Schnauzer Tales

2011-11-01T08:25:00.001-07:00

Beach day!!

2011-08-17T05:33:00.000-07:00

Sentosa is less crowded on a weekday

Pudding's birthday party

2011-07-26T08:39:00.001-07:00

Woman in China roasts puppy alive

2011-06-16T19:04:00.000-07:00

Screen grab from www.Chinasmack.com

By Faris Mokhtar | SingaporeScene – Thu, Jun 16, 2011

How gruesome it is to torture an animal, much else roast it alive? While this horrifying act did not take place in Singapore, but in the Kengkou district of Guangzhou, China.

Content-aggregation website chinaSmack posted a news article showing a Chinese woman roasting a puppy alive.

The gruesome incident was said to have taken place near the entrance of Kengkou market. The woman is seen grabbing the puppy using a throng and grilling it over what looks like a portable stove. After a while, the dog's body appeared stiff and its skin slightly charred.

Understandably, users who posted their comments on the website were vilified by the action.

One user known as VIP posted a comment, "Are you still human? Think for a moment, how would you feel if you were roasted alive/barbecued alive?"

Another who wanted to be known as Love, said, "What's wrong with people these days? They don't even seem like people/human anymore."

This abuse comes hot on the heels of another animal cruelty concerns in Indonesia where live cattle exports were subjected to mistreatment.

On 31 May, it was reported that the Australian government suspended live cattle exports to Indonesian abattoirs after a television program showed videos of cattles being unnecessarily whipped and left to bleed to death after their throats were cut using blunt knives.

The videos were recorded by Lyn White, a former police officer and campaign director of the animal welfare group Animals Australia. It is understood that the said abattoirs are located in Jakarta, Bogor, Bandar Lampung and Medan.

It is understood that Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered an investigation of slaughterhouses in the country, saying, "We have to highly respect animal welfare

Doggy Fashion Show

2011-06-05T22:23:00.000-07:00

Some photos from the Doggy Fashion Show at Simei East Point on Sunday

To be discarded

2011-05-25T21:49:00.000-07:00

Tessie is definitely cured. We still have all these syringes that we need to bring to the vet to be discarded. After spending $1500 medical bills we will not let her have the acupunture therapy recomended by the vet. It might cost another $1000!!

A Day in the Life of Oscar the Cat

2011-05-04T08:33:00.000-07:00

David M. Dosa, M.D., M.P.H.

N Engl J Med 2007; 357:328-329July 26, 2007

Oscar the Cat awakens from his nap, opening a single eye to survey his kingdom. From atop the desk in the doctor's charting area, the cat peers down the two wings of the nursing home's advanced dementia unit. All quiet on the western and eastern fronts. Slowly, he rises and extravagantly stretches his 2-year-old frame, first backward and then forward. He sits up and considers his next move.

In the distance, a resident approaches. It is Mrs. P., who has been living on the dementia unit's third floor for 3 years now. She has long forgotten her family, even though they visit her almost daily. Moderately disheveled after eating her lunch, half of which she now wears on her shirt, Mrs. P. is taking one of her many aimless strolls to nowhere. She glides toward Oscar, pushing her walker and muttering to herself with complete disregard for her surroundings. Perturbed, Oscar watches her carefully and, as she walks by, lets out a gentle hiss, a rattlesnake-like warning that says “leave me alone.” She passes him without a glance and continues down the hallway. Oscar is relieved. It is not yet Mrs. P.'s time, and he wants nothing to do with her.

Oscar jumps down off the desk, relieved to be once more alone and in control of his domain. He takes a few moments to drink from his water bowl and grab a quick bite. Satisfied, he enjoys another stretch and sets out on his rounds. Oscar decides to head down the west wing first, along the way sidestepping Mr. S., who is slumped over on a couch in the hallway. With lips slightly pursed, he snores peacefully — perhaps blissfully unaware of where he is now living. Oscar continues down the hallway until he reaches its end and Room 310. The door is closed, so Oscar sits and waits. He has important business here.

Twenty-five minutes later, the door finally opens, and out walks a nurse's aide carrying dirty linens. “Hello, Oscar,” she says. “Are you going inside?” Oscar lets her pass, then makes his way into the room, where there are two people. Lying in a corner bed and facing the wall, Mrs. T. is asleep in a fetal position. Her body is thin and wasted from the breast cancer that has been eating away at her organs. She is mildly jaundiced and has not spoken in several days. Sitting next to her is her daughter, who glances up from her novel to warmly greet the visitor. “Hello, Oscar. How are you today?”

Oscar takes no notice of the woman and leaps up onto the bed. He surveys Mrs. T. She is clearly in the terminal phase of illness, and her breathing is labored. Oscar's examination is interrupted by a nurse, who walks in to ask the daughter whether Mrs. T. is uncomfortable and needs more morphine. The daughter shakes her head, and the nurse retreats. Oscar returns to his work. He sniffs the air, gives Mrs. T. one final look, then jumps off the bed and quickly leaves the room. Not today.

Making his way back up the hallway, Oscar arrives at Room 313. The door is open, and he proceeds inside. Mrs. K. is resting peacefully in her bed, her breathing steady but shallow. She is surrounded by photographs of her grandchildren and one from her wedding day. Despite these keepsakes, she is alone. Oscar jumps onto her bed and again sniffs the air. He pauses to consider the situation, and then turns around twice before curling up beside Mrs. K.

One hour passes. Oscar waits. A nurse walks into the room to check on her patient. She pauses to note Oscar's presence. Concerned, she hurriedly leaves the room and returns to her desk. She grabs Mrs. K.'s chart off the medical-records rack and begins to make phone calls.

Within a half hour the family starts to arrive. Chairs are brought into the room, where the relatives begin their vigil. The priest is called to deliver last rites. And still, Oscar has not budged, instead purring and gently nuzzling Mrs. K. A young grandson asks his mother, “What is the cat doing here?” The mother, fighting back tears, tells him, “He is here to help Grandma get to heaven.” Thirty minutes later, Mrs. K. takes her last earthly breath. With this, Oscar sits up, looks around, then departs the room so quietly that the grieving family barely notices.

On his way back to the charting area, Oscar passes a plaque mounted on the wall. On it is engraved a commendation from a local hospice agency: “For his compassionate hospice care, this plaque is awarded to Oscar the Cat.” Oscar takes a quick drink of water and returns to his desk to curl up for a long rest. His day's work is done. There will be no more deaths today, not in Room 310 or in any other room for that matter. After all, no one dies on the third floor unless Oscar pays a visit and stays awhile.

Note: Since he was adopted by staff members as a kitten, Oscar the Cat has had an uncanny ability to predict when residents are about to die. Thus far, he has presided over the deaths of more than 25 residents on the third floor of Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Providence, Rhode Island. His mere presence at the bedside is viewed by physicians and nursing home staff as an almost absolute indicator of impending death, allowing staff members to adequately notify families. Oscar has also provided companionship to those who would otherwise have died alone. For his work, he is highly regarded by the physicians and staff at Steere House and by the families of the residents whom he serves.

Source Information
Dr. Dosa is a geriatrician at Rhode Island Hospital and an assistant professor of medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University — both in Providence.

Myanmar Cat

2011-04-30T05:30:00.000-07:00

Myanmar cat

Just came back from a trip to Myanmar, for more photos go to www.jadedtravels.blogspot.com

A day at Pet U Megamart

2011-04-10T08:05:00.000-07:00

We brought Tessie to Pet Megamart to use the pool there for her therapy. By 12 noon it started to get crowded as more dogs arrived

Rocky in the cage

2011-04-09T02:04:00.000-07:00

We lock Rocky up in the cage with Tessie when he gets out of hand

Getting better

2011-04-07T23:24:00.000-07:00

Tessie lying on her back

Trying to walk

2011-04-06T21:53:00.001-07:00

Tessie is able to satnd and walk a bit. But the vet told us she will needd to rest. It will take another month for her to get back in shape. We should try to bring her to swim so that her back muscles can be strengthened.

Update on Tessie

2011-04-01T06:28:00.000-07:00

Although the vet told us to keep Tessie in the cage, we would try to let her out so that she can lie on her bed.This will prevent bed sores

Phuket trip

2011-03-28T02:09:00.001-07:00

Some photos of dogs in Phuket

It was a wrong time to go on a holiday but the trip was planned 6 months ago.We left them at our dogsitter Cynthia's place. For more on our trip please go to
http://jadedtravels.blogspot.com/

Intravenous drip

2011-03-24T04:51:00.000-07:00

Jo administering a dosage of Vitamin B complex

Tessie has a slipped disc

2011-03-23T00:37:00.000-07:00

Two nights ago I could hear Tessie rumbling and moaning lighly thru the night. In the morning she was limping. Jo brought her to the vet and she was diagnosed with a slipped disc. She will need to rest for a month.

Loyal dog in China

2011-03-18T22:37:00.001-07:00

Loyal dog in tsunami hit Japan

2011-03-18T22:33:00.001-07:00

Expressing Roky's anal glands

2011-03-14T06:28:00.000-07:00

We suspected that Rocky had swollen anal glands when he kept trying to drag his butt on the floor.Jo squeezed out some discharge. It has a musky smell. This is why dogs like to smnell each other's butt

UK soldier, loyal dog, make final journey together

2011-03-12T20:21:00.000-08:00

By JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press Jill Lawless, Associated Press – Thu Mar 10, 4:20 pm ET

LONDON – Liam and Theo were a team, fast friends doing a dangerous job — searching out roadside bombs laid by insurgents in Afghanistan.

The jovial British soldier and his irrepressible dog worked and played together for months, and died on the same day. On Thursday they came home, flown back to Britain in a somber repatriation ceremony for the soldier remembered for his empathy with animals and the companion he loved.

Lance Cpl. Liam Tasker, a dog handler with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, was killed in a firefight with insurgents in Helmand Province on March 1 as he searched for explosives with Theo, a bomb-sniffing springer spaniel mix. The dog suffered a fatal seizure hours later at a British army base, likely brought about by stress.

Military officials won't go so far as to say Theo died of a broken heart — but that may not be far from the truth.

"I think we often underestimate the grieving process in dogs," said Elaine Pendlebury, a senior veterinarian with animal charity PDSA. "Some dogs react very severely to their partner's loss."

She said it was not uncommon for pets to respond to an owner's death by refusing food and becoming sick — and the bond between working dogs and their handlers is especially close.

"The bonding that I have seen between soldiers or police and their dogs is fantastic. When you see them working together, it's really one unit."

A military Hercules plane carrying Tasker's body and Theo's ashes touched down Thursday at a Royal Air Force base in southwest England. As the funeral cortege of black vehicles drove slowly away, it was saluted by a long line of military dog handlers, their dogs at their sides. A black Labrador retriever sat quietly beside its handler as the hearse carrying the flag-draped coffin disappeared from view.

At the nearby town of Wootton Bassett, where people line the streets in a mark of respect each time a dead soldier is repatriated, dozens stood silently — some with dogs at their feet — as Tasker's friends and family laid roses atop the hearse.

The Ministry of Defense said Theo's ashes would be presented to Tasker's family later at a private ceremony.

Tasker, 26, from Kirkcaldy in Scotland, spent six years as an army mechanic before joining the military working dog unit in 2007. He felt he had found his calling.

"I love my job and working together with Theo," Tasker said in a profile of the pair released by the Ministry of Defense before his death. "He has a great character and never tires. He can't wait to get out and do his job and will stop at nothing."

The soldier and the 22-month-old dog had been in Afghanistan for almost six months, uncovering roadside bombs and weapons in a dangerous daily routine.

Theo became a bit of a military celebrity last month after the defense ministry released photos and video of him and Tasker to highlight the lifesaving work of military dogs. The footage, now deeply poignant, shows Theo — energetic, ears cocked, tail wagging — alongside Tasker searching a compound for explosives.

In it, Theo is seen feverishly circling the dusty area, his nose pressed to the ground. At one point he stops, tail wagging furiously, and begins digging the rocky earth before turning eagerly toward Tasker, who calls out "good boy!" and lets out a chortle of delight before tossing him a treat.

The ministry said then that Theo had been so successful — finding 14 hidden bombs and weapons caches, a record for a team in Afghanistan — that the dog's tour of duty had been extended by a month.

Tasker was the 358th British soldier to die in Afghanistan since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion. Theo was the sixth British military dog killed in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2001.

There are calls for Theo to receive the Dickin medal, which since 1943 has recognized wartime bravery by animals, from carrier pigeons to a World War II commando collie.

The loyalty of some dogs is legendary, from Greyfriars Bobby, a 19th-century Skye terrier who guarded his master's Edinburgh grave for 14 years, to Hachiko, a Japanese dog who awaited his owner's return at a train station every day for years after the man's death. Both are commemorated with statues.

Tasker's father, Ian, said Theo would have been devastated by Liam's death.

"I truly believe when Theo went back to the kennel, that that would have a big, big impact because Liam wasn't there to comfort him," he told ITV news.

Tasker's mother, Jane Duffy agreed. "I'm not nurse or a vet (but) I would like to believe (Theo) died of a broken heart to be with Liam," she told the broadcaster.

Tasker's colleague's recalled the soldier's bond with his dog and zealous attention to duty in tributes released by the defense ministry.

"A natural with animals, he had an affection for his dog that truly was a window to his soul," said Maj. Alexander Turner, a commander of Tasker's unit.

He "was here to save life, finding explosive devices that kill more farmers than combatants in our area," Turner said. "His fortitude and zeal for that perilous task was humbling; it imbued us all with confidence. He used to joke that Theo was impossible to restrain but I would say the same about Lance Corporal Tasker."

Tasker's uncle, Billy McCord, said the soldier had been due to leave Afghanistan soon and worried about being separated from Theo.

"He actually said at one point that when he finished his tour he was not sure what would happen to his dog and that he could be separated from his dog," McCord told the local Courier newspaper in Scotland. "That was preying on his mind, but they are not separated now."

Man fined S$10,000 for unlicensed puppy

2011-02-23T06:33:00.000-08:00

By Shaffiq Alkhatib | Posted: 23 February 2011 1451 hrs

SINGAPORE: A scuba diving instructor was fined the maximum S$10,000 for bringing in a puppy from Malaysia without a licence.

29-year-old Eugene Yeo Jiedong visited a dog breeder in Kuala Lumpur on November 15 last year, to purchase a Golden Retriever puppy.

He paid about RM3,500 (S$1,500) for it before driving back to Singapore via the Tuas Checkpoint.

The court heard that Yeo was aware of the strict import control measures laid down by Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).

But he decided to take the risk and placed the puppy inside a black bag before passing through the checkpoint undetected at around 5.30am the next day.

He was exposed when he brought the four-month-old puppy to Mount Pleasant Veterinary Clinic December 7 last year.

Yeo told Dr Boon Chia Yun that he had brought the puppy into the country without a licence and he wanted it to be vaccinated against rabies in case it had the disease.

Dr Boon highlighted to him the seriousness of his offence as it could cause a rabies outbreak in Singapore.

She also advised him to own up to the AVA within a week's time, adding that she would report the matter to the authorities should he fail to do so.

Yeo did not heed the advice and this prompted Dr Boon to blow the whistle on him.

AVA's prosecuting officer, Yap Teck Chuan, who had pressed for the maximum fine, said that the courts should adopt a strong stance against such offences.

He stressed that rabies was a fatal disease transmitted through the bite of an infected animal.

Singapore has been free from rabies since 1953 and an outbreak here would spread panic amongst the public, said Mr Yap.

- CNA/fa

Scottish deerhound is best in show at Westminster

2011-02-16T05:03:00.000-08:00

By BEN WALKER, AP Sports Writer Ben Walker, Ap Sports Writer

NEW YORK – Hickory just might like the big-city life.

A Scottish deerhound that loves to chase deer and rabbits on a 50-acre farm in Virginia did more than fine at Madison Square Garden this week, winning best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club on Tuesday night and the title of America's top dog.

"She's not used to lights, camera and noise," handler Angela Lloyd said.

Whatever, Hickory will get a couple of Manhattan treats on Wednesday — steak at famed Sardi's restaurant and a trip to the top of the Empire State Building.

The 5-year-old Hickory became the first of her breed to capture the purple-and-gold ribbon and shiny silver bowl.

By dog world standards, it was an upset. OK, maybe not quite as big as the Hickory Huskers winning the Indiana high school state basketball championship in the film "Hoosiers," but quite a surprise nonetheless.

"I think Hickory could feel my lead that I was excited and went with it," Lloyd said.

Judge Paolo Dondina of Italy thanked every person and dog inside the arena, then picked Hickory from a best-of-seven final show ring that truly sounded international — along with a Scottish deerhound, there was a Pekingese, Portuguese water dog, Chinese shar-pei, smooth fox terrier, bearded collie and black cocker spaniel.

A couple of those pooches on the green carpet ring with Hickory were among the country's top-rated show dogs. The 85-pound Hickory wasn't on that list, though she wagged her long tail the most at the end after beating out a total of nearly 2,600 entries. No doubt, owners Sally Sweatt and Cecilia Dove and Dr. Scott Dove were equally thrilled after her 16th best-in-show overall.

"The quality of all of the dogs were outstanding," Dondina said. "This animal is like in the heavens. It's not of this world."

The 135th Westminster was considered a wide-open field from the start. A smooth fox terrier that was the No. 1 show dog of 2010 recently retired and an Australian shepherd that won the big AKC/Eukanuba event did not enter.

Hickory won the hound group Monday night, then had to wait around all day for her big chance. That was a lot to ask for a kind of dog that feels most comfortable in the woods, but she clearly managed to do just fine.

The 31-year-old Lloyd had won at Westminster before — in 1998, she was honored for her handling in the junior showmanship for youngsters who hope to work in the dog world.

"People who own, breed, show dogs dream of this day," she said.

Among the owners who showed earlier in the day: Brig. Gen. Rhonda Cornum, an Army surgeon who was shot down from a helicopter during the Persian Gulf War and briefly held as a prisoner of war. She was at the Garden showing a Gordon setter.

Cornum was clear on which was more difficult, ascending in the show ring or in the military.

"No question, it is dogs," she said.

Sitting high up in section 118, Linda Melvin kept her eyes fixed on those Gordon setters competing on the floor. A seat away, her daughter fixated on her cell phone.

Krista Piller was busy posting on Facebook: "Wants a big dog to win the WKC dog show this year."

"I'll being putting up more, too," Piller wrote.

From the stands, to the rings to backstage, people were a-twitter — iPads, Blackberries, Droids and then some at an event that started in 1877. Signs of social media were everywhere at the Westminster Kennel Club show.

Proving, in fact, that it is indeed possible to teach an old dog show new tech tricks.

"It is now uploaded!" exclaimed Lorraine Shore of Sequim, Wash.

In town with a pair of German pinschers, her peeps worldwide could see on YouTube how her favorite pooches fared.

"From Germany to Australia to California, people are waiting for my postings," she said. "People who have never been here, now they've experienced Westminster."

Westminster had 49,000 friends on Facebook by late Tuesday afternoon, said Susi Szeremy of the kennel club's social media team, and the number quickly zoomed to more than 60,000. There are about 2,400 followers Tweeting along — litters of twitters.

Ken Roux of Dixon, Ill., made it easy for anyone to keep track of his Boston terrier at the 135th Westminster event. Hoss won a best of breed award Monday.

Roux put a tag with a QR code, a sophisticated set of small squares randomly appearing in a larger square, on top of his dog's crate. The pattern is more than an inch square, and anyone pointing a smartphone at the pattern is automatically taken to Hoss' website.

Brook Berth, an assistant to Hoss' handler, said she'd heard only one other dog at Westminster had the QR tag, which stands for "quick response." The new technology allows people to instantly access the dog's history and contacts.

"I noticed a lot of people taking pictures," Berth said. "It's just so convenient. You don't have to worry about people writing down information or passing out cards. They have it all right away."

The fancy bar codes could become Westminster's trendy bark codes.

"This is the test area," Berth said. "So far, it seems to be a big hit."

Airlift rescues abandoned LA chihuahuas

2011-02-12T22:48:00.001-08:00

AFP - Sunday, February 13

LONG BEACH, California (AFP) - – Blame it on Paris Hilton: the craze for owning small dogs as fashion accessories has led to an explosion in the number of abandoned chihuahuas in Los Angeles, where tiny canines are everywhere.

But now an animal-friendly philanthropist has come to their rescue, organizing an airlift of diminutive pooches abandoned by impatient owners in California -- jetting them off by private plane to Canada, of all places.

"In Los Angeles, in particular, we have an overpopulation of small dogs, many of them Chihuahuas because people think that having a small dog is easy to maintain in a home," said organizer Madeline Bernstein.

The phenomenon has increased after films like "Legally Blonde," and "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" adds Bernstein of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA).

To make it worse, "a significant number of young celebrities like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, they started to get out with these little dogs like accessories," she told AFP.

"The problem is, they are not accessories, they are dogs. They poop, pee and you should take care of them, .. and young people want them as if they were a nice bag, then they get tired ..and leave the dogs in the streets or shelters."

There are estimated to be more than 60,000 Chihuahuas in Los Angeles, where newcomers are often shocked at the luxuries afforded to the miniature hounds, often petted over like babies in the street or in cafes and bars.

Owners can choose from a seemingly endless range of dog spas, boutiques and even schools of canine yoga for their tiny charges -- although the costs involved may possibly help explain why so many are being abandoned.

Whatever the reasons, animal lovers are determined to rescue those that they can from a sad and lonely life in a shelter in California.

That's why on Friday Bernstein and a group of other dog-lovers took action, strapping some 60 dogs in for a three-hour "Air Chihuahua" flight from Long Beach, California, to Edmonton, Canada.

Candy, Kobe, Sadie, Winnie, Taylor and Troudy were among those heading for a new life further north, a long way from the heat of California, and even further from the northern Mexican province from which they get their name.

The spcaLA has been organizing Air Chihuahua flights since December 2009, to destinations including Colorado, Houston and Florida. But Friday's 40,000 dollar operation was the first international airlift.

Jan Folk, a Canadian businesswoman and philanthropist who owns the plane, said that in southern California animal rescue centers deal with large volume of strays admitted every day.

"They feel that they would have no other choice but to eventually euthanize the dogs if they were not transferred," she lamented to AFP on the tarmac in Long Beach, just south of Los Angeles.

In Edmonton, "more people are willing to wait for the California dogs because they know that many .. may come from puppy mills or brokers where they often live in horrible conditions," she added.

"The small breed dogs are in such demand that most were adopted within two or three weeks of arriving in Edmonton. In fact, there was a line of potential adopters at the Edmonton shelter waiting for the dogs to arrive!" she said.

Airlift rescues abandoned LA chihuahuas

2011-02-12T22:48:00.000-08:00

Canada investigates mass sled dog slaughter

2011-02-01T04:31:00.000-08:00

AFP - Tuesday, February 1

VANCOUVER, Canada (AFP) - – Police are investigating the slaughter of 100 husky dogs used during the 2010 Winter Olympics to pull tourist sleds in the Canadian ski resort of Whistler, authorities said.

The grisly killings were reportedly carried out by one worker over two days in April 2010 with a shotgun and a knife, with reports of injured dogs crawling out of a mass grave.

Local media said the dogs were killed because business slumped in the two months following the Games and they were no longer needed by tourism companies Outdoor Adventures and Howling Dogs, which sell dog-sled rides to tourists.

"We've opened a police file and assigned an investigator," Royal Canadian Mounted Police Staff Sergeant Steve LeClair told AFP.

The case came to light on Monday after the unnamed worker claimed post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of killing the dogs, and was reportedly awarded compensation from British Columbia worker's board.

Marcie Moriarty of the Society for Prevention of Animal Cruelty, the lead agency in the investigation, told the Vancouver Sun, "The way he describes (in the board's report) multiple shots and faces blown off and coming back on a second day is gruesome."

"The way this employee describes it, it's a massacre absolutely, a criminal code offence. These dogs were killed in front of the other dogs that were all tethered up."

The man's personal injury lawyer Cory Steinberg told news radio station CKNW, "It wasn't always a clean, one-shot kill. Inevitably he ended up seeing and having to put the end to some horrific scenes."

A spokeswoman for the law firm refused to comment on the criminal investigation and Outdoor Adventures did not return repeated calls from AFP.

The company's website, with photos of huskies and sleds, however, continues to advertise a dog sled ride for CAN$169 per person, "as a once in a lifetime experience (with) your team of energetic and loveable Alaskan Racing Huskies."

The maximum penalty in Canada for injuring or endangering an animal is five years in jail, while animal cruelty is punishable by a fine and 18 months in jail.

Family Reunion

2011-01-20T00:42:00.000-08:00

Cookie and Ozzy
From left- Tessie, Rockie, Cookie and Ozzy

It was a surprise reunion at the dog run last weekend when we bumped into Cookie.He is much taller and heavier than his father Ozzy

Dog allegedly hit with metal chain repeatedly

2011-01-04T02:05:00.000-08:00

The skin on Wander’s snout has rotted away, leaving its flesh open to infection. (Photo: Madam Wong’s Shelter)

In the latest reported case of animal abuse, a stray female dog was apparently hit on the face repeatedly with a metal chain, leaving its snout disfigured, oozing pus and blood.

Pictures of the abused dog, Wander, was posted on citizen journalism website Stomp on Monday, drawing outrage from netizens.

Mr Ray Yeh, who is in charge of animal shelter Mdm Wong’s Shelter (MWS), said Wander was brought to MWS on Sunday, with injuries it sustained over a month ago.

He told Yahoo! Singapore, it is believed Wander was living in an industrial park, under a lorry. When an unfamiliar foreign worker encroached its “territory”, Wander started barking and subsequently got “bashed up” by the worker.

Another foreign worker, who heard the commotion, ran out and shouted at the abuser. The culprit then cycled away.

A salesman, Mr Ng, who used to feed Wander, told The New Paper (TNP) he tried to treat the dog’s wounds with antiseptic cream but to no avail. The infection later spread to its left eye.

Mr Ng, 48, then took Wander to the vet, where he spent some $300 on medication and boarding fees. On Sunday, he brought Wander to MWS.

“When Wander came in on Sunday, her wound dripped blood when she lowered her head,” described MWS volunteer Lyn Loh, who posted the pictures of Wander’s abuse on Stomp.

Animal abuse cases appear to be on the rise.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (SPCA) initial figures show over 900 cases investigated in 2010, said executive director Deirdre Moss. In 2009, the SPCA investigated 864 reports of alleged cruelty, 13 per cent more than the year before.

Currently, the SPCA is also appealing for information on a dog that was found dead on Dec 26, at the void deck of Blk 415 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 under “suspicious circumstances”. It had blood on its paw and mouth.

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) saw a startling 24 cases of animal abuse from January to late October last year, compared to nine in 2009, 11 in 2008 and seven in 2007. AVA attributes the increase to growing public awareness, reported TNP.

Mr Yeh said, Wander is now undergoing surgery to remove dead tissue, blood and pus from its wound. Medical fees could run up to over a thousand dollars.

“Wander is still very trusting and friendly. She started eating yesterday, which is a good sign,” added Mr Yeh.

Pictures of the abused dog were also posted on MWS’ Facebook page on Sunday, in an attempt to highlight the abuse of dogs in Singapore. Various people have since offered to contribute money for Wander’s treatment.

MWS urged for harsher penalties to be imposed on animal abusers and for people to report any case of animal abuse.

SPCA said, “The injuries on the dog are horrific and action needs to be taken if the dog was abused as reported.”

The society urged anyone with knowledge of the incident to make a police report — as the SPCA does not have legal powers to investigate and take action — and inform the SPCA, as soon as possible. For further assistance, the public can call the SPCA at 62875355 ext 9.

The SPCA will also be liaising with the AVA on this matter, said Ms Moss.

AVA has confirmed it is investigating the case.

Ms Moss pointed out, “As the reports in the press say that the dog was found two months ago, it may be hard to establish how the dog was injured unless the stray feeder who found the dog goes back to the scene (of where the crime was allegedly committed) to speak to the worker (who reportedly saw the act being committed).”

The maximum punishment for animal abuse is a fine of S$10,000 and jail term of 12 months.

Thank you for the incredible, amazing response to Yahoo!’s Fit-To-Post blog so far. We continue to welcome your views and comments but please don’t abuse this opportunity. Be nice. Be courteous. Be sensible. Respect the feelings of others and refrain from using any kind of offensive language. And in the spirit of great conversations, please don’t stray from the topic at hand.

New look

2010-12-27T04:46:00.000-08:00

Everyone has their fur shaved down while Jo is away in Canada.

Sniffer dog attacks Philippine shopper

2010-11-20T00:45:00.000-08:00

AFP Wednesday, November 17 2010

MANILA (AFP) - – A sniffer dog deployed at a Philippine shopping mall has attacked and mauled a woman customer, authorities said Wednesday.

The Manila shopper, who was with her child, told local television stations she was hospitalised with bite wounds between her eyes, across the bridge of her nose, and on her forehead when set upon by the Belgian Malinois.

Police officer Paulo Ortega told GMA network that the woman sought and got permission from the bomb-sniffing dog's handler to pet the animal last weekend.

"According to the handler, the dog allowed the woman to touch it. But when she sat down to continue the petting, that's when it bit her on the face."

The victim's child was unharmed.

It was not known if the dog was put down. The canine unit involved was owned by a private security firm contracted by the mall operator.

The Philippine coastguard, which deploys its own canine units at strategic locations in Manila to deter terrorist bombings, confirmed the incident on its website.

It said its handlers had been instructed to take extra precautions "in view of the recent K9 attack wherein a lady victim in a supermarket... was badly bitten in the face by a K9 that went wild".

Greedy boy

2010-11-19T20:58:00.000-08:00

I lost sight of Rocky for a moment while walking the dogs.Found him eating the cat food left at the corner of the block by cat lovers

Candid shots

2010-11-16T05:39:00.000-08:00

Outing in the rain

2010-11-14T06:19:00.000-08:00

We brought the dogs out despite the rain

More photos

2010-11-12T00:04:00.001-08:00

I decided to bring the camera along when I brought the boys down this afternoon.

Rocky taking a leak
The Lesser Racquet-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus remifer)
There are two kinds of Ixoras planted in the neighbourhood.The red ones...
And the pale yellow ones

An interesting walk

2010-11-10T18:37:00.000-08:00

It would have been just another evening walk with the dogs if I had not chanced upon 2 butterflies engaging in a mating ritual.I quickly brought the boys home and ran down with my camera.They were attached on the frond of a palm tree and I had to tip toe to take a series of shots

Happy birthday Rocky!!

2010-10-30T17:46:00.001-07:00

How time flies.Rocky is three years old today!!

Switching to cauliflower

2010-10-28T06:03:00.001-07:00

We have decided to switch to feeding the dogs cauliflower instead of broccoli. Cauliflower is much cheaper and it is by no means less nutritous.Below is some info from the web on the nutrition from this marvelous vegetable.

Cauliflower is a vegetable that is many times overlooked. It is a member of the cruciferous family, a family which is known for containing nutrients that fight against several diseases.

There are two main ingredients in cauliflower, and all of the cruciferous family, that are the main disease fighters. These are indole-3-carbinol, or 13C, and the photonutrient sulforaphane. In research done at John Hopkins University in Baltimore, sulforaphane lowered the occurance of breast tumors in lab animals by almost 40%. Toxins that would normally damage the cells and turn cancerous, are swept out of the system by sulforaphane, preventing tumors before they begin. 13C works in concert with the sulforaphane by acting as an anti-estrogen. Estrogen in high levels is known to foster tumor growth, especially in the breasts and the prostate glands. 13c helps to lower the estrogen count, thus lowering the chances of tumor growth.

Cauliflower also contains vitamin C and folate. Folate helps the blood work more efficiently and is often recommended for preventing anemia. Folate is also essential for proper tissue growth and not getting enough can make you succeptible to many diseases down the road such as cancer and heart disease. Vitamin C is considered an antioxident. When used alongside other antioxidents such as vitamin E and betacarotene, you can keep your immune system strong.

Three florets of cauliflower a day will provide you with 67% of your daily vitamin C requirement. When purchasing cauliflower, make sure the tops are white. If the floret has begun to spot brown or puple, it is past its nutritional peak. Serving the cauliflower raw will give you the highest nutritional benefits, however, if you must cook it, lightly steamed will also keep its cancer-fighting components intact.

Photos from the BBQ outing

2010-10-22T03:12:00.001-07:00

Rocky and his sister Emma

Serene celebrating Emma's birthday with a cake for her doggie friends
Pudding, the baby at the outing
Rocky and his mom Tessie

Outing at Pet Movers Dog Run

2010-10-09T08:12:00.000-07:00

A friendly Shit Tzu
Tessie and Rocky on the A frame

Chengdu photos

2010-10-03T05:48:00.000-07:00

Rocky and Tessie trying on the Panda suit we bought in Chengdu
For more photos of our trip go to http://jadedtravels.blogspot.com

Outing at East Coast park

2010-09-14T09:13:00.000-07:00

Ozzy checking out the beach
We like to bring them here as this stretch of the park is less crowded being at the very end-it is right next to the National Sevice Resort Golf course
Everyone's tired after running around

Back from the Philippines

2010-08-20T13:51:00.000-07:00

Just got back from Manila and Cebu. For more photos please go to http://jadedtravels.blogspot.com/
Boogie is the bomb sniffing dog at the Marriott Cebu.Boogie means handsome
Snoopy the bomb sniffer at Shangrila Manila.He is really friendly

Gathering at Singapore Badminton hall

2010-08-14T00:17:00.000-07:00

Tammy begging for food
Close up of emma
Family potrait:From left- Ozzy, Rocky, Tessie and Emma

Princess was waiting anxiously for her owner at the door
Rocky and Princess
Not all the dogs liked to eat the jelly

National Day Celebrations at Marina Bay Sands Skypark

2010-08-09T05:17:00.000-07:00

View at the Skypark
The new Botanical Gardens at the Bay is still under construction
The paratroopers from the Army trying to land at the Padang

National Day Celebrations

2010-08-09T00:14:00.000-07:00

Rocky the patriotic dog waving the Singapore flag

Dog chews off Michigan man's toe, saves his life

2010-08-07T00:37:00.000-07:00

Reuters - Thursday, August 5

DETROIT - A Michigan man credited his dog with saving his life by chewing off his diseased big toe as he lay passed out in a drunken stupor.

Jerry Douthett, 48, woke up on a Saturday night in late July in his Rockford, Michigan home to find his Jack Russell Terrier, Kiko, had gnawed off his right big toe.

"The dog always lays with me on the bed," said Douthett. "That night, I woke up and looked down at my foot, and it was wet. When I looked it was blood, and there was the dog looking at me with a blood mustache."

Douthett's wife, Rosee, rushed him to a hospital where doctors found he was suffering from Type 2 diabetes. His toe was badly infected and surgeons amputated the remainder of the digit.

Douthett's wife, a registered nurse, had been urging him for weeks to have his infected toe examined by a doctor.

On the night Kiko ate his toe, Douthett said he had been out with his wife and drank about "six or seven beers" and a pair of giant margaritas "big enough to put goldfish in."

"I was self-medicating at this point," he said. "The moral of the story is that the dog saved my life, because otherwise I never would have gone in to see a doctor."

The couple said they were amazed that Kiko appeared to know Douthett had an infection that needed treatment.

"He kind of chewed off the infected part and stopped at the good bone," said Rosee. "We joked that we shouldn't have had to pay the co-pay because he did half the job by chewing off half of the toe."

New designs

2010-07-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

The shoes with the LV designs are better at keeping their paws dry
The shoes look good on the dogs but they are not as water resistant as the old ones
We bought a couple of shoes with the Burberry look to try out

Back from Bangkok

2010-06-26T10:45:00.003-07:00

Rocky wearing the bath robe Jo bought in Chatuchak market.We couldn't stop laughing at Rocky

We just returned from a trip to Bangkok to pick up some doggy shoes .For more photos goto www.jadedtravels.blogspot.com

Sleeping in the other room

2010-06-18T04:09:00.000-07:00

The weather has been humid lately and we have decided to sleep in the other room which has the air con. The dogs have moved in as well.

Sexually abused dog euthanised

2010-05-27T06:47:00.000-07:00

Tyson the Labrador mix was euthanised in Canada after being sexually abused by its owner according to The Windsor Star

Back from Jogjakarta

2010-05-08T00:48:00.001-07:00

Jogjakarta's population is mainly Muslim. So I was surprised to see a dog with its owner on Mount Merapi. The dog is in good shape. I have seen dogs in worse shape in places like Thailand and Cambodia

Rocky checking out Ebi.Emma was not around as she was sick and was under observation at the vet
Right after I came back frm Jogjakarta, we brought the dogs to Serene's housewarming party.For photos of my trip go to www.jadedtravels.blogspot.com

Cat killer on the loose

2010-04-01T00:33:00.000-07:00

Our neighbour who lives on the second floor has three of these white cats.They are allowed to roam around the neighbourhood. Rocky loves to chase after them.One of them was found with serious injuries. One of its front paws was smashed up and the mouth was bent upwards.The owner paid $3000 to have the vet perform surgery on it

Tessie is on heat again

2010-03-25T08:14:00.000-07:00

We have to separate the boys. Rocky gets really frisky every time Tessie is on heat.For photos of Jo's trip to Nepal go to www.jadedtravels.blogspot.com

New toys

2010-03-19T22:17:00.000-07:00

They are a bit intimidated by it
The toy would dance and gyrate when switched on
Bought a new toy from my recent trip to China. For more on my trip go to www.jadedtravels.blogspot.com

Study shows Aussie dingo may be world's oldest dog

2010-03-18T08:19:00.001-07:00

AFP - Thursday, March 18

SYDNEY (AFP) - – Australia's iconic dingo may be the world's oldest breed of dog, according a major new DNA study that is likely to boost conservation efforts.

The international study has found the dingo and its close relation, the rare New Guinea singing dog, bear the closest genetic similarity to wolves of all breeds tested.

The research, published in science journal Nature, appears to confirm widely held theories about the dingo's history. It involved testing nearly 1,000 dogs of 85 different breeds as well as hundreds of wolves.

"This gives us a huge weight of evidence supporting the theory that the dingo is quite distinct from all modern dog breeds," said joint author Alan Wilton, of Sydney's University of New South Wales.

"It's a bit of information that could be important to the conservation issue. If it's distinct from domestic dogs there may be scientific reasons for conserving the dingo."

Dingoes and the singing dog, named for its distinctive multi-pitched howl, have developed in isolation from other breeds for thousands of years. Dingoes were introduced to Australia from Indonesia about 5,000 years ago.

Dingoes have come under threat from rampant inter-breeding, prompting calls to maintain their genetic purity. Wilton said 80 percent of dingoes on Australia's east coast were thought to be mixed-breed.

Ozzy boy

2010-03-17T06:04:00.000-07:00

Tessie girl

2010-03-13T03:38:00.000-08:00

Rocky Boy

2010-03-07T22:33:00.000-08:00

Sleepy dogs

2010-02-27T05:03:00.000-08:00

Everyone enjoying a nap in the hot afternoon.It has been the driest Febuary on record since 1869 due to El Nino

Anti bite protection

2010-02-17T06:26:00.000-08:00

This Shepherd Dog is wearing an anti bite protection on its teeth at the Hund 2010 expo in Wintherthur, a town north of Zurich, Switzerland

Chinese New Year outing

2010-02-15T21:30:00.001-08:00

Rocky kept getting harassed
There were not many dogs today

Play time!!

2010-02-11T04:26:00.000-08:00

Ozzy is usually not involved.
Tessie and Rocky having a great time

Left to die in garbage dump

2010-02-08T21:10:00.000-08:00

News from Sonomo Valley California
Pets Lifeline Shelter Manager Jen Walker and Dumpling

This 3-4 year old Bichon Frise mix was saved from certain death when a concerned citizen called animal control after seeing movement coming from a garbage bag in a garbage dumb.When they tore the garbage bag opened they found a matted dehydrated animal covered in filth.It had been in the bag for a few days. Pets Lifeline stepped in to rescue the dog. He is now named Dumpling

Stomper and Axle

2010-02-04T17:26:00.000-08:00

Met our next door neighbours on our morning walk yesterday

Sugar the 2 legged dog

2010-02-01T05:35:00.001-08:00

Sugar is a 2-legged miracle dog, who was found here in Taiwan more dead than alive as a puppy. She overcame abuse, pneumonia, a badly broken leg, an unsuitable adoption family, brain damage

Dog saves boy from cougar

2010-01-07T06:53:00.000-08:00

Came across this article from the Vancouver Sun

11 year old Austin was gathering firewood when a cougar attacked him.But Angel the Golden retriver intercepted the Cougar in mid air. The Cougar got hold of Angel's neck while Austin ran into the house for help.Within minutes the crying and howling of the animals had stopped."He had angel's head in his mouth and was suffocating her," said Austin's 17 year old sister Holly. The policeman had to shoot the cougar twice before killing it. When they got the cougar off Angel was barely breathing. All of a sudden she got up and began sniffing person to person until she came to Austin. Once she smelled him and was sure the Cougar did not hurt him she flopped down.Austin threw his arm around her. "I thanked her and petted her and gave her a hug..I am happy my dog is alright..."

First outing of the year

2010-01-04T21:40:00.000-08:00

Cairo the Cocker spaniel
Tessie on the A frame
Rocky posing for a photo

Jo brought the dogs out to Pet Movers over the weekend

Chewed up slippers

2009-12-30T07:10:00.001-08:00

Jo's chewed up slippers.Rocky is the chief suspect. Teddy bear is the only witness but he isn't talking

Interesting story from Malaysia

2009-12-27T20:25:00.000-08:00

Loyal dogs: Lim Kom Hoon cleaning her dogs who remained inside the shop during the blaze in George Town yesterday. They didn’t leave until the owner came in the morning

GEORGE TOWN: Dogs are truly a man’s best friend. Ask tailor Teo Siang Boo.Two of his dogs, Blacky and Tommy, refused to leave even when fire was about to engulf his shop in Macalister Road here.

“Luckily, they were not overwhelmed by the smoke. They were also not injured when I found them hiding under the toilet basin.

“Firemen and neighbours had earlier tried to coax the dogs out but they refused to leave and instead continued to guard the premises,” he said.

Teo’s shop was one of three destroyed during a fire which occurred at about 4am yesterday.
The other two were an optical shop and a grocery shop.

No casualties were reported during that incident.

It is learnt that losses were estimated at about RM500,000.

State Fire and Rescue Department operations officer Wan Azmi Ahmad said 40 firemen in 10 fire engines rushed to the scene after receiving a call at 4.06am.

“The fire was brought under control with the assistance of volunteer firefighters after six minutes before it was extinguished at 6.06am.”

The cause of the fire has yet to be ascertained.

Olympic Animal Sanctuary

2009-12-14T19:58:00.000-08:00

Here is an interesting article about the animal sanctuary in Forks Washington by Kim Murphy of The LA Times

December 11, 2009

Reporting from Forks, Wash. - There have always been good dogs and bad dogs. The good dogs come when you call, romp happily with the children and stay off the sofa. The bad dogs chase after cars, trample the flower beds and pass wind under the coffee table.

Then there are the really bad dogs -- the cat-killers, face-biters and snarling, drooling wretches so mean even their owners want them shot. Those are Steve Markwell's kind of dogs.

"When people create these monsters, I think it's people's responsibility to take care of them. Not to just kill everything because it's inconvenient," said Markwell, who operates a sanctuary for canine ne'er-do-wells in the Olympic Peninsula rain forest.

"The fact that they have their quirks, the extra things you have to be cautious of, in some ways it's almost endearing. It's kind of like, the world hates you, but I don't," he said.

The Olympic Animal Sanctuary caters to the worst of the worst from around the country: dogs who would be euthanized or turned away at any other shelter, and those with records so bad that no animal welfare group would consider adopting them out.

Among the more than 50 animals currently at the sanctuary are domestic coyote mixes, guard dogs who once belonged to drug dealers, cat-killing huskies and one creature who appears to be 90% wolf and about as interested in being petted as a demon is in being in church on Sunday.

And their rap sheets are impressive.

One of Markwell's first clients was a pregnant ex-fighting pit bull named Abby who terrorized the California town of Grapevine, in Kern County, for two weeks -- despite having been shot -- before Markwell was able to coax her into his truck.

After her puppies were born, they were so mean that they largely had to be isolated. "If I let him out right now," Markwell said, pointing to one of the young toughs who was leaping and snarling behind a glass door, "he'd try to kill you. No doubt about it."

Markwell has seen litters of puppies that started trying to kill each other at 7 weeks, and a miniature pinscher who bit off somebody's lip and ate the family guinea pig.

Another of Markwell's dogs now behaves just fine except for "the first two seconds" after he wakes up, when he's almost always in a bad mood. "He was sleeping next to his dog walker, and he woke up and bit off half her face," Markwell said. "But it's easily manageable: Don't sleep with him. If I'm sitting with him and he starts to go to sleep, I'm gonna wake him up and make him leave."

The sanctuary's most famous inmate is Snaps, a mixed breed who made headlines south of Seattle in June when he attacked two women on the command of his owner, a 15-year-old girl.

A 63-year-old woman who had seen the girl and three other youths kicking the dog stopped her car. The girl grabbed the woman by the hair and began beating her with her cellphone. One of the girl's companions moved in with Snaps, kicking the dog until he began attacking the woman. Another woman tried to intervene, and Snaps bit her so badly the skin was flayed off her arms.

The youths -- ages 11, 12, 13 and 15 -- were arrested, with the dog's owner sentenced to 14 months in juvenile detention, and Snaps was facing a probable death sentence until Markwell stepped in.

"This vicious monster of a dog, he's the sweetest thing in the world," said Markwell, who often exchanges face kisses with Snaps, one of the few dogs allowed to roam uncaged inside the large industrial building, ringed with kennels, that is the heart of the sanctuary.

Markwell, 34, never intended to become one of the country's chief go-to guys for unmanageable dogs. But he's always had a thing for animals. When he was 4, he rescued a rabbit from his uncle's fur farm. As a student at St. Margaret's Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano, he took in unwanted reptiles.

"I didn't really understand animal welfare as a movement. It was a way to get free snakes," he said. "I had a setup in the closet that my mom didn't know about. She was terrified of snakes. And I had all these boa constrictors. And these big, carnivorous frogs that ate mice. And big lizards. It was something that I totally don't condone now."

He worked for a while after college on a horse ranch and gravitated toward wildlife rescue -- moving to Washington state in 2003 with the idea of helping dogs who couldn't be helped.

He started out by taking in two or three animals he simply ran into; others followed, and when his house got too small, he sold it and bought the industrial site that his brood already has outgrown.

Now Markwell gets calls from animal control agencies all over the U.S. that have dogs fit for neither pound nor play yard. He takes the dog only when he's convinced it truly has nowhere else to go.

The sanctuary sits on a quiet side street in Forks, surrounded by woodworking mills and a few houses. Located in a zone with the highest rainfall totals in the Lower 48, the facility -- with its high-fenced exercise yard -- is four parts dog and three parts mud, generously intermingled; Markwell is usually encased in a pungent coating of dirt and dog spit.

At 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, with an arm covered in tattoos, Markwell looks like he could intimidate even some pit bulls. But, he said, the secret of taming the untamable is not being tough. It's giving dogs their space until they're ready to let him in, exuding quiet kindness and corralling like-minded dogs together -- that allows for socialization and management of bad behavior rather than trying to immediately eliminate it.

He scoffs at "dog whisperers" and rejects potential volunteers who say they have a "spiritual kinship" with animals.

"I have absolutely no place for people like that because they're dangerous," he said. "What it takes is common sense and experience. That whole 'animals like me' -- well, animals like me too. But I take a really bad bite about once a month. Let's not rely on that as our safety mechanism."

Markwell spends most of his time in a kennel of his own, a 9-foot-by-7-foot space with a small computer desk, TV and DVD player. There, the most haunted dogs -- semi-catatonic animals who have suffered terrible abuse and seem to want nothing more than to be left alone -- live with Markwell for days at a time. Slowly they start to show some trust, coming up to sniff him when they think he's sleeping.

"It doesn't mean a dog I've had for two years and slept with in my bed isn't one day going to take a chunk out of me. It sometimes happens," he said.

"But we can't blame what is essentially a large carnivore for doing what large carnivores do: fighting and killing," Markwell said. "Dogs and humans are the only living things that aren't allowed to bite. Cats are allowed to bite all they want. Horses are allowed to bite and kick and stamp. A hamster can bite. But when a dog bites, we go crazy."

Markwell believes that the 4.7 million dog bites reported every year are a woeful underestimate. "I would say that there are probably more serious dog bites that take place in the United States every year than there are dogs," he said.

"In effect, every dog bites somebody at least once in its life, which means it goes from being 'a serious problem we have to address' to just a fact of life."

Abby, the terror from Grapevine, now adores being petted -- but will head-butt you enthusiastically if you bend down too close. The miniature pinscher spends half the time being paraded around in Markwell's arms.

But there will always be more really bad dogs, and Markwell is trying to raise $500,000 to move to bigger quarters. He gave a presentation to the Seattle Humane Society last month, but most of his donations come in small amounts from individuals over the sanctuary's website, or from people responding to one of his Facebook ads: "We rescue scary dogs."

Right now, a lack of outside space means dogs at the sanctuary must take turns romping in the exercise yard, usually in small groups. They spend most of their days in cages.

Markwell said he's been lucky that most of his neighbors in the run-down lumber mill town, known as the locale for the "Twilight" vampire series, are dog-lovers. Few have raised objections to the sanctuary's intimidating sounds. "In a town like this," he said, "I've been able to . . . get my reputation established and do a lot of things I'd have a hard time doing in a place like Seattle."

And when the dogs come here, they come to stay, Markwell said. Over time, he said, his four-legged friends mellow out, and he's the one who gets scarier.

In fact, when some local meth addicts showed up asking for pit bulls, Markwell, who does a good growl, turned them away.

"I said, 'Don't come around here anymore,' " he said. "Tell your friends the dogs are dangerous, but the owner's worse."

kim.murphy@latimes.com
Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times

Belly rub

2009-12-11T20:01:00.000-08:00

Tessie enjoying a belly rub

Sleepy fellows

2009-12-04T22:35:00.000-08:00

Took these photos before I left for work this morning at 4 AM

Outing At Turf city

2009-11-26T20:34:00.000-08:00

Rocky getting comfy on our bolster
The dogs are bathed and allowed to dry themselves on our bed after their outing

Everyone is waiting impatiently for Jo to bring them out

Blue markings

2009-11-15T05:23:00.000-08:00

Came back home and found strange blue markings on rocky's hind legs. did a quick search and found the remains of my pen

Happy tales for some former fighting dogs

2009-11-11T07:35:00.001-08:00

By CHERYL WITTENAUER,Associated Press Writer -
ST. LOUIS – Dozens of American pit bull terriers netted in the largest dogfighting raid in U.S. history are finding homes despite some who predicted aggression or trauma would make them unsuitable as pets.

More than 120 of the animals have been placed in foster homes or are headed there this week through the efforts of pit bull rescue groups throughout the U.S. An additional 117, like the scarred but smiling Tulip, await their turn.

"They are not a vicious animal. They are the victims of abuse," said Debbie Hill, vice president of operations for the Humane Society of Missouri. "That face and their eyes tell the story. They only want to be in someone's home, on a couch, or sleeping at someone's feet, maybe chew up a rug or two for entertainment. They're learning for the first time how to be a dog."

In the days leading up to the July 8 raid, the Humane Society secured a cavernous industrial warehouse in St. Louis that it transformed into an emergency shelter for the hundreds of dogs seized in Missouri and Illinois. About 100 dogs seized in other states were taken by rescue groups elsewhere.

Once at the Missouri shelter, dogs were tested by a national team of certified animal behaviorists, taken on walks, and allowed to chew on bowling balls stuffed with peanut butter. Some finicky eaters were treated to home-cooked chicken breasts to supplement meals of dog food.

The Human Society offered The Associated Press first access to the site Tuesday. During the tour, puppies born since the raid took turns playing tug of war with a chew toy in a play room. Humane Society staff members pulled a catering cart down a long row of dog cages, calling animals by name as they slid them bowls of food.

Some, like Pacific, were shy, quivering in fear of new visitors. Others were extroverts, springing on hind legs to say hello.

The foster homes will acclimate the dogs to the noises and rules of a household, and teach them basic manners.

Animal behaviorist Pamela Reid, who was part of the team that evaluated the dogs, said a surprising two-thirds tested well for nonaggression and adoptability. She's fostering one puppy, although one her favorite dogs had to be euthanized because he showed aggression toward men.

Hill said 160 dogs were put down because of injuries, illness or behavior. None of the puppies showed aggression, Reid said.

Tim Rickey, who heads the Humane Society's anticruelty task force, said the raids proved the underground dogfighting industry is pervasive.

"We scratched the surface," Rickey said. "We could have done several of these (raids) in Missouri alone."

On the Net:

Humane Society of Missouri: http://www.hsmo.org/

Blacky

2009-11-01T05:49:00.001-08:00

His owner calls him Muix baby.But I called him Blacky. He was the alpha of the pack
The fourth pup is the only black Schnauzer in the litter

Emma

2009-11-01T05:34:00.000-08:00

She was the last one to leave us. Rocky had a great playmate but was no match for her and was always pinned down

We meet up with her at dog runs and the beach regularly
Her adventure contines at http://ebi-tempura.blogspot.com/
The only girl and the third pup to be born

Cookie

2009-11-01T05:30:00.000-08:00

His owners like to dress him up

Er Bao or precious number two

Rocky's birthday siblings - Moby

2009-11-01T01:13:00.001-07:00

Dino was only with his new family for two months and was sold to another family. He is now called Moby.His new family updated us by sending this photo of him shaved down. I think he is happy here as they have other dogs to keep him company.
We sold him when he was two and a half months old. His owners named him Dino.
The first pup was the smallest one in the litter-second from left. Jo called him Da Bao which means Precious number one in Chinese
We returned from dinner on 29 Oct 2007 to find blood on the living room floor. A quick search revealed that Tessie had given birth.

Wedding Anniversary

2009-10-31T02:37:00.000-07:00

Rocky was born on our wedding anniversary.When we got married we only had Ozzy

Happy Birthday Rocky

2009-10-30T09:30:00.002-07:00

We hand fed him with condensed milk and gripewater and he finally pulled thru

He would cry nonstop in pain.I was really worried that he would not survive his puppyhood

In his third week of puppyhood Rocky developed a severe case of colic. He refused to eat and we were warned by the vet that he may not make it

Tessie and pups
Rocky was the last pup to be born 0n 30 Oct 2007

Video of Rocky trying to mount Tessie

2009-10-27T21:01:00.000-07:00

Rocky is going nuts but tessie refuses to let him come near.

Tessie on heat

2009-10-20T19:50:00.000-07:00

She is not used to wearing diapers and would not move

2009-10-19T08:37:00.001-07:00

Jo brought Rocky and Ozzy to the Schnauzer gathering at Bedok Reservoir. Tessie had to stay at home as she was on heat. She wasn't happy about it

New look for everone

2009-10-15T21:13:00.000-07:00

The boys look shiny after the grooming
Everyone had their coats shaved down as it is tick season
Before the grooming

World's smallest dog

2009-10-09T08:21:00.001-07:00

Here is a post in September

Scooter the Maltese died.At six-months-old, the Maltese pup was claimed to be the smallest dog in the world. He was going to try for the official world record when he turned one.

But he never got the chance.

He broke his leg jumping out of the hands of a minder earlier this week. His tiny leg was put in a cast but the medication he was given for it caused stomach ulcers and he did not survive.

The 8cm tall, 20cm long, pooch is now buried in his shoebox at the bottom of his owner's Gisborne garden.

ND woman's 7-foot-long dog could be record holder

2009-10-09T08:00:00.001-07:00

AP - Thursday, October 8
CASSELTON, N.D. – Boomer may be a buster: Measuring 3 feet tall at the shoulders and 7 feet long from nose to destructive wagging tail, he might be the world's tallest living dog. Owner Caryn Weber says her 3-year-old Landseer Newfoundland keeps all four paws on the floor when he drinks from the kitchen faucet in her family's eastern North Dakota farm house.

Boomer stares into car windows eye to eye with drivers. A 20-pound bag of dry dog food lasts the 180-pound canine a couple of weeks.

Weber says her furry black and white dog "comes into the house and his tail is so high everything gets knocked around."

Weber plans to send Boomer's measurements to Guinness World Records. The previous record holder was a nearly 4-foot-tall Great Dane that died this summer.

Rocky up close

2009-10-08T18:37:00.000-07:00

Sleepy Dogs

2009-10-03T20:30:00.000-07:00

Bangkok street dogs

2009-09-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

Just came back from Bangkok. For more pics goto www.jadedtravels.blogspot.com

Outing at Macritchie reservoir

2009-09-21T00:31:00.000-07:00

Back home the dogs are resting on our bed and trying to dry themselves by rubbing on the bed. We only allow the dogs on the bed after their baths

On the way home

Chomping down on the bones
Ebi enjoying his meal

Ebi getting excited thinking that the bones were for him

Jo bought some bones for Ozzy, Rocky and Tessie

The dogs were suffering from separation anxiety when their mommies went to buy doggy food next door

Next stop K9 cafe

From left Cobi,Shadow,Tessie,Ozzy ,Rocky,Emma and Ebi
Everybody arrived and we had a group photo for the dogs

Tessie was the only without her harness as she had bitten thru it
Ozzy ,Rocky and Tessie

We were the first to arrive. It has been years since we were here and th eplace has been renovated with new seats and car park

Outing at the dog run

2009-09-14T05:44:00.000-07:00

Tessie was the last to finish her bone

Rocky likes it too

Ozzy was the fist one to finish his bone

We were told that giving dogs bones to chew would be good for their teeth.

Jo bought them a Parma ham bone with some flesh still attached to it.

The dogs thinking that they were going to get their bath. We had a surprise for them

Rocky trying to get some sleep on the way home

Rocky and Tassie Getting a rest

Apple trying to rape Rocky

Apple trying to lick Rocky's private parts

Apple the oversexed Pom

Rocky saying hello to Basil

Rocky climbing the A frame

RESCUE FOR QUAKE DOGS 2008

2009-09-12T07:26:00.001-07:00

The white short-haired mutt was found dragging his crushed hind legs through rubble-clogged streets after the massive earthquake devastated China's Sichuan province.
The shy terrier mix was lucky to live through the May 12 quake that killed nearly 70,000 people. He was even more fortunate to survive the squads of police and soldiers who were gunning down homeless canines for fear they would spread disease in the disaster's aftermath.But his luckiest day was when he was picked up by Chen Yunlian.Now he's among some 100 "quake dogs" rescued by the former businesswoman, who has created something extremely rare in China: a private animal shelter. For 11 years, the 60-year-old Chen has been rescuing strays off the streets. She now cares for about 900 dogs and 100 cats in her shelter built among rice paddies on the southern outskirts of Chengdu, the provincial capital.
"I think that dogs and humans have the same right to live. They're equals," she told The Associated Press as a brown brindle hound missing a front leg jumped up on her and snuggled his snout in her lap. Chen's views about animal rights are radical in a country where dogs can just as easily be a pet or the main ingredient in a spicy hotpot. Although dog ownership has grown in popularity as the Chinese become wealthier, many people don't have the strong emotional attachment to the animals that's common in the West. Chen is also on the vanguard of a new movement in China of citizens who start their own groups to deal with social problems that were once mostly handled — or ignored — by the Communist Party-led state. The government and party — wary about anything that might challenge their monopoly on power — is still trying to figure out how much of a role it wants people like Chen to play. She was reluctant to discuss the matter. "I love my country and government. I want it to become even stronger and more prosperous," said the soft-spoken woman, dressed in a baggy white T-shirt and black pajama-like pants with white polka dots. Chen calls her shelter "Ai Zhi Jia" or the "House of Love." A tall metal fence surrounds the facility off a narrow tree-lined road about a 45-minute drive from downtown Chengdu. From the street, a cacophony of yelps, barks, growls, whimpers and whines can be heard. The air is filled with the smell of dry dog food, fur and the faint scent of urine and feces that's constantly being scooped up by a staff of eight.
The main building in the shady complex is a concrete U-shaped structure divided into rooms that serve as kennels. Each has a large front concrete patio that's enclosed by a knee-high wall and wire fencing. Dogs and cats are also kept in a network of recently built cages and dog runs. Dogs with a history of good behavior are allowed to roam the wide square-shaped walkway within the complex.
There are poodles, a couple of collies and an elderly, forlorn-looking Afghan hound named "Ah-foo" with clumps of missing hair and large polyps growing on his chest and legs. But the majority of the dogs are classic Chinese mutts: terrier-Pekingnese-pug-poodle mixes with squatty bodies, short legs, curly tails and pointy ears. Most looked healthy, with few signs of skin disease or digestive problems common in such conditions."Chinese people prefer purebred dogs and the mixes probably won't be adopted," said Chen, adding that she cares for every dog until it dies. "But mutts are the most intelligent and the most affectionate. They really appreciate you." One of her superstar mutts from the quake zone was a small, brown, short-haired terrier with alert brown eyes named "Qianjin," or "Forward." Rescuers said Forward and another dog — a shelty named "Guai Guai" — belonged to an elderly woman who was partially buried in rubble at a Buddhist temple that collapsed in the city of Pengzhou. The dogs stayed with their master while she was trapped for 196 hours.
"The rescuers told me the dogs were drinking rain water, then they would lick their owner's lips to help keep her from getting too dehydrated," Chen said.
When the 7.9-magnitude quake struck, Chen said she wanted to race to the hard-hit cities — most an hour or two away from Chengdu — but she had to wait 10 days because of road closures and restrictions on traffic.
When she finally got in, she cruised the streets in her van looking for homeless animals or asking locals if any pets needed rescue.
In the city of Guangyuan, she found the white terrier mutt with the mangled legs. Like other dogs with crippled hind legs at her shelter, the dog — whose name was unknown — now walks with the aid of a wheelchair-like device made of PVC pipes. It's a design a shelter worker copied from an American Web site.
Only a few of the quake dogs were injured and the rest were in good health, she said.A month and a half since the quake, Chen still gets calls from people with quake strays. During an AP interview, Chen's cell phone began ringing. It was someone from the hard-hit town of Beichuan.
"Our van is broken now so we can't go far," she told the caller. "How many dogs do you have? We can take them in if you can help us arrange a vehicle."
Chen said her shelter is close to full capacity and her budget isn't big enough for many more dogs. She said she spends $8,743 each month on dog food, salaries and supplies. She takes donations but pays for much of it from her own pocket, she said. Chen, who made a fortune as a distributor of cosmetics and other consumer goods in the 1990s, was on her way to see a client in 1997 when she saw a stray dog in the street. The dog made eye contact and something clicked, she said.
"He looked so sad. I said to him, 'Are you lost you silly little dog?'" she said. "I decided to take care of him and I missed my meeting. I named him Ben Ben."
She started taking in other strays, and her obsession with caring for homeless animals eventually eclipsed her interest in business and she retired. She sold her cars and properties to finance the expanding operation. She moved the shelter to the current location, which she rents, two years ago.
"I started down a road," she said, "and I couldn't turn around"

Woman buys US$600,000 dog

2009-09-11T10:44:00.000-07:00

AFP - Friday, September 11 BEIJING (AFP) - - A millionaire in northern China paid four million yuan (600,000 dollars) for a dog and ordered 30 luxury cars to come to the airport to greet her and the animal, local media reported.

The woman and her new pet -- a black Tibetan Mastiff -- flew into Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, a report on popular news portal sohu.com said.

A convoy of 30 black Mercedes-Benz cars, led by two sports utility vehicles, drove to the airport Wednesday to pick up the pair, who had arrived from the Tibetan-populated province of Qinghai in China's northwest.

Photos of the event posted with the report showed a committee of dog-lovers holding up a long red banner welcoming the mastiff to Xi'an.

The millionaire, who only gave her surname as Wang, said she and a friend had spent a long time searching for an original Tibetan mastiff.

"Gold has a price, but this Tibetan mastiff doesn't," the young woman said, according to the report.

China's economy has developed at a fast pace, creating with it an increasing number of millionaires.

Research by the Hurun Report, a magazine that tracks China's wealthiest, revealed in April that 825,000 people had personal wealth of over 10 million yuan (1.5 million dollars), or 0.06 percent of the population.

The vast majority of these millionaires have said the global financial crisis has not had any impact on their lifestyle, the research said.

World's smallest dog dies

2009-09-06T23:20:00.000-07:00

Scooter, the tiny dog wonder, has died.

At six-months-old, the Maltese pup was claimed to be the smallest dog in the world. He was going to try for the official world record when he turned one.

But he never got the chance.

He broke his leg jumping out of the hands of a minder earlier this week. His tiny leg was put in a cast but the medication he was given for it caused stomach ulcers and he did not survive.

But it was not for want of trying. The vets caring for Scooter took him home with them while he was being treated, getting up in the middle of the night to check on him.

"They were amazing, they tried so hard," said owner Cheryl McKnight.

The 8cm tall, 20cm long, pooch is now buried in his shoebox at the bottom of his owner's Gisborne garden.

Scooter slept and spent a lot of his life in the shoebox, she said.

When he died the vets offered Ms McKnight a box to bury him in, but it was too big.

"There was no box small enough for him. I said `I'm not going to bury him in that', so I thought I would put him in the shoe box he lived in. The poor little fella."

"I put him in the box with flowers and a little dove picture to take him to heaven -- he looked wonderful."

Ms McKnight said she would miss him immensely.

"He was a big part of my life."

Scooter came from a litter of three and stopped growing before he reached two months. His weight never exceeded 400 grams -- and that was while fully clothed. Ms McKnight fashioned a regular purple sock into a jersey, which Scooter wore around the house so he was easily seen.

He was originally named Pee Wee, but Ms McKnight changed it, saying she didn't want him to suffer an inferiority complex.

Scooter achieved global fame in his short life, with his picture published in Switzerland, Malaysia, America, Australia, United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Back to fresh food

2009-09-03T04:51:00.001-07:00

Brown rice and potatoes. We have to be careful not to give Tessie to much potatoes or she will throw up. Too much brown rice and she will get diarhea

Jo bought the fresh chicken from Carefour sales for $2.50

There is a new brand in town and we got some free samples to let the dogs try out. Jo thinks that Rocky had a bit of skin problem so its back to fresh food. Only Ozzy is doing well eating it

Rocky the sleepy dog

2009-09-02T18:31:00.000-07:00

Close up shot of Ozzy

2009-09-02T08:05:00.000-07:00

A day at the Dog Run

2009-08-30T18:10:00.001-07:00

Tessie with her babies-Rocky and Emma

Occassionally the schnauzers will gang up and chase away a bigger dog

Ebi having his butt sniffed at by Rocky

A handsome looking white Schnauzer arrived later

Rocky looking on as his litter mate Emma gets a wipe down

We were joined by Ebi and Emma

We brought the dogs to Pet Movers on Saturday

Off to Sentosa

2009-08-24T19:55:00.001-07:00

Jo brought the dogs to the beach at Sentosa island on Saturday.Go to Rocky's litter mate, Emma's blog for more photos of the outing http://ebi-tempura.blogspot.com/

Home Sweet Home

2009-08-16T06:31:00.001-07:00

Everyone settling down on their beds.For more of our Manila trip goto www.jadedtravels.blogspot.com

Misty is another boarder being looked after by Pauline

Rex the Goldie belongs to our dogsitter

The dogs were so happy when we picked them up from the dogsitter