Zorro, Whiskey, Fifi and Jojo... Successfully Rehomed! / MsV and Vandalin Visits What a busy month it has been... Zorro, Whiskey, Fifi and Jojo has all been successfully re-homed. This was all due to the efforts of people who cared. Auntie Mingli, Auntie Suzanne and Uncle Kelvin are just but a few people out there working hard to make sure lonely doggies have a great home to live in.Not to mention the successful adopters of their new precious dogs. They too have decided to give these furkids a new lease of life and another chance of being part of a family.Someone asked Pa if he was interested to put another dog up for adoption... through an email she received. Pa asked if she has ever met the dog or know the person posting it up... You see, there are many BAD people out there. Sometimes, they post up adoption notices and then try to sell the dogs.That's right... there are known people who "adopt" dogs for free and then in turn try to make a profit by selling the dogs to other people... by charging "adoption fees". Adoption Fees in general is important. Like Uncle Kelvin who initially disagreed in charging anything, he realised that after the fire dies down during the adoption process, people change their minds just as quick.Would then making the interested party pay a small fee secure the dog's future? Maybe. Humans inevitably take for granted things provided for free. Then maybe actually making someone pay something would give the sense of ownership that is essential really... That's probably why dogs are considered property.Hey... I dun mind it one bit. Who cares what other people say?? Us doggies know the truth... We are really the boss here! muahahahaha! MsV and Vandalin came to visit us today... They make a lovely pair... well really just because they like us a lot too.She is SO SMALL compared to us... Bruno's head is already bigger than hers. But that little brat knows how to be gentle wth her.Uncle Vandalin as always is putting his hands where he shouldn't.He even tried me out as a mouse wrist holder. A Doggie Forummer Complains! / New Paper Oosters Review Big Shocker yesterday... I was "officially" complained upon! The Mods have taken down the postings which i think is the right thing to do. Cause Jojo had really nothing to do with it and it was her adoption thread.The Exchange between Fluffy and Bear Bear...Fluffy: before you want to help other dogs. control your dogs properly first. yours are big dogs, rotts.. trying to attack me and my dogs. i ask you to pull back your dogs, and you never did it. i read you kept got dogs for fostering, adoption. i'm angry over this matter. you should be a good owner first before you want to help other dogs. and you never even say sorry to me.Bear Bear: Hi fluffy, there definitely some sort of misunderstanding here. If my dogs caused u any pain or suffering, allow me to apologize right now. Those that know me and bear + Bruno will know that isn't what we want.1. Unfortunately I do not recall this episode, maybe it was crowded. Please kindly refresh my memory.2. Maybe they might have been a bit happy to meet u and your dog. "Attacked" is such a strong term. Cause I think if they did, then I doubt u would only be merely "angry". I think the term "injured" or "decapicitated" would be more accurate.3. Helping another dog to get a new home has probably nothing to do with whether I have big or small dogs, well behaved or not, or even whether I do have a dog. I mean I need not help the mentally handicapped unless I have a family member that's suffering from that right?Finally, this is to rehome a dog. If u have something u would like me to take notice or complain, feel free to pm me and even date me out for dinner. And then complain to my very willing ears + a counter argument why u are probably wrong.Fluffy: why would i want to date you out for dinner! you go and recall. SMU.Bear Bear: Of ALL the things in that entire chunk I wrote, all you could focus on is THAT?Well, if you want to be rude about a sincere apology, then obviously you do not have the class to accept one.Perhaps next time you will have the "good" sense to run far far away when you do see Bear and Bruno, just in case they "ättack" you again and make you "ängry".PS> SMU is suppose to be the Uni Bear and Bruno attacked you or some insulting acronym?Fluffy: the thing is not i insulting. your rott did attack me n my dog. i was carrying my dog. i try to push away your dog, and told you to push away. but you did nothing. the person beside you help you to push your dog away from me. you are lucky that my dog is not hurt. if she is hurt in anyway, this will not be a simple matter already.Bear Bear: Dear Fluffy,Do you UNDERSTAND the term "attack"?1. to set upon in a forceful, violent, hostile, or aggressive way, with or without a weapon; begin fighting with: He attacked him with his bare hands.If my dogs "attacked" you, trust me... you can neither "push" them away, or would ANYONE else except me would be able to.If its was such an attack, was I standing to one side laughing?I think I have been more than cordial answering your accusations. Your story unfortunately does not add up. This thread is about rehoming Jojo. So if you have anything to add, just PM me or start a new thread about the definition of an Rottweiler attack.I have been very careful about my dogs and I think many that have met them would agree that they are not capable of what you are saying here.However, if your definition of attack = sniffing your dog's but as well as yours, then YEAH... My rotties "attack" everyone that comes within reach. SO stay far away next time. It is dog owners like yourself that aren't socialised enough and give the rest of us a bad name.And then the Mod stepped in to delete the entire exchange.If Fluffy does come over here... then this message is for you.I hope you will get to understand dogs a little better. I have been working very hard to clear the issues surrounding my breed. I understand that you might be a little scared of me and think that what I did was an "attack" on your poor doggie. Really it isn't.This is simply how dogs meet and greet one another. If you carry up your dog, then your dog's butt is just simply a bit higher... which I can still reach when I stand a little closer.remember people... if you want your dog socialised, then do not carry your dog up when meeting a bigger dog. Or act all scared or run away on sight. This anxiety is transferred to your dog as well. Your dog then learns that this is the correct thing to do when facing a bigger dog. if you have any questions about socialising your dog, just post them here and I will do my darnest best to answer it right as far as I know.What is SMU mentioned in Fluffy's entry? issit an insult or telling me where the "attack" took place?On an another note... Pa has once again disappeared to eat good stuff without me. Uncle John only invited him and NOT ME.Beery, beery goodIT was on a lazy Saturday afternoon that I took our panel of judges to Oosters, a Belgian brasserie for good food and good beers.By Yvonne Phoo27 August 2008IT was on a lazy Saturday afternoon that I took our panel of judges to Oosters, a Belgian brasserie for good food and good beers.The menu boasted Belgium authencity with the words 'Welkom in Oosters!'.Glad that it was a non-work day, the panel kick-started the food-tasting session by ordering ales from a selection of 25 imported Belgian beers.Ms Kris Yew, 28, a nurse at United World College settled for the popular Hoegaarden available on tap while the men chose the bitter and heavier dark ales.Coming from a country that produces 400 beers, Belgians take pride in beer-pairing, rather than the usual wine-pairing for other cuisines.Head chef Iskander Latiff, 26, is responsible for the brasserie's menu. A former head chef at Muse, he said that he joined Oosters to 'perfect the mussels'.Oosters uses top-grade black mussels from Tasmanian waters which they dutifully order fresh every day.We were served two pots of mussels soaked in gravy - the moules au vin blanc (white wine gravy), and moules au pesto (creamy pesto sauce).If you find yourself in doubt on how to make the best out your meal, not to worry. The helpful menu suggests which type of beer goes best with the food you order.What we likedEveryone voted the Hoegaarden cod the star of the meal. Mr TK Haw, 31, director of Aqua Bridge International, said he would go back to Oosters just for this cod served with a Hoegaarden-infused cream sauce.'The fish is springy, and unlike most cod dishes where the meat breaks apart, this one doesn't,' he said.On a whole, I noticed that it was the Belgian beers that the panel seemed to love the most as our glasses were getting refilled faster than the food disappeared!What we didn't likeMr Haw felt that there should be some variety, instead of serving just fries with every dish. I also had to agree with Mr Kevin John, 34, a former F&B manager at a fine dining restaurant, that the service was poor.It was difficult to get the attention of the service staff as most of them seemed to be distracted with a dance competition being held outside.REVIEW IN 4 WORDS:Two burps for Belgium!WHERE WE ATE:Oosters#01-39 Suntec GalleriaSingapore 038983Hours: 12am to 12pm, Monday to Saturday.Tel: 6334 2889 Dog protected abandoned newborn / Dog Show at the Expo / Virgin iPhone Pics Story Highlights -Resident heard the baby crying in a field behind his house-Infant was found in chilly weather with a dog and her newborn puppies-Doctors determined that the infant was only a few hours old-The 14-year-old mother came to the hospital but said little about incident (CNN) -- A dog sheltered a newborn baby abandoned by its 14-year-old mother in a field in rural Argentina until the boy was rescued, a doctor said Friday.A resident of a rural area outside La Plata called police late Wednesday night to say that he had heard the baby crying in a field behind his house. The man went outside and found the infant lying beside the dog and its six newborn puppies, said Daniel Salcedo, chief of police of the Province of Buenos Aires. The temperature was a chilly 37 degrees, Salcedo said. The dog had apparently carried the baby 50 meters from where his mother had abandoned him to where the puppies were huddled, police said. "She took it like a puppy and rescued it," Salcedo said. "The doctors told us if she hadn't done this, he would have died. "The dog is a hero to us."Dr. Egidio Melia, director of the Melchor Romero Hospital in La Plata, said police showed up at the hospital at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday with the baby, who doctors say was only a few hours old. Though the infant had superficial scratches andbruises and was bleeding from his mouth, he was in good shape, Melia said. The next morning, the child's mother was driven by a neighbor to the hospital and told authorities that the 8-pound, 13-ounce infant is hers, Melia said. The teenager was immediately given psychological treatment and was hospitalized, he said. She has said little about the incident.The child has been transferred to a children's hospital in La Plata, 37 miles from Buenos AiresHow rare it is nowadays to have someone report a heart warming story like that. Dogs have always been the first to understand and PROVE unconditional love. And even across species. The dog had her own pups to take care of, and she dragged the infant 50m back to her little den to make sure the infant doesn't die. Later on, we had a fun day with Pa's guest... we went to the Doggie show at the Expo!We had all sorts of people wanting to meet us, yet rather fearful. We even met readers of our blog site! WOW! Please leave a comment guys... we would really love to get to know all of you more. Little girls like this one had absolutely no fear... and she really wanted to take pictures of us! I hope she visits our site here soon! Also check out MOMO and his Mommy (the little green eyed monster) in the background!Others took one look and simply decided that having her just take pictures with us isn't enough! they just joined in! Hey... I enjoy being caressed by pretty females of ANY species. Unconditional Love BABY!Oh yeah... Pa is kinda jealous why no one puts their hands on his ass like this girl here. I told him simply that he just ain't got the charm! One thing Pa's guests remarked is that in France, people aren't very wary like us Singaporeans here. People simply doesn't run away screaming. I also noticed that when Bruno and I walked, people kept out of the way. But when we stopped, the excitment level grows and then everyone just wants a piece of Bear Bear's Ass. Make up your minds humans. if i wanted to br a Bad Dog, whether I move or not isn't really an issue. Doesn't mean that I can be less ferocious when I'm lying down. Oh well, Big Boys like us are rarer i suppose.All these new photos were taken by Pa's new toy. Apparently he seems to have bought quite a few... Would you like one? According to Pa, its not as pretty as me, but it came damn well close.Bah. Whatever. I might not be able to open the door for him, but lets see if an intruder can just carry me away in his pocket. Size matters. Fifi is up for adoption / Jojo the female JRT is up for adoption Looks like CanCanMa's got another JRT in need of Rescue!Name : JojoDOB : Sept 06Not sterilized.On dry food/canned foodReason for giving up : No time for the dog.Smaller size JRT, friendly and playful JRT :)For viewing, please email me at hoonters@hotmail.comLike many others like to remind my Pa, Time is what you make of it. Not having enough time for a loved one just seems to me like pure carelessness. But you probably have to give them points for being brutally honest. Also looks like Aunt Suzanne is personally going to conduct the viewing and probably even foster the dog first. Knowing her, she would probably secretly wanna adopt Jojo. So you guys better be fast!Fifi's still up for adoption. Whiskey has been successfully rehomed. Actually I dun get it. Fifi's a super affectionate dog. She seems to be able to form bonds pretty quick and she's no dumb bitch. She also didn't get all scared and snappish when I met up with her... So even she knows I'm friendly. I think its about time she foud a new home. Please contact us soon! Dogs have a sense of right and wrong/ Professional USDAA Pics Dogs have a sense of right and wrongBy Roger Highfield, Science EditorDogs have become more intelligent, and even learnt a sense of right and wrong, through spending time with humans, a study shows.Although still controversial, recent research is beginning to support the view that an owner is perfectly correct when they pat their pet and coo "who's a clever boy then?"Because of the way owners have selected smarter and more empathic dogs down the generations, these pets now appear to have a limited "theory of mind", the capacity that enables us to understand the desires, motivations and intentions of others, New Scientist reports today. A decade ago, most scientists would dismiss the claims of dog owners that their precious pets could experience pain, excitement and other "human emotions" as sentimental claptrap that anthropomorphises the abilities of animals. Now that dismissive view has been challenged by studies presented a few weeks ago at the first Canine Science Forum in Budapest, Hungary, which back the idea that the 10,000 years that the descendants of grey wolves have spent evolving alongside humans have had a remarkable effect on dog cognition. In a remarkable experiment to probe canine cognition, Prof Ludwig Huber and colleagues at the University of Vienna put dogs through a classic experiment done with children in which an instructor demonstrates to a toddler how to turn off a light using her forehead, once with her hands clearly visible and once when wrapped in a shawl, so that she can't use them. When invited to turn the light off for themselves, toddlers who were shown the first version use their heads, but those shown the second use their hands.The standard interpretation is that the first group conclude that there must be a good but non-obvious reason for using the forehead method, as otherwise the instructor would have used her hands. Dogs do the same thing in Prof Huber's experiments, where they had to pull a lever to obtain a reward, lending support to the idea that dogs have a rudimentary "theory of mind."They possess a moral compass too, in order to negotiate the complex social world of people, adds Prof Marc Bekoff from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He argues that the fact that rough-and-tumble dog play rarely escalates into full-blown fighting shows that the animals abide by rules and expect others to do the same. In other words, they know right from wrong. Dr Friederike Range from the University of Vienna, Austria, has found in experiments where one pooch was given a treat and another denied it that dogs possess a sense of fairness too, though she stresses that the data are not yet published. "Dogs show some aversion to inequity," she says. "I prefer not to call it a sense of fairness, but others might." Barking is rare among feral dogs, suggesting that it evolved during domestication to allow dogs to communicate with us, says Prof Péter Pongrácz from Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest. His team has even found a way to use a computer program to understand what dogs are trying to tell us, and can disern whether a pet is barking at a ball, or wants to play with greater accuracy than their owners. Akiko Takaoka from Kyoto University, Japan, played dogs recordings of unfamiliar voices - both male and female - with each voice followed by a photo of a human face on a screen. If the gender of the face did not match that of the voice, the dogs stared longer, a sign that the image did not match their expectations and yet more evidence that they have been honed to communicate with people. Meanwhile, Dr Juliane Kaminski at the University of Cambridge has examined how dogs can use human gestures such as pointing and gazing to find hidden food or toys and concludes that dogs do understand that we are trying to tell them something. "Domestication seems to have shaped dogs in a way which enables them to use these gestures from as early as six weeks," she tells New Scientist.There are also other interesting reads... Dogs display aspects of human intelligenceAnother reason dogs are like usComputer communicates with dogs But really this stuff is what we already know about... but until now didn't have expensive scientist to tell us. I'm glad now that they do.Uncle John is at last done with his USDAA pictures and they are up for sale! Contact Pa if you are interested! None of the pictures are meant for commercial purposes. So please let us know just how much you appreciate his work!And the money shot for the entire event is in Pa's opinion this one...With the little raindrops falling and the doggie looking up... Man...just how much more prettier can a scene like that get. And this is why Uncle John is the pro and Pa is sitting his ass down still trying to figure out just how to use his camera. I hope its True / EIC's super single Someone left a link on my little cbox which I really hope is a true story. We hadn't had a story like that for a long time. Just wish I knew if it were a real story... I couldn't varify it at all. No pictures as well. If you have any information whether this story is true, Please... let me know.Not that I have no faith that this story is true, us rotties are more than capable of everything that was described. The Dog Hero: A True Animal StoryAdapted from Animal Angels, by Stephanie Laland (Conari Press, 1998).Kathie Vaughan was driving the used truck she had purchased that morning when it suddenly began to fishtail. She finally managed to bring the vehicle to a stop with a loud screech. But her troubles had just begun. The cabin interior was filling fast with noxious fumes and black smoke. Most people could have simply jumped out of the vehicle, but Kathie is a paraplegic–paralyzed from the waist down by multiple sclerosis. Her truck was on fire and she knew she could be blown up at any moment. Kathie shoved her Rottweiler Eve out the door, along with her wheelchair. But due to the thick black smoke, she could not find the wheels to the chair.A throbbing panic overwhelmed her. She had to get out immediately, before the truck exploded. That’s when Eve, her dog, proved herself to be a true hero. In danger of blacking out, Kathie suddenly felt Eve, refusing to desert her, grab her leg with her jaws. Eve firmly grasped Kathie by the ankle and dragged her ten feet to relative safety. Then the truck burst into flames. Ignoring the terrifying fire, Eve dragged Kathie to a nearby ditch.A police car arrived on the scene. “You’ve got to get further away!” the policeman shouted to Kathie. The truck was on fire, the flames were approaching the gas tank; there was danger of a terrific explosion. Kathie struggled to pull herself away from the truck and toward the police car. Her head and body ached with pain and she found she could hardly move. Eve bent close to her human friend, offering Kathie her collar. Then Kathie held tight as the determined dog dragged her forty feet to safety.The firemen eventually extinguished the blaze. And Eve was awarded the prestigious Stillman Award for bravery.Also found a reference here...Since we are all on good vibes today... Pa has always been a crazy fan of a local band called EIC. Recently they released their first ever original album and though a little rough round the edges, its exactly how Pa likes it. I just wish I could go and listen to it with him one day.Here's a little video clip that has a pretty decent version of their hit song. You guys should just support them and go buy the CD. There is going to be a launch this coming Sunday 24th August 2008 at HMV. If you guys can make it, go on down and meet them! I will try my darnest best to go take a picture with them!As an after thought... one of the things that probably turns Pa on is the Guitar playing... He really likes the electric... but trained in the classical form instead... so he ever gets so envious when he does ever listen to good guitar playing.And BOY can this girl play. For some odd reason also, he finds her damn familiar. Not that he ever heard this girl play or met her before... just the flair and well... legs... dressing... Sure wished he tried to hear her play. Adoption Day Photos at Bishan Dog Run Remember this fellow? All matted and stinky pooey? Whiskey was the 1.5 year old fellow abandoned by his rather irresponsible 21 year old owner... after shaving off all his gross fur... we end up with...A VERY good looking doggie!Even I couldn't tell the difference... but to be fair, he was really terrible the first time I saw him! But look at the fur now! His skin is perfect. And BOY was he friendly.There were SO many new people there... and not to mention the Bruno and me making sure everything was in order... I really expected a more skittish Whiskey... but he really made me proud. He was every bit the happy dog we hoped he would be.He greeted and licked everyone equally and allowed everyone to manhandle him. All while being insanely happy. Thanks to everyone that came down!He had no preference... girl / boy, patted / stroked, clean or dirty clothing...He must have thought he just went to doggie paradise. A picture is worth a thousand words!Fifi too had her fair share of hugs and kisses. We are all crossing our paws that they find the lovely home they are all looking for... The selection isn't exactly finalized yet, so stay tuned as the fosterer and his little helper make their decision!Say Hi to Uncle Kelvin the Foster Parent and CanCan's ma! who introduced Kelvin to Pa... and only realised that Uncle Kelvin and Aunt Suzanne had never met before! Fifi's and Whiskey's adoption day Whiskey's being thrown to the groomers in a while... Fifi's probably gonna take a good bath... They will be both on their best when they meet their potential parents later at the Bishan Dog Run 7.30pm.Bruno and my paws are crossed in hopes of finding a great home for both of them. Somewhere that they will eventually be loved and taken care of for the rest of their lives.Update: Bruno the little skunk managed to push his way under Pa's table... which he usually does his part-time work of people a leg rest. I'm sure he enjoys it... though his face might say otherwise.I think he's just lucky Pa doesn't have schmelly feet and that would really muss up his gleaming fur. A Loss that shouldn't be Toddler mauled to deathPublished on August 15, 2008 Two Rottweilers owned by a Dutch man based in Nakhon Ratchasima mauled his twenty-month-old daughter to death early yesterday, police said.The toddler, Romklao Ploo, was attacked and killed inside her house compound in Muang district at 1am. The 42-year-old mother, Jintana, was also severely injured while trying to save the child.The two canines had been brought into the house to replace the two other Rottweilers that had fought and killed each other, said Jinata's mother, Somsong Phanwiset.Speaking at her child's funeral, Jintana said the dogs started attacking the child as soon as she had put her down and turned to lock the gate.The husband, an engineer identified as Johannas Bernadas, is on his way to Thailand. The woman said her husband had raised the animals as guard dogs after burglars had broken in several times. She said the dogs were untrained and were in the habit of fighting other dogs.Somsong said the two dogs should be trained instead of being put down.Another senseless death. A little baby had no need to die. Let us read the article again.-They previously had two rotties that fought and killed each other.-The dogs were untrained.WHAT ON EARTH WERE YOU THINKING PEOPLE?It is due to such irresponsible ownership that us rotties have a terrible rep. I have heard that some people actually believe that such behavior is in the genes. I can tell you that this is not true.Genes will get you your size, your structure, and your colors. The rest is really having a good and strong sense of ownership and instilling confidence rather than fear.This is some random kid hugging Bruno in a random pet store in Holland Village. Punish the Deed, not the Breed. This death was really unwarranted. She looks so sweet.I am so upset now I think I'll just sit at the corner and stone. What a waste. What happens when you bend over to pick a Ball up over an excited Bruno? Exactly what you think will happen.Especially when a 45kg dog jumps excitedly hitting its head onto your lower jaw.By the way, for those that think Fifi and Whiskey are the two Rotties-in-disguise in the previous post, this message is for you.You are a Moron.Please Google any terms you aren't familiar with before leaving a comment here. However, your comment is so funny I have decided to leave it in.Update: Pa just spotted Bruno's snout having a little abrasion. It should be more painful than it looks! Whiskey and Fifi up for Adoption This the season to be abandoning dogs. I have two new fellows looking for a great home. Both are HDB approved breeds so please help me spread the word.Pa brought Bruno and me to go take a look at the poor fellows. We really couldn't wait to meet up with them.Bruno doesn't really remember but he himself has been re-homed to Pa. Its just great he is happy now and just wants to help out.Sometimes I just wonder what goes on in his little head of his... However... this post is about two abandon dogs needing a new home. SPREAD THE WORD!Meet Fifi. She is about 4-5 years old Salt and Pepper Schnauzer. She is very small in size, only slightly bigger than Nikki the Brave.She has a very nice coat and structure... and she doesn't make any nice... till she goes for a walk outside... then she whines a bit. I'm sure that could be easily corrected.She was abandoned because her first owner got pregnant. Then again her second owner left her for the same reason. She is a sweet affectionate girl that is pretty much calm and socialized.This is Whiskey. a 1.5 year old Salt and Pepper male Schnauzer. He has probably never been groomed since his owner got him.Threatened to be put to sleep, the 21 year old owner told the fosterer that if he doesn't want to take the dog right now, that's what he'll do. He doesn't care for the dog at all. Uncle Kelvin (the Fosterer) would probably bring Whiskey down for a bath and grooming by next week Wednesday. Whiskey sure seems socialized and a pretty sweet dog. Much to Pa's surprise.I was however more skeptical, so I tested them myself. They do taste a little funny, but ok at the same time. They definitely pass the Bear Test.So both these dogs need urgent homes asap. Please contact Pa via email at killertouch@hotmail.com. Please spread the message as fast as you can! Thank you. Zorro Revisited Pa decided that the earlier pictures of Zorro did him no justice, so he went down to take proper pictures at Mount Pleasant East at 152 East Coast Road.Zorro is a really happy dog. Always grinning and friendly. Not a single bark came out from him. He is toilet trained and he happily went back into his cage with no prompting!He might be 6 years old, but he knows all the basic commands and really very happy to do them. He seems very calm and collect, generally very happy.Pretty small in size too! We really would love to have him rehomed to a great family. Please spread the word. You can contact MingLi (the lovely girl here) to view Zorro at 96939590 or leave an email at killertouch@hotmail.comWe also met Simba and he is like 42kgs! Really great with people too! Pa's brother was even humped by Simba... Simba simply loves to hump people. So Uncle Song warned Simba not to hump him... but Simba being Simba... he still humped Uncle Song.So Uncle Song humped Simba instead.Which would have been ok except a passerby walked by and gasped at the entire scene. All about Rottweilers - Animal Planet A really great video about Rotties. Take a look. Want a Rottie? Nature Versus Nurture Nature is a wondrous thing. It can make perfection out of imperfection. A beautiful flower growing in the middle of a jungle with NO ONE to appreciate. It will wither and die and no one would know it existed.Boiling hot springs flowing in the jungle that no one really bothers about. Little miracles in life.What a great life for a dog living beside a hot spring. I wouldn't mind it either.And nature is what drives us to eat little children. First we tenderize them...add a little slobber seasoning...Then we set them on the grill and stare at them till cooked.These are actually Pa's Client's Kids. They really love us a lot. I wish I could keep them. not that I didn't ask.They gave us belly rubs the entire time! Better than Pa i tell ya... he is so busy he just ignores us most of the time! Aren't they simply adorable?Pawtobellows is closed. Too bad we couldn't really give a real big goodbye for them... but we will definitely look out for the next thing they are setting up. It has been a really good experience and we will miss EVERYONE THERE. Its so sad. We heard that there were ex-staff that asked about us and where we were...Thank you very much. The memories are priceless.We will remember Pawtobellows till the end of our time... and tell our currently-non-existent-kids about the place as well.Really really. The difference between a Confident Dog and a Good Dog The relationship between a human and a dog differs greatly from pair to pair. Each pair's expectation from each other is also different. It could even be safe enough to say that no two pairs are alike...What then is the difference between a confident dog and a good dog? Which is better? Which is worst? When a fellow canine does something he is suppose to do... Eat, Shit, Sleep, Sit and Paw, he is a good dog. When he heels, stay and speak... he is a good dog. He is an obedient dog. If he masters perfectly what its master wants of him... Pat the fellow on the head.Good dog. Life goes on. Nothing else develops. Just follow as instructed. Reward with praise. The SCDF instructors aren't interested in Good dogs. Infact, they would prefer it if the dog didn't exactly go through obedience school. They want a great dog... not a good dog. SCDF training consists of releasing the dog on command... and for the dog to take over and be in charge of the entire search operation.First they train the dog the basics like any child... and then "SEARCH". Locate the victim. Call for help. Give first-aid. Reward with nothing. just a really good job done. Each time we train with the SCDF, its never the same. We always get new stuff... and it always gets harder. We are taught to think and react. To observe and focus. Off leashing becomes not a problem. Pa becomes confident about our behavior when we are not on leash... and we become confident whether he is around... or not.We needn't the assurance nor the constant instruction of what we should or should not do. We develop a much stronger bond and we become not afraid of the world... but approach the unknown with the right relax attitude. That confidence become transferred to others naturally. People start feeling good about being confident and that helps in anyone's generally well-being.There is nothing wrong with just being a good dog to your owner. Some owners just feel that's all they need. All they want. They do not want their furkid to develop any further and instead be terribly dependent on praises and rewards. Without which the dog would get depressed and wonder... "what did I do wrong now?"A confident dog continually develops with their human counter-parts. The learning and self-improvement really never stops. The day may never come a dog becomes overly confident and decides... hey I really dun need my partner... Both human and dog still lean on each other emotionally... but it a more balanced view rather than having your furkid worshipping the very ground you walk... all for the next meal, next praise, next reward.Maybe its time to rethink just how you want your relationship based on. Mutual Respect? or like Bruno and me... I talk, he do.So which are you? A confident dog? or just someone's good dog? Zorro the Border Collie is up for Adoption! Zorro is in need for a brand new home!Zorro was brought to a clinic to be put to sleep. Other than a mild skin problem, Zorro is perfectly fine! Temperament is super sweet and only 6 years old!The owner felt that there was simply too many dogs in the house and he is also a private home breeder. The clinic staff couldn't help but take the dog in and treat the dog under their own expense and put him up for adoption.He is a rare breed. A smooth coat border collie. a short boat version. Pretty rare in Singapore. He also doesn't bark much. Zorro is spending his first day at the clinic and is currently undergoing the treatment for his mild skin problem.We need a good family for him! anyone out there? You are welcome to view him at the clinic as he is getting better. Please leave your name, telephone number either on the comments section or email your details to killertouch@hotmail.com.Please spread the word around! 1 is the loneliest Bear / Life and How to Survive it. If you couldn't tell by now, Pa has been a little depressed. Lately he has been thinking about his life and everything that has happened.Time will heal all wounds.Beer is a Time machine.Right?As he manages to find an absolute new low, wishing he could dig his eyes out... he comes across an article provided by Uncle RUOK on Plurk. It refers to the every popular site Mr Wang and possibly one of the best article Pa has read this year.Life and How to Survive it. by Adrian Tan.Uncle Adrian Tan is one of Pa's all time favorite writers. He wrote the Teenage Textbook and the Teenage Workbook which Pa has read like 1000 times. He probably also bought at least 3 copies each because some people never returned the book to him. His latest copies are once again missing.In Essence, Uncle Tan tells in his speech to the NTU convocation ceremony when he was invited as the guest-of-honor just how we should lead our lives.Don’t work.Avoid telling the truth.Be hated.Love someone.After reading the entire article a few times... Pa realises just how close his philosophy in life and Uncle Tan's is. And also just how far he has strayed in that philosophy. It impacted Pa so much I had to read it myself. And I realise just how similar it is to a Rotties life as well.-We never work. What we do, we do Out of Love. Out of Loyalty. Out of Instinct.-We never tell the Truth. We love unconditionally. Whatever we see, disagree in, disgusted over... we will always hide it and lick inbetween your toes. That and the fact we can't talk helps. -We are Hated. By others that have no real reason to do so.-We are always Loving. And we are always willing to love someone with every fibre of our bodies that we will undoubtedly sacrifice ourselves.Looks like we are already WAY ahead of the others... and if we were human, we would probably be Lawyers. Open Skies / Open Mind / Boom dee ah da I saw today the strangest thing I have ever seen in my 2 years... 2 clouds actually traveling in two different directions... looking as if to collide.Pa of course happily provided the answer... (the show-off...) Two different air fronts meeting... and we just happen to be right underneath it. One is high then the other... and the cooler front is pushing the warmer one over it.And hence the creation of Frontal Rain.Ok... not exactly mind-numbing stuff... but sometimes the wonder of our little planet amazes me without end.Currently... I really love this song and advert.I love the mountains,I love the clear blue skies,I love big bridges,I love when great whites fly,I love the whole world and all its sites and sounds boomdiata x4.I love the ocean, I love real dirty things,I love to go fast,I love Egyptian kings,I love the whole world and all its craziness boomdiata x4.I love tornados,I love arachnids love hot magma, I love the giant squids, I love the whole world its such a brilliant place boomdiata x10.Its apparently a old camp fire song... not that Pa or anyone has heard it before. And the lyrics are different. But its still an advert that has a great impact to everyone that watches it.Its an advert selling Earth. Reminding us all just how wonderful the place is. The simple innocence and lyrics tells us that putting through a message needn't use too many words. Sometimes, words just screw things up.The world is a beautiful place. Made ugly by human beings.Their rules.Their regulations.Their politics.Their relationships.Their ideals.Ironically, the very same thing that makes this place ugly... can also make it beautiful. People, Dogs, all on an inflatable raft not really caring that a rottie just swam past them. They didn't scream nor shout nor faint.As beautiful as it looks... we all know that we can only be allowed to look in from the outside. Especially once we have been removed from the inner circle. They may not have screamed, not shout, nor faint... including us in their circle would probably take a lot more effort than it looks.Wear Sunscreen. Elizabethtown / The meaning of Life Pa just manage to catch Elizabethtown... again. This is probably the 3rd or 4th time he actually watched the show. I think he enjoys it very much.When Drew Baylor (Orlnado Bloom) is fired from his job at an international shoe company and is then dumped by his girlfriend (Jessica Biel) he becomes suicidal. Just before he is about to kill himself he receives a phone call from his sister to say that his father (Tim Bevitt) has died. He travels back to his family and they discuss that his father is to be cremated in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, his fathers hometown. On his way over to Kentucky he becomes acquainted with free-spirited flight attendant Claire Colburn (Kirsten Dunst). They end up in a relationship and Claire makes Drew a special map for a solitary road trip he has to take on his way home from Kentucky. She writes down two endings for the trip. 1 - He can just go straight home or 2 - Stop and look for a girl in a red hat at a specific farm festival. The film ends with the two of them hugging showing that they get together in the end.When Drew was following Claire's very super map, he had his father's urn with him. Everywhere he decided his father and him should have visited when he was still alive, he would scatter some of his ashes in the area. Most were places Claire marks on her super map.two parts of the movie made it especially poignant for Pa this time round. First was the relationship between Claire and Drew. You see, Drew blew a billion dollar deal over a shoe concept. He looked himself as a failure to an extent he just wanted it all to end. As she left the hotel they had spend the night, she waited desperately for him to call her back. To ask her to stay.But he didn't. Instead, he tried to break up with her. He told her that what she doesn't understand is that he doesn't have a career. He is nothing. He has failed. Hence it was impossible between the two of them. So bye bye. He didn't even want to be here...here.Pa totally understood how he felt. In asia, a career is what makes a man. In Singapore, failure is simply not acceptable.She however doesn't care. True greatness she says is what you do after you fail. Do you stick around and make the others wonder what you gonna do next? or quit?Even until then, he looked at her and figured... she's probably better off without me. Hence, next to the road trip home with the super map.Drew: Claire, I'm just going to say this because you deserve it.It's not easy for me, but here goes.Four days ago...I lost a major American shoe company...Frankly, you could round it off to one billion dollars!And by tomorrow afternoon,everyone will know.Something's gonna be published that pinpoints me as the most...spectacular failure in the history of my profession...which is all I know how to do.And I've been here this whole time trying to be responsible and charming... and live up to this success...that doesn't exist.All I really want...is to not be here.I'm sorry.I have a very dark appointment with destiny.That's my secret.That's who I am. And Claire turns around to say:I guess I just thought a small part of youmight be a small bit sad to see me go.Sometimes... Life can be that simple.You have five minutes to wallowin the delicious misery.Enjoy it, embrace it, discard it... and proceed.That is some really great advise. Especially since he was looking at an article in the movie about what a super failure he is.Pa only wish he had Kirsten Dunst dishing out philosophy when he is blue... then again, Pa wouldn't mind being Orlando Bloom just right now. Drew had his enlightened talk with his father and really connected with an urn of ash. Pa on the other hand has decided that the meaning of life can really be condensed to for words.Grand Bear Pa always told Pa that the one thing you should always ask yourself before doing anything is... Is it worth it? That's probably the best advice anyone can give to another. Pa has discovered that...I work at it.Probably the best statement to anyone with success in anything. That would be Pa's contribution to his blood offsprings in the future. He also hopes that they will pass on the tradition and eventually publish a book after several generations "Four Worded Sentences to Instant Success"and sell it for $19.90 at the local book store. On another note, Pawtobellows is officially closed. We are very sad to see the place go. It was a great place with quality stuff. I guess running a Pet Cafe really isn't that easy. There will be a sale of their stuff for Charity on the 8th and 9th of August. Hope those can make it to go on down and say goodbye to one of the best runned, best places for doggies. We will be very sad to see it go. "You have five minutes to wallowin the delicious misery. Enjoy it, embrace it, discard it... and proceed."-Claire Sometimes, all that counts is family, friends, companionship. Like Uncle Ed once told Pa, relationships aren't natural. Uncle Ed and Auntie Ginger has been together for a VERY long time."I work at it." These four words made me realize that perhaps right this moment, that truly is the meaning of Life.Ever since we are young... everything is dictated with whether we worked for it or not. Everything worthwhile of course. When we do get something we didn't work for, we become complacent and basically take things for granted.Even before my meals Pa makes sure I work for it with some basic training. This makes the meals all so sweeter and nicer I think. If every meal time is given without much creative thought and anticipation, i think meals would be rather boring.Relationships with meals is one thing. Relationships with other people is a whole different ball game. It isn't easy to have people bother to come and throw you a big party. And at the same time enjoying it. Not having to worry whether this group would click with that group.Admittedly there are all sorts of relationships and each relationship a different level. And each level a different double standards. Some people you can be just more honest than another.And at every relationship, it develops to exactly how much you put into it. How much you work at it. If only one side is putting the effort, then only one side would feel the pain with a relationship do end.it doesn't really matter if you are family, friends or lovers. "I work at it" is something true across all relationships. All relationships worth having.A relationship is actually pretty tough work. You wouldn't know what you have lost until you do. And then even that it would take some time before it sinks in. Bruno and me has a relationship of giving and taking.He gives. I take. We are pretty balanced. Moving on / Slowing down The occasional looking back is good i suppose.Makes one reflect on what he or she has done... and to let go all the good and bad memories.You know exactly what to do sometimes... but your own advise is also difficult to follow.So difficult that the only memories left are the ones can sometimes be the sweetest.Damnit. Its time for another ice-cream already. Guess What / Depression Guess what really gross thing this is...This is actually Pa's hair... on his BACK. The damn thing comes out easily enough. And what is really amazing is that it has usually more than 1 hair follicle. There can be up to 6-8 follicles.Miss everyone i haven't seen for a long time as well. Pa today was kinda looking back at all the friends he no longer speaks too or meet. And the ones that hurt when he does meet them.Looks like being a human isn't really all its cut out to be. I wish I was a dog instead , taken care of and never worrying about anything.MY WISH CAME TRUE! See? expectations can be so much easily contented when you do wish and want for the right things... especially the ones that were sitting right in front of you in the first place.Be careful what you wish for wor... sometimes it might just come true. Dogs on Buses / A step back for Dogs and Owners "So inconsiderate," says a bus commuter, who saw this pet owner with her pooch in tow aboard a bus, and when urged by the bus captain and fellow passengers to leave, refused to do so.Khoh was present and on board the same bus, and related:"She boarded the bus along Cecil street, opposite the AIG office. "This happened last saturday (12/07/08) in the afternoon between 1pm to 2 pm."On the woman's behaviour, Khoh had this to say:"She is very inconsiderate and did not consider the fact that some people cannot come into contact with dogs."All the passengers were held up for over 10 minutes while waiting for the bus captain to settle this issue - and she still refused to alight even after all the passengers urged her to do so." Why? Do you only love your own dog? Why didn't you invest in at LEAST a pet carrier and have allow fewer things for other people to say? There isn't even any leash.As it is, us dogs have a bad enough time in Singapore. Foreign Workers eat strays to reduce food cost, Many places are already out-of-bounds to us. If you really need to take the public transport, at least do it discreetly.This sort of IN-YOUR-FACE mentality would only serve to have the authorities to impose more powers to people no business having them in the first place.Bruno and me here are sitting outside Taka on the steps. Bruno fancies himself rather like a human, so he plops his butt down on the steps like everyone else around him. True that Pa drives a small car to get us around even town. We'll probably not be able to go to as many places as we do if we didn't have a private car to go about.But this is Singapore. Until the day everyone is truly able to understand one another, us doggies will have to contend with our lot in life... as little as it is already. Birthday Celebration / USDAA 2008 Apparently the age old riddle of what goes up and never comes down doesn't really hold true for Pa. He has taken to counting backwards every single birthday since 4 years ago. So this year he is a ripe young age of 23.Even the cake that he has gotta be real special. Never seen an uglier one in my life but hey... I'm only 2. Dun take my word for it.Really cute Card that Every Cat lover should give a fellow Dog lover.....Pa went to take some more picture via invitation of the latest USDAA Trials. It was good fun, but mainly a learning process from Uncle John, a professional photographer that was giving tips all day.I do not know that if that helped Pa take better pictures, but it definitely reduced editing time. Only over 300 shots were take. However, this time fewer deletions.Uncle John frowns on "money shots" or better known as the Pictures that will Sell. He was definitely more into the artistic aspect of his craft.Capturing the moment was a lot more difficult than what Pa had first imagined. Getting muddy and dirty is a requirement.The Alpha 100 by Sony did a decent job, but when Pa held until John's equipment... (Pa's Note: this is NOT a sexually explicit comment.) It was definitely a different feeling altogether.Pa has plenty to learn from other expert photographers out there... Hope you guys continue to enjoy the pictures. It has been a Busy Month, SCDF Training Plenty has happened but I hadn't had time to update everyone about them... I'll try to take some time off to write and post up some excellent pictures...These are some pictures by Aunty Jyin, a really old friend of Pa's. She tagged along SAR training one Saturday and she took some really excellent pictures. She even made usually dumb looking Bruno pretty good.Pa is....Huge. It was after looking over these pictures that I realise that. Look at the guy beside him. Look at ME! I look like a Chihuahua.Well, going through the rather simple warm up before we get into the good stuff. See that Collar around my neck? Well, that's to indicate to me that fun time is over. Time to work! SCDF training basically emphasizes on locating the victim and calling for help.I usually give a little first aid as well like a mouth to mouth... just to make sure they aren't faking it.Bruno is newer to the training, so he can get a little distracted and confused. But really, he's a smart boy and can do it if he wants to. And I thought Bruno was a BIG boy. Compared to Pa, he is a poodle at best.Little kids take part in the training as well. You should too! Check out how brave this girl is... but she knows us and she has two big dogs of her own.She's a pretty good trainer too. Once Velvet (above German Shepherd) took her stuff toy and refused to return it to her... She soundly thumped Velvet on the snout and took her toy back. Velvet never crossed her again.She's a really cool kid.She even fell and trampled over me just before taking this photo... Not that I mind. Rather used to having girls falling all over me.A little praise goes a long way when I have done what I need to do. Sometimes, its like WAY better than treats.Eventually, its time to leave our training ground. Can't wait for another week! Its really great. It doesn't matter what dog you have, but its really cool to have them use their brains. Unless you're like Bruno... then that dumb dog just really like eating. Mitsubishi Challenge Episode 8 End Bear Bear for President... Looks like the Bear Mania has gained recognition. Vote for Bear for a better future! Apple Bear, The Making of... Apple Bear Speaks!Dear Rabid Fans.Welcome to my office. For the first time ever, I have allowed cameras into my sacred sanctum to take a couple of pictures of me while I work.As you all know, Pa bought the all new iMac back in Aug 07 and never turned back since. Of course, since then, I have also used the iMac to Dlog to you, my steadfast followers.Nuffnang has just informed me that I could get that iTouch I always wanted if I told them just exactly how I feel about the my iMac. Hey, I would gladly do it for free!!See how neat and tidy my office is? Just one power cord, one cable to the keyboard, one to my might mouse. I could have them all wireless if I wanted to. The optional silicon casing my keyboard is in helps keep my hair out.I do not know how they do it, but the mouse even have a left and right click function. Its just isn't obvious!Switching from a PC to a Mac is really just a walk in the park. No more blue screens and viruses. Everything else runs like a dream. It tickles Pa to no end that Windows Vista runs faster on a Mac than on a PC.Really, you just do not have any excuse not to switch from a PC to a Mac.No words can do justice to just how good using a Mac feels. Its really more an experience.The Making of.... Apple Bear!Firstly I had to ask for permission. I stealthily ambushed Pa when he was doing his work. In between the muffled screams of protest, he asked me what I wanted.So as I lick his ears (he likes that really!!), I whispered just what I exactly wanted... a Nice Picture with the iMac. He thought I was just crazy.So I gave him a gentle nip to let him know I was damn serious about the whole idea and I really wouldn't take no for an answer!!But my Pa response better with some tender loving care and hence I changed tactics... really not giving him any room to reject me... or in this case made sure the right sounds escaped his mouth.With his agreement, I started to experiment with different looks. I thought I would look kinda cool with some reading glasses and a suit and tie.You are beautiful the way you are. That's what Pa said as he removed all the extras. Dun hide it behind everything else. Be proud of what you are, who you are. Face directly into the camera. That is a picture worth a thousand words.Moreover, which other dog can Apple say has endorsed their product? Information on Pet Relocation Just came across this blog dedicated to giving information for all pet owners that want to relocate with their pets! And also this article about Hilton Hotels finally recognizing and calling furry four legged us as GUEST.Learn a little something Singapore. Tosa Kills Owner This is another sad day for meNot the same dog of course... but just in case you were wondering how a Tosa looks like...What really happened we will never know. But looks like the dog went totally crazy.It is very sad that most dog attack cases concerns their owner handlers and owners. More likely or not even the little kids in the family.This is never a good thing to hear.This is never something anyone will be able to curb or control.I just hope that I will always be worthy of my Pa and my name.