Meet Max [Born: 18th July 2015]

One and a half year after posting my reasons (and reminder) of not having another dog, we welcomed Max to the family on the 11th November 2015. He arrived a week short of him turning 4 months, the photo above is the first photo we received of him from his breeder and he looked like an old man.


We had thought long and hard about getting another dog. We've looked around for adoption, was rejected once, figured it would help to get a puppy that can grow up with the kids and one that we can train from the start.

The reasons for not having a dog? Still valid and currently, we hope the pros outweigh the cons of: facing hefty vet charges, dealing with a wild and disobedient dog, grooming, having to find pet sitters when we travel and lastly - will come eventually - painful experience of dealing when the pet dies.

We've got pet insurance for Max, did our homework and research on his breed type and potential health problems that Labradors may encounter, ensuring that he has a good diet and of course, he has a short coat so less hassle of maintaining his coat.




Officially, we have two dogs in the house. Brownie, the grand old lady, sleeps most of her time and isn't too keen (luckily) on the new puppy. She just wants her own space, time and peace. Max loves to go behind the house to look for Brownie and we finally hear her bark because she 'scolds' the puppy for hassling her.

We've done three beach swims with Max, the older two kids are getting to be very good care-takers with cleaning up poo, urine, feeding Max his meals and preparing his snacks. Even the dog trainer has praises for them, saying that they are very steady children who knows how to deal with big puppies!



So for now, we will enjoy Max and watch him grow with us. He's learnt a handful of tricks, eating a ton of food but adorable like a walking soft toy. Welcome Max to the family!

Meet Benny

Meet Benny, our little guest staying at our place. He's 'borrowed' from his mummy who lives at Dad's warehouse. My sis decided to kidnap/dognap him and he is going to stay with us for a week. The kids were thrilled naturally, especially because of Benny's size - not intimidating at all. Benny's Aidan's new best friend, he checks on him before he goes to bed, right after he wakes up and now (after a shower) hangs out in the living area ... and will probably do so until my mother comes back and then the puppy has to go back to his 'guest room' which is an iron rod cage behind the back yard meant for our other dog, Brownie.

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Yup, we decided all the Ang kids will be named starting with 'A' and all the pets will be named with 'B', following Brownie. So I gave the kids 2 choices of 'Bruno' or 'Benny' and Aidan chose 'Benny'. Coincidentally, Benny's mommy has been named 'Belle' by us a few years ago... and she is really 1 great beauty for a stray dog. Will share pic in future if I manage to take a pic of her.

Rest In Peace, My Darling Dog.

LuLu couldn't wait. She passed away sometime between 12.20 - 12.50 p.m while we were rushing to send the kids home from the zoo, pack lunch and driving through the millions of red traffic lights and day-dreaming drivers to see her. The intention was to bring her to the pet hospital to end her suffering because the maid rang and said she couldn't stand and started to vomit and let her bowels go while she was lying down.

I took comfort in the fact that she died at home. I didn't have to witness her being put to sleep, or even make a dreading drive to the vet. The only regret was I didn't make it in time to say my goodbyes. I left Mom's home on the Friday night with a heavy heart, and seems like things turned out much like what I silently expected, except the part where I thought she would be dying on my laps, on the way to the vet.

For some strange and unknown reason, I picked up an extra pack of tissue and put it in my bag this morning before we headed off to the zoo. I ended up needing it when the fated call came from the maid. Hubby and I finally got to watch 'Sex and the City' last night and I loved this version of 'Auld Lang Syne' which turned out to be so appropriate for today's circumstances. So I included this in, as a tribute to my beloved dog (not the most suitable image)- you need to click PLAY at the bottom left hand corner.





Everyone has been saying it is the memory and the time spent that counts, and again... 16 years old is a long time and my dog has had a very good life. Yet, it still causes a lump in my throat and the taps start to flow because I feel it is never enough. It is unfortunate that dogs have such short life spans. I am writing this, also to act as a reminder that the next time I own a dog, I want to make sure I have lots more free time dedicated to it, from the day it steps into my home until the day it dies. It is rather impossible to juggle time between family, work, kids and a pet (even our fishing fish can die from neglect).

I know time will help me get over my grief and at the moment, it just hurts extremely. At the same time I'm grateful that I could remember the many moments I had with Lulu: how we used to fight over space on the sofa when I pushed her small frame off the couch and she returned that with a snap of her jaw on my hands. How I sang songs to her, and my boyfriend then (hubby, now) thought I was insane to treat her like my baby. She used to run in circles, when we returned home while barking incessantly at any other visitors.

I am relieved and comforted that both my kids managed to live in close contact with a dog at home, even though kids were probably her least favoured group of human beings - except at snack time since the kids love to throw bits of their food and all unfinished/ unwanted remains to her. Sure, the kids would not remember her when they are older, but as parents, we are proud they are great animal lovers. Coincidentally, Ammi wake up from her nap earlier and said she "want to see Lulu" and "want Lulu to kiss here" (pointing to her cheek), the latter being the 1st time she ever asked to be kissed by the dog.

I remember her last bark for a portion of our dinner (and sorry, we didn't give her any because the vet says to avoid feeding her salty stuff), our last walk to the playground with the kids, her last ride in the kids' wagon. Also, her last grooming session, the last time I brushed her fur at home (noted how much mass she has lost) and the last few times she could stand up and beg for her treats.

My mom says Lulu chose a right time to go, on a weekend when we are not at work. She used to follow me around the house when I am at home, which will be one of the most agonising part to get over in the days to come. When I worked from home, she lies next to me or around my feet and on good (and her recent weaker) days, I could use my feet to stroke her back and tummy.

She had a couple of close-death encounters, when she had kidney failure a few years ago, and the time when she fell into my mother's pond and got trapped under the wooden walkway for close to a minute. I'd like to think she has lived an eventful life - she's also been 'lost & found' a couple of times, if not for my mobile number engraved onto her doggie tag at her collar.

Hubby helped me ring the Pet Cremation Centre (I kept this number in my mobile since Febrary this year and lost in just this month when I had to reset the software in my mobile phone - talk about Murphy's Law). I chose not to keep her ashes. I have her collar, leash and T-shirts to keep as mementos.

Thanks for reading and if you don't understand the fuss and pain, I can understand. It takes a dog-lover to understand another and that's part of the reason why I still have to go to work tomorrow and try to rid my red, swollen eyes by tonight. It will be deemed insane to take a day off to mourn the death of a dog.

Lastly, 3-ply tissues really work much better than 2-ply ones. I just wished I had bought darker tinted sunglasses before this happened.

Letting Go

It didn't help that I am almost finishing 'Marley & Me' and I read how Marley was put to sleep. I finished that part on Monday, the same day LuLu started feeling unwell. She lies on the floor, not moving much. She stopped eating too.

I brought her to the vet last evening and I had to carry her all the way. I had to tell myself mentally that it may be the day I don't return home with her in my arms. Tears welled up several times until I stepped into the clinic. I tried to hold back my tears until this lady who overheard me speaking to the nurse about "... no appointments... can't walk... not eating... shivering...". She looked at me and said my dog must be very sick. I simply nodded. She continued and asked how old she is. I replied: "16." She went: "Wow, that's very old. Wow, 16 years is quite a long life."... which I took it she meant "long enough life, time for her to go!"

So the taps turned on and my tears flowed again. It was so embarrassing but I couldn't help it. The clinic was wonderful, they attended to her next while there were other patients waiting. In there, I learnt if it was Lulu's heart that was giving out, she would have turned blue in colour. If she is drinking a lot, it's likely her kidneys are affected. If it's her liver, her pupils would be dilated or discoloured.

To my relief (and embarrassment because I couldn't finish my sentence of "Do I have to put her to sleep this time?"), she said to put LuLu under observation first. Anti-biotics, painkillers were issued so I went back with my ailing dog, not knowing what was exactly wrong with her. It must be really hard to be a vet because your patient can't tell you exactly where it is hurting.

The good news was I discovered my parents had some love left for the dog. Admittedly, after the kids came along, the dog took a backstage in terms of attention received. I left the dog in the car, and walked into the house with her. My parents asked where was LuLu and I said I had put her to sleep. They both gasped and watched me with open jaws, with shock written over their faces. I am assuming they were shocked because they didn't believe my dog was that ill; or perhaps that I can drive home and speak to them in such a calm manner without red, soggy eyes (by the way, as a precautionary measure, I removed my eye make-up before leaving for the Vet because I knew my mascara would smear once the tears came along).

The bad news is LuLu had started urinating frequently, and she is not better after the medication. I'll be bringing her for a blood test tomorrow and this will be the 5th time I'm going in with a heavy heart.

The comfort is that I had colleagues from USA and Germany sending me their best wishes via email after learning I was late for a conference call because I had to send Lulu to the vet. These are people who had to put their dogs down and I'm even more mentally prepared after speaking to them about letting go. It's really a matter of time now for my poor dog.

Our 1st Pets

We bought our 1st pets for the kids today.

Rather, Aidan and his Dad bought their 1st pets.

2 fighting fish.

I think it's totally cruel to let 2 animals fight until the weaker one dies of its injuries. Hubby, on the other hand, is excited about reliving his childhood and can't wait to "feed meat to the fish, keep them in a dark room for 24 hrs", so that the fish will become more aggressive and fight better.

When I roll my eyes every time he talks about preparing the fish for their fight, he comes on with: "So you eat chicken and you don't think it's cruel?". My answer - nope it's not because my chicken doesn't have to fight and bleed to death slowly. In conclusion, I still insist - fish looks best on the table.

The only thing I can't complain about these fish is they are hardy, no need for air pump or a pretty tank. 1 is currently in a old honey jar, while the other (lucky) one is living in our old fish tank (which holds the ghosts of many dead fishes, shrimps and snails, from our past fish-rearing experiences).

Don't worry, there's NO violence in the video below. The uncle at Qian Hu was right, the fish don't come like those in the older days. The ones now are more "high-class", they are bought more for ornamental purposes than for fights.