Saw some news regarding my fav dog in GPF

Was feeling curious about GPF's situation when I heard one of their dogs passed away at the vet's recently.

The woman who (more or less decided) to renege on her promise to me has lost her favourite dog in the shelter. I feel sad for the dog, but I believe he would have gone to a better place where there is no suffering and pain =/ (he probably died from stomach/lung cancer as mentioned by GPF)

For her however, i totally felt that she deserved it. Karma at its best! Was half thinking of posting something sarcastic on facebook to dwell in delight at her plight but decided otherwise. I would have stooped to their level if I did that.

In fact, I never did post ANYTHING about their lack of keeping to promises to regular volunteers at all, I must be really very nice to do that... >.<!

Anyway, the dog I used to groom and take care of is officially adopted by the NUS lecturer woman. She claims he is very obedient and only problem he has is socialising with other dogs... blah blah blah....

On GPF's facebook, people are praising her to the heavens for knowing her dog well!

That must be difficult to achieve. /muchsarcasm

But little do they know that his obedience was probably due to my TLC and training while taking care of him from Jan to Oct 13. (9 months of training..!) >.>''

Something about sitting nicely in lifts and only getting out when given the "okay" sign? That was part of my training by the way.

Of course, GPF never mentioned that his current good behaviour was influenced by me at all. Because I am an "immature volunteer who they rather not have at all" /endquotebyflorence

It's okay, I don't need your recognition. I just thought the public should know the whole story.

But they don't, and they won't. Because I have subsequently thought better of it, since i'm no longer pro-active and supportive or even affiliated with GPF anymore.

Not that I want to, their facebook page is a beautifully written, but yet often-not-truthful-or-completely-honest page. Only those who are familiar with GPF will know, but who will say anything..? :P

I have already moved on, and hopefully will be able to find another dog that has similar characteristics :D

Take care dagger boy, she better treat you well..! :')

Signing Off,
-Khai

The day I lost my dog.

Friday, 11th October 2013. 

I remember clearly about 6 months ago when dagger first came into cage 1. He was jumping all around excitedly, probably thinking that his trip to GPF was going to be another play session...

On the very same day, I also remember him being enclosed in the room of cage 1, because the rest of the male dogs (especially Daryl) wanted to attack him.

Fast forward a month, he has settled into the shelter environment. Wagging his tail furiously and jumping onto me was a weekly sight whenever I'd pop by. Such an affectionate dog I thought.. 

Months passed and he grew up to be a handsome dog, fighting his way up the pack ladder and vying for the alpha spot with Daryl.

Though he does have his dominance issues with other dogs (especially male ones), he has never bitten any human. None. He would always find a human to sit and lie on, during the weekends where attention is aplenty.

I have always considered bringing him home where I can provide a better environment for him, and in return receive the joys of being a dog owner... 

But now, he will be adopted by another adopter other than myself. The shelter where I've so actively volunteered for a year (probably only missed out 4 weekends amongst the >50+) has decided to let him be adopted by a complete stranger who doesn't even have P.R or a Singapore citizenship. Dagger has known me more than half his life and I've utilised all my time in ensuring he behaves his best and gets the best attention and treatment when I'm around. Having said all these, I find myself outclassed by a complete stranger. What a complete fiasco. 

Haven't felt so upset in a long time, and I think it'll take awhile to let the scars of the loss of my potential dog to fade away..

-Khai =[

Objectivity vs Subjectivity

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10200829626843802

I saw this link on uncle wee's facebook 2 days ago, and it gave me an unpleasant surprise.

Unfortunately, a friend of mine was video-ed to have tugged quite strongly to a dog he was handling at the local park.

Upon viewing the video for the first time, it looked like he was too harsh on correcting the poor dog. Another volunteer shared this video, for reasons not logical to me.

I could be biased because the accused is my friend and I was the one who taught him the tugging method. I feel somehow guilty for this occurence.

But lets put all that aside and analyse the video.

At 2-4 seconds, Dara could be seen 3 metres away from the Dazzle. It is a known fact that Dazzle/Daffy will attack her upon close contact. I have personally handled Dazzle during the event and she barked at Dara from 10 metres away.

My friend tugged her at 3 second with one hand. He was holding on to a 1.5l bottle on the other, and may not be able to shorten the leash in time, had Dazzle not been tugged when she rushed forward.

At 5 seconds, Dazzle turned to Daffy, which rushed forward reactively. It is unknown if aggression is present at that moment, but would not be ruled out (SJ mentioned that they have been observed to fight outdoors even though they are sisters)

At 8-10seconds, Daffy can be seen trying to rush at something. I would assume it could be at Dara or other "hostile" dogs.

At 18 seconds, Dazzle could still be seen tugging away at the leash, something which she has been habitually doing. It is known that she could be over tugging and suffocating herself.

At 22 seconds, Daryl can be seen tugging furiously as well.


My conclusion : Daryl, dazzle and other dogs are not at fault! The handlers are the ones who did not inculcate the good habits and behaviours of how the dogs should be walking beside them.

It somewhat angers me when other people do not observe and analyse the situation objectively and "judge a book by its cover", or in this context, judge a human by solely one observed action.

I do not deny that my friend could have over-tugged Dazzle in this situation, or that he did not take the necessary precautions (such as shortening of leash) when other dogs are near.

Having said that, I would rather he over tug Dazzle than end up having to break up a dog fight, which could be more disastrous.

At the end of the day, the humans are responsible for guiding the dogs on "walking etiquette", which I shamelessly will affirm that I have tried my very best , no matter which dog I walk.

I definitely can't say the same for other handlers. =/

What say you?


Signing Off,
-Khai

Another one attached!

Another one of my animal friends just got attached recently, so glad for him! His first relationship, hopes it turns out well..! May you be forever happy and blissful with your other half! 

Sounds as if he's already getting married liao hahaha~~

Anywayyy, haven't blogged for awhile now so I guess it's time for a quick reflection of what's been going on.

School has started (in fact, more than halfway through) and I've been putting in some effort into the projects and reading the textbooks in general... Could have put in way more effort for one module, I'll suffer for it sooner or later :/

For the rest of the modules, I'd say I'm doing pretty darn well. HDs for all three marketing modules so far (although only 10% weightage per module , but wtheck xD )

Volunteering at the shelter has been quite a roller coaster experience. Many ups and downs of it, but I'm nevertheless content and convinced I made the right move in Nov 12. =]

Note to self: eventually I'll need to adopt dagger :(

Dota 2 has been strangely addictive. Can't seem to stop playing whenever I'm at home, so I try to hand ard outside/in sch if there's work to be done :s

.... I sure can try harder..! >.<!

As for fate, I'll leave it to itself. Ironic much! =x

Till next time, 

-Khai

Rules player

According to the all powerful book, I'm not supposed to talk, spread and propagate about it. 

But I guess it's okay, pretty much no one except myself reads this anyway.. =]

It's hard being a rules player. Can't do this, can't do that. But I guess it'll help everyone in the long run, and I believe it works. =]

Part of being a rules player involves one not spreading negativity, only positivity. No grumbling, complaints and etc. 

It's harder than I thought it would be. No facebook/twitter ramblings means I have to be really careful of what I talk about online. 

It's even harder not to complain in real life. I try my best, but I don't beat myself up if I fail. Lucky that's part of the package too ._."

I really really wanna recommend this to some people that I feel would benefit from this, but I'm not allowed to (goodie shoes) >.>

.

.

.

I miss the furkids. Sigh. #random

Anyway, I wanted to blog cause I needed to remind myself to enjoy the little good moments I get everyday, and not get caught up by the hustle and bustle and stress that every one's making noise about.

"Join them if you can't beat them" - does not apply. I damn well know better. >.>

Right now, I'm just grateful for enough sleep everyday, not having to slog in school/work, and being able to meet friends and family so often (if not everyday)  =)

Tata! 

-Khai =]

I wish I could bring you home.

After watching the Amber golden retriever video where the mum asked the daughter about whether she would abandon the retriever if it gets old and stuff, the daughter said the "pet is family" and "will never throw her away"

Such a simple yet impactful video.

I just wish I could do more by bringing you home. ='(

You'll definitely need more training but at the end of the day, its about the family being supportive of the decision, and not just about the characteristics of the dog.

I'm feeling so demoralised already. SIGHHH

-Signing off,
-Khai

How to reject someone like you..?

Im a sucker at rejecting people, especially this kind.

sigh, even at the expense of my academic results? im not sure if its worth it >.<

but i just cant say no. very very bad impression, especially when they need me most..

i guess i'll have to cope with what i have.

FIGHTING! STUDY MODE ON!

10days more to freedom! (more or less.!)

-Signing off,
Headache-Khai X_X