.5 million to $8 million for this.

The group claims that ANA director Tan Boon Kwee should bear responsibility for the dumping of wood chips, as he was the supervisor of the construction project.

Mr Tan's lawyer Gwee Hak Theng argued that Mr Tan's work was to "supervise the construction of critical structural works" and not to offer any technical expertise.

The wood chips caused a foul blackish discharge to pollute Kranji Reservoir, which was discovered in September 2007 and resulted in the National Environment Agency initiating prosecution against ANA last September, under the Environmental Protection and Management Act.

The agency said it is still consulting the Attorney General's Chambers on the "appropriate action to take".

"It is premature at this point to speculate if any cases will be submitted to the court for hearing," said a spokesperson.

The hearing continues. — TODAY

Source: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20090525/tap-767-trial-animal-welfare-group-acres-231650b.html

Anti-piracy pup sniffs out 35,000 illegal DVDs - M'sia

2009-06-05T01:00:00.002+08:00

AFP - Thursday, June 4

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - - A DVD-sniffing anti-piracy dog named Paddy has uncovered a huge cache of 35,000 discs in Malaysian warehouses, many destined for export to Singapore, industry officials said on Wednesday.

The black Labrador helped enforcement officials who carried out raids last week in southern Johor state which neighbours Singapore, the Motion Picture Association (MPA) said in a statement.

Paddy was given to Malaysia by the MPA to help close down piracy syndicates who churn out vast quantities of illegal DVDs. The dog is specially trained to detect chemicals in the discs.

"Paddy led enforcement officers on a successful weekend operation to shut down the supply lines of pirated movie DVDs in the Malaysian state of Johor," the MPA said in a statement.

"Post-raid investigations revealed that two of the targets were actively involved in exporting pirated DVDs to Singapore," it added.

The raids carried out by officials from the MPA and Malaysia's trade and consumer affairs ministry shut down six warehouses storing pirated products, it said.

The MPA said just-released titles such as "Terminator Salvation", "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian", "Angels and Demons" and "Star Trek" were among the movies seized.

"This is a clear signal to the pirates that we will not waver in our efforts to shut them down," said Mohamad Roslan Mahayudin, director-general of enforcement with the Malaysian ministry.

"We are glad to hear that Paddy's skills are being put to good use against the large, organised network of pirates involved in exporting illegal pirated DVDs to Singapore," said Mike Ellis, the MPA's Asia-Pacific managing director.

The MPA said its member companies lost 6.1 billion dollars to worldwide piracy in 2005. Of that lost revenue, about 1.2 billion dollars came from piracy in the Asian region.

Source: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20090603/tap-malaysia-crime-counterfeit-film-anim-0193655.html

There is a big difference

2009-05-25T11:24:00.001+08:00

between breathing ... and living.

Nutro Products Announces Voluntary Recall of Limited Range of Dry Cat Food Products

2009-05-23T12:01:00.001+08:00

Dear all, pls take note of this release from Nutro.

"Franklin, Tennessee (May 21, 2009) -- Today, Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010. The cat food is being voluntarily recalled in the United States and ten additional countries. This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium in our finished product resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier.

Two mineral premixes were affected. One premix contained excessive levels of zinc and under-supplemented potassium. The second premix under-supplemented potassium. Both zinc and potassium are essential nutrients for cats and are added as nutritional supplements to NUTRO® dry cat food.

This issue was identified during an audit of our documentation from the supplier. An extensive review confirmed that only these two premixes were affected. This recall does not affect any NUTRO® dog food products, wet dog or cat food, or dog and cat treats.

Affected product was distributed to retail customers in all 50 states, as well as to customers in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Israel. We are working with all of our distributors and retail customers, in both the US and internationally, to ensure that the recalled products are not on store shelves. These products should not be sold or distributed further.

Consumers who have purchased affected product should immediately discontinue feeding the product to their cats, and switch to another product with a balanced nutritional profile. While we have received no consumer complaints related to this issue, cat owners should monitor their cat for symptoms, including a reduction in appetite or refusal of food, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea. If your cat is experiencing health issues or is pregnant, please contact your veterinarian.

Consumers who have purchased product affected by this voluntary recall should return it to their retailer for a full refund or exchange for another NUTRO® dry cat food product. Cat owners who have questions about the recall should call 1-800-833-5330 between the hours 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST, or visit www.nutroproducts.com.

Recalled Pet Food
The varieties of NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® COMPLETE CARE® Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO® MAX® Cat Dry Foods listed below with “Best If Used By Dates” between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010 are affected by this voluntary recall."

Heard a vet

2009-05-22T18:56:00.001+08:00

speak on "How To Deal With Grief", in terms of a loss of a pet.

One thing that stayed with me was this point by the vet: she spoke about the varying personal attitudes towards euthanasia. On how it is a good choice to prevent an animal from suffering, when all treatment has failed. However, vets also face the unpleasant task of euthanising perfectly healthy animals, due to behavioural issues like biting, barking.

In her opinion, when faced with putting down a dog with a biting issue with no hope of rehoming, versus subjecting it to 10 years living in a dog shelter - she will choose to put it to sleep.

10 years living in a small dog shelter. That, to her, is not life. It got me thinking.

The reality of street life

2009-04-23T09:41:00.003+08:00

On behalf of a rescuer:

"Please help...my friend has been feeding this pack of puppies and their mom for the past week or so now and they are in desperate need of a home cos where they are hanging out, there are all these trucks and cars going about and these puppies have no idea that the cars and trucks are dangerous. Just recently, one of the puppies accidentally fell into a drain and drowned!..."

While animal welfare groups are working towards the longterm resolution of the stray issue, we call for a present help for this present case.

Do consider to adopt a pup if you are ready for the commitment and share the appeal with your good contacts. You can find out more from Christina at 9747 8468 or email venus.lim@gmail.com

We didn't expect the day of

2009-04-20T02:31:00.005+08:00

welfare work for the animals to encounter, finally, Mr L's friendly female cat, Lili, and her kittens. Encroaching into the space of his business, we'd tried repeatedly to talk sense into him to get her sterilised, but the old man said he wanted to breed Lili as his farm products were damaged or consumed by rats.

Even though we told him that we could 'pass' other (sterilised) cats to him to guard his business from the pests and that Lili should be given to us to be sterilised. Our main objective was to spay Lili to prevent unwanted births and the 'trouble' of having to manage a fresh new litter of kittens.

Last Saturday, we visited Mr L again and chanced upon Lili's four little ones that were scurrying on the grounds of the farm. About 3-4 weeks old already and getting adjusted to every nook and corner of Mr L's dilapidated farm setting: discarded boxes, unswept floor, decaying wooden shelves, old styrofoam boxes -- I don't really know how to describe his farm!

A beautiful tabby, Lili lied serenely on the floor in the late morning sun, grooming her paws. Her slender body; miniature bone structure. She responded affectionately to us and wasn't at all, fearful of the strange scents from our hands.

Until we made the decision to take her for sterilisation, for we didn't know when we would ever go by the farm and risk having Lili impregnated again.

Until we placed her in a styrofoam box and realised that she can be a fiesty female fighter of the feline species. Refusing vehemently to be enclosed in any crate by head-butting her way out against the styrofoam lid.

We tried bringing her into the car, without any carrier or crate, by just grabbing the scruff of her neck and holding her limbs, but the poor mother was writhing and contorting out of our clutches; we had no choice but to release her, suffer the consequence of a failed attempt, i.e., an even warier Lili. The last item on our sterilisation list of priorities: an uncooperative, unwilling animal.

So S, in her quick-wittedness, suggested borrowing a carrier from the nearest vet clinic after a fair bit of negotiation with the clinic staff and explaining the nature of our work -- animal welfare. A few of us stayed behind the farm to regain Lili's trust with some wetfood.

Armed with the carrier, I approached Lili who was crouched, surprisingly calm, in the dark of the room -- while her kittens munched on the wetfood outside. At the smell of the bait, she came closer to me and in spite of the unpleasant encounter just now, even allowed me to stroke her. She purred at the caresses. Then, I placed the food closer to the carrier and tried to nudge her into the carrier.

When she resisted to go into the carrier, I decided that a dose of coercion was necessary and in my lone battle with Lili, I worked at putting her into the carrier while she obstructed her entry by sticking her feet out against the carrier's opened gate. A little tussle, and as soon as she was in, I slammed and secured the carrier shut. Lili fumbled and knocked about the inside of the carrier and I applied pressure to demonstrate to her the sturdiness and solidness of the carrier against which her struggles would be futile.

And then we swiftly whisked her into the car, then to the clinic, taking care to hold the carrier securely when we moved from vehicle to clinic. The last thing I dread on a mission like this is a flimsy carrier imploded open and a fear stricken Lili running about with the traffic on the main road.

So, on the sterilisation front, it's one check for Lili and four more checks for her kittens. Marked them down mentally.

Do email us at projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg if you'd like to contribute to our work in stemming the root of a core area of the animal welfare through active sterilisation.

One of Lili's offsprings. Another goodlooking tabby.

Lili enjoying the warmth of the morning when I approached her.

Rest in Peace, Spotty

2009-04-19T23:14:00.009+08:00

For the vet, the caretaker and I, I guess it took us a measure of courage to reconcile with the fact that Spotty is gone. His caretaker, W, dropped me an SMS last Monday morning to inform me of his departure; we didn't need to fuss over Spotty anymore, he was gone that morning.

Spotty slept into peace, not far from where he usually slept with a few of his pals who are more socialised with people. Often close to his caregiver when the chance permitted; otherwise, he'd be out with the rest of the pack in the bush, exploring the scents of wilderness, or napping in a deserted spot on the farm.

On one note, his passing means an easier management for W; for one dog less means that she can focus better on the rest of her dogs. A redistribution of the labour of love. It also represents to us Spotty's sacrifice to his siblings and friends. To die at a young age of a year plus. To 'make space' for others.

A week or so ago, Spotty was sent to the clinic and treated of his tick condition. The vet reported that he was overburdened with ticks -- when the staff were deticking him, the crawlies and fleas literally sprang out of his body and were inching along the walls surrounding the corner where he boarded. He was running a temperature and treated with anti-inflammation. Temperature went down but he remained weak and wobbly.

He was released thereafter on the assumption that he would be well, but little did we know that he would discontinue eating normally, drink sufficiently and before long, he only appeared occasionally to his caregiver. A sure sign that he knew he was deteriorating into sickness.

Perhaps he knew his time would be up and like most dogs, he sought a place quiet and secluded to go away peacefully.

We arranged for transport and a plan to trap him in the enclosure first thing on Monday, so that we could send him to the vet for another round of inspection and treatment, but Spotty, chose to leave us on that same morning.

A step too late.

His body was warm when W discovered him motionless. And she teared slightly over the phone when she updated me and I could feel -- since she's decided to take on the route to care for these dogs and entwined her life with the trials and tribulations of tending to stray lives -- a bond with a dog so strong and undeniable.

Being lower on the pack hierarchy, admittedly, Spotty was more often than not bullied by the bigger boys but nonetheless trailed his mates wherever they went. A follower, a passive member of the group. Come feeding time, he was deprived of the bigger chunks so W sometimes had to hand-feed him, and he would lapped up the pieces gleefully from her hand.

He had a favourite spot, that was, the tattered cushions of an unwanted, old sofa. He was laden with mange infection. He lapsed into mangey modes (dried flakes and crumply skin) periodically, and after medication, would regain his coat of patchy black spots over a blanket of white.

Good old days: Spotty moving around with alpha male, Buffalo and other youngsters around the farm

May 2008: Seeking respite beneath the clusters of farm machines. This was Spotty.

A few months old before they were sent for sterilisation. Chocho with Spotty, wary of my approaching with the digicam

Last few days at the clinic: Spotty was put on drip. His right hind leg trembled occasionally. Overall, listless and strengthless. Visited him on Wednesday evening and said a prayer over his healing.

Rest in peace, Spotty. We love you.

Spotty's departure serves yet again as another reminder to all socially-responsible individuals that until we have arrived in a world with no suffering strays, we must sterilise, or encourage to sterilise, the dogs in our communities -- domestic or feral. The death of a normal, healthy mongrel integral to our communities -- be they industrial farms, private residences, or within our home spaces -- is part of the vicious cycle of dog populations unsterilised, left to suffer and die. Their high mortality.

Case in point: Spotty was vaccinated when he was 4-5 month old. And slightly over a year since his vaccination, his immunity reached a point that however external his parasite burden of ticks, fleas and mange was, he was unable to combat them. Perhaps, an insidious invasion into the mechanisms of his organs was what happened.

As long as there are unsterilised female and male dogs around, litters of puppies that grow into adult dogs that, in the same repetition, mate, will manifest as reality all levels of society have to inevitably encounter. Dog numbers that multiply exponentially are a reality and when left to checks of nature, high mortality and disease penetration rates ensue.

A caregiver, being limited in his/her own resources, is incapable of offering the ideal medical attention to any sick or diseased dog that crosses his/her path.

Spotty escaped the enclosure and loathed being force-fed or being taken away from his comfort zone to be handled by strange hands and equipment at the vet's. He didn't know it was a procedure and experience necessary for his recovery.

To him, the only way to recover and feel better was to ingest selected weeds in the wild to purge undesired toxins from his body system(s).

It was a struggle for him to fight the plagues and equally, a struggle for us to get him to receive proper medical attention.

Sterilisation effectively stems the root of the problem of suffering animals and human-animal conflicts when stray dogs seek out urban environment for food. The connection is simple, it doesn't take an educated guess to know sterilisation is the way to go to mass-benefit street dogs and their welfare. It's certainly not merely the rehoming of one dog, but the sterilisation of existing ones to prevent future generations of dogs suffering from the hazards of street life or diseases that require human intervention.

We continue with Spotty in our hearts.

Current Needs

2009-04-11T12:53:00.010+08:00

Junior & Ginne
In 2006, the two girls were ruthlessly abandoned by their previous owner some 40km from their home in the wilderness and were left to fend for themselves for a week before their whereabouts were linked to our appeals. Junior was discovered in a corner of a HDB void deck and Ginne was taken from the SPCA just in time, before she could have been put down the next day.

Human-friendly and domesticated, the girls are 3-4 years old, spayed, vaccinated and very personable. Now free to roam the fields of the shelter and long very much for a home.

Needs: A long-term sponsor or whoever who can pitch in their long term boarding at the shelter. Preferably to be rehomed together as a pair, for they've grown so used to each other, but my hope is that even if they were to be separated, each is to find her own permanent home. A firm, patient hand to calm their excitement, love and affection.

Chocho

A highly apprehensive dog, fearful of humans and other dogs. Low on canine hierarchy. Captured by authorities and bailed out in Jan '09. Currently residing at boarding facility. One year-plus old, female, med-sized, sterilised, vaccinated fully for the year and microchipped.

Needs: Donors to cover backlog boarding fees from March onwards and future monthly boarding fees. Long-term experienced foster and ultimately, a permanent, reliable adopter. Chocho needs a patient hand in socializing her to domestic life -- with other dogs and people.

Practical Items
* Neem or tee-tree oil in aid to remove ticks, fleas and other parasites from animal's body
* Detick/deflea solution: Biospot, Accurate spray
* Frontline or Revolution
* Leashes -- ideally for large breeds
* Dog treats

Email projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg if you'd like to contribute, as well as for more info on how you can help in ways beneficial to our animals and the animal welfare cause

Amazingly, while some if not,

2009-04-11T11:44:00.007+08:00

I daresay, most stray dogs are burdened with diseases and marred with scars from territorial fights, Hayley is one quiet survivor, almost unblemished, clean and fit as a fiddle, among the street dogs that I have encountered.

What began as a plan to apply TNRM -- that is, to leave her as she was -- is now a lifetime dedication to ensure her safety (that's utmost important) and a roof over her head.

On part of N, whom we've helped with sterilising, vaccinating and microchipping Hayley.

Hayley belonged to a fairly large field smacked in a corner of a HDB estate, probably slated for more urban developments, given how grossly and disproportionately rapid Singapore is losing its interim secondary forests and other spots that we can claim as our visual respite of greenery.

According to N, there were a few people who fed Hayley and this medium size of a black/tan mongrel, a little scruffy-looking, had a field all to herself and her puppies. For reasons unbeknownst to N and probably her other feeders, her puppies were gone, and Hayley remained unspayed and awaited another six-month cycle before she could get on heat and mate. Her teats were sure sign that she had given birth and been suckled.

Sensible enough, N, whom I got to know through the selling of ALL's calendars, was determined to get her and at the minimum, sterilise her. When you stop at the mother, at least you help prevent unwanted births of generations of puppies.

At one fell swoop, N lifted the feather-light Hayley in her arms and dashed lightning-quick into the car, that day we decided to send her for sterilisation. Before the duo entered the backseat, the dog was so frightened she urinated at the curb -- her bum protruding over N's arm when her flush of pee gushed out. Out of fear and uncertainty.

That stopped N in her tracks alright -- a dog caught in her arms, finding time to pee and de-stress before her car ride.

What happened in the last few weeks, or a month or so, was a flurry of getting her accordingly spayed, vaccinated, microchipped and tested (negative) for heartworm and tick infection, and boarding at A's for a while, and I remember Hayley being such a gentle, docile female that for people she got to know at first chance, she submitted to our caresses on her forehead and our whispers to tell her "Everything is going to be alright, Hayley."

"Good girl, Hayley. Good girl, Hayley," I found myself repeating under my breath.

Without resistance -- quietly, peaceably and sensibly, Hayley led a gentle, charismatic existence at the clinic's and boarding facilities. Her posture seems meditative and still, her demeanour gentle and her face lean. What a beautiful dog.

Hayley--before she was whisked into the car

Today, Hayley will enter the quarantine of a non-profit shelter and join the rest of the dogs that have been unable to find homes under an over-arching residential policy that discriminates against and forbids local dogs.

As we plunge further into 2009, cases like Hayley will inevitably come our way. With a number of dogs ultimately submitted to taking residence in boarding facilities, we need the funds to do more for the populations of street animals out there: STERILISATION, VACCINATION AND MEDICATION.

To turn away a dog in need of medical treatment means starting on a guilt trip of leaving a needy one behind. To begin with, we'd never intended to have too many dogs under our charge boarding at shelters, but in come these few years, we have ended up with a growing number of dogs we are responsible for in their long-termed maintenance at the shelters.

Email projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg if you'd like to chip in to our dogs' boarding expenses and/or offset our costs in sterilising and providing medical care for our dogs.

Any amount is deeply appreciated.

Justin

2009-04-10T22:02:00.001+08:00

I know all of us

2009-04-06T21:51:00.006+08:00

have felt tired at some periods of my life. Tired from even a passionate cause we have been fighting for. Not just for animal welfare. But for anything that you sink your heart into. Your stand for the elderly. For the orphans. For salvation.

It doesn't help that there are voices of doubts around. Of discouragement. That a belief as such is worthless, and in the area of animal welfare, if it is only for the animals.

I have thought through this debate many times over. And got discouraged and then realigned in determination, and then discouraged again. And then buck myself up in my belief again. It has not been a steady plane yet. And it may never be, as with all things in life - the flow of tides.

For those who have been standing in the field of animal welfare long enough, there is no need for any convincing that the things done on the streets for the needy strays - are seldom ONLY for the animals. And it is a pretty naive thought to throw out without getting your own hands and feet into the action.

On the surface, it looks like the main priority is the animal on hand. To save and treat the injured and diseased. And if it is a case of abuse, then to attain justice for the abused animal.To the lay person, all focus seems to be on the animal. And humanity or a human being's interest is overshadowed.

But come walk along long enough, and you will see that behind many rescue work, there are many human faces and lives involved.

Be it the exhausted heart of a stray feeder who has sunk too deep to retract her steps now and the only way she knows is forward. And the people in her life whom we get to also meet. Or the good-hearted worker on the farm who is doing his bit to preserve a life. And his hardship and struggles and family we get to know about. Or the God-sent foster family who came forward in the nick of time. And their circle of friends who enter our life. And fellow common-hearted volunteers you meet. And their lives crossing into ours. Lives connected and involved in deeper ways than a mere meeting of 'animal people for the animals'.

As for the contention that the focus is always placed on the animal first (the question being, what about the human being?) - a very simple scenario explains it all. Cos even in a purely human to human interaction, always the focus is on 1 party first. The one who has the key need at that time.In the case of a rapist and a victim - the focus, attention will surely first be on the victim and all means will be rendered to help/save the victim first. And justice attained. That is not to say that the rapist, the other human being is of no value. But at the crux of the situation, it is the victim who needs help first.

Attend to the needful.

It is simple and clear. Should the case be one where an animal has attacked a child without reason, then the focus must be on the hurt child.

Thus very simply, in the area of animal welfare, by placing an initial first-focus on a needy animal does not mean that we downplay humanity. Why don't we withdraw the label of 'human' or 'animal'? Will it be clearer now where you first place your focus? Or will you accept that the focus is placed on the one who needs it more first?

The same for those for take their stand for child labour. Child prostitution. Women's rights. Apartheid. Racism. You don't ask - then what about that pimp, what about his life? No. You reach out FIRST to the party who has been hurt. To the one who is in greater urgency of help. For immediate rectification and cessation of suffering.

Find a need and meet it. In different areas of life.

Akin to the ongoing distress of life-skinning of animals in China - the key focus is to FIRST cease such inhumane practices, to stop unnecessary bloody suffering for the sake of a fur coat. It is not a proclamation that China people are to be condemned. But in such obvious suffering, the most urgent call is to STOP the suffering first. And after that, in tandem, we work to resolve the bigger issue - which includes providing alternative work for these people who have chosen to take on such cruel jobs, largely due to monetary gains, possibly in a market of few jobs.

I just felt that I should share my viewpoints for those who wonder about the value and purpose of animal welfare. My very simple reasoning - if there is a LIFE involved, and the balance of the value of life is skewed simply by your physical sight - then just close your eyes. You can hear a heartbeat. And you can feel a breath. You don't have to see to know there is LIFE. In fact, if we are honest with ourselves, there are some people we love but choose to forgo, because we have used our eyes to see them and we just can't get past the barrier of sight.

It is easy to value someone who is like yourself. It is much more difficult when the other is so different from you. To value a life form that is so visibly different to us - that to me, is a powerful declaration of the preciousness of LIFE. An understanding and acceptance that transcends all forms. If we are able to impart this value to our children - to look at an animal and understand that it has a right of life - will it not be easier for them to look at their fellow brothers and sisters who exist in similar form, and understand that they have value in life?

I may be discouraged again further down the path when someone casts doubt on my choice of action. Or I may also be energised and lifted by words of faith and encouragement. I may never have the right answer for whether animal welfare is 'worth it' or not. I may doubt myself at times that I have spent precious hours on a stray cat and isn't it all silly?

But I would rather end up ridiculed than to sit with crossed-arms and do nothing at all. I would rather, even in my mistaken steps - help stop the suffering of 1 life, help make 1 life better, help remove 1 life from chains, from sickness, from abuse.

For every word of doubt to hit me, I lift myself up with the vision of 1 face of gladness. Of 1 smile from Bagel. 1 joyful whine from Ben. 1 huge hug from Puppy-Boy. 1 dash into the pool by Star.

1 life. Made better. Because you were there.

Be encouraged, friends. I will continue to be.

Bagel - rescued from a life in chains, now enjoying his gift of freedom.

For weeks on end

2009-04-06T00:37:00.006+08:00

I haven't been concretely active on the animal welfare front, owing to commitments to family, work, work and more work. It's a delicate balancing act and at some point in time, I have to learn to say no and get back on track of core areas of concern.

Hence, the quiet on the blog while in actual fact, I'd been somewhat caught up with a little black kitten, barely a few weeks old when found. My neighbourhood caregiver rang me up urgently and said that the new GP who moved in had managed to capture it and intended to bring it to SPCA, if all else failed. Apparently, someone who works in the area had his friend abandon it there!

So I took the brave step of taking black kit in, much to my family's chagrin. Set up the cage where the newborn resided for a week or so, before I was tied up (thanks to L) to an experienced cat lover, TL, who took it in, not as a foster, but a permanent adopter. Hallelujah!

So black kit was ascertained as female by the vet and finally deflea-ed and cleaned up, thanks to TL's trained eye. In a matter of a day, she was let out of the cage and teasing and playing with TL's adult cats, claiming territories all over the house. Really, a worry off my shoulder and divine blessing manifested. To have an experienced cat lover who affords premium cat food take in black kit unconditionally, it was beyond my expectations. Schnorkz, she is now named by TL and I'd mentally call her.

Now: Schnorkz, extremely playful, jubilant, spars with her adult mentors, tears plastic bags and chases others. Boundless energy.
Now: Schnorkz, alert and oh-so-mischievous!

This is Rei Zi, what I assume is Schnorkz's new brotherly mentor. Upon bringing her into TL's living room, he was one of the first to suss her out and now, he willingly allows her to pounce on him, whack him and chase his tail.

A month ago: Schnorkz in my house, loves to spar with my finger and play with her litter. Was still lapping milk mixed with wet, deboned canfood.

When found, our girl had some 10 over fleas crawling on her tiny body. She was malnourished, slightly dehydrated and disoriented. But she adapted just fine to the dark portions of the carrier placed in the huger cage and snuggled for the first few nights to the surrogate warmth of warm water in a container I placed in the carrier.

Western Australia RSPCA's

2009-03-29T16:15:00.003+08:00

Five Freedoms for Animals

The RSPCA believes that all animals have the right to five basic freedoms:

* Freedom from hunger and thirst: by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour
* Freedom from discomfort: by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
* Freedom from pain injury and disease: by prevention by rapid diagnosis and treatment
* Freedom to express normal behaviour: by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind
* Freedom from fear and distress: by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.

I believe we have room for great improvements in this call for freedom.

On behalf of a rescuer

2009-03-23T21:26:00.002+08:00

"Dear all,

My friend and I found this maltese in beach road, near the army market, tied outside a police post. Was told by the police that he was left there since morning and under the rain for the entire day until we passed by at about 5pm.

He fur was all matted and he had a stong stench coming from him. We brought him straight to the groomer to have all his fur shaven off and afterwards to see the vet.

Vet said he is about 8 years and is healthy except for a heart murmur which is not clinical as yet. He is very active for his age and loves going out. He is very intelligent and behaves like a 3 year old. From our observation, he seems to like other dogs. He got quite attached to my friend and I after that few hours together but we are unable to keep him. I'm sure he will be able to adapt fast to his new home.

Thinking back about how he was abondoned under the rain really pains me alot. I couldn't hold back my tears in front of the SPCA guy as I knew that if I let him go, his life will end already.

Every dog, whether young or old, deserves an equal right to live. He has many more good years to come as long as his heart remains as it is. Please give this boy a second chance to live life to the fullest. Do consider adopting him and giving him a nice loving home?

Best regards,
Denise 91811125"

We are not animal police

2009-03-15T22:41:00.002+08:00

officers and our telephone numbers are not animal rescue hotlines.

We are but a small clique of animal activists doing our bit to better the animal welfare scene here.

I apologise, cats do

2009-03-06T00:00:00.003+08:00

contract diseases that can be transmissible to humans, as an animal science major corrected me, but very rare, just like how the last outbreak of rabies is pretty faraway from us.

Sharing the contents of a letter

2009-03-03T01:08:00.006+08:00

I'm passing to a senior caregiver who recently encountered an agitated housewife worked up over the issue of stray cats feeding. This is a case-specific letter of support.

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in fullest support of Mrs K's feeding of community cats and would like to share with you some pointers pertinent to and the benefits of her excellent service to this community:

1. Cats, domestic or stray, use their claws to grip onto grooves or crevices to climb -- for example, the bark of a tree. Where there are no grooves on the roofs of cars, there is no need for cats to utilize their claws, hence it is unlikely that cats will scratch the cars. Moreover, cats' claws, unlike dogs', are retractable, so when there is no need to use them, the claws remain unprotruded.

2. The stains on the floor are not caused by the cats or by cat feeding. If you'd noticed, the stains are deeply ingrained and have been present for a long time, probably as a result of used furniture, discarded cardboard boxes and so on dumped there. If you'd lived here long enough, you'd know that the current location used to be a provision shop with shelves, boxes and other objects placed along the footway previously.

3. All, if not most cats, in the neighbourhood have been sterilised in a humane move to reduce and manage street cats' numbers. Residents and shop owners are thankful for had it not been Mrs K's sound management of the community cats, we would have many stray cats running around. Obvious benefits include:

* Cats keep the number of pests down. Residents in the building and nearby houses, as well as the eateries, are spared from rats problems, as the presence of cats helps prevent pest intrusion in natural and effective ways.
* Infected cats are sent to the vet's to control the spreading of diseases such as feline flu, although there are no known cat diseases that are transmissible to humans. The cats are very well taken of.
* With the cats sufficiently-fed -- coupled with the fact that they are sterilised -- the community cats are satisfied of their basic need and distracted from entering residents' kitchens or rummaging through discarded trash to seek food. Cats-related nuisance is totally, if not greatly, reduced.

4. The statutes of Singapore does not forbid the feeding of community cats. In other words, it is okay to feed, but not litter. Mrs K does not leave trays and containers lying around but collects them and picks up surrounding litter (in fact, other litter left by passer-bys), keeping the environment clean and upkeeping hygiene.

5. It is part of the cats' natural healing system to regurgitate food to remove toxins from their bodies. However, we do not see or smell cat's vomit in this neighbourhood, nor see this as any sign of a problem. As a matter of fact, unpicked dogs' faeces along our pavements are more conspicuous and disturbing.

6. Feeding community cats, keeping cats in households -- these are common to our neighbourhood as a generally cats-friendly estate, as well as to residents -- a handful of whom have been living here for decades.

7. Community cats have been around for years. Residents and retail owners in this neighbourhood are not only tolerant but also supportive of the cats and cats feeding as these cats are well managed and feeding approaches are ethical and hygienic.

8. Cat feeding here is supported and endorsed by the Residential Committee and on a previous account, supported by a local cats welfare organisation.

9. Mrs K has been doing this community a great favour by sterilising, feeding and medicating cats out of her own expenses, in terms of time and money. We are nothing but appreciative of her efforts in making this neighbourhood a gracious one.

I would also like to share that I have been living in this neighbourhood for over 20 years and can vouch for the cats' caregivers involved that what they are doing is adding socio-environmental value to the estate, bringing more benefits to all of us. Cats are among the cleanest animals for they self-groom to keep their coats proper and are integral to our urban ecology.

Just like how we learn and adapt to live harmoniously with our neighbours, we do the same with these cats, and all the more so, with Samaritans like Mrs K who help control the cat population by her own means.

I encourage you to consider my comments and seek your understanding and good heart in this matter. Should you have any query, you may direct it to the residential committee or phone me at [mobile number] .

Thank you for your support.

Best,

[Name]
Resident, [Name of estate]

Letter's modified to protect identities.

For three occasions, I'd been trying

2009-03-02T00:06:00.004+08:00

to help an elderly stray feeder who tends to community cats in her estate capture a black-tabby cat suffering from an injured lip. But all to no avail for the moment he hears a motorcycle rev up or a stranger saunter past, he'll scurry lightning fast out of the strayfeeder's hold.

The feeder, Aunty S, suggested to prop the carrier vertically upright with its gate open so that when she's got hold of the tabby, she could put him in swiftly while I'd force the door of the carrier shut, in case the cat bolts its way out upwards. Our black-tabby with white socks is only familiar and friendly with his stray feeder, that's how wary he is.

So Saturday 4am, we decided to carry this out, perhaps in our final attempt, to catch black-tabby. I completely overslept and awoke nearly one hour after our stipulated time, drove to the feeding point, found the strayfeeder gone and drove to her home.

In good cheer, Aunty S carried out her post-feeding morning chores and with a smile, she told me there's no need to send black-tabby to the vet clinic anymore for he's recovered so much that he now eats twice the amount than when he was down with the injured lip. Thanks to Bonjela, the cream we use to treat mouth ulcers. Aunty gave it a try by dabbing a minute amount on tabby's lips, and it worked!

On Pommy's front: our Pomeranian look-alike is definitely looking good and doing well. It seems that after the infection on his wound, our boy has lost some weight, not just visually, but tactile-wise, when we felt his markedly protruding ribs.

In the clean, sterile environment of the clinic, Pommy's wound looks so much better and he seems to be adapting so well to the ward. Big thanks to J and Y for assisting with tending to Pommy; we took him out of his cage and cleaned him up a bit. The discharge around his eyes, [removed] a giant mother tick on his back, a few baby ticks on his ears, dirt in his dense pomeranian-like fur.

And probably with all the fingers and hands stroking him, Pommy almost fell asleep, droopy-eyed, tucked into J's laps. Ah, so lovely!

Even when his injury seems unsightly, Pommy is most powered up by boiled chicken shreds we fed him with. Eagerly, he moved about at the fragrance of the meat. Ambitiously, he ate from our hands, wolfing the shreds in nanoseconds.

On the same day, we phoned Uncle to give him updates on Pommy and the costs involved in this. Flatly, he told us he does not want to take Pommy back anymore for the sheer cost and time involved in taking care of him. In the long run of things, he doesn't see himself committing to Pommy.

Strange enough, he's happy that Pommy is alive and kicking for in bright spirits, he actually went around telling his neighbours (other farmers), "My dog didn't die. He is alive, he is alive!"

At times, we will never be able to make sense of how Uncle and his generation of farmers approach animals and animal life -- be it functional dogs to guard their farms or pet dogs to keep their grandchildren company. His is a generation of:

* It doesn't matter if dogs are chained up in the day. They are born to be tough.

* Table scraps of vegetable stalks, fish tails, prawn heads, mixed with porridge or wet rice -- dogs can survive on these.

* It's cruel and defies the order of nature to spay cats; let the mother cat give birth to her litters. I have use of these cats to keep rats out of my premises.

I'm still grappling with the chasm between them and the league of animal advocates I know of. And grappling with how to educate him on the ethical treatment of animals.

Email us at projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg if you would like to pitch in to help Pommy.

The vet has been most pleasant

2009-02-27T00:09:00.002+08:00

to update me on Pommy every so often. This evening, she concluded that on the bright side of things, Pommy is lively and a healthy puppy. Like a baby, he only eats when fed with the hand (in fact, he fancies dry food!). Around a part of his urethra, the tissue has built up well overnight and it's a clear sign of recovery, probably because he's young to begin with.

Yet, no urine was observed to have come out of his penis and only through the back. Dr V deduced Pommy could be born with a non-functional penis, as an abnormality and she brought up the idea of constructing a vagina-like opening near his anus for him to urinate and defecate more conveniently in future. This idea currently stands as a possibility, so she'll observe longer and with the expertise of the chief vet, come up with a final solution for him.

Because of his non-functional penis, she's not able to insert a catheter to aid his urinating yet, but at the rate he's recuperating, she's optimistic it's not all doom-and-gloom for Pommy. I understand some might opt to PTS him for the cost and efforts in caring involved, but I'm geared towards giving him a chance.

As the caregiver reminded me, it's not as if he's completely listless. In fact, he's the complete opposite of that.

Another remark from Dr V is that even with his defecating, his buttocks remained relatively clean (hence, required less cleaning and disinfecting as expected), and so it points us again to the actual standard of care Uncle has provided, or failed to provide.

A glimmer of hope for Pommy, an extremely helpful and communicative vet we have engaged.

More updates to come.

Help to look out and spread the word.

2009-02-26T22:53:00.002+08:00

On behalf of the owner: Please look out for a missing male Schnauzer. Lost today around Yishun Street 81. Please call 93378575 if you have any leads. Thanks.

I named him, Pommy,

2009-02-25T22:47:00.007+08:00

(although it didn't occur to me) as the vet staff said he looks like a pomeranian and thought he was one. Uncle, his owner, thought he was female as he urinated like a girl but after today's investigation, we verified he is a full-blooded boy with 'distorted' genitals.

And today's investigation was -- a shocking one.

Uncle rang two days ago to inform Pommy had a nasty wound on his behind, so we arranged for transport to the vet's to clean out, what I learnt later, was a maggots-swarmed wound on his rear. He's no doubt, biologically a male, but strange enough he lacks testicles. A list of medical instructions ensued and T, after dropping off Pommy, left Uncle with antiobiotics to be refrigerated and orally taken, antispetic cream and powder.

He left Pommy with his e-collar on lest our boy licks his wound. I called Uncle to explain to him the use of the e-collar and to enclose him in his wooden cage to minimize movement and bacterial exposure, and to fast him on Wednesday night for his stitching on Thursday.

Little did we know that today when I dropped by to clean out his wound with antiseptic, Pommy wasn't in his cage but Uncle had let him out in the morning for his 'run'. To our chagrin, Pommy was found under a van wallowing in mud, drenched leaves and his own faeces. When we lifted him to have a look at his bottom, it was nothing far from a messed-up rear, soaked in diarrhoea, dirt and what have you. His e-collar was on, but stained by mud. It was nothing close to a minimally clean and decently sanitized condition we had expected Uncle to provide for Pommy.

The 70+ year old farmer handed me all the medicine, including the antiobiotics he had absent-mindedly placed in the freezer and a syringe that laid on an undusted shelf.

Far, far from ideal.

Pommy's wound was deplorable, Uncle's floor was just too mossy and damp for me to clean his wound, the general hygiene is piteously poor for any dog with a gaping wound to recover.

We left and rushed Pommy to the vet (our second trip for the day after Chocho's booster shot). The vet had to halt her lunch and together with her assistants and me holding down to a writhing Pommy, we flushed out two more dead maggots from his wound with antiseptic and did a thorough cleaning of his behind and legs.

Pommy screeched in pain during the clean-out as his raw flesh was treated with the medicine. Along the process, Dr V explained:

Lack of testicles: the maggots could have eaten them, hence we found no scrotum on Pommy
Source of problem: maggots -- not only had the maggots consumed his testicles, but they had also eaten into his urethra such that urine flowed both out of his penis and from the rectum area
Each time Pommy urinates and poos, the urine and faeces contribute to the wound's infection. Continual cleaning is required to minimize the infection.
Prognosis not too good: we are unsure if the maggots have eaten beyond his urethra and into his insides. If so, it will be a lot of work done.
Plan: to hospitalize him for 3 to 4 weeks and do the best to treat his infection. Thereafter, the vet will stitch the wound
Penis: there is a tear on his pelvis which also needs to be mended to hold his penis in place

Pommy is 3-4 months old. What we had intended to be a simple trip to the vet's to vaccinate him turned out to be an extensive in-progress medical treatment of a gaping wound after his owner raised the red flag.

We had questioned Uncle on his intention to keep Pommy and dropped hints on his deficient care to keep any dog, but he wouldn't have it and reasoned that he plans to rear him to guard the front part of his farm and also "my grandkids want to play with him."

As of now, we don't think we can return Pommy to him and we don't expect him to fork out generously for his half-pet. We'll get more updates from the vet tomorrow.

Another serious case caused by poorly informed pet owners. An unintentional lack of care due to deeply rooted values in animal treatment? Or a deliberate lack of care attributed to 'senior lethargy' and a known inability to provide for his pet? Or just plain ignorance? Burying ethics into a remote corner of his mind?

Absolute filth on a wound that needs recovery on Pommy's rear

Some 30 maggots were found and flushed out the first time T sent him for medical attention

Pommy let out loose on grounds of the farm

Close-up of his penis that hangs on the ruptured skin of his pelvis

Close-up: Amidst the fur on his buttocks which are now shaven off, you can see the pink flesh of his wound which is larger than I expected

Email projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg if you'd like to help Pommy. We will keep you apprised of more developments on Pommy's progress and plans to handle Uncle's case, either to help him and/or intervene drastically in his attitude and approach in maintaining his pets.

This post is dedicated

2009-02-24T00:46:00.006+08:00

to letting the world know Chocho, our chocolate-brown, medium-sized female dog who, a few months ago, was caught by use of wire cables and 'redeemed' to life. After an episode of what must have been traumatic to this already-ostracized dog.

Last weekend, J took the effort to walk her on a leash, out to get some fresh air, her paws on grass, the warmth of tarmac and the sunlight beaming on her soft chocolate coat.

Still skittish in demeanour and near-terrified in the way her eyes scanned her surroundings, Chocho was tugging against the leash quite a bit and possibly during her walk in the compound, her mind was nothing but disoriented and escape was the only idea that occurred to her.

For our girl sought the darkness of the shade under stationary cars and seemed for many moments to go for places that are cavernous, tunnel-like and dark. Maybe it's always been what she finds comfort in. A dark quietness; alone but nevermind that.

Two months down the road, she still shivers inwardly and flinches when we go so far as to touch her. It seems, everything is so alien to her, so coarse to her feel. Even with familiar smell of chicken meat, she would only go so far as to sniff it in apprehension and continue, as always, to treat us with terrified, starkly popped out eyes.

There's no way we can return her to the community and it's become rather tricky to even integrate her into existing packs at other shelters. Naturally 'lower' in the pack hierarchy, she's piteously short of confidence, as well as even the strength to fend off more dominating dogs in any pack.

If anything, Saturday's walk complements the boarders' efforts to (re)socializing her to the outdoors, to humans and other dogs. We will continue to do what we can to make sure that we didn't bail her out for negligible worth but extend this new lease of life. Our resources, our experience with the strays and in dog behaviour, our support, and our heart to boost things up for her.

Undeniably, Chocho needs help.

And in this move, we would like to ask for an extremely experienced, and at the same time, patient, foster to take Chocho in. The role of the foster is more often than not an emotionally-ridden one, but in this guardianship of Chocho, it will be doubly rewarding if he/she can totally rehabilitate a skittish, wary girl and transform her with a new lease of life.

In this foster home, we foresee a safe home environment devoid of any escape gap or route. A home to keep her within securely, a care to resocialize her and integrate her to urban life.

It's been possible with many dogs of miraculous stories, those who live to tell their tales. I believe it is possible for Chocho, a redeemed girl to experience the exuberance of life. If you are or know of anyone we're looking for, please email projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg

Thank you.

J walking Chocho on leash. Chocho's first time being leisurely walked on leash, apart from the time we first moved her into the kennels

J patiently leading her on the leash

Chocho in the kennel -- look how beautiful she actually is!

In this picture, she adopts more of a cowering stance, etched into the corner of the kennel

Chocho's Profile

* Background: Brought up on a farm and constantly marginalized by dominant dogs. Mixed with selective individual dogs and was heavily reliant on caregiver for food and comfort. Caught by authorities and discharged a few days later.

* Sex: Female

* Age: One year old

* Colour: Soft chocolate brown fur

* Size: Medium and manageable in an apartment

* Sterilised: Yes, and experienced her first heat

* Microchipped: Yes

* Vaccinated: Yes. 2nd booster to be given this week

* Health: Generally healthy. Infected with mange when young but completely recovered now. Like most mongrels, she's hardy.

* Personality: Skittish, wary, low-confidence, fearful, not fussy about food

* Requirements: In need of foster to resocialise/rehab her with walks, patient conditioning and consistent training; comfort and trust she needs to gain of her leader. Can be ok with existing dogs in residence.

* Current location: Shelter

She wins case against Ericsson Pet Farm

2009-02-18T01:15:00.000+08:00

Read this on The New Paper online:

http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,192549,00.html

Finally the fencing is done!

2009-02-17T21:55:00.003+08:00

Tommy behind the fencing

After months of waiting, we finally have our mini enclosure, separated by a steel fence, ready to welcome possibly Mama Rock and her son. It's the caregiver's wish that when Rock and son move out of their present location, she can start to make plans to retire from a three-decade long of animal welfare dedication and for once, go for her knees' operation.

At the age of 70, her movements are slower but her passion burns for her animals. She has a soft spot for Mama Rock, our accommodating female dog armed with such strong motherly instincts that she's seen her carrying kittens and puppies (not hers) in her mouth! The joy shared between V and her dogs.

Thank you C for dishing out useful advice on the construction, for actually coming down to the site to assist in measurement of the width, foreseeing the issue of corrosion, acquiring sturdy BRC fencing and bringing his contractor to pitch up the fences -- construction completed in a matter of a few days! Also thanks for securing a very good price of this sturdy fencing, after a collective effort of haggling and negotiating.

Thanks to the management for aligning their perspective with ours -- that it's for the benefit of the shelter as a whole, for the future dogs seeking refuge there. Thanks to Junior & Ginnie for chaperoning the construction guys. Thanks to our boys for staying still while they watched the welding and construction go on with eager eyes.

Thanks to SB for arranging for her crew to transport and reassemble the doghouse. And the patient crew for taking time to put the doghouse into a perfect structure. It all takes so much time and effort.

Don't think I have ever done so much coordination in one month. More updates to come!

Davee has gone home

2009-02-16T14:34:00.002+08:00

to the Lord and joyfully she sits at His right hand. No more pain, plague or affliction. But in His peace and joy.

My heart goes out to N and SB for their focused dedication for Davee, for taking the initiative to take Davee out and walk with her in this journey. For letting the world know Davee, know the work that animal activists all over are doing and for letting Davee be part of our lives. Each of us.

With tears still flowing, we know in surety that Davee is alright now. Her story lives in our hearts. Thank you all for your generosity, your prayers and for being part of this.

Please read:

http://maovellous.wordpress.com/

A picture that touches

2009-02-13T20:39:00.003+08:00

my heart.

"You may have seen this famous photo showing a firefighter giving water to "Sam" the koala as she holds his hand. The firefighter found Sam walking painfully on scorched paws along the smoldering forest floor. Sam was rushed to the Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter, a group IFAW is supporting with an emergency grant."

Read more here and here

Many things will not touch us nor bother us too much, if we have not been physically involved - when we have not been up close, right in the midst of things. For this Australian bushfire emergency, we will never sense nor fully comprehend the need cos we are not right there, walking on the scorched plains, smelling the charred bodies and trees, hearing the pain of the burnt animals...it is so easy to flick a piece of news aside cos of geographical dilution of empathy.

It's understandable.

Many stray feeders and caregivers on the streets would identify with being labelled 'fanatics' at one point in time or another. Maybe being labelled as 'playing god'. Why not let nature takes its course, maybe?

I guess you have to be there, physically, involving your time, your hands, your energy, your emotions - to understand the psyche of each person now involved in animal welfare in one area or another.

For Sam the koala above, and for many strays on the Singapore streets or injured wildlife somewhere out there, you would have to there with them, even if only to see them in their actual habitats for just one time -- to fully understand and accept the realities of such situations. Cos in the comfort and urban distractions of an everyday life, it is just too easy to offer our opinions or flick an issue aside. And Sam would just be relegated to yet another colour pictorial on the great wide web.

Only in this case - Sam is so very much a living, breathing, sentient being - with many more of her kind out there now, right in minute, suffering the consequences of the bushfires.

If you have a heart for animal welfare, don't just talk about it. Get involved. Start somewhere. Cos the distance is great when you simply read of issues on print or web. And thus the heart can be detached. And hands inactive. But make some time to really get close, get into it, to see, hear, smell, touch. Then you would begin to know the answers to the many 'whys' in your mind. And your heart may bring you to places you may never have imagined.

Feeding with responsible management

2009-02-09T14:06:00.004+08:00

If you want to feed, sterilise. If not, don't feed at all.

A mental argument that plays over and again in the minds of animal controllers.

In our times on the streets with the caregivers, we have witnessed the hordes of dogs that emerge from the bushes, under the cars, from the drains when the caregiver's car inches in. The familiar sound of the engine or the mere sight of the car changes the landscape: from a quiet street of tranquil and rustling dead leaves to a dramatic stage of eager, excited dogs hopping in delight.

Yet, truth be told, there are many we cannot touch nor even get close to in an arm's reach. Most shy from us when we encroach in a radius of, say, a few metres. Or gingerly stand behind a guarded space of imaginary barrier. I can safely say, most tackle the food, only after we'd left.

We'd wondered to each other if the caregivers are doing the right thing by even feeding these dogs that they or we can almost never get hold of. One camp posits that feeding, without actively sterilising 80% of the population, only causes the dogs to become healthier and make them breed faster. The numbers proliferate so rapidly.

Another camp claims feeding in one area strategically, even without actively sterilising the dogs, lures the dogs away from more densely populated places and reduces humans-strays conflict and minimizes potential disturbances, such as messing up trash cans, street dogs can cause.

To other animal advocates, it is through feeding that one is able to get close to the wary stray dogs. Once trust is gained of the caregiver, it's much easier to get hold of the target dogs and send them for sterilisation.

The 'responsible management' package in Singapore includes sterilisation + vaccination + licensing + microchipping, but reality has it that we often fall short of a few items, even when we can get hold of the dogs, simply because we lack the funds to carry them out or that the supposed owners or farms are unable or unwilling to license the dogs. Licensing is a tag of legitimacy, a liability they do not wish to have.

Recently, I encountered a lady who wanted to save a dog she's been tending to from a unit (lest he's surrendered to SPCA) and literally demanded for a heavensent landed home to take him in. None that I know of at the moment, I told her.

When asked if the dog's sterilised, she said no. Which means for the one-and-half years she's entrusted the dog to the supposed owner, neither she nor the owners had bothered to sterilise a dog they could get their hands on.

That said, with the limited resources these caregivers are armed with, I wouldn't suggest being harsh to them, as some might condone, by removing the dogs they feed without helping them in some way to better manage their charges (for instance, sterilising and microchipping their dogs).

For the work we're doing, it defeats the purpose to extinguish their passion and discount, altogether, their kindness in caring for the strays, by declining to help them or leaving them in the lurch of their struggles. With owners, with authorities.

For now, STERILISATION tops the list in responsible management that complements an individual's feeding and caring for his or her strays.

Davee, not operated yet

2009-02-03T23:36:00.003+08:00

Image taken from maovellous.wordpress.com

Davee was slated for surgical removal of her tumour today, but because she had a relapse of tick fever (Blood PVC as low as 15 per cent), the vet couldn't operate on her.

A donor dog is in place for blood transfusion. Thereafter, I surmise, the vet can put her on anaesthesia and surgically remove the lumps. Detailed updates can be read on http://maovellous.wordpress.com/

Meanwhile, Davee recuperates at the clinic. Estimated medical cost is a conservative $2-3K. We'll see how this pans out eventually. THANK YOU generous supporters who have contacted either J, N or myself to contribute to Davee's medical expenses. No amount is small for every bit builds up to a substantial amount.

Arguably, one school of thought has it that the amount spent can be better channelled to sterilising the hordes of stray dogs out there. Rather than concentrate so much resources on a single dog, why not use this money for the larger picture of welfare?

What happens to Davee? Euthanasia? A slow withering to the end?

Or... should we all have HOPE that no amount should come in the way of saving a dog's life? A dog's life, as most might debate, is still a life.

Times like these, we admit that as humans, we have dominion over the earth, beings great and small, but who can really say for sure he's making the right decision?

I find myself at odds with this dilemma that plays over and over again in our work on the streets with the animals. But one thing's for sure, I have hope for Davee.

I truly enjoy

2009-01-31T20:56:00.013+08:00

our time out in the sun. In the fields. On the streets.

Just being with our dogs. Watching them run, play, sometimes fight. Watching them soak to coolness in the pool. Watching them relish the treats we bring. I like their smells. Their touch. Their kisses. Their hugs.

They seem to exist to help us know ourselves better.

Star

Big Ben

Jonah

Jordan

Tiger

Jamie

Tommy, outside enclosure

Tommy, for now, has to kennelled up cos of his frequent fights with the other resident dogs. But only for awhile longer cos a doghouse has been set up within the enclosure, big enough for 2 dogs (thanks SB!).

Soon a fence will be put up to segregate our enclosure into 2 compartments and Tommy can then be placed back with our pack - we just have to make sure he and Tiger are not within the same compartment at any one time - Tiger is still bitter with Tommy, for whatever reason he has!

Much as we wish

2009-01-24T21:46:00.009+08:00

to see each and every dog in his/her very own safe and loving home, I have come to see, through our time on the streets with our strays (dogs and cats) that some are born with the streets so strong in their blood -- that to take them out, to place them in kennels, and even if eventually in a safe human-home, we would be taking away from them the very thing we're fighting for ... freedom.

Free. Freedom.

Been thinking of this word lately. FREE. And it's interesting how this one word holds many meanings, including the below.

Free: a very welcomed word - FOC. Free of charge. Free favours.
Free: having time on hand, as in "I am free".
Free: to set at liberty, to let loose from captivity, not confined/imprisoned, capable of voluntary activity, without restraint.

We want to offer to each animal, or rather to hold onto, the gift of freedom that each of us, human or animal, are born with.

Our free will. Free choice. Freedom from chains both physically and emotionally. Voluntary movement.

We want our animals to be free. To enjoy the land that they are born on. To have free choice in companionship. Most of all, in our current context, we want our animals to be free from the human intervention of animal control.

Culling. Arising partly or largely from the inability to give our animals the freedom of space. Because their freedom intrudes into our preferred lifestyle.

So, in order for us higher beings to be free, in our own choices of living, there are among us who make the authorised decision to take away the freedom of the lower beings. And they cannot fight back. They do not have the ability to.

In fact, this same pattern plays out in every social class of highs and lows. Fractions. Discriminations. Segregations. Actions of force and quick remedies seem to frame scenarios where one party has visibly greater powers over the other. Where retaliation is seldom if not impossible.

But as much as I want to protect all animals from the outcome of culling, as much as I want them to be free from this ongoing threat in the name of animal control, as much as we wish to rehome the many strays on our streets -- I have to stand still and see, and accept the truth that some of our strays are simply and totally born for the streets. They do not need our companionship. They have each other. And wide expanses of fields, jungles, sun, wind, rain. We should not feel slighted. But rather celebrate the fact that we are different.

Theirs is a freedom that understands not the touch of a leash upon their necks. A freedom that does not require clean bowls and freshly changed water each day. A freedom that smirks at nice-smelling doggy shampoo and being towelled dry. A freedom that turns its head on manmade crunchy treats and stringy rawhides. A freedom that squeals against car rides and riding lifts and trips to the vet. A freedom that dies if we put them behind the metal bars of a kennel. Freedom that will endure pain and blood to escape from captivity.

These are the animals who are born wild. Born free. Born not for us to keep.

And if we choose to take them off the streets and into the kennels or homes, to keep them SAFE, safe from a possible death by culling, we would be slowly killing them off as their full-blooded freedom slowly ebbs with the days.

So, as many caregivers have learnt and are learning - for some of the strays out there who choose their liberty anytime over human companionship, we respect them by not stealing the freedom they are born into. It could mean a shorter life on the streets, if they get caught, while we live with the practice of culling. But I believe - they are much happier living the way they choose.

Free.

Just my thoughts.

Davee: open wound

2009-01-24T21:18:00.004+08:00

One of the few times I see the purity of a soul so discordant with the pain distorting the body in which it dwells.

And this is shown in Davee's condition. While most get ready for CNY festivities, I feel I need to post this. With some urgency and a hope that we can help poor Davee.

Side view: the gaping, crater-like wound on Davee's lower back can't be more obvious

A close-up of the wound

So friendly: Davee sniffed our hands and willingly took our treats with a welcoming wagging tail when we visited her at the shelter

Top view: a good part of Davee's coat is shaven off. Her crater-like wound is stark to the human eye

While I gather more information of Davee's situation and how her wound came about, just want to share, perhaps again, succintly what's affecting her:

Background: Davee is part of the five dogs residing in a home. Max and Zoe have been removed from the environment by a rescuer.
Tick fever plagues her and is suspected to be linked to the open wound. With low PVC, her wound is bleeding and this could lead to bacteria infection.
Still, Davee does not show any improvement from the tick fever treatment.
Vet's prognosis is not optimistic but treatment ensues.
Davee is a four-yr-old female who requires daily administration of medication, plus cleaning of wound 2x/day with simple bandaging.
Sits quietly to allow wound cleaning and gentle in spirit.

I'd like to ask if you could keep Davee in mind as most of us usher in the lunar new year. Davee resides in a shelter but we estimate that her treatment costs can reach hefty amounts. If you'd like to contribute to Davee's medical bills (any amount is appreciated!), please contact us at projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg or joyeng1@gmail.com

For now, Davee needs help, so does this soulful dog's rescuer, in helping her tide over this. Thank you for sharing Davee's story with your pals.

Every age has a certain spirit or mood

2009-01-24T14:33:00.003+08:00

or climate to it. Our is busyness. We're all running like lemmings from sunup to way past sundown. What's with all the energy drinks? There must be dozens now. RocketFuel. CrankYouUp. Not to mention the coffeehouses on every corner. Why do we need all this caffeine? And why do so many of us now need sleep aids to rest at night? Our grandparents didn't. We thought the age of technology would make life simpler, easier. It has us by the throat. We need to operate at the speed of computers. Seriously, I'm irritated that my e-mail takes four seconds to boot up now, when it used to take ten. I realize I'm not the first to put this down on paper. People have been making this observation for a long time. We are running around like ants do when you kick in their hill, like rats on a wheel, like Carroll's Mad Hatter.

And for some reason, we either believe we can't stop or we don't want to.

How true. Excerpt taken from J. Eldredge's "Walking with God" (2008)

Watching our dogs

2009-01-22T16:36:00.009+08:00

at play yesterday, out in the mid-day sun - I'm reminded again of how real animals are. And how refreshing it is to meet a real person amidst much of the usual human 'niceness' out there.

Real. Fresh. Child-like.

We see the delight on Star's face as he was let out of the enclosure and the utter blissful expression as he immediately hopped into the pool and laid down flat on the first step, cool water over his body.

I'm overwhelmed by Ben's unabashed affection as he stand-hugs me with fullbodied closeness, unaware that his nails are giving me more than just his tenderness, and slurps wet doggy kisses whiningly all over my face. He must be my most ardent fan.

We smile at Jonah and Jamie's gladness that lights up their twin-boyish faces as they runs laps around the field, enjoying the sun and wind. Till they decided to pick fights with the neighbours. :)

We laugh (and sometimes sigh) at Jordan's mighty kangaroo hops that express his heightened joy at seeing again his human pals - he'll jump right in front of you and if you ignore him, he'll make sure he kangaroo hops you from the back, and yes, he is a tall fellow. He can floor you!

We brace ourselves as Tiger charges towards us, wiggling his 30+kg sumo-body that's so fleshly compact you can't help but give him big sounding pats on his tubby frame.

And Tommy ... our dear ol' Tommy ... who comes to us with a goofy grin on his face - and so happy to see his fav gal Junior -cos for now, he has to be kept in a separate kennel after his frequent quarrels with other resident dogs. Being the odd one out and constantly bullied by Tiger even as they were growing up together, his fights with other dogs seem to arise from the need to protect his turf which he claims over the field and pool area and shares with his good mate Junior. It is an unfortunate occurence as we have to be fair to all other resident dogs, cos Tommy was chasing and fighting many dogs out of his 'territory' and depriving many the use of the field and pool. So Tommy has to be kenneled for the safety of other dogs, especially the smaller ones who are not his match, and fairness to their rescuers.

Young Tommy - his days on the farm

Tommy now

But this will be for a short while only, as we're making plans to fence off a part of the enclosure just for Tommy. With his very own doghouse which will be moved in tomorrow. And steadily, with monitored interactions, we hope Tommy will realise that there is no need to fight anymore. That the field is to share. That he has his space in there. And no one will fight him out if he will only relax and live in harmony with the pack.

Watching our dogs and their canine dynamics among themselves and with us, the close friendship between dog and dog, and man and dog reminds me again so clearly - it takes courage to love. To open your heart and welcome a person or an animal into your world, not knowing where it will lead. How many of us have shunned close relationships cos of this fear to get close, the fear to know and be known.

Many fosterers/caregivers/guardians will share that in their care for an animal, many times the animal teaches them so much.

About unconditional love. Frank affection. No pretense nor excuses. No worries about later, tomorrow, next month, next year. The 'what if I get hurt'.

They live in the moment. Now. Just as they are.

They love without fear. What about you?

Speaking to those in power

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On a note of thankfulness.

Last week, we drove to the centre in our attempt to catch the officer and explain what we've been doing all this while. And debunk any belief that our caregivers are doing nothing but feeding and feeding the dogs. Feeding them such that they're healthy enough to breed and add to the stray population.

It was to bring closure to Long Long's and Chocho's episode by bringing our points across to them. And thank goodness, they were receptive to us. They could've just shut their doors on us, like most government agencies. For them to cram in a good half hour just for us, it was graciousness beyond expectations.

And so we clarified the following:

Culling is no quick and effective method to solve the source of complaints, neither is it the way to control stray populations sustainably
Minusing Long Long and Chocho from the picture, the problem still persists
The area where Long Long and Chocho were from, it's a place of low population density. An industrial builtup made up of horticultures, agribusinesses and other independent farms; it's a sub-urban location with vast fields and secondary forests.
Dogs, monkeys, stray cats, monitor lizards and snakes are not uncommon to the area
An open perimeter surrounds the farm in question. Meaning, their fences are either fraught with unfixed holes or just distorted and in need of repair and replacement
Where bushes, trees and weeds have formed seamlessly with the farm's premises, dogs -- feral, semi-feral, industrial stray or newly abandoned/born -- can move in and out of the farm all the time (so what do you expect?)
Our ad-hoc group has been actively helping to control and manage the stray dogs in the area. In terms of figures: sterilising close to 10 of them, encouraging licensing in the area, constructing an enclosure to contain the dogs and removing litters of newborn pups from the area, lest they grow into adults and become too hard to handle

In any case, it was a weight off my heart and I am filled with all satisfaction that their team has been receptive enough to hear us out -- our perspectives, our work and recommendations. They opened their ears to us, so it's not all red tape in this respect.

To forge ahead, I learn again that a cool and composed discussion is necessary. Needless to go on a hunger strike, stage sit-outs or barge through the glass into the office. But handle those in power with tact. Speak confidently and calmly. Present your points well. There can't be a better way to communicate, from what I see.

So glad we talked.

'Dogs don't wear condoms,' says Baywatch star Anderson

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19 Jan 2009, MUMBAI (AFP) - - US actress Pamela Anderson has appealed to the authorities in India's financial capital Mumbai not to put down nuisance stray dogs, instead calling for them to be sterilised.

An Indian labourer sits with a pair of dogs on a promenade on Mumbai's Marine Drive in 2007. US actress Pamela Anderson has appealed to the authorities in India's financial capital not to put down nuisance stray dogs, instead calling for them to be sterilised.

"It is well established that killing stray dogs is not a permanent solution to controlling their populations," the former "Baywatch" star said in a letter to the municipal commission of Greater Mumbai.

"Dogs cannot use condoms, but with the municipality's help, they can be 'fixed' -- painlessly, quickly and permanently," she added in the letter made public by activist group the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

There are thought to be some 70,000 stray dogs in India's financial and entertainment capital and there are widespread concerns about their role in spreading disease, including deadly rabies. Anderson's letter, which cited World Health Organisation and Animal Health Board of India support for mass sterilisation, comes after a legal ruling here to destroy nuisance dogs.

Expressing her concern at the court decision, the 41-year-old star called instead for civic authorities to promote a sterilisation programme for stray dogs as well as those adopted and bought from animal shelters and pet shops.

Anderson's stance was supported by the Mumbai-based charity Welfare of Stray Dogs, which has been carrying out mass sterilisation of stray dogs since 1989.

Its chief executive, Abodh Aras, told AFP: "It's not only Pamela Anderson but a lot of children have also been writing to the commission saying that one should have the policy of sterilisation rather than killing stray dogs.

"Killing has proved to be ineffective in terms of bringing down the stray dog population and human rabies death. It's not just from the dog point of view but also from the human point of view."

Mass killing of stray dogs was implemented by India's British colonial rulers in the 19th century. But by the early 1990s the policy was stopped as it was found to be ineffective in controlling the dog population and reducing human rabies deaths.

An attempt was made to revive the practice in 1998 but was rejected while the latest bid is currently subject to an Indian Supreme Court ruling due in the coming weeks.

India has so many dogs roaming its streets because of its high numbers of slum and street dwellers, who often keep the animals as pets, plus a large amount of garbage, which provides readily accessible food for scavenging mutts.

A joy to share

2009-01-19T00:46:00.006+08:00

Even with the enclosure around, it is not a 100% guarantee that the dogs will go in at the farm and make it easier for us to catch for sterilisation. The jolly fellows that saunter in and out of the enclosure at the lure of boiled chicken meat are our already-sterilised males -- usually led by Buffalo, Nyo Nyo and gang. Of course at the quickest chance, we waste no time in getting our hands on the friendlier unsterilised ones, whisk them into the car and drive them for sterilisation.

But what is difficult is the wary few who elude our leashes, hands and carriers. We're no experts in dogs catching but if anything, we know the logic that smaller space means increased likelihood of catching our target dog.

A fortnight ago, the caregiver's "Patchy boy" (this newcomer male, white coat with big black patches) put our hearts in our throats when he escaped out of the enclosure with our leash still tight around his neck. Patchy was a tough one esp. since he struggled wildly and snapped at us when the leash was on him. No blaming, but that's the unsurprising nature of dogs under duress.

While we went on with stray matters on the streets, we were dogged by the nagging feeling the danger that could befall Patchy boy should the leash got stuck in the bush and caused strangulation.

Patchy returned to the farm in the evening -- leash gone -- during feeding time. Right on time, safe-looking. Man were we relieved, when the caregiver rang us to inform Patchy was alright.

And just over the weekend, before we decided to make plans to depart from the farm, this cream-coloured male pup (six months) in the family pack ambled into the enclosure for the pieces of chicken breast meat laid on the floor. Thanks to SL, who nimbly closed the doors before the boy could flee. So the caregiver and I put down whatever that were on our hands and gingerly but eagerly, we entered the enclosure with the carrier. Our boy (now newly named as Bobo) skirted out of our reach for a while.

While I stood from a distance as still the stranger to the pack, W, the caregiver, ducked towards Bobo and in a stance covering all spaces to escape, she steadily cornered the pup into one corner of the enclosure. Her hands stroking fully, perhaps for the first time, the blossoming body of the survivor pup out of all his siblings. I pushed the gate-opened carrier from behind -- another space 'blocked' to the now-terrified Bobo.

W cooed and coaxed "good boy har... good boy har...", very, very delicately yet firmly pushing Bobo's body into the carrier. A moment of resistance, a little shrug from Bobo, and then when his head finally entered the carrier, he surrendered to the caresses of W's cajoles and settled into the carrier. In one fluid motion, we closed the carrier's gate shut and there we had it: Bobo, the squirmy yet proficiently food-motivated male pup, in the carrier. The pup we had been yearning to bring for sterilisation.

A jubilant moment of achievement! How much this means to all of us who deeply believe sterilisation is what we need to control stray numbers, not culling. How all this unfolded in an almost effortless, non-time consuming and unexpected way.

One dog sterilised, one piece of joy. A joy to share with everyone.

Ok, time to pick Bobo up from the vet's!

Not too flattering pictures of Bobo, en route to the vet's.

End Nov 08. Bobo remaining out of reach -- peering at us from the dark respite spot under rows of racks

Fear and terror

2009-01-16T01:21:00.008+08:00

Fear in their hearts. Fear in their minds. Fear shown in their eyes.

That was Chocho, when we saw her at the pound. Her eyes bloodshot and popped out. Veins of stark mahogany-red against her chocolate coat. The rays of the morning sun shone on her.

The wire noose tied around her neck. She froze whenever she felt a tug and could only straighten her limbs against the floor to resist being pulled anywhere else, with the fear of the unknown. Where are they going to take me this time?

The officer helped us swap the wire noose with our regular blue leash. Less stressful on the neck.
When he was walking her out of the premises into the carpark, she flung herself around wildly. Her medium-sized body writhed and wrung in mid air with her neck anchored to the pivot of the leash. She darted clumsily left and right, her eyes scanning for the nearest spot of escape or hiding. When the car door opened, our girl dove straight underneath the car seat.

Squished herself in as uncomfortable and compromising a position. Her head in the front and her bottom sticking out. Fear of the unknown. Disoriented. Flustered. Traumatized. Nothing but fear.

For Long Long... it was mere acts of surrender. Shutting the world out of his vision and touch by cowering in a corner behind a cage. He wasn't even shivering. Maybe back then, fear didn't matter anymore and if he was going to die, a mode of submission would have made his death less painful. Soullessness. Resignation. No need to put up a fight, thrown in the towel.

******************************************************************

These are the consequences of culling. Immaterial consequences -- what it does to a perfectly healthy living mammal. Utterly reductive. This is the fear, paranoia, madness, resignation all combined, for animals waiting on deathrow.

For strays taken out of their zones of comfort and familiarity and negated to a state bordering between life and death. These are the horrors of culling.

And it's just the tip of the iceberg.

Thank you for

2009-01-15T10:48:00.004+08:00

your support towards Cho Cho and Long Long. Your belief that their life is worth saving.

For now, it's 2. We are sure more lives will be kept safe, as our animal welfare and control legislations and the hearts of our people, move higher in line with our claim of a gracious society - as we share and highlight on present state of matters with room for growth and improvements.

All the way down to the very starting block of breeding farms and the legislations backing the welfare of the many breeding female dogs and other animals, many of whom are kept forever behind locked doors, behind steel bars, cages stacked one upon the other, and when old age or sickness catch up with them, they are speedily destroyed or dumped onto the streets.

There is a huge, vastly gross chasm of difference between that jumpy ball of fur you see behind glass panels in that petshop, and the dark, danky, lifeless shed of whimpering mother-dogs back at the breeding farms. Ever wonder what happen to puppies who are born, but fall short in the looks department or the cuteness quotient or disabled or deformed ... due to all the inbreeding done? They can't possibly be kept alive cos it would cost the breeders too much time and effort. And theirs is one of business and profits. So it is a sad day when you are born, not fitting to the standard that people would open their wallets and pay for. If no one would buy you, why should you be kept alive? If you are born such a puppy - deformed, not cute enough, weak - your breeder (if he is one purely driven by profits) will simply destroy you and discard you away. Just another product who fails the QC (quality check).

So, be aware. Make good choices. Show people a more gracious alternative whenever there is one.

What does it mean to have grace? To be gracious? -- Having or showing kindness. Kindly consideration. Merciful. Compassionate. Generosity of spirit.

Let us live graciously. For the earth is not just our own.

Cho Cho

Long Long

A trip to the vet yesterday. Cho Cho is a shy girl who'll blossom with the right guardian, while Long Long is a free-spirited boy with the streets and forests in his blood.

Good permanent homes they each are awaiting for now. Keep them in mind if you know of good families who are keen to adopt now. Email us at projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg. Thank you.

DAVEE needs a foster

2009-01-13T11:02:00.004+08:00

From a fellow supporter active on the animal welfare front:

"We are urgently seeking for a foster for Davee, a 4 year old female local breed dog who needs daily administration of medication, plus cleaning of her wound twice a day with simple bandaging.

The big wound is likely caused by a dirty and inadequate environment she is currently living in. To help with her recovery, it will be impossible to send her back to the current place. However, if we could not find a foster within the next 2 days, she will have to be sent back to her current place and her treatment would be wasted and her wound may even worsen. :-(

Feedback from the vet assistant – "Davee is a good girl, she will sit quietly for you to clean her wound."

Davee has a cheerful and gentle spirit. She is inquisitive and good natured. She deserves a second chance to enjoy life to the fullest. However, before we could put her up for adoption, she needs our help to bring her back to good health.

If you could help Davee & give her the opportunity to live her life, please write to joyeng1@gmail.com. Thanks."

2009-01-13T03:02:00.004+08:00

A: How to fight for a cause when there are no laws that govern it?

B: But there are laws.

A: Yes there are, but are they sufficient?

For a noteworthy purpose

2009-01-12T23:58:00.002+08:00

Dear all -

I understand we're well into motion of 2009 and that all of you, if not most, I'm sure, have equipped yourselves with your own diaries and calendars of all sorts.

We're helping out Animal Lovers League, which is a non-profit animal welfare organisation, sell its leftover 2009 calendars. My pals and I have about 20 odd in our hands.

For its smooth-textured sheets, radiant animal images, 12 perforated message cards and more importantly for a very good cause in the upkeep of the organisation's shelter constantly in need of volunteers, I would like to appeal to you and those around you if you'd be so kind to purchase one.

Each calendar only costs $10 for a year's worth of enriching events and future memories to keep, so if you'd like to do your bit, we will gladly send them to you or your doorstep.

You may click here for a preview of the useful merchandise. Please email us projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg if you'd like to have one for such a noteworthy purpose and a meaningful cause.

Thank you.

http://www.animalloversleague.com/events.htm

Keep on highlighting

2009-01-10T12:30:00.002+08:00

issues faced in the current state of our world.

In animal welfare and control. Abuse. Neglect. In wildlife trade. Animal experimentation. Unmonitored petfarm breeding and practices in farming animals for food, in what is called 'factory farming'. In human rights and issues. In terrorism. Racism. Indigenous people. The destitutes, child labour, discriminated handicapped, rape victims. For the gross inequality in distribution of food. In nature conservation, pollution, consumerism. In any areas you have a heart for.

Highlight. Share. Do what needs to be done. Influence people.

And rest assure that the situation WILL change for the better.

The price tag on Long Long?

2009-01-09T23:54:00.009+08:00

$446.00

He costs $16.50 more than Cho Cho cos he stayed 1 more day at the pound.

To C: We did try to appeal for a more lenient fine, but was rejected. In the end, we paid what was required - $446 - to get Long Long out of that place asap.

$93 - impoundment fee
$100 - for straying
$200 - for not having a licence
$16.50 - boarding each day
$20 - microchipping

When Long Long came out, his immediate way of shutting out the strange experiences is to turn away from us humans and lie down low on the ground, mentally escaping from the trauma the way he knows how.

So we waited for him to calm down, loosen up abit before walking him out to the car. Even then, it was a struggle as he attempted to bite through our leash to escape. A few minutes of stressful struggling later, he finally was firmly put into the car. Same immediate reaction as Cho Cho, he aimed straight for under the front seat, but we managed to block it so he could settle better on the back seat.

Restless and confused over the whole affair, he fidgeted and climbed onto the back panel. We let him be, anything to have him more at ease.

Soon, he settled to peer out the window and finally rested on the seat.

He's now safe and sound with Cho Cho at the kennels.

To many, Long Long is not a handsome dog. He has cuts and bite wounds from squabbles on the streets. There is a fresh cut on his muzzle which we're not sure of the cause. He has skin problems, ticks, fleas from his days on the streets. He does not score high in the looks department and would not be the first choice for an adopting family who has shallow tastes.

But a life is a life. And Long Long has a LIFE ahead of him which should not be ended in a pound.

With your moral support, today we bought back a life. Not as a trophy deed to talk about, not as a frivolous use of money, but to make clear a point that yes, a life is worth saving. When we know we can.

That many will see the value of saving 1 life - not merely to keep this 1 animal from death, but to gradually change the mindset of our people - so that many more will be allowed to live in dignity in future. That culling will cease to be the cheaper and convenient way to deal with situations where more humane options are already available.

And fewer unknown ones will be left behind the metal gates.

* We will board Cho Cho and Long Long for 1 month at the kennels while we sort out their future plans. Do email us at projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg to support them in this 2nd chance in life, towards their bail-out fees and boarding expenses. THANK YOU so much for the kind donors who have come forth so far.

What happened to the 2nd dog,

2009-01-09T23:43:00.003+08:00

someone asked?

Cho Cho is safe now at the kennels, after we bailed her out yesterday. What we did not share is this: We left the authorities yesterday without taking Cho Cho's brother, Long Long, out. He was also caught on Wed.

The honest reason that stopped us yesterday? The bail out fee of $429.50.

And so, we hardened our hearts and turned away from Long Long, and left the pound with only Cho Cho.

This is us being real with you.

The dilemma rescuers always face, the question of "Is it worth it at all to save 1 life?" The comments we would receive from some people who disagree with our choices.

It was painful to see them pulled out of the pound with wire cables so tight around their necks that their eyes were stunned wide. Long Long was petrified and tried to hide himself behind a metal cage trap. Refusing to budge nor look at us.

After settling Cho Cho in a kennel, and calmed down by an encouraged heart that anything is possible, we wake up to the meaning of the value of LIFE. And it is not measured in dollars and cents. But if some people has put a price tag on a life - $429.50 - we would choose to buy it back. $429.50 - an amount some of us had willingly spent on lifeless gadgets that we junk away after a few years. $429.50 to buy back HOPE of a 2nd chance for Long Long.

We had already paid $429.50 to buy back Cho Cho from the authorities. And in a few hours time, we are going to do the very same for Long Long. Cos we believe there are people who share our values, and will support us now. When we are clear about the priorities on our hand, money will always be available for a right cause.

One thing at a time. Now, we will get Long Long out. Away from a death sentence, simply cos he was born a stray. And he is less than 1 year old.

Do email us your support which we need. Every little bit adds up and will make this possible.

We cannot save all,

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but at the very least, we can save those we know.

Don't walk away.