A Chow Chow Puppy

Daddy came across some pictures of a Chow puppy from an online pet store and he thinks the puppy looks very much like me! He asked Mummy if she thinks that was me! BOL! Well, what do you think?




























































































My parents have only 3 pictures of me when I was 3 months old. Only Huskee and Hershey's Mummy has seen me when I was that young. So, Aunt Shane, did I looked like the puppy in the pictures? As far as my Mummy can tell, we have the same marking on the forehead. But of course that puppy can't be me.

My Mummy & Daddy

My friend Honey, has tagged me to play in a game to post and tell everyone about my real mummy and daddy. Well, I don't know where my real chow parents or siblings are, except that I was born in Victoria, Australia. I was sent to Singapore when I was just several weeks old and the only humans I can remember so far are the pet shop workers and my first adoptive humans - a young dance instructor and his girlfriend. I wish I can be like Honey and have more information or memories of my real family, but sadly I don't. Sometimes I do wonder where they are and how they are doing, but most of the time, I just wonder when my human daddy is coming home so that I can sniff at his socks and welcome him home with my wagging tail.

Well then, let me tell you how I found my current humans instead! My first set of humans had no time to take care of me so they decided to put up a few posts online to help me look for a new home. I was only 5 months old. My current Mummy saw one of the online posts and decided to call up and arrange to meet me on the very same day. A few hours later, my current humans turned up and some words and papers were exchanged and then very quickly, I followed my current humans to their car and off we go to my new home!


First week in my current humans' apartment.


















Frankly, I thought I was just going for a spin with these humans. I've never been in the backseat of a car before and I love the novelty of looking out of the car window! Less than half an hour later, my humans led me to their apartment and I was getting scared! This house looks different from where I lived! I panicked but it was too late and the humans already locked the gate and I couldn't escape. I ran around the house trying to look for something familiar. But nothing is familiar. I was so scared, I peed and pooped right in the living room! My Mummy freaked out and groaned in dismay and that made me feel even more scared. I ran around again and stepped onto my own pee and left nasty paw and pee prints all over the living room. Thank god, the humans already rolled up their carpet and kept it in one corner. And when Mummy took out the mop to clean up the place, I thought she wanted to play tug of war and started to bite at the mop and refused to let go! That wasn't a very good start for me and my Mummy who has never owned a dog in her life. Of course the first two weeks was nightmarish for my Mummy, especially since I still peed and poop in the house.


Me in my dreaded crate. I'm glad to announce that I can no longer fit into this crate and Nono the cat has inherited it now.

Oh and I remembered the first night, my humans put me in my crate before they go to bed. They switched off all the lights and ignored my whining, hoping I will fall asleep soon. But I was just too excited to sleep! My Mummy crept out of the room and hid in a corner to peep at me. She thought I didn't see her but I did! And I was wondering why she was behaving like a rat! Turned out she was worried the weather was too hot for me to sleep and she put a fan near my crate so that I can at least enjoy some cool air.

It seems like such a long time but it was only 9 months ago when I found my current humans. I'm not too keen to change humans anytime soon and sometimes I do get a bit worried when my humans leave me at the grandparents' place and left the house without me. A part of me hoped desperately that they will return soon so I can feel assured and safe again.

And now for the fun part! I shall tag Hershey, Romeo, Dino and Pipa in the game to tell us about their daddy and mummy! And/Or if you don’t know much about them, then tell us about how you found your humans - and your first day in your new home!

Happy Moo Year!

Have a pawesome Moo year everyone! May the year of the Ox-picious Ox brings you plenty of wealth and health, joy, love, peace and treats!

The days leading to Chinese New Year were the best! Daddy took leave and brought me to the beach! Then my parents gave me the enviable job of supervising them while they clean the house. I didn't want to be too strict a supervisor, so I just let them do what they do while I drift off to dreamland....hehehehhe....

I also got to go to Granddad's place every often, I even went there twice in a day. It was really happening in the house cos everyone was busy cooking and taking out food and eating! I didn't get any of the human food, but at least Uncle Phil took pity on me and gave me a small piece of BBQ pork!

After the human's reunion din din, Mummy and Daddy brought me, together with Aunt TR and Aunt Coco to the dog park! To clarify, Aunt TR is Daddy's elder human sissy who flies back from Hong Kong for the Chinese New Year; whilst Aunt Coco is my Daddy's furry sissy who barks at me when I get too close to her. Now, back to the dog park. As expected, there weren't any doggies at the park cos it was New Year's eve and everyone is busy having their face stuffed at home. BUT we saw a cream Chow Chow when we approached the dog park! What are the chances?! I think the cream Chow Chow is called Chow Chow too! BOL! We chased and run and played bitey face - Chow version! Too bad, Mummy didn't have the camera with her, or else I could have shown you how much fun we had!

We had a stroll in the park after the dog run and Aunt Coco was so out-of-breath trying to catch up with us. She really needs to exercise more!

On the first day of Chinese New Year, my parents left me in Granddad's garden while they went off for lunch to celebrate Granddad's birthday. I was just minding my own business in the garden when some humans stopped to stare at me when they passed by the front gate of the house. Some of them even took out their cameras and took pictures of me. My humans were back very soon and they were quite worried what could have happened to me when they saw several people standing in their front gate looking in. They were relieved to see me, looking like my usual handsome self in the car porch, posing for pictures. BOL!

The second day of the new year was the best! Mummy invited her relatives to our house since they have not been to our house ever since my parents moved in more than a year ago. I love having guests in the house! I was so busy walking up and down and making sure everyone is comfortable and had their share of petting my magnificent mane and fussing over me. Everyone thinks I'm really adorable and fine-looking! Grandma was really nice as she fed me some raw fish and meat while she sliced the food for the steamboat dinner. Again, Mummy forgot (or was it too lazy) to take pictures of my adoring guests!

Anyway, enough of the long post! Here are some pictures to share. I'm glad mummy didn't forgot the use of her camera totally!


Daddy and me


Daddy trying to squash my face so that he can look better than me!


Aunt BB and me. She is my Mummy's younger sissy!


Mummy and me


The new family portrait


Mandarin oranges means good luck and auspicious. I hope I get lucky in scoring more treats!


Cherry blossoms and pink peonies signify Spring - a time for new beginnings. Have a great start to the year, everyone!

Separated at birth?

Chow Chow vs Afro Ken








Chow Chow vs Alex from Madagascar







Chow Chow vs Taiwanese host Chang Fei

Begging for treats

The weekend is finally here and it's the long weekend this time! Here's a video that Mummy made just for fun. Pardon the shaky shots. There's a good reason why Mummy was never the camerawoman in her TV Production projects in school.

A music video, starring yours truly doing my best cutesy look to beg for treats. Soundtrack: That's Amore by Dean Martin

Enjoy!

The one that got away

Do you believe in fate?

Daddy said that they are fated to have me in their lives. When Mummy wanted a Chow Chow very badly after the visit to the pet farm, she found a Chow pup (me!) up for adoption in an online post two days later. And I followed them home the very night they came to see me. My previous owner just handed the leash to them and I simply follow my parents into the car. No fuss at all. Perhaps I was glad to be out and about, having being cooped up at home and in the cage all day long.

I can still remember the night in Daddy's car. I was in the backseat and lying on Mummy's lap. I was drooling all over her lap and she didn't mind at all. She was stroking my fur, enjoying the softness and fluffiness of my puppy coat and my weight on her lap. When I reached my new home, I realised what had just happened! I am at a strange new place. There was no familiar sight, sound or smell. I tried to run away when they lead me inside the house. While Daddy popped out to buy me some food, I peed and pooped in the living room, to Mummy's horror! When she groaned out loud, I got scared and ran around the house while she tried to get hold of me. It was chaotic and I bet Mummy had a bit of regret in getting me.

I know Mummy feels guilty for entertaining thoughts of giving me up sometimes. Especially when I was naughty and throwing tantrums, jumping up on her and biting her. And when her eczema has gotten from bad to worst. The doctor said I could be one of the factors in triggering her eczema flare-up. Her palms are all red, raw and itchy like never before. Even her soles are affected for the very first time. I hope her skin gets better for I hate to see her suffer like this, even losing her sleep to the stupid itchy skin.

When Huskee and Hershey's mummy posted a comment on my blog, telling us that she wanted to get me initially, we got really excited! I mean, I could be leading Hershey's life right now! This also got Mummy thinking. She feels that I did not have a very good start in life. My previous owner wanted to give me up just weeks after he got me! And while he waited for someone to respond to his sale / adoption posts, I was kept in the cage all day and only let out to pee and poop and exercise when he is home at night. I don't blame my previous owner. He tried his best for my sake. I just wished things were a little different. But that doesn't matter anymore, does it?

Huskee and Hershey are very lucky to have their wonderful parents who love them so much. My parents love me too though Mummy thinks she is still far from being a great Mummy to me. Here's why:

1. Even though she is at home all day, she stays in the study surfing the web (updating my blog, looking for jobs, reading dog forums, etc). This means there is no interaction between us except for the petting whenever she pops out for a drink or to check on me.

2. When she goes around the house doing chores, she would talk to me as if I can understand what she is saying. Normally, I would either ignore her or follow her around the house and see what she is up to. She feels that she needs to play with me but she doesn't know how to. Sometimes she will throw me a ball but I don't feel like chasing it. On a few occasions she tried to play hide and seek with me, but I gave up looking for her after three tries. She can only engage me when she offers me a treat.

3. She is rather persistent and tough when she is training me outdoors. She will pretend she didn't hear me whining when I didn't want to walk anymore. Or she will dragged me away when I wanna rush over to the birds/cats/dogs across the street to say hi. I know she feels bad for "torturing" me like this cos she told me after each training session that this is for my own good. I still don't see her point.

4. She doesn't allow me to go onto the sofa, much less the bed! I couldn't access the rooms untill recently when my parents relax the rules. They are trying to be the alpha dogs here. But I feel so excluded, especially at night when they go to the room to sleep while I had to stay in the living room. Why is it that other dogs can sleep with their parents?!

5. Mummy suffers from Separation Anxiety, not me. She would be wondering what I am doing while she is out of the house. She is worried that I may get lonely so she will try to rush home as soon as she can. C'mon Mummy, I'm an independent boy! How many times did I turned the house upside down while you were out? Never! And the few times I pooped in the balcony doesn't count cos I was having the runs.

And the list goes on... My parents feel the need to show me tough love since I'm a big doggie and need rules and control. That's not fair! Coco the Shih Tzu need not go through all that I have to go through, just because she is one-third my weight.

I bet Hershey is having a better life than me too. But hey, I'm not complaining! Mummy is just being her silly old self when she told Daddy that I could be living a happier life if Hershey's mummy bought me from the pet shop two days earlier.

Mummy and Daddy, I am a happy boy! Can't you tell from the way I wagged my tail when you pet me, the way I sniffed excitably when you come home, the way I jumped joyfully when you bring me food? Of course I could be a lot more happier if you give me MORE yummy food. But that's ok, I still love you guys though you may not be smart enough to tell. My good life didn't got away. It came into existence the day you brought me home. So keep loving me the way you do if you want me to feel happy, healthy, contended and safe.

Lots of loving bites, wet licks and shedded fur,
Chow Chow

I thrashed the house!

Mummy still hasn't figured out my toilet habits it seems. I thought she and daddy could tell that I need to go when I start pacing the house and getting restless. But whenever I tried to tell them I need to go, they just ignore me. Or they will tell me to hold it! When a dog has to go, he has to go!

Many times there were accidents but at least I make sure I did it in the balcony! And I tried to aim at the newspapers laid on the floor though my aiming skills still need some polishing!

There was one time, I had to go outdoor for my pooping so badly I was going crazy! Mummy and daddy are already in bed and the bedroom door is closed. So there is really no way I could tell them the urgency. I start chewing on the toilet paper roll I found on the sofa. It was fun and a great way to distract my mind from pooping. I got so excited I even jumped onto the sofa and kicked away the cushions. I even managed to steal a chew at the Yakult bottle on the coffee table! After what seems like a long time in my new found joy of thrashing the hall, I felt the urgency to poop has returned. I quickly jumped off the sofa and rushed to the balcony to relieve myself.




















A while later, while I was minding my own business in the hall, Mummy came out of the room. She gasped when she saw what I had done and was very very upset. She frowned at me and asked me why I did it. C'mon, isn't the answer obvious? I felt a stab of guilt as she peered down on me. I just managed to give her the best sheepish look I can managed. I even stayed out of her way when she grabbed the vacuum cleaner and mop. I just looked at her in a corner and hoping she will give me a smile and a pat.
















She did that eventually after the hall and balcony is cleaned. I curled up near her feet, under the coffee table while she watched a bit of TV. It was almost 6am.

Another weekend

Times flies and another weekend has passed!

I didn't have my bath this weekend cos my parents are just too lazy. They didn't bring me to the regular dog park this weekend and they thought since I didn't get myself all muddy and dirty, I can skip a week of bathing. I think I should be grateful for their laziness, eh!

On Saturday, I was chilling out in the study with Daddy when I heard a dog barking! The sound was so loud and real, I thought there was a doggy pal in the house! I was so excited I started barking "hey, where are you doggy pal?!" I search the entire study but there is no dog in sight. I rushed out to the hall and there was not a single dog too. Now, where did that dog go to? Just then, Daddy told me there is no real dog in the house. Just a barking sound from the speakers! He was surfing the doggyfriend website and there's where the barking sound comes from! Now I see! It makes me kinda disappointed. I haven't seen my doggy pals, or any dogs for that matter this week. Not even the snobbish Coco. I miss sniffing their butts.

On Sunday, Daddy took me for my morning walk and he let me run unleashed in the open field near our house. Maybe he felt bad for not bringing me to the dog park! It was fun at first but after a while I got bored. It is just never the same without my doggy pals around.

Mummy and Daddy also got me a piece of raw meaty pork bone to chew on. It's my very first raw bone and I love it! I took a long time time chewing on it and it's just so fun and yummy! More meaty bones please!

Destructive Dog

Chow Chow recently bit on the cable of my Ikea lamp and now we can no longer use it! Naughty Chow Chow!
















Two months ago, he bit on our speakers' wire and so we can longer use the speakers too!















And of course when he first arrived, he gnawed on the tea table legs when he was resting under his fave spot.


A lot more things would also have been destroyed by Chow Chow had we not discover his mischief and stopped him in time.

Dirty Dog

Chow Chow loves to frolick in the mud puddle at the West Coast Dog Run. Look at how dirty he got himself! He needs a serious good scrub!

When night falls

Over the weekend, we stayed over at my in-laws' place cos my father-in-law was in Jakarta and we went over to keep my mother-in-law company. I like staying over at my in-laws' place for weekends cos it means Chow Chow will have a garden and backyard to roam and play in, plus I get to see Coco the Shih Tzu. Though I'm pretty sure Coco is not too thrilled to have Chow Chow in her house.

Chow Chow was super hyper when he arrived, leaping around the garden and spinning around to chase his own tail. On Friday night, I discovered that he was lying on the grass in the garden, occupied with something. I thought maybe he had stolen Coco's stuffed doll and was trying to mutilate it with his paws and teeth or that he has caught a cricket and is trying to stuff the hopping insect into my mouth. On closer inspection, I realised he was munching happily on the soil! I stopped him and got him to go inside the house. After a while when I wasn't looking, Chow Chow sneaked out to the garden again and this time for a second helping of the wet soil. He couldn't be hungry cos he ignored his bowl of kibbles. I shoved his favourite toy in his face and encouraged him to bite the stuffed doll instead.



Chow Chow has always love munching on long grasses whenever we bring him for his walks. Maybe he enjoys the texture and taste. I also suspect the soil may have something to do with his diarrhea cos later that very night, he went upstairs (something he has never dare to do in the house) and hubby found him outside our bedroom door. We thought he was scared and brought him inside our room immediately. Chow Chow was restless and keep going to my side of the bed and laid on my pillow. We told the naughty boy NO and then he kept pacing the room. That's it, we know from his body language that he is going to poop. We hurried out to bring him to the garden but it was too late. By the time we opened the door, Chow Chow did a few urgent rounds and started to squat. It's was no use saying NO to him. When a dog has to go, he has to go. He pooped right outside the room and just then, the helper came out to tell us that Chow Chow has pooped in her room. Gosh, we were aghast! We quickly cleaned up the mess and apologised to the helper. She just smiled and wanted to help clean up. But we felt so bad and hubby quickly went inside her room to clean up as well. He found out that Chow Chow has pooped right beside the helper! That was so rude!

On Sunday, when hubby and I came back after the AVA Pet Ownership Roadshow, my mother-in-law told us Chow Chow was helping himself to more garden soil. There is a big brown patch on the ground - Chow Chow has eaten up the fresh green grass and the soil beneath them.

Now, I have second thoughts about leaving Chow Chow to roam in the house and in the garden unsupervised after what he has done.



Just look at the picture. Doesn't Chow Chow look like a monster in the dark with those glowing eyes?!

Stink Bombs!

Warning: Disgusting dog poo image ahead!

Chow Chow has been having the runs for almost a week now. We suspect the culprit is the chicken liver that we fed him for dinner the other day. Sometimes when we couldn't bring him out of the house soon or often enough, he would eliminate in the balcony when he just couldn't hold it any longer.

He would bomb the balcony with his stinking poo a few times a day. Sometimes just within an hour after I had cleaned up his mess. The balcony floor was scrubbed and mopped a few times a day and it drove me, the undomestic goddess, up the wall! But I couldn't reprimand Chow Chow for it is not exactly his fault. We should be thankful he didn't do it all over the house!


















As Chow Chow is outdoor-trained and not paper-trained, his poo will end up on the floor instead of the many pieces of newspapers that we spread on the floor. Sometimes if we are lucky, the poo landed on the papers and cleaning up is made a tad easier.

Since he is pooping in balcony, Chow Chow probably also thinks he could release the pressure of his bladder there too. I'm concerned that Chow Chow is going to eliminate in the balcony from now on but hubby reckons he will stop once we start to feed him his food and water in the balcony again. He reasoned that dogs will not shit in the same place that he eats and vice versa. I'm back to leaving his food and water bowls in the balcony now. Hope the bad habit, and his diarrhea, will stop soon.

Brushing Teeth

My friend Jolene was telling me the importance of brushing my puppy's teeth and that we should cultivate the habit since young. You see, her 9 year-old Shih Tzu has really bad teeth cos the owners have never brushed his teeth before. They thought dental chews and chew toys are enough to clean the doggy's teeth. But no. To their horror, the Shih Tzu's teeth started to decay one by one and they need to send him to the vet for tooth extractions. Each time the vet will have to administer GA for the dog in order to extract its teeth and as everyone knows GA is really bad for dogs and human. Cos there is a possibility that the dog or human will never gain consciousness....

To avoid bad breath, decaying teeth and gum problems for Chow Chow, we bought him a tube of canine toothpaste and a double-headed toothbrush for some serious dental cleaning action. It was hard initially, cos Chow Chow was turned off by the scent of the toothpaste. We should have gotten him a salmon-flavoured toothpaste instead!

We put a little bit of toothpaste on my finger and encouraged Chow Chow to lick it off but he hated the smell and wander further from me. That leaves us with no choice but to make him sit and hold on to his collar. Hubby grabbed him and tried to soothe him and praise him so that Chow Chow would be less worked up, while I quickly thrust the toothbrush into his mouth and work it in and out along his teeth. Chow Chow liked it better when I allowed him to bite the toothbrush. Maybe since he has a grip on it, he is less fearful and more receptive to the toothbrush. He probably think we are playing with him too. Whatever. I just brush as much as I can along his teeth, upper and lower sets, in and out.

The second time we tried, which was yesterday, he actually stood there and let me thrust the toothbrush in and out of him mouth as he tried to bite at it. There's no need for two people to brush his teeth now.