Dogs are said to be man’s best friend. Many humans love them, and treat them as part of a family. Sadly, according to “Dog Abuse Facts”, recorded by the 'abuse database', reveal that more than half of the 12,000 cases of animal abuse account for Dog Abuse. Fortunately, there are several dog shelters and rescue groups as well as other humane organizations which are fully committed to the treatment and welfare of abused dogs.
Dogs are abused in different ways in different countries. In some countries, they are grown just so that they can be eaten up. They are sold to the butchers and are killed in merciless manners. There are many places where dog meat is a delicacy and many groups are demanding that dog meat be banned. There are other places where the owner of the dogs is ignorant of the dog's needs and keep the dog just for torturing. The dogs are not fed; short chains are tied tightly around the neck and so on. The dogs are beaten mercilessly and left to die. Sometimes the owners don't allow the dog to die but just keep it so that he/she can torture it more. There are puppy mills where dogs are kept only for giving birth to puppies and then these puppies are sold. These puppy mills makes the female dogs give birth continuously until they are unable to produce. There are sports played with dogs like dog fights where the dogs eventually kill each other. Human beings force them to and then make money from them.
I am extremely horrified to see dogs, especially puppies, being abused in such brutal manner. In some cases, they are thrown and slammed on the ground, until they can no longer move, as their legs have been broken. They are then mercilessly beaten by wooden sticks and metal rods, until they die. I feel that these abusers are heartless monsters, and sick, horrible humans. Has anyone thought them to love and care? Why do they have to torture such small, helpless creatures? Although these puppies are unable to defend themselves, they have the help of animal rescue organizations. I am happy that there are a lot of rescue teams that are working hard to save such animals and try to give them better environment to live in. many countries have laws against dog abuse but they are effective only in few places. Dog abuse and puppy abuse along with abuses on other animals need to be taken more seriously ad dealt with sternly. Animals deserve to live on this earth as much as we human beings do.
I feel that in order to stop dog abuse, everyone has to do their part. We should all play a part in stopping dog abuse by spreading the word. This can be done by starting groups on the social platform, e.g. facebook , Friendster. We can also set up websites, which can help educate people on dog abuse. Lastly, we can also spread the word among our friends, family and relatives.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Dog Fashion
Dog fashion. Some say their unnecessary, others say they are useful. So, do they or do they not benefit dogs? If so, how do they benefit dogs?
In the recent years the demand for dog fashion is on the rise. Many people have a strong relationship with their dogs, and cannot help but to spoil them, therefore they splurge on dog expenses like clothes, food, collars, and accessories.
The range of dog fashion is wide. Their clothes can be categorized in many categories : sweaters and coats, Big Dog Clothing, Sports clothing, and Pajamas. They also have a vast amount of accessories which in clued: hats, shoes, rubber bands, clips, goggles, ribbons, and collars. The different clothes and accessories are also made up of different materials, like leather, fur, cotton, and wool. As you can see, dog fashion, is quite similar to those of ours.
Dog fashion also has very unique designs which can suit the personalities of dogs. For example a black, leather collar, with spikes around it, may suit a tough dog like a German shepherd. While a sweet polka dotted black dress may fit a maltese. Dogs, like humans also have different fashion trends, ranging from country and princess to safari prints and denim.
So, to answer our main question, we should first ask ourselves: How does fashion affect us? I feel that we can categorize fashion in 2 different categories, form and function.
We all know that dog clothes are fashionable, they have different patterns and colors, textures and shape. However, are they functional?
The answer is YES. Dogs are suited for different climates. Some for warm climates, and others for cold climates. When dogs from warm climates move to cold climates, they will feel cold. Therefore, it is important to keep them warm. Hence, clothing, like jackets and coats are use to protect the dog from the cold temperatures. And when dogs from However, when dog from cold countries, move to warmer countries, they may over heat, hence they may require accessories to clip and pin up their fur. Dog clothing will also protect dogs from germs and cuts.
Did you also know that dog clothes have been used in the military and law enforcement for decades to keep dogs safe from attacks and the environment? Even a thin layer like a t-shirt with a cute saying can help your dog stay warmer. As your dog ages their metabolism slows down and they aren't able to stay outside in the cold as long.
However some may argue that the cost of dog shirts are too expensive, and are not worth the money. Yes, no doubt the clothing may be expensive, there are also other solutions. Why not tailor your own dog clothes? For my family, we use unwanted clothing and cloth material and send it to a tailor. We give the tailor the measurement of the circumference of our dog's neck and chest, just behind the front legs, as well as the length of her back from the neck to the tail.
In the recent years the demand for dog fashion is on the rise. Many people have a strong relationship with their dogs, and cannot help but to spoil them, therefore they splurge on dog expenses like clothes, food, collars, and accessories.
The range of dog fashion is wide. Their clothes can be categorized in many categories : sweaters and coats, Big Dog Clothing, Sports clothing, and Pajamas. They also have a vast amount of accessories which in clued: hats, shoes, rubber bands, clips, goggles, ribbons, and collars. The different clothes and accessories are also made up of different materials, like leather, fur, cotton, and wool. As you can see, dog fashion, is quite similar to those of ours.
Dog fashion also has very unique designs which can suit the personalities of dogs. For example a black, leather collar, with spikes around it, may suit a tough dog like a German shepherd. While a sweet polka dotted black dress may fit a maltese. Dogs, like humans also have different fashion trends, ranging from country and princess to safari prints and denim.
So, to answer our main question, we should first ask ourselves: How does fashion affect us? I feel that we can categorize fashion in 2 different categories, form and function.
We all know that dog clothes are fashionable, they have different patterns and colors, textures and shape. However, are they functional?
The answer is YES. Dogs are suited for different climates. Some for warm climates, and others for cold climates. When dogs from warm climates move to cold climates, they will feel cold. Therefore, it is important to keep them warm. Hence, clothing, like jackets and coats are use to protect the dog from the cold temperatures. And when dogs from However, when dog from cold countries, move to warmer countries, they may over heat, hence they may require accessories to clip and pin up their fur. Dog clothing will also protect dogs from germs and cuts.
Did you also know that dog clothes have been used in the military and law enforcement for decades to keep dogs safe from attacks and the environment? Even a thin layer like a t-shirt with a cute saying can help your dog stay warmer. As your dog ages their metabolism slows down and they aren't able to stay outside in the cold as long.
However some may argue that the cost of dog shirts are too expensive, and are not worth the money. Yes, no doubt the clothing may be expensive, there are also other solutions. Why not tailor your own dog clothes? For my family, we use unwanted clothing and cloth material and send it to a tailor. We give the tailor the measurement of the circumference of our dog's neck and chest, just behind the front legs, as well as the length of her back from the neck to the tail.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Finding a companion for Bambi
When Bambi was about a year old, we actually toy with the idea of finding her a companion. So, we went on the internet to check for suitable breed of dog which would make good companion for Chihuahua. Given their small stature, it is advisable to get only small dog, such as toy poodle and of course, another Chihuahua would be ideal.
After much persuasion, my parents finally agreed to bring us to go to Pasir Ris Farmart to shop for another dog. Our first stop was back to the pet shop we bought Bambi, but unfortunately, it has folded up. We went to a few other pet shops to try to locate our “ideal” Chihuahua such as one with “apple head”, cream colour, big teary eyes and so on. It was not an easy task. We actually went to more than 5 shops before we chance upon “Belle”, a short-coat female Chihuahua with almost the same colour coat as Bambi. “Belle” was rather timid when I held her in my arms. She was a sweet little thing. We agreed to purchase her for a thousand dollar.
We were all excited to see how Bambi would react to Belle when we brought her home. Upon seeing Belle, Bambi started barking incessantly at her. She was obviously not taking well to Belle’s presence. We had to enclose Belle in a cage to protect her from Bambi and also to familiarize her with her new home before we allow her to explore. Sometime unfortunate happened the next day. My mum noticed that Belle had this funny behavior, as though she was chewing something in her mouth. She seemed to have no control over this strange movement in her jaw. We got a little worried and Mum called the pet shop owner. He told us not to be too concerned as this be a teething problem in puppies. We were told to observe her a few days. The strange jaw movement did not stop after 2 days, so my mum decided to bring Belle to the vet for a thorough check up. The diagnosis was born with an incontrollable muscular defect. My mum had no choice but to return her to the pet shop for a refund. According to mum, Belle actually cried in the car on the way back to Pasir Ris Farmart. It was as though she knew we had to give her up.
Champion, a female Jack Russell, was the second dog we tried adopting as a companion for Bambi. Champion’s owner had to give her up as her grandson was suffering from asthma. As we were unsure if Bambi could get along with Champion, we told the owner we would like Champion stay with us for a couple of days before we decide on the adoption. Champion was a lovely dog. Though she was much bigger in size than Bambi, she was kind of afraid of Bambi. Again, Bambi did not seem to like the presence of Champion. Her behavior towards her was territorial and unfriendly. She would bark at Champion and scratch her belly whenever Champion went near my mum. My dad thought that Champion was too big to handle and her barking was also shrill. We were afraid that our neighbours would be unhappy with her barking. Champion stayed with us for two days. At the end of the two days, we decided that she was not suitable for Bambi and returned her to her owner.
Looks like our attempt to find Bambi a companion had failed again. Never mind, perhaps one day, the right dog will come along.
After much persuasion, my parents finally agreed to bring us to go to Pasir Ris Farmart to shop for another dog. Our first stop was back to the pet shop we bought Bambi, but unfortunately, it has folded up. We went to a few other pet shops to try to locate our “ideal” Chihuahua such as one with “apple head”, cream colour, big teary eyes and so on. It was not an easy task. We actually went to more than 5 shops before we chance upon “Belle”, a short-coat female Chihuahua with almost the same colour coat as Bambi. “Belle” was rather timid when I held her in my arms. She was a sweet little thing. We agreed to purchase her for a thousand dollar.
We were all excited to see how Bambi would react to Belle when we brought her home. Upon seeing Belle, Bambi started barking incessantly at her. She was obviously not taking well to Belle’s presence. We had to enclose Belle in a cage to protect her from Bambi and also to familiarize her with her new home before we allow her to explore. Sometime unfortunate happened the next day. My mum noticed that Belle had this funny behavior, as though she was chewing something in her mouth. She seemed to have no control over this strange movement in her jaw. We got a little worried and Mum called the pet shop owner. He told us not to be too concerned as this be a teething problem in puppies. We were told to observe her a few days. The strange jaw movement did not stop after 2 days, so my mum decided to bring Belle to the vet for a thorough check up. The diagnosis was born with an incontrollable muscular defect. My mum had no choice but to return her to the pet shop for a refund. According to mum, Belle actually cried in the car on the way back to Pasir Ris Farmart. It was as though she knew we had to give her up.
Champion, a female Jack Russell, was the second dog we tried adopting as a companion for Bambi. Champion’s owner had to give her up as her grandson was suffering from asthma. As we were unsure if Bambi could get along with Champion, we told the owner we would like Champion stay with us for a couple of days before we decide on the adoption. Champion was a lovely dog. Though she was much bigger in size than Bambi, she was kind of afraid of Bambi. Again, Bambi did not seem to like the presence of Champion. Her behavior towards her was territorial and unfriendly. She would bark at Champion and scratch her belly whenever Champion went near my mum. My dad thought that Champion was too big to handle and her barking was also shrill. We were afraid that our neighbours would be unhappy with her barking. Champion stayed with us for two days. At the end of the two days, we decided that she was not suitable for Bambi and returned her to her owner.
Looks like our attempt to find Bambi a companion had failed again. Never mind, perhaps one day, the right dog will come along.
Monday, August 2, 2010
My dog, My companion, My sister
My mother often jokingly tells her friend that she has three children. The eldest, being my sister, followed by me and lastly, our dog sister whom we “adopted” three years’ ago. My mum’s youngest “dogter” is a Chihuahua we bought from Pasir Ris Farm Mart. We have an instant connection with this little puppy when we chanced upon her in the pet shop. We decided to name her “Bambi” because she has such big teary eyes.
Bambi has been with us for three years and has brought many moments of joy to the family. Just like any other puppy, she took a while to settle down in her new home. Bambi was extremely demure and quite in her first week with us. We once thought she was mute because she did not bark at all. She finally broke her silence when my dad took away her food before she could finish. That marks the beginning of her endless “yelping” in the estate.
Chihuahuas are known to be fussy eaters. Bambi is no different. My mum tried out a variety of dog food, but Bambi would get sick and tired of them within a week if given the same food at every meal. My mother eventually resorted to preparing home-cooked food (a concoction of carrots, potatoes and pork) for Bambi and she seems to like it so far.
Everyone in the family treats her like a baby, even my maid. Bambi’s first T-shirt was bought by my maid at the Japanese Daiso department store for two dollars. It fitted her very well and she seems to like wearing clothes as well. It is quite difficult to find clothes for Bambi due to her petite stature, so my mum recycled some of our T-shirts by getting an aunty friend at the market who could sew very well and she ingeniously transformed them into new clothes for Bambi.
Bambi is also my alarm clock in the morning. She seems to have a biological clock in her body that tells her to wake me up after my sister has finished washing up in the morning. Dogs are perhaps creatures of habit. Last Monday, I did not have to go to school because of E-learning. My dog, nevertheless, did her job diligently the same time in the morning. My mum had to stop her and tell her that her big brother does not need to go to school that day, or otherwise I would have to bear her endless licking on my face.
I cannot imagine a day without Bambi. I look forward to going home from school every day to see Bambi as without fail, she would wait at the door for me when I return home. She seems to have this special ability to sense that we are nearby even before we take the lift up to our home. This is perhaps God’s special gift to dogs.
Bambi has been with us for three years and has brought many moments of joy to the family. Just like any other puppy, she took a while to settle down in her new home. Bambi was extremely demure and quite in her first week with us. We once thought she was mute because she did not bark at all. She finally broke her silence when my dad took away her food before she could finish. That marks the beginning of her endless “yelping” in the estate.
Chihuahuas are known to be fussy eaters. Bambi is no different. My mum tried out a variety of dog food, but Bambi would get sick and tired of them within a week if given the same food at every meal. My mother eventually resorted to preparing home-cooked food (a concoction of carrots, potatoes and pork) for Bambi and she seems to like it so far.
Everyone in the family treats her like a baby, even my maid. Bambi’s first T-shirt was bought by my maid at the Japanese Daiso department store for two dollars. It fitted her very well and she seems to like wearing clothes as well. It is quite difficult to find clothes for Bambi due to her petite stature, so my mum recycled some of our T-shirts by getting an aunty friend at the market who could sew very well and she ingeniously transformed them into new clothes for Bambi.
Bambi is also my alarm clock in the morning. She seems to have a biological clock in her body that tells her to wake me up after my sister has finished washing up in the morning. Dogs are perhaps creatures of habit. Last Monday, I did not have to go to school because of E-learning. My dog, nevertheless, did her job diligently the same time in the morning. My mum had to stop her and tell her that her big brother does not need to go to school that day, or otherwise I would have to bear her endless licking on my face.
I cannot imagine a day without Bambi. I look forward to going home from school every day to see Bambi as without fail, she would wait at the door for me when I return home. She seems to have this special ability to sense that we are nearby even before we take the lift up to our home. This is perhaps God’s special gift to dogs.
A dog's devotion
I am sure most of us have heard that dogs are man’s best friend. One can only appreciate and fully understand the meaning of this if he or she has kept a dog before. Recently, I watched a heart-wrenching movie about the relationship between a dog named “Hachi” and his owner,a University Professor.
The 2007-set framing story starts with 11-year-old Ronnie telling his class why his grandfather's dog Hachi embodies heroism. Parker Wilson, a University Professor finds the pooch on the local train platform one cold winter night. It's love at first sight. Sure that someone will claim the animal, Parker hauls it to the large home he shares with wife Cate. He put up various notices, trying to help the pup locate its owner but to no avail. Although initially reluctant to keep the dog, parker’s wife is ultimately persuaded that the pup should stay when she sees her hubby on his hands and knees as he models the art of fetching. The dog gets his name when Parker's Japanese colleague Ken, translates the tag on its collar as Hachi, the Japanese word for "eight."
After an unidentified length of time passes, Hachi appears fully grown and a bit more obedient. He accompanies Parker to the train station and returns again to escort him home every day. The town's many commuters, as well as station ticket agent Carl and hot-dog vendor Jasjeet , regularly witness the pair's mutual affection. When the day comes that Parker doesn't get off the train, Hachi is unable to process the notion that his master will not return. For 10 years, progressively more broken in body, he stands vigil at the station, his fidelity inspiring newspaper celebrity and subsequent donations for his care. Hachi finally gets to meet the spirit of his master after his death. What a moving story about a dog’s undying devotion to its master even after his death.
I have talked about my pet dog, Bambi in my earlier blog posting. Bambi is really a bundle of joy to all my family members. She never fails to wait at the door for us when we return home. Bambi sleeps with my mum and she will never go to bed if my mum is not home. Like Hachi, she is a faithful dog and indeed, man’s best friend. I cannot imagine the day when Bambi has to say goodbye to us. She is only three now and small dogs are known to have longer lifespan than big dogs. With proper care, I hope she could live to a ripe old age of perhaps 15 years old. She is part of our family and we try her like one of our siblings. To her, we are everything.
The 2007-set framing story starts with 11-year-old Ronnie telling his class why his grandfather's dog Hachi embodies heroism. Parker Wilson, a University Professor finds the pooch on the local train platform one cold winter night. It's love at first sight. Sure that someone will claim the animal, Parker hauls it to the large home he shares with wife Cate. He put up various notices, trying to help the pup locate its owner but to no avail. Although initially reluctant to keep the dog, parker’s wife is ultimately persuaded that the pup should stay when she sees her hubby on his hands and knees as he models the art of fetching. The dog gets his name when Parker's Japanese colleague Ken, translates the tag on its collar as Hachi, the Japanese word for "eight."
After an unidentified length of time passes, Hachi appears fully grown and a bit more obedient. He accompanies Parker to the train station and returns again to escort him home every day. The town's many commuters, as well as station ticket agent Carl and hot-dog vendor Jasjeet , regularly witness the pair's mutual affection. When the day comes that Parker doesn't get off the train, Hachi is unable to process the notion that his master will not return. For 10 years, progressively more broken in body, he stands vigil at the station, his fidelity inspiring newspaper celebrity and subsequent donations for his care. Hachi finally gets to meet the spirit of his master after his death. What a moving story about a dog’s undying devotion to its master even after his death.
I have talked about my pet dog, Bambi in my earlier blog posting. Bambi is really a bundle of joy to all my family members. She never fails to wait at the door for us when we return home. Bambi sleeps with my mum and she will never go to bed if my mum is not home. Like Hachi, she is a faithful dog and indeed, man’s best friend. I cannot imagine the day when Bambi has to say goodbye to us. She is only three now and small dogs are known to have longer lifespan than big dogs. With proper care, I hope she could live to a ripe old age of perhaps 15 years old. She is part of our family and we try her like one of our siblings. To her, we are everything.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Dogs. Where did they come from?
In all my life, I have kept various pets, which include: Rats, fish, birds, lobsters, and dogs . However, I still feel that dogs are the best pets as they make good companions, they can adapt to different lifestyles. Dogs are also extremely smart, and loyal. Although dogs may seem fierce and protective, they are also cute and cuddly creatures. A treat or a pat is enough to get them to go on their belly.
To understand dogs better, we should also look at their ancestors, the wolf. Yes, according to scientist, dogs actually originated from the wolf. Therefore dogs are also known to have behaviours similar to their wolf counterparts. Like the wolf, dogs are extremely territorial; hence they will mark their territory with their scent. Usually, dogs would use their urine a scent-marker. Another behavior trait which is seen in both dogs and wolfs are the fact that they always have a leader, the alpha male. The alpha males command the pack, and likewise dogs will also look for their “alpha” male in the household, in most cases it would be the father of the family. The dog will always obey the alpha male, and is always seen to be very obedient when with the alpha male. Lastly, dogs and wolfs have similar expression used to show their emotion. For example, Fear ,when a dog or wolf is suspicious or frightened it will attempt to make itself look small and less conspicuous; the ears will lie flat against the head, and the tail may be tucked between the legs.
Up to date, The American Kennel Club officially recognizes 150 different breeds of dogs. Different breeds have their unique characteristics. The difference between breeds can be very extreme, for example, a the world tallest dog, Certified by the Guiness Book of World Records, is Gibson, a Harlequin Great Dane, who measured 107 cm. While on the other hand The smallest dog in terms of length is Heaven Sent Brandy, a female Chihuahua who measured just 15.2 cm from the nose to the tip of the tail!
Dogs also have different needs, depending on their breed. Some require more grooming, while others may require skin care. Different dogs have different life span and illnesses. Some are more prone to breaking their bones, while others are more prone to back injuries.
Dogs have been one of the oldest domesticated pets in history. They are able to serve the various needs of humans, be it a family, an old couple, young children, or someone who is single. They bond very well with their owners. And very often, the owner and dog are very attached to each other, and are almost inseparable.
I feel that it is very important for all dog owners to treat their dog well, and be responsible. In the recent years, there has been an increase in the number of dogs being abandoned by their owner. The main reason is because the dog has become more of a hassle to the family. And the family can no longer take care of the dog. However, I feel that this is reason is not valid. When someone adopts a dog, the dog has become a family member, and we should never abandon our family members when they are in need.
“To you he may be just a dog, but to him you are everything”…
To understand dogs better, we should also look at their ancestors, the wolf. Yes, according to scientist, dogs actually originated from the wolf. Therefore dogs are also known to have behaviours similar to their wolf counterparts. Like the wolf, dogs are extremely territorial; hence they will mark their territory with their scent. Usually, dogs would use their urine a scent-marker. Another behavior trait which is seen in both dogs and wolfs are the fact that they always have a leader, the alpha male. The alpha males command the pack, and likewise dogs will also look for their “alpha” male in the household, in most cases it would be the father of the family. The dog will always obey the alpha male, and is always seen to be very obedient when with the alpha male. Lastly, dogs and wolfs have similar expression used to show their emotion. For example, Fear ,when a dog or wolf is suspicious or frightened it will attempt to make itself look small and less conspicuous; the ears will lie flat against the head, and the tail may be tucked between the legs.
Up to date, The American Kennel Club officially recognizes 150 different breeds of dogs. Different breeds have their unique characteristics. The difference between breeds can be very extreme, for example, a the world tallest dog, Certified by the Guiness Book of World Records, is Gibson, a Harlequin Great Dane, who measured 107 cm. While on the other hand The smallest dog in terms of length is Heaven Sent Brandy, a female Chihuahua who measured just 15.2 cm from the nose to the tip of the tail!
Dogs also have different needs, depending on their breed. Some require more grooming, while others may require skin care. Different dogs have different life span and illnesses. Some are more prone to breaking their bones, while others are more prone to back injuries.
Dogs have been one of the oldest domesticated pets in history. They are able to serve the various needs of humans, be it a family, an old couple, young children, or someone who is single. They bond very well with their owners. And very often, the owner and dog are very attached to each other, and are almost inseparable.
I feel that it is very important for all dog owners to treat their dog well, and be responsible. In the recent years, there has been an increase in the number of dogs being abandoned by their owner. The main reason is because the dog has become more of a hassle to the family. And the family can no longer take care of the dog. However, I feel that this is reason is not valid. When someone adopts a dog, the dog has become a family member, and we should never abandon our family members when they are in need.
“To you he may be just a dog, but to him you are everything”…
Friday, July 2, 2010
Project website ( product outcome)
What a relief! Our project website is finally done! What has seemed like an impossible feat has now become possible. The website now consist of a main page, with our introductory video right in the middle of screen, followed by 4 links at the bottom. Namely :Quiz,Info, Blog, and credits.
I am quite satisfied with the outcome, as i have been working on this product for more than a month, and now, with every thing coming together, the website has truly become educational and interactive ( the main aim of our website) . However, despite me being in a temporary state of euphoria, i still have to get back to work, as the website still has some minor bloopers (eg. spelling error and FTP errors).
Here are some screen shots of our website :
that's all for now! Thank you
I am quite satisfied with the outcome, as i have been working on this product for more than a month, and now, with every thing coming together, the website has truly become educational and interactive ( the main aim of our website) . However, despite me being in a temporary state of euphoria, i still have to get back to work, as the website still has some minor bloopers (eg. spelling error and FTP errors).
Here are some screen shots of our website :
that's all for now! Thank you
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