Dogs For The World!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Hello Fellow Doggie Friends,

I think life with Rocky is just GREAT! When I come home from school tired, drained and stressed, his warm greetings never fail to warm my heart and lighten my load. A few minutes of ball-play with Rocky helps me relax. Walking him gives me time to re-coop which rejuvenates me for a round of homework after a long day of lessons and hockey training.

The best times I had with Rocky are;

Watching him dig for rocks at the beach. Whenever we bring Rocky to the beach, he’ll head for the sand and start searching for a rock to pick up. Then he’ll drop it near our feet indicating he wants to play fetch. He often anticipates our throw and would start off even before the rock leaves our hand. He also runs super fast. If we throw the rock into the water, he’ll jump in fearlessly.

Seeing him bury his rock in the sand. When Rocky tires of playing fetch. He will dig a hole and bury his rock. Sometimes he cheats by dropping the rock into the hole my younger brother dug. Then they will fight for ownership of the hole. My brother always wins as he throws the rock a distance away, making Rocky go away from his hole. However, Rocky is quite determined and would repeated bring the rock back to my brother’s hole. That gives my brother a taste of having a younger sibling to bother him.

Laughing at him barking at the waves. Rocky has this enmity against waves. He would stand a distance away from the water and bark whenever the waves hit the beach. Maybe he thinks the loudest contestant bags the prize. Its funny to see him so agitated with nature.

Playing ball with him. My favourite past time at home, besides playing computer games, is to play ball with Rocky. He can catch a ball in mid air, bounce it off his nose and even untie knots to get to his ball (when we tie it up in a towel). He loves playing hide-and-seek with his ball too! We sometimes tricked him with fake throws and then hide his ball. He would go around searching for it till he finds it. Other times he would guard his ball by placing a paw on it. He would snatch it away with his mouth when we try to take it from him. We even try to take it from his mouth in a kind of tag-of-war.

Getting him to lick his nose. Rocky loves to mimic us sticking our tongue out. He goes even further by licking his nose with his cute little pink tongue.

writtin @@

Welcome back all Dog Lovers,
This is my story of owning a dog:
In 2004 my stay-home mum, who loves dog, gathered the family to discuss the possibility of owning a one. We looked at some considerations before voting to add a dog to our family. Once decided on adoption, we went to SPCA to look at their dogs. We did not find a suitable one at that time so we started looking on-line (www.petschannel.com/home, www.skc.org.sg, www.dogsforum.sg ). We went to see a few dogs up for adoption but did not find them suitable. Then came a little mixed-breed called

‘Coco’. We took to him immediately although he’s very playful (nearly bit me in play). Our family took on a new routine after adopting Coco. It was really fun to have him around. However, he broke his leash and ran away while out for a walk one day. He was so fast and cunning that my mum could not locate him even though she tore after him. We put up posters and waited for his return but in vain. Half a year later we decided to adopt another dog. The process of visiting dogs up on adoption repeated itself.

Then Toby came to stay with us when his owner left on a business trip. We love his playfulness but could not cope with his drooling. Hence Toby returned to his owner.

We continue our search for a dog we can love and found Sunshine. She’s got such a lovely temperament that w

e paid $300 to adopt her from a pet shop, spent another $1000 on her medical bills and finally $300 for her burial (she died of some blood disease).
For a long time we did not mention having a dog – until my youngest brother friend’s Labrador Retrieval rekindled the dog-love in us.

For a third time we went in search for a dog to adopt. It was pure joy when we found Rocky. He’s such a quaint dog who brought a rock, dropped it at our feet then pushed it nearer when we did nothing. All he wants is for us to throw the rock so h

e can retrieve it, and repeat the play on and on. We adopted him on the spot and taught him new tricks with a tennis ball. He can now catch the tennis ball in mid air besides bouncing it back to us with his snout. He can jump twice his height and do somersaults too. Its his third birthday with us this year and has certainly enriched our lives by: helping us keep healthy by daily walks, teaching us to de-stress by playing with us and teaching us about responsible dog ownership.

writtin @@

Monday, January 26, 2009

Greetings all Potential Dog Owners,
Well for those who have gotten through the 10 basic tips for dog ownership and are committed to care for their dogs, here are some pointers to consider before getting YOUR DOG (information from: http://dogs.about.com/od/becomingadogowner/a/choosingdog.htm ) and a video from You Tube .

Size: Remember that small dogs tend to be delicate and vulnerable. Being stepped on or mishandled can cause serious injury. Also, little dogs can be much more sensitive to colder temperatures, so be ready to help keep them warm. Don’t forget that small dogs need obedience training too!

Very large dogs need a bit more space to move around. Big, happy dogs with long, whip-like tails need "wagging space" to avoid tail injury or damage to household objects. Another consideration is expense: the larger the dog, the more expensive things like dog food, dog supplies and medical treatments become. Training is also a key factor here. If you get a large or giant breed puppy that is allowed to act like a lap dog when young, he will grow up to walk all over you – literally!

Activity level: You probably already know that some dogs have more energy than others. A dog’s activity level is often determined by breed, but it does not mean you can rely on breed alone to determine how energetic your dog could become. Every dog needs routine exercise , regardless of breed or size, so make sure you can to provide this. If you know you cannot commit to more than one or two casual walks per day, then you will probably be better off with a lower energy dog, such as a Basset Hound. If you are looking for a dog that can be a jogging partner, agility competitor or “disc dog,” consider a breed like the Border Collie. Be willing to adjust the amount of exercise and attention you give your dog if necessary. A dog that is barking constantly, digging up your yard, destroying your home, or acting out in some other way is most likely in need of extra activities.

Physical Maintenance: Your dog’s appearance has a lot to do with his maintenance needs. All dogs need basic grooming, but certain types need more based on the type of hair coat. If you get a dog with hair that keeps growing, then advanced routine grooming is essential. Most short haired, smooth-coated dogs are major shedders, so be prepared to do some extra cleaning up. Be aware that dogs with long, floppy ears are more prone to ear infections and require frequent thorough ear cleanings. In addition, certain types of dogs can do a lot of drooling. Many owners of Mastiffs, Bloodhounds and similar dogs actually carry a “slobber cloth” with them to wipe the drool. If they shake their heads – watch out! Ha ha!

Age: Puppies require the greatest amount of training and attention, especially over the first six months. Be prepared to dedicate much of your time to housebreaking and raising your new puppy. You dog will likely have plenty of accidents in the house and will probably chew your furniture and personal belongings. These problems will gradually resolve with dedicated training, but patience is a must. You should also be aware that your puppy might grow up to be different then you expected, especially if you adopt a mixed-breed dog.

Adult dogs can be an excellent choice. An adult might be a better choice if you want to have a better idea of the true energy level, attitude, and temperament of your new dog. However, just because the dog is an adult does not mean he is trained, so you should still expect some degree of dedicated training at first. Fortunately, many adult dogs have been trained and socialized to some degree and can easily adjust to their new lives in their forever homes.

Purebred or Mixed-Breed? Purebred dogs are undeniably popular. If you want a purebred dog, be sure you thoroughly research the breed. Determine if you are willing to take on potential challenges with temperament, grooming needs and health problems. Make sure the breed will fit in with your family and lifestyle – including other dogs.

Mixed Breed Dogs can become wonderful additions to your world. The combination of two or more dog breeds can often balance out their personalities and physical characteristics. Just be sure to expect the unexpected, especially if you adopt a “pound puppy.” There is no way of knowing exactly how your puppy will look when grown up, and you cannot really predict health problems. However, many experts believe that mixed-breed dogs end up with fewer health problems than purebred dogs. Overall they tend to be good-natured and intelligent. Plus, adopting a mixed-breed dog usually means you are saving that dog from euthanasia or a lonely shelter life!

Buy or Adopt? The reasons for adopting a dog far outweigh buying one. ·When you adopt a dog, you have a better chance of finding the perfect match for your family. Shelter workers tend to have a pretty good grasp on the dog's temperament, so they can help match you and your family with the perfect dog for your personality and your lifestyle. This is a great way to ensure that you don't have to bring the dog back because he just wasn't what you expected. ·Shelter dogs are generally kept up with they're vaccinations, spayed or neutered, and tagged before or right after you adopt the dog. This helps cut vet bills tremendously. Yes, you have to pay an adoption fee, but that is generally a mere percent of what the shelter actually spent caring for the dog and vet bills, which means it's just a mere percent that you have to pay for something that would have normally cost hundreds. ·Most shelter dogs, depending on their size, are somewhat crate trained. Even the larger dogs in the dog runs are still considered somewhat crate trained, as they'll generally potty on the outside portion of the run. This is a big help when you bring the dog home, as it reduces housetraining time. ·Generally, shelter dogs bond rather quickly and deeply with their new owners. Usually, these dogs are uprooted from a happy home, so once they've found a loving home again, they want to please the new owners as much as possible to hopefully ensure that they won't be homeless again.

Hope these considerations are useful in your choice of dog. The video included has more interesting tips. Have fun when choosing a dog and Remember: Pet Ownership is a Lifelong COMMITMENT.

writtin @@

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Hi Potential Dog lovers,
For those of you who are planning or have just gotten a new dog, here are ten tips to help you take care of your dog (information taken from http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/dog_care/caring_for_your_dog_the_top_ten_essentials.html and

http://www.petschannel.com/article/?a=5 ).

Outfit your dog with a collar and ID tag that includes your name, address, and telephone number. No matter how careful you are, there's a chance your companion may become lost—an ID tag greatly increases the chance that your pet will be returned home safely.

Follow local laws for licensing your dog and vaccinating him for rabies. All dogs 3 months and above must be licensed by the Centre for Animal Welfare & Control (CAWC). A yearly renewable license for male and sterilized female dogs is $14 and $70 for unsterilized female dogs. Current HDB rules only allow one toy breed per residential unit. Private premises are allowed to keep up to 3 dogs.
Follow this simple rule—off property, on leash. Even a dog with a valid license, rabies tag, and ID tag should not be allowed to roam outside of your home. It is best for you, your community, and your dog to keep your pet under control at all times (my friend’s beagle was run over by a car when it dashed out of his semi-detached house). Certain breeds classified as dangerous & fierce need to be muzzled and leashed when in a public place.

Give your dog proper shelter. A fenced yard with a doghouse is a bonus, especially for large and active dogs; however, dogs should never be left outside alone or for extended periods of time (my tuition teachers Husky died of dehydration when exposed to the sun for long periods of time). Dogs need and crave companionship and should spend most of their time inside with their family. Another thing is arrange for dog sitters when going on vacations (friends & relatives are a gift in this area).
Take your dog to the veterinarian for regular check-ups. Yearly health checks can help detect problems before they turn serious. It’s the only responsible thing to do for our faithful dependants (fight the urge to damp the dog when it gets expensive).

Spay or neuter your dog. Dogs with this routine surgery tend to live longer, be healthier, and have fewer behavior problems (e.g., biting, running away). By spraying or nuetering your dog, you are also doing your part to reduce the problem of pet overpopulation.

Give your dog a nutritionally balanced diet, including constant access to fresh water. A well fed dog is a healthy and happy dog (some even cook for their dogs).

Enroll your dog in a training class. Positive training will allow you to control your companion's behavior safely and humanely, and the experience offers a terrific opportunity to enhance the bond you share with your dog. You can read up and DIY too (my family did that and it works).
Give your dog enough exercise to keep him physically fit (but not exhausted). Most dog owners find that playing with their canine companion, along with walking him twice a day, provides sufficient exercise (can be trying especially when we are all tired. That’s why its all about Commitment).

Be loyal to and patient with your faithful companion. Have reasonable expectations of your dog and remember that the vast majority of behavior problems can be solved. If you are struggling with your pet's behavior, ask for advice from vets, books on pets, on-line pet forums, etc (I’ve personally been helped by Singapore’s community of dog lovers who share their experiences & expertise willingly).

Well in conclusion; BE A RESPONSIBLE OWNER and all doggies says: “WOOF WOOF!”.

writtin @@

Saturday, January 24, 2009

WOOF WOOF all potential dog lovers,
This is your fellow dog lover here wishing you all a Happy Lunar New Year.

Have you ever wondered why dogs come in 11^th in the Chinese zodiac although he was supposed to be the best swimmer amongst the rest? One version has it that the dog needed a good bath after racing for a long spell, and the fresh water from the river was too big a temptation for him to overcome (see animation on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yCDYY2w4cg&feature=related). Anyway, dogs are in and they certainly have lots of good qualities like being determined, loyal, compatible, kind, honest, trustworthy and reliable.

The last year of the dog was in 2006 which coincided with the Fire Element. Fire Dogs are true leaders. Others enjoy being in the company of Fire Dogs. They’re charismatic, vibrant and confident and they always prefer to be on the go (information taken from http://www.chinesezodiac.com/dog.php). That was three years back when many people bought dogs to celebrate the ‘Dog Year’ without making a conscious commitment to care for them for life. Most chose to buy puppies as they are cute and cuddly. Many do not know the commitment needed to care for the financial, physical, social and emotional needs of a dog beforehand or they just simply ignored them. These are the people who gave up their dogs after the cuteness is overrun by chewed furniture & shoes, soiled floor and the trouble of walking and grooming the dog. I think pet shop owners can learn from SPCA to educate pet buyers on the commitment needed to care for a dog. I applaud those who refused to sell to impulse buyers; their greater love for dogs against profit is commendable.

Thank you for reading this post and have a very Happy ‘Niu’ Year!

writtin @@