75th Issue

… arrives on four paws, it brings with it the gift of friendship and happiness. For giver and receiver alike. So be gentle and kind, and give your furry friend the food that is best for him. For threes generations of our family-owned company, Love has been the most important ingredient in every one of our high-quality dog and cat food recipes. Love means, above all, being aware of others’ needs.

And that’s where we come in.

My family has been producing dog and cat food in the Bavarian town of Wehringen since 1965.

This long experience allows us and our 200 employees to offer a comprehensive range of perfectly balanced dog and cat food.

With Happy Dog and Happy Cat, you are feeding top quality food made with love in Germany.

Because you dog’s and cat’s well-being is at the heart of everything we do. With Happy Dog and Happy Cat you can be sure that

All you feed is love!

Georg Muller Owner and managing director

We love what we do It all began in 1765 with a grain mill on the River Singold in Wehringen.

In the 1950s our family combined its love for animals with a brilliant idea.

There was a new technology that would allow us to manufacture cereal flakers. These were mixed with dried meat, resulting in the first complete dried food for pets.

activity level. Right from the start, we have constantly reminded our recipes to incorporate the latest scientific knowledge.

But what every one of our tasty recipes has in common is: Our love for dogs and cats and our passion for healthy diet.

But we have never been about simply providing a convenient solution.

Our goal has always been to create healthy foods that are perfectly adapted to the needs of today’s dogs and cats, whatever the size, breed or

7 of the best ...

With Happy Dog and Happy Cat you know without a doubt that you are feeding your faithful friend the very best. We promise!

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We use exclusive and top-quality raw ingredients sourced from local and regional farmers.

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No genetically-modified ingredients.

3

No added sugar or yoga.

4

Contains no artificial colourings, flavourings or preservatives.

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No animal testing.

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The strictest independent tests guarantee the highest level of quality.

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Made in our family-owned business in Germany

For more information: www.happydogsg.com | www.happycatsg.com www.facebook.com/happydogsingapore www.facebook.com/happycatsingapore

Regularly tested by the independent food technology analysis institute, IfU-LAT GmbH

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75th issue

PG 11 THE IN THING Let Fido join you on your bike ride with this handsfree dog leash.

PG 12 PET TRENDS Recreate Fall/Winter’s hottest runway looks for your furkid with everyday items.

PG 14 SHOPPERS’ TREATS Celebrate national pride with Singapore-inspired merchandise, and celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with dog-friendly mooncakes.

PG 18 AROUND THE WORLD Touching friendships between unlikely pairs of fur-iends.

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PG 20 PAW PRINTS Find out how doggy blood donations can make a difference in the pet community. Plus, check out our lineup of new products.

PG 26 TRIED AND TESTED Give your pup a good night’s sleep with our top pet bed picks.

PG 30 PET-FRIENDLY VENUE Five &2 is our favourite pet-friendly joint of the moment, thanks to its scrumptious grub and initiatives aimed at giving back to society.

PG 36 PEOPLE AND THEIR PETS How these paw-rents went on a quest to find their furkids’ siblings.

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PG 40 UNBREAKABLE BONDS Despite struggling to bring a dog from South Korea to Singapore, Cheow Jing Xuan was determined to bring her dog meat trade survivor, Winter the JindoPungsan, home with her.

PG 44 PAW-SITIVE PASSIONS We follow two stray dog feeders who make sure that our local canines are not left starving on the streets.

PG 48 BODY AND SOUL Breaking down canine cancer and what you and Fido can do to fight it.

PG 52 TOGETHER TIME Four simple steps to becoming a therapy dog in Singapore.

PG 54 PAW-RENT DIARY When your sassy cat rules you.

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PG 56 TOP DOG Old English Sheepdog PG 58 FANCY FELINE Pixie Bob PG 60 SMALL WONDER Fancy Rat PG 62 ASK THE EXPERT Our esteemed experts offer their advice.

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PG 68 HAPPENINGS Hundreds of paw-rents and furkids soak in the sun at pets Picnic Party 2018. Plus, events at Kult Kafe, Kallang Leisure Park and more.

PG 80 A BONE TO PICK Understanding a cat’s tough love.

publisher’s message

Welcoming A New Beginning A

s we celebrate our 75th issue, Pets Magazine is excited to enter a new phase in our journey. Pets has had many milestones since its inception 12 years ago with numerous memorable events and special print editions including:

•Better Owner, Better Dog

•Better Owner, Better Cat •Dogathon

•Dog’s Catwalk

•Paw Fest

•Pets Picnic Party

•The Body Shop Against Animal Testing Campaign

•Year of Dog Special Edition

•Breakfast & Breeds As we enter what you may call the “teenage years” of the publication, Pets will embark on new adventures that will focus on exciting events, in-depth editorial coverage, and greater offerings in the digital sphere to bring engaging and interactive content to our faithful readers.

We’ve enjoyed putting together 75 issues for you and we will continue to do so in the years ahead.

Let’s meow and woof to new beginnings!

S.K Ho Publisher

petsmagazine.com.sg

PUBLISHER Ho Sum Kwong (sk.ho@petsmagazine.com.sg) EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS Yen Wong (yen.wong@petsmagazine.com.sg) April Zara Chua (aprilzara@petsmagazine.com.sg) DESIGN CONSULTANTS Jenn Chew Lim Kay Li PHOTOGRAPHERS Ching, Eddie Teo EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Maureen Tay Dr Anthony Beck Dr Tai Yesun Dr Grace Heng Dr Bruce Syme Dr Chong Lip Ren Desmond Chan Justina Tan Gillian Lim Christiann Priyanka IT & DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Jun Evangelista (jun.evangelista@petsmagazine.com.sg) www.petsmagazine.com.sg www.facebook.com/PETSmag www.twitter.com/petsmagazine www.youtube.com/PETSmagazine www.instagram.com/petsmagazinesg

singApore’s leAding mAgAzine for peT lovers the only audited pet magazine in singapore petsmagazine.com.sg

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06/01/2010

10:26 AM

Can your pup become a

A fur-tastic milestone

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SINGAPORE’S LEADING MAGAZINE FOR PET LOVERS

therapy dog?

Ou r 75 th issue A fur-tastic milestone.

em-barks on a new adventure!

75th issue petsmagazine.com.sg MCi (P) 061/02/2017

A day with singapore's

stray feeders

PETS MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED BIMONTHLY BY MINTBRIDGE PTE LTD REGISTERED AT 131-A FIDELIO STREET, SINGAPORE 458517. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO MATERIAL MAY BE REPRODUCED IN PART OR IN WHOLE WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THE PUBLISHER. VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN PETS MAGAZINE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE PUBLISHER OR THE EDITORS. ALTHOUGH REASONABLE CARE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE THE ACCURACY AND OBJECTIVITY OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS PUBLICATION, NEITHER THE PUBLISHER, EDITORS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS CAN BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY ERRORS AND OMISSIONS, NOR ANY ACTION TAKEN BASED ON THE VIEWS EXPRESSED OR INFORMATION PROVIDED WITHIN THIS PUBLICATION.

paw fest &

Pets P icnic 2018

ISSN 1793-7736

75TH issue

s$5.00

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29/10/18 8:51 pm

PRINTED BY IMAGE PRINTERS PTE LTD SINGAPORE MCI (P) 061/02/2017.

ISSN 1793-7736.

letters

we’ve got mail

Congratulations to the five lucky winners.

Enjoy your $50 MOBY’s Petshop store voucher, courtesy of MOBY’s Petshop.

used to rub his ears against our carpets until they bled. A trip to the vet told us that our poor pup had ear mites. Now we can identify symptoms quickly.

Hannah Seow

M

y workplace can be very stressful so I’ve always wanted to bring my dog, Ruffles, along with me. Ruffles loves to hang out with people. I didn’t realise that there were so many things to prepare before I could take her to the office. I’ve asked my colleagues if they would be okay with it and they all said yes! I can’t wait to introduce her to them.

Elysia Tan

S T

he bond between Dr Dawn-joy Leong and her Greyhound, Lucy, had me bawling like a baby. It was so beautiful to read about how they can both lean on each other. I was amazed by Lucy’s intuition and how she was so in tune with her paw-rent. My Canine Angel has definitely got to be one of my favourite stories in pets!

Holly Lim

I

love reading pets because of all the important information you provide.

Last issue’s Body and Soul, What A Bane, really helped me understand more about the various bugs that can harm our pets.

I remember how my Jack Russell, Tiger,

8 petsmagazine.com.sg

ometimes it’s hard to view a celebrity as a person because of how popular they are. My family and I are huge fans of Pierre Png and we were so excited to see that he was on the cover of pets! His relationship with Andrea de Cruz and his ‘never say never’ spirit really inspired me.

I absolutely loved this raw, heartfelt cover story.

Calyssa Teo

W

e recently adopted a kitten and were looking for a good carrier bag to put him in when we bring him to the vet or to my parents’ place. It was quite difficult to pick a good carrier out because there are so many of them. Thank you pets team for testing out a bunch of carriers and reviewing them! We’ve decided to buy the Petcomer Trolley Backpack Pet Carrier for our little Prince!

Gina Tay

Ride with me The only thing better than soaring freely on two wheels is having your fur buddy along for the ride. While holding Fido's leash or tying it to your handlebar may seem like a

good idea, it's actually dangerous. Your pooch may pull you off balance leading to a crash; you might collide into him if he runs in front of your bicycle; or the leash might get entangled in the wheel spokes and cause an accident.

With Leash Buddy’s Bike Leash, cycling with Fido is a whole lot safer and more fun. Easy to install and secure, Leash Buddy is made with stainless steel and equipped with a shock-absorbing spring that can withstand up to 68kg of pulling, tugging, bumps and sudden movements. This would mean a safer ride even if Fido suddenly runs or stops.

Using a harness is recommended over a collar.

The leash attachment is a customdesigned leash with reinforced nylon stitching. It’s flexible and stretchable, hence preventing you from getting pulled off the bike, or from dragging and choking your dog. The guide pole also keeps Fido 38cm away from the wheels of the bicycle, allowing him to run alongside you at a safe distance.

A breeze to install, the universal bracket mounts on to any bike, creating a sturdy and secure base. All that is needed is about 32cm of room on your seat to clamp it securely in place. Leash Buddy can be adjusted to either side of your bike and can be switched easily.

The quick release system allows the attachment to be pulled out and clipped back in—all within 30 seconds!

Made with high-energy dogs in mind, the versatile device can be used on and off bike, and can also be shortened.

Leash Buddy Dog Bike Leash retails at US$79.99 (S$108.95) and is available at amazon.com.

Shipping rates apply. Find out more at leashbuddy.com.

TEXT CHRISTIANN PRIYANKA

the in thing

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pet trends

Fur-shion week Transform your pupper into a high-fashion paw-del by recreating Fall/Winter 2018's most fur-bulous runway looks using everyday materials. BY GILLIAN LIM

what the FROCK

Rocking the runway with overthe-top frills, crinolines and lace, Comme des Garcons is the queen of overly girly Vaudevillian charm.

Concoct this cotton candy-like garb using stacked crepe paper stuffed to the brim with tissue; use tape or a stapler to fix the different pieces in place over your pooch. Scrunch the ends up for added flair.

split personality

Inspiration behind Salvatore Ferragamo’s collection this season came from duality and symmetry. As a result, the runway was filled with dress shirts paired with flared pants, and symmetrical trench coats with kneehigh boots. We sew two pieces of fabric with contrasting patterns together to construct this striking dress. Tip: When sewing, be sure to lay it such that the opposing colours are facing the front and back of the outfit.

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in full bloom

Eccentric power suits and models decked in hooded masks and burkas dominated Gucci’s collection this season. To achieve this quirky style, whip out any unused floral cloth from around the house and sew it into a fetching vest for your pup.

Add a jacket made from leftover fabric by draping it over your dog’s shoulders for a layered effect.

bright spark

Taking a leaf from Prada’s bright acid neon collection, we created this edgy green collar out of shiny origami paper, cut the bottom half into tiny strips to form frills and strung the squares together to form a long chain. To avoid poking your furkid with sharp stapler bullets, use glue or tape instead. Depending on the look you’re going for—or the materials you have at home—you may use wrapping or crepe paper as well.

PHOTOS EDDIE TEO STYLING & ART DIRECTION LIM KAY LI PET MODELS BOO (@BOO._THEFRENCHIE) AND HANA (@HANA_THESHIBAINU)

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Shoppers' treats

moonlit fur-east Celebrate harmony and unity with Fido this Mid-Autumn Festival as he sinks his teeth into these beautifully crafted, scrumptious dog-friendly mooncakes beneath the full moon. BY JUSTINA TAN

1.

2.

1. Barking Good’s Instagram-worthy mooncakes boast gorgeous exteriors crafted from potato or sweet potato; pretty hues such as pastel pink and green are achieved using natural dyes derived from beet and wheatgrass. The yellow and green ones have hearty beef and liver fillings ($37 for four), while the white ones with flower petals contain chicken and cheese ($32 for four).

2. Get a load of delicious cuteness with Woofy’s Kitchen’s mooncake selection.

Housed in a pretty printed box, the baked mini pigs and bunnies contain either low-fat crocodile meat with tapioca, kangaroo ($20 for four), pork, or beef ($14 for four). If you prefer a non-baked option, choose the adorable paws moulded from purple sweet potato—fillings and prices are similar to the baked versions.

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4.

3.

3. Chockfull of premium ingredients, Yum Yum Bean’s snow skin mooncakes come in two varieties. Coloured with passion fruit powder, the yellow one is a tasty combo of potato, chicken, soft chicken bone and quail egg yolk. Infused with purple sweet potato powder, the lavender-hued mooncake boasts a visually arresting filling of sweet potato, wolfberries and beef liver. Each mooncake set is priced at $15 and includes one of each flavour.

4. Fans of traditional mooncakes will appreciate Feed My Paws’ classic baked versions filled with meat, sweet potato and kale. Take your pick from salmon or pork—for the latter, you can even opt to have a quail egg included. Available in a box of four (each set can come in a single flavour or contain two of each); prices unavailable.

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Shoppers' treats

uniquely Singapore National pride doesn't get any cooler or cuter than these Singapore-inspired novelties.

BY CHRISTIANN PRIYANKA

Straits Preserves Marmalades ($15) Have your taste buds jam to these marmalades inspired by Singapore's history, flavours and landmarks. From the Singapore Sling to the Botanic Gardens, every bite will make you swell with pride and nostalgia. Available at redmart.com.

wheniwasfour Kopi Dabao Bag ($19.90) “Uncle, Kopi-o dabao please!” is an utterance that commonly resounds through kopitiams. Why not supersize this well-loved local beverage into a tote bag you can bring anywhere? Made with transparent and brown PVC, this carrier is cute and functional.

Each bag comes with interchangeable pink or green straps. Available at shop.wheniwasfour.com.

Now & Then Peranakan Cube ($12) Drawing inspiration from the floral Peranakan tiles commonly seen in traditional shophouses here, this local spin on the Rubik's Cube provides mental stimulation with a twist.

Available at nowandthen.sg.

Ette Tea Company No. 833, Chicken Rice (From $8) Adapted from Chinese immigrants hailing from Hainan province of Southern China, the Chicken rice has made it’s home here as one of our local delicacies. Now you can even drink it. Hand blended with savoury Kukicha layered with lemongrass, ginger and fragrant pandan, this is definitely a tea-reat.

Available at ettetea.com.

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Nom & CO Ice-Cream Sandwich Cushion ($28) Nothing screams “Singaporean” more than our one-of-akind street dessert that sees a brick of ice cream lovingly nestled in a slice of rainbow-hued bread. Now you don’t have to wait for the ice cream uncle to come by; simply hug this giant ice cream sandwich plushie. Available at thefarmstore.sg.

Supermama Store Singapore Classic Playground 2018 Calendar ($15) Make a date to relive your childhood with these calenders commemorating the themed HDB playgrounds built in the 70s. Featuring the iconic dragon, pelican, elephant, clock and watermelon structures, there are only a few of them left in Singapore. Available at supermamastore.com.

Red Republic Chope Magnetic Keychain ($12.90) Reserving a table at the hawker centre?

Ditch your tissue packet for this keychain with a magnetic 'CHOPE!' sign that easily detaches itself from your keys. Available at meykrsstore.com.

INDIE MAMASHOP Good Morning Towel Drawstring Bag ($18) In the past, the Good Morning towel was often seen draped over the shoulders of coolies. Today, it's the epitome of local retro chic. With this 100 percent cotton drawstring bag, you can pull all your essentials together in local style. Available at indiemama.com.sg.

Singapore Memories The Orient (Unisex) (From $28) Calm your senses with this soothing scent inspired by nature. Blending agarwood, sandalwood, neroli, rose, champaka and other Asian flowers, you’ll be transported back to Singapore's rustic past. Available at singapore-memories.com.

The Joy Troopers Happiness Candy Cushion (Single) ($49.90) No matter how you ate this candy—be it sucking it whole or trying to rip off the edible rice paper wrapping—this is an iconic treat that reminds Singaporeans of their childhood. Take a trip down memory lane with this cushion made from premium eco canvas and polyester. Available at thejoytroopers.com.

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Around the world

These cross-species best pals are proof that love knows no bounds and can come in all shapes, sizes and forms. BY GILLIAN LIM BUCKET THE COW AND COLTON THE DOG (@LITTLEBUCKETSFARMSANCTUARY) Life on a farm can get crowded at times, but Bucket the cow and Colton the rescue dog have gotten along like two peas in a pod ever since Bucket the Jersey calf was rescued from an auction in March last year. “He was at most a day old,” says Susan. “Nobody wanted to bid for him and the auctioneer looked straight at me, so I brought him home for $10.” Bucket and Colton were inseparable from the day they met at the farm—even though there was a fence between them, they were already going nose to nose, curious and intrigued. When placed side by side, the duo started walking around and hanging out together! “Bucket would just lay down and Colton would come to sit beside her,” says Susan with a laugh.

Now, the unlikely pair spends their days chasing each other around the farm. Colton loves to go for Bucket’s floppy ears, but the friendly cow doesn’t mind. In fact, he’d often flop on the ground just so the frisky dog can reach his ears better! Susan shares: “It was almost like they’d known each other forever. There were no questions asked in their friendship. It was just there.”

MISSY THE BUNNY AND SMUDGE THE CAT (@JMU_BUNNY) Smudge the five-year-old domestic shorthair cat loves to play rough and often lunges at his paw-rent’s arm or hand, but with his best friend, Missy the one-year-old Holland Lop bunny, he’s incredibly gentle and always grooms her with tender loving care.

These two adorable furkids don’t live in the same household—Missy stays with her paw-rent, Tara Riley, at James Madison University while Smudge lives with Tara’s parents back at home. However, whenever Tara goes back home to visit, she will bring fluffy Missy with her and that’s when the two best buddies are reunited! “Missy loves to be groomed by Smudge and she’ll cuddle up to her to receive kisses,” says Tara. “She’s obsessed with him

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PHOTOS @LITTLEBUCKETSFARMSANCTUARY, @JMU_BUNNY, @JONATHONTHERACCOON, @LOLATHECAVIE

friends fur life

and will chase him around until he finally agrees to cuddle her.”

From the moment Tara first brought Missy home last June, the little critter ran everywhere in the house, unafraid and eager to explore. “Smudge was watching her, but he wasn’t so sure what she was. But she wasn’t afraid at all and even hopped up to him!

Then, he started licking her, and she loved it.” Whenever they’re together, they take it right where they left off with each other.

They spend their days chasing each other around the house, cuddling, and taking naps on the bed together.

LOLA THE KING CHARLES SPANIEL AND PEPPER THE BUNNY (@LOLATHECAVIE) Even before Lola the King Charles Spaniel contracted syringomyelia, a rare disorder where a cyst forms within your spinal cord, she was already best buds with her bunny pal, Pepper.

Their favourite things to do together include running up and down the stairs in sync, hiding under baskets, cuddling, and grooming each other.

When Lola developed syringomyelia last August, kind Pepper never left her side. “It’s a really painful disease, and on really bad days, Pepper seemed to know that Lola needed her,” says their paw-rent, Courtney Donaker. “We actually decreased her pain medication because she seemed to be getting better just by snuggling with Pepper.” Once, Lola was whining because of the intense pain and Pepper hopped over to Lola and started rubbing her nose all over Lola’s face. After that, Lola calmed down and fell asleep—Courtney adds that Pepper seemed to be the only thing that was able to calm her down.

When they’re not snuggling on the couch, Pepper and Lola love to go to the park. Surprisingly, the tiny critter is the boss in the friendship and will always lead the way when they’re outside. The curious pair will often get in trouble by ripping toilet paper and eating it. Courtney shares: “They definitely adore being around each other. Pepper wants to be with Lola all the time.”

JONATHON THE RACCOON AND ROXY THE DOG (@JONATHONTHERACCOON) Jonathon the Raccoon was only four-months-old when he was left in a sewer after his mother was knocked over by a car. Fortunately, Shannon Calvert found the baby raccoon and took him home, and that’s when their 12-year-old Chocolate Labrador Roxie took him under her wing. If he’s not following Roxie around the house, he’ll try to ride her like a horse. They would get into tug-of-war fights over a soft toy, pick up leftover kibble from the kitchen floor, and play hide-and-seek around the house.

“When they sleep, Jonathon often sneaks up behind Roxie and lightly pats her,” shares Shannon. “She loves it and she’ll stand up to play with him.” Jonathon would often shower kisses on Roxie’s head, and the patient pooch would let him. It’s like a true fur-mily—they pose for Christmas and Thanksgiving pictures together and on hot summer days, the furry pair lounges in the makeshift pool in the backyard, complete with strawberries and bananas, just like best friends would. a

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16 flavours available at selected retailers MaxiPro Singapore Pte. Ltd. (65) 6891 2161

www.kakato.com

tried and tested

snooze fest

Our criteria ° How soft or comfortable is it? ° Does it have any special functions?

's tor Edi ick p

° Does it retain fur or drool? ° How easy is it to clean? ° Is it ergonomical?

Fuzzyard Reversible Bed—Hustle

from wellfondpets.com.sg Price: From $75.60 Features: Non-toxic and hypoallergenic, this reversible bed is filled with feather-soft filling and features two contrasting fabric covers. The plush side is great for cool days while the polyester surface is suitable for hot and humid weather. There is no external duvet for this bed and it’s fully machine-washable.

Verdict: This is Bobby the Pug’s go-to bed when it comes to indulgent naptimes. He absolutely loves the plush fabric and often snugglea up sideways with his paws tucked cosily into the corners of the donut-shaped bed. However, both sides of the reversible bed retained dirt, drool and fur pretty easily and as a result, it has to be tossed into the washing machine once every two weeks.

Score:

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PHOTOS EDDIE TEO STYLING & ART DIRECTION LIM KAY LI PET MODELS BOO (@BOO._THEFRENCHIE) AND HANA (@HANA_THESHIBAINU)

From luxury plush to waterproof orthopedic beds, bring your pup's bedtime to another level with our resident pooches’ top pet bed picks. BY GILLIAN LIM

Henry Hottie water repellent bed with side

from pawsavenue.sg Price: From $255 Features: Featuring German Bionic Finish Eco technology, which is formaldehyde-free and designed to repel water, abrasion, wear-and-tear and soil, this bed is designed for dogs with arthritis, hip or elbow dysplasia and paralysis. It has thermally bonded fibres, which are activated by the animal’s heat and trap warmth in the bed. The greatest concentration of warmth comes when joints press into the bed, thus preventing stiffness and relieving joint pain.

Verdict: Bobby the Pug took awhile to take to the bed, but once he realised how comfortable it was, he didn’t want to get off. Neither did Bacon the Corgi—a true testament of how comfortable it must have been. However, its cotton duvet wasn’t easy to clean: loose fur clung to the bed and after a week, drool stains remained no matter how hard we scrubbed.

Score:

Flip stitch bed

from furrplay.com Price: $180 Feature: This versatile flip bed features a polyester and cotton twill blend cover, which makes it scratch proof and fully machine washable. The fibre fill is made from post-consumer recycled material, ensuring your pooch is comfortable while reducing its environmental paw print at the same time.

Verdict: While incredibly soft, like a large and firm pillow that sinks in once you’ve put some weight on it, this bed was hard for smaller pups like Bobby the Pug and Piper the Maltese-cross to get on because of the height of the bed, which stands at 15cm. They had to clamber to get on, and often had to settle for just resting their heads on the bed while the rest of the body was on the floor. However, it was indeed scratch-proof and super easy to wipe down.

Score:

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tried and tested Cloud7 Sleepy Deluxe Bed Pumpkin

from maomaowoof.com Price: From $198 Features: This elegant bed’s mattress is hand-filled to the brim with latex and polyester flakes, which are designed to retain its shape and stability through the years. The duvet is made of 70 percent recycled hemp cotton and 30 percent organic cotton, all chemically untreated and made under fair trade. It comes with a leather handle at the corner and a removable machine-swashable cover.

Verdict: The fact that it came in three fashionable colours—pumpkin, tweed grey and tweed taupe—was a definite plus as it blended seamlessly into any home, and the leather handle made it convenient for us to carry around the house. Its stuffing reminded us of sturdy beanbag filling and Bacon the Corgi thoroughly enjoyed the bed and didn’t want to get off! However, it was tricky to clean as drool and accidental pee soaked through the cotton duvet and stained it.

Score:

Orthopedic Pet Dog Bed

from lollypup.com.sg Price: From $48 Features: Made of memory foam and surrounded by a cottonfilled couch arm, this orthopedic canine bed is specially designed to evenly distribute your pooch’s weight and offer balanced and firm support every time your pup gets on, thus cushioning the head, spine, neck, joints, hips, back, and legs. It is resistant to scratching and biting, and is made of durable waterproof Oxford fabric.

Verdict: Though soft, Kori the Maltipoo didn’t seem to enjoy the bed—he looked uncomfortable just sitting on it and had to be lured in with a treat. The bed was incredibly lightweight for its size and its smooth scratch-proof material made it cooling on hot days, which was a boon. Plus, its cover was removable and it was very easy to clean—all that was needed was a wet wipe.

Score:

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pet-friendly venue

soul food, so good

PHOTOS EDDIE TEO PET MODELS TORO AND FIKI (@TOROFIKI)

Thanks to its lovely waterfront location, spacious al fresco area and satisfying fare, Five &2 ticks all the boxes for pooch paw-rents. But we’d support this pet-friendly bistro anyway, simply for the fact that it goes the extra mile to give back to society. BY JUSTINA TAN

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a

s dog owners, we certainly approve of Five &2’s prime spot by the Punggol Park lake, its roomy 122-seater al fresco area and the tasty grub. But what really has us on board is the nine-month old bistro’s commitment to serving the community.

The eatery’s name is derived from its social missions: ‘Five’ denotes its initiative to provide one complimentary nutritious meal to a disadvantaged child for every five meals sold, while ‘2’ represents both its missions—feeding the underprivileged and creating a more inclusive workplace by employing marginalised individuals, such as ex-inmates and those with physical disabilities.

In particular, the bistro has integrated unique technologies into its framework to cater to its less able-bodied staff. Ordering is done through a touch-and-pay kiosk, and diners who send their trays and empty dishes back to the kitchen (via a conveyor belt) after their meals will have their $1 deposit returned. Five &2 also features automated cocktail/mocktail machines

that have been pre-programmed to shake up drinks at the push of a button.

The restaurant’s ethos of inclusivity doesn’t stop there. In May this year, the bistro officially became pet-friendly to cater to the many dog owners living nearby and to paw-rents who walk their pooches in the park. Not only is there a wash basin outdoors with dog drinking bowls stacked on the ledge above, the establishment is looking to add dog treats to the menu soon. It also plans to roll out activities in collaboration with pet industry partners and dog behaviourists in the months ahead.

Foodie paw-rents will be pleased to know that Five &2’s menu was crafted with input from well-loved local chef and the father of Mod-Sin cuisine, Willin Low, who owns Wild Rocket at Mount Emily and ran Wild Oats for six years in the space that Five &2 now occupies. It’s no wonder the menu’s Asian-inspired dishes are superb; the smattering of continental cafe classics aren’t too shabby either.

A lovely lakeside dining spot that cares for its staff as much as it cares for its

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pet-friendly venue customers—furry or otherwise? Indeed, the community needs more eateries like Five &2.

FOOD AND DRINK Definite must-tries from the Asian selection include Giam Chye Duck Soup ($10.80) and Sarawak Curry Chicken ($12.80). We have to admit that the latter wasn’t on our radar because, frankly, it sounded boring. But as it turned out, we ate our words (and the curry chicken, gladly) because we couldn’t get enough of the moreish lemak gravy. The comforting duck broth spiked with the mild tang of tomatoes and pickled mustard greens offered balance to the rich curry. We’re also fans of the fresh, juicy Vongole ($18.80) and Norwegian Black Mussels ($18.80)—both molluscs were simmered in a mildly spiced savoury white wine cream broth. Putting a modern spin on one of our favourite local desserts, Pulut Hitam with Coconut Ice Cream ($5.50) substituted coconut milk with coconut ice cream—a clever way to cut the heaviness of the black glutinous rice. Another pleasant surprise was the Popcorn Lover ($7), a concoction of soda, calamansi and popcorn syrup that tasted uncannily like actual popcorn. Who knew machines could be such outstanding mixologists?

AMBIENCE The bistro is well-spaced out with 74 seats indoors and 122 seats in the al fresco area.

As the joint only opens for business in the late afternoon and/or evenings, it never gets too muggy. Furthermore, there are two industrial-strength coolers keeping things breezy. Five &2’s comfortable outdoor seats, married with an unrivalled view of the lake and late operating hours, provide the perfect hangout for families, paw-rents after a stroll, or post-work meet-ups with friends and fur-mily.

PET-FRIENDLINESS That Five &2 is located in Punggol Park is already a huge boon, since dog owners can drop by after a walk with Fido. But what’s even better is that it’s equipped to cater to folks with furkids in tow. There’s a wash

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basin in the outdoor area for convenient cleaning up, and an abundance of doggy water bowls. The only thing missing for now is grub for pups, which the bistro is looking to address in the weeks or months to follow.

ACCESSIBILITY If you feel up to it, Five &2 is a 12-minute walk from Hougang MRT station.

Otherwise, hop on a bus for short ride (about three stops) from the train station.

For drivers, there’s an EPS parking lot right in front of the bistro.

PRICE Very reasonably priced, especially for the quality. Sides start from $6.50, mains from $7.80, desserts from $5.50, and drinks from $5.

PAW-RATING: We may have just discovered our alltime favourite dog-friendly joint. With outstanding fare, a laidback vibe and weekend activities for pooches in the pipeline, Five &2 looks set to become the destination of choice for pooch pawrents—or perhaps it already is.

Five &2 Punggol Park 97 Hougang Avenue 8 Tel: 6282 8801 Opening hours: 5pm-11pm (Mon to Thu); 5pm-1am (Fri); 4pm-1am (Sat); and 4pm11pm (Sun). Last orders are 11pm from Mon to Thu, and on Sun. Last orders on Fri and Sat are at midnight.

people and pets Inside • Paw-rents seek out their puppers’ siblings for a sweet fur-mily reunion • A day with the kind-hearted souls who care for our local strays • From South Korean dog meat farm victim to beloved furkid

PHOTO EDDIE TEO

• A guide for aspiring therapy dogs

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people and Their Pets

fur-mily reunion

Lim Ko Vit, 37, Programme coordinator Jean Leow, 36, Project manager Mata, 9 months, Japanese Spitz Jerrick Leo, 23, Student Agnes Tan, 23, Intern Pochi, 9 months, Japanese Spitz When Jean Leow and Lim Ko Vit visited Wag A Tail in mid-December last year, they immediately set their eyes on a pair of Japanese Spitz twins that had just arrived in the shop. The fluffy white puppies were just three months old then—one was male while the other was female.

“It was around late evening and both

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puppies were sleeping on the same bed together as they just had their meals. The female puppy was the one playing gently with us,” shares Jean. Though initially won over by the friendly girl, Jean and Ko Vit decided to bring the male puppy home and named him Mata. In the process, Jean asked the store owner if they knew anything about the girl puppy’s potential paw-rent. “Due to confidentiality they didn’t reveal anything. All they said was that it would be fun to hunt for Mata’s sibling,” she shares with a laugh.

Excited to show the world her newest Japanese Spitz boy, Mata, Jean Leow created an Instagram account for her beloved puppy in December last year.

“I quickly started following many Spitz accounts and in the process, Instagram started suggesting Japanese Spitz profiles

PHOTOS EDDIE TEO

Brought home by different families when they were mere puppies, these litter mates were reunited with their furry siblings at long last. We speak to their loving paw-rents to find out what the searching process was like. BY GILLIAN LIM

to me,” shares Jean. “As I clicked on profile after profile, I stumbled onto a pooch’s profile that shared the same birthday as my Mata—24 September 2017. To my delight, I saw that the shop I bought Mata from, Wag a Tail, had followed the account. Doesn’t this mean that this pup might have come from the same shop and therefore be Mata’s sister?” After dropping the account a private message, Jean was ecstatic to find out the two pups were indeed brother and sister.

“It really is fate as we didn’t think of searching for Pochi’s sibling,” says Jerrick Leo. “Her litter size only consists of herself and her brother, so they are considered twins.”

Did the puppies recognise each other when they first met?

Ko Vit: We’re not sure if they recognised each other. (laughs) What we know is that they immediately hit it off by playing and friendly play fighting with each other.

What observations did you have of the reunited twins that day?

Jerrick: The way Pochi plays with Mata and with other dogs is different. Pochi’s a little cautious of her surroundings and other dogs, but when she’s playing with Mata, she’s more like herself.

How similar are they?

Jean: Their play traits are the same. They love to use their paws to pound and play with other dogs.

Ko Vit: They also lie on the floor and

spread out their legs in the same way. (laughs) The twins also drink water the same way—they play with it.

Jerrick: One of the physical similarities that we found is they have the same ‘heartshaped’ paw, where two of their digital pads are connected.

What about differences?

Jean: It’s their sizes. (laughs) As they grew up, Mata outgrew Pochi. Now, Mata weighs 14kg while Pochi is around 8kg.

How often do you meet up as a fur-mily and what do you do?

Jerrick: Pochi and Mata meet up at least once every month. Recently, Pochi and her brother went swimming together for the first time!

Ko Vit: Yes, the swimming trip was really memorable for me. Both dogs were so fearful of the water and kept attempting to run out of the pool!

Any advantages of reuniting your pup with his/her siblings?

Jerrick: Pochi can always look forward to a wonderful playdate every month with Mata and we believe that having the siblings play together is healthy for their growth.

Jean: It definitely helps Mata’s social manners. (laughs) That aside, we love to exchange tips and it’s really helpful for both sides of the fur-mily. We also try to align to each other vet’s visit and grooming dates, share deals and go out together.

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people and Their Pets entire experience (apart from meeting four Corgi puppies) was that all four pups are real siblings—they were all born on 26 June 2017 and came from the same kennel.

In fact, their litter comprises seven Corgis and so far, only four have been reunited, though the plan is to continue finding the rest of their puppies’ siblings.

“I thought it’d be good for Lilo to find her siblings and to be honest, it wasn’t that hard to find them all,” shares Sandy Yam. “There’s actually a group chat with all the Corgi owners in Singapore, so all I did was post Lilo’s birthday in the chat and someone knew someone who just adopted a Corgi with the same birthday as Lilo. He linked us up and that’s when we started the search for the rest of their litter.”

Apart from sharing the same birthday and similar markings, the four Corgis couldn’t be more different. Each has its own distinct personality and markings: Lilo, the model sister, loves humans and is always good-natured; Hayley is the quiet and reserved one; Vivi is a playful and excitable ball of fluff; and Kenzo is the only male pup and loves to eat. We speak with Sandy, Lilo’s owner, and Cindy, Hayley’s owner, to find out more.

Sandy Yam, 28, Director of Common Chefs Bistro Lilo, 1, Pembroke Welsh Corgi Cindy Tan, 50, Manager Hayley, 1, Pembroke Welsh Corgi Melissa Lim, 29, Tutor Kenzo, 1, Pembroke Welsh Corgi Vance Tang, 11, Student Vivi, 1, Pembroke Welsh Corgi Having a photoshoot with four Corgi puppies was certainly a challenge—they kept getting distracted, wanted to play with each other, and were running about the entire house. The best part of the

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Tell us about your pup’s personality.

Sandy: Lilo is really friendly and yearns for human attention. She is also very attentive to her surroundings. If another dog is fierce to her, or if we start scolding her, she’ll automatically roll over and be submissive.

Cindy: Hayley is a rather reserved Corgi.

She’s quite anti-social and doesn’t like other dogs coming straight at her. She chooses her companions and prefers calm dogs.

How did you find the rest of the litter?

Sandy: It’s all because of the Corgi group chat and of course, social media. Melissa, Kenzo’s paw-rent, was part of the group chat but we only realised that they were siblings after their vaccinations as their vaccination dates were really close, which meant they might share the same birthday.

As for Vivi’s paw-rent, Vance, his mum follows my Facebook account and saw me

posting several videos of Lilo. She found her really cute and asked which kennel Lilo came from. After that, she brought Vance down and brought Vivi home. I’m actually in the midst of reconnecting with their fifth sibling, Rufus. His owner posted his puppy picture in the group chat and I found a striking resemblance to Lilo! That was when I reached out to ask if they were from the same kennel and shared the same birth date.

How did you feel watching your furkid finally meet his/her real-blood siblings?

Cindy: It’s a very good feeling. Now I hope to be able to let Hayley meet them more often. We meet once every three months because our fur-mily is quite big.

Can you please tell us one memorable incident between your furkid and his/her siblings?

Sandy: During their first birthday celebration, Kenzo stole Lilo’s treats. As a result they ended up showing teeth to each other, which wasn’t a sign of aggression but more of scolding! (laughs) Cindy: Once, when they were much younger, Lilo came over to play with Hayley after their obedience training.

They played for hours till both were so tired that they fell asleep next to each other. But what was surprising next was the ever-so-shy Hayley woke up and began nudging Lilo to play with her! At that

point, Lilo was really just too tired but Hayley persisted and began placing her head and paw on Lilo’s head. It was such an endearing moment for us!

Do you feel like your furkid’s life has changed for the better after meeting his/ her siblings?

Cindy: Yes for sure! Hayley has learnt to be slightly more sociable. Even by calling out “Lilo”, she would run to the gate!

Sandy: Yes, Lilo is much more pampered now. Her godpaw-rent, Cindy, always gives her food. (laughs) Give us tips for paw-rents who are looking to reunite their furkids with their siblings.

Sandy: Be proactive and don’t be afraid to take the first step to search for their siblings. Be humble, because every paw-rent has his/her own paw-renting method, so take each sharing session as a learning point.

Cindy: Try to look for the others as soon as you can, as this gives the furkids exposure to one another from a young age and allows them to bond better.

Understand that they aren’t immediately going to take to each other and each of their playing styles might be very different. Lastly, before having them all meet up together for the first time, it might be good for them to meet up in pairs first to get used to one another! o

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unbreakable bonds

winter’s over

She was destined to become somebody’s dinner, but Winter the Jindo-Pungsan cross’ destiny changed when she encountered her paw-rent Cheow Jing Xuan. BY CHRISTIANN PRIYANKA

w

hen we first came across three-year-old Winter’s Instagram page (@winterwoofy), we were intrigued by this snow-white pooch. You see, Winter is a Jindo-Pungsan cross. A rare sight in Singapore. this breed is common in South Korea where the pooch originates. Her stunning appearance belies her horrid past—she is a survivor of the dog meat trade.

AN UNEXPECTED FIND Cheow Jing Xuan, 29, a legal counsel, never expected to fall so deeply for this pooch. In fact, she’d only known about the breed shortly before adopting Winter. “It was my friend who first adopted a Jindo from Korea, and that was what brought my attention to the possibility of actually adopting from overseas,” admits Jing Xuan.

Along with this, it opened Jing Xuan’s world to the dog meat trade in South Korea as well as the horrific conditions these dogs are kept in before being skinned, butchered and their meat sold. “It made me feel troubled, and gave me a very unsettling sense of helplessness, because I wished for it to stop but I couldn’t do anything about it,” she adds sombrely.

The consumption of dog meat is common in South Korea, with one in three Koreans having eaten the animal. The animals are crammed into filthy metal cages from birth till they are ready for the slaughter.

AGAINST ALL ODDS Jing Xuan found Winter when she needed her most. “At that point in time, I was undergoing therapy for obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD). I was at a point in my life where my OCD was spiralling out of control—even touching

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the floor in my house was a no-no—and I knew that a dog would help me,” she shares. Jing Xuan would eventually find Winter on savekoreandogs.org, a nonprofit organisation combatting the dog meat trade in Korea. Winter had not been the kind of dog Jing Xuan had envisioned to own, but her gut told her otherwise. “It’s difficult to pinpoint what exactly made me pick her!”, she admits.

Jing Xuan only met Winter three days before she flew to Singapore. The drive up to the shelter Winter was kept in felt surreal. All Jing Xuan knew at that time was that she wanted to adopt Winter and was willing to do anything to bring the pup home.

Adopting Winter was not an easy process. “There really wasn’t much red tape on the Korean side, once they release the dog to you. The certifications and paperwork involved were the AVA’s requirements,” explains Jing Xuan. Importing a dog from overseas to Singapore is a long process involving identifying the rabies risk of the exporting country, ensuring if the breed of the dog is allowed in Singapore, making sure that the dog has had their vaccinations up to date and undergone a blood serology test, reserving a quarantine space with the AVA, obtaining a dog licence before applying for an import licence, booking an inspection for the dog (which costs $80), sending it

for parasite treatments and obtaining a Veterinary Health Certificate. And due to the red tape in Singapore, Jing Xuan struggled to find agents in Korea who would help transport Winter to Singapore.

“Because most of the requirements had to be fulfilled before she flew to Singapore, and I was not physically in Korea, I had to rely on her South Korean fosterers and Nami Kim (the founder of Save Korean Dogs) to see to the paperwork,” shares Jing Xuan. She could only communicate with them via Kakao and Kakao calls, and the language barrier made everything more stressful and difficult. Agents also dropped out of helping Jing Xuan upon hearing about the process of exporting Winter to Singapore.

Hope was found when Nami got in touch with an old friend who was willing to foster Winter and take care of the paperwork. It took six weeks to get Winter to Singapore and a month of quarantine with the AVA. With the inclusion of vaccinations, blood tests, paying for Winter’s fostering, transport and quarantine, Jing Xuan spent somewhere between $3,000 to $4,000.

HEALING TOGETHER Winter’s past as a dog meat trade survivor brought along baggage. Winter didn’t like human touch and shied away from it. While she didn’t mind Jing Xuan who

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unbreakable bonds

Winter with her bae, Brick the Singapore Special.

Winter with her bestie, Neko the Shiba Inu.

visited her in quarantine frequently, she would get uncomfortable whenever her new paw-rent sat beside her or stroked her. Even when Jing Xuan brought her home, Winter didn’t want to be touched.

She would flinch at the slightest sound or sudden movement and was extremely skittish. “Interestingly though, she didn’t want to be in any part of the house except in my room, and each time she got home, that’s where she would run to—it was her safe harbour,” Jing Xuan shares fondly.

It took a lot of patience and understanding to help Winter get through her trauma. “Initially, I would completely lose it at times. And it didn’t help her at all. Over time, I started to see that she had her demons just as I did. I came to realise she was just like me,” she says. Winter was also wary of Jing Xuan’s father. Jing Xuan helped lure Winter out of her shell through positive reinforcement, which was a feat because even the sound of footsteps would send the pup dashing for cover. Whenever Winter gets an anxiety attack during walks, Jing Xuan reassures her in a neutral and confident tone which diverts her attention and eases her nerves.

Sometimes she even speaks in a chirpy

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tone or sings to Winter. “I shudder to think of what I would be today without her. Probably still struggling with my phobias, and perhaps living with a lot more anxiety each day,” Jing Xuan admits.

In a way, helping Winter overcome her demons has helped Jing Xuan with overcoming hers as well.

Since Jing Xuan adopted Winter one-and-a-half years ago, the once easily spooked pooch has completely transformed. “Did you know that Korean Jindos are fiercely loyal and will pick only one human being to be loyal to?” Jing Xuan adds with affection—and it’s true. When we see the way Winter and Jing Xuan have learnt to lean on each other despite their struggles, we truly understand what it means to find your soulmate the way Jing Xuan and Winter have found each other.

“We were both broken when we found each other, but we both mended each other’s hearts in an unexpected way. She helped me face my fears and gives me a reason to smile every day, no matter how bad my day has been. In me, she found someone to call her world, someone to trust and love, something that the dog meat trade had robbed her of.” s

paw-sitive passions

labour of love

For the past decade or so, these selfless stray feeders have been keeping the bellies and hearts of Singapore’s homeless pooches full—rain or shine. We join two dedicated individuals on their stray-feeding journey.

It’s clear that these stray dogs not only recognise Brenda Tay, they trust and adore her. The minute her bustling lorry rolls up the driveways of Defu Lane, they emerge from their hiding spots, tails wagging and tongues lolling, eager to receive pets from the 48-year-old housewife who also goes by the nickname Mei Mei, and more importantly, to eat her delicious homecooked food.

Mei Mei has been feeding stray dogs for the past 20 years. “I started when my first kid wasn’t even in primary school yet,” she remarks with a chuckle. Her meals of love consist of chicken meat and plain rice, devotedly packed into individual portions, all ready to be distributed. “I use about 25kg to 30kg of rice to feed over 100 dogs every day,” Mei Mei shares. “I feed them twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.”

As we tailed both Mei Mei and another feeder, Khng Lee Chew, 59, on their daily stray-feeding routines, it’s clear that they do this out of pure devotion. Lee Chew doesn’t have a vehicle, so she lugs close to 10kg worth of food and water every day up the bus as she dutifully goes to feed her stray pups. She shares: “I just want to know they’re safe and well-fed. I will stay here, rain or shine, until they eat my food.”

Mei Mei laments that feeding the strays is a thankless job. “You don’t get a salary, bonus, medical or annual leave,” she says with a sigh. “But I grew up knowing what it’s like to go hungry. You’re cold and uncomfortable, and your stomach can’t stop growling or churning. It’s agonising. That’s why I do what I do now.”

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PHOTOS EDDIE TEO

BY GILLIAN LIM

HEARTFELT MEALS The day starts at 7.30am for Mei Mei—that’s when she wakes up to cook four batches of rice for the morning feeding. First, she washes the donated leftover chicken meat and bones, diligently picks out the pointy bits of bone and cartilage and sets the meat and bones to simmer on the stove. The flavourful broth goes into cooking the fragrant rice and the meat is mixed in once it’s cooked. Mei Mei lets it cool down before packing it into individual plastic bags—one for each pup.

As we watch Mei Mei cook up a storm in her kitchen, she jokingly points out that there’s more food for the pups than there is for humans in her two refrigerators, one of which was kindly donated by a member of the public.

“Only the bottom half of one fridge is reserved for my family,” she laughs. “The rest are for the stray dogs.”

Lee Chew’s fare is simpler because she doesn’t have a steady stream of donors. “If there isn’t enough money, I will just use canned food, rice and eggs,” she shares. “This month, a kind lady donated $80, so I used that money to buy chicken and pork for the dogs.”

GOING THE EXTRA MILE After placing the individual portions out on neat newspaper stacks out for the strays, Lee Chew retires to an abandoned bike lot nearby where she sets up a makeshift resting area, complete with umbrella, trolley and chairs to wile the time. “I need to make sure that the dogs have eaten my food,” she explains. “If they don’t, I have to keep it so rats don’t come. If they do, I clean up after them.” She leaves at 9.30pm once she’s certain the dogs have had their fill.

Because of the heavy plastic bags she carries every day, she’s gotten seven cases of trigger finger, a painful condition that locks one’s joints and requires surgery to fix. “My doctor always scolds me for ending up back at the hospital,” Lee Chew says with a chuckle.

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paw-sitive passions DONOR DEPENDENT Though Mei Mei relies entirely on donations from the public, shelters like Purely Adoptions and kind donors (such as the chicken rice stall owner in Serangoon North who gifts her leftover chicken meat and bones) help to cover the cost.

However, it wasn’t always this easy. “When I first began 20 years ago, I’d get maybe $10 to $20 worth of donations a month. I’d have to fork out the rest of the money from my own pocket,” she says. To feed these homeless pups, Mei Mei requires $4,000 a month while Lee Chew, whose operations are relatively smaller, needs $300 a month.

Feeding the strays isn’t just a purely altruistic cause. By gaining the canines’ trust after years of feeding, it’s easier to trap and neuter them. “It’s the most humane method to control the stray population,” explains Patrick Cher, founder of Purely Adoptions. “These strays are without homes and the stray feeders are not well-to-do, so they tend to use their hard-earned money to feed the strays. Purely Adoptions helps by ordering close to $1,500 worth of rice every month for these passionate individuals.”

If you’d like to lend a helping hand towards stray feeders like Mei Mei and Lee Chew, visit purelyadoptions.com.

WORTH FIGHTING FOR “I wasn’t always like this,” Mei Mei admits, as she gestures to the piles of steaming rice in her kitchen. “I used to love being a tai tai, going out for facials and manicures, high teas, and outings with my friends.”

Ironically, her passion for stray feeding started at her husband’s Chinese New Year company dinner years back. “I was so full from eating that I went outside to take a walk and I found an uncle eating his dinner in front of a few dogs,” shares Mei Mei. “He was feeding the dogs with every alternate bite and when I went to talk to him, he told me that there were dogs that needed feeding. So I went back the next day to feed them and I haven’t stopped since.”

For Lee Chew, stray feeding is but a mere portion of her volunteer work. “I volunteer at Animal Lovers League in the mornings, and take care of my foster furkids, like Da Di here, in the afternoon,” she says, gesturing to the wheelchairridden one-year-old Singapore Special next to her. “These are the dogs that need the most love. For them, I changed my life.

What’s most important is that they have warm bellies and a full heart.”

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Body and soul

conquering cancer The dreaded word that you hope never comes out of your vet’s mouth: cancer. With local leading vets, we break down this devastating disease and weigh its causes, symptoms and treatments. BY GILLIAN LIM

j

ust like humans, our canine friends can contract cancer too. Statistics show that this dangerous disease is on the rise: in a 2017 mortality study done by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, cancer accounted for 27 percent of all deaths in purebred dogs, and an earlier study in 1982 showed that almost one in every two senior dogs over the age of 10 will die from cancer.

Sure, it might seem cataclysmic, but is it the end of your pooch’s life? “It’s important to understand that many cancers today can be treated and more successfully managed than in the past with advances in medical technology and research, while most importantly maintaining a good quality of life,” shares Dr Brian Loon, principal veterinary surgeon of Amber Vet. To help you and Fido understand this mammoth-like disease, we speak to several vets in order to lay down its causes, symptoms and treatment options.

WHAT IS CANCER? Cell division occurs all the time within our bodies to replace ageing and dying cells. However, cancer happens when the

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regulation of cell division is lost and cells continue to divide in an uncontrollable manner. They grow into adjacent or distant body organs and form tumours, which may manifest externally (i.e. a lump’s on a dog’s skin), or internally (i.e. within a dog’s liver or spleen).

Each type of cancer is classified by the type of cell that’s initially affected.

For example, lymphoma originates in the lymphocyte cells of the immune system, often affecting tissues such as the lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow. Tumours that are localised and demonstrate limited growth are termed benign, while those that spread are termed malignant and are more aggressive.

Though tragic, it is indeed true that there are more cases of canine cancer now.

“In the past, I used to have approximately four to six cases a year,” says Dr June Tan, principal veterinary surgeon of Frankel Veterinary Centre. “At present, the number has risen on average to about two to three cancer patients per months. It’s not a good upward trend, I must say.” Dr Eugene Lin, senior veterinary surgeon of The Animal Ark Veterinary Group agrees

with Dr Tan—he sees about 15 to 20 cases of cancer a month. “It’s become easier to diagnose cancer with the advancement of veterinary diagnostic modalities and procedures,” Dr Lin adds.

When we asked our experts which cancers they’ve come across most often, common ones include lymphoma, mammary tumours, mast cell tumors, melanoma, haemangiosarcoma and lipoma.

SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES If you’re looking for certain tell-tale signs that are sure indicators that your pup has cancer, just like how a fever, cough and sore throat might indicate you have the flu, you might be disappointed to know that there aren’t any.

The symptoms for cancer vary depending on which organ the cancer is residing in. “A cancer in the bladder may result in bloody urine or difficulty in urination, while a cancer in the lungs may result in increased breathing rate,” shares Dr Ong Wei Jin, a veterinarian from Ohana VetCare. “Meanwhile, a tumour in the brain can result in seizures and a cancer of the spleen can result in collapse from sudden massive bleeding into the abdominal cavity.”

Plus, these symptoms are non-specific and might appear in non-cancerous conditions, and not all cancers display warning signs too. “That makes early detection difficult for the paw-rent,” admits Dr Tan. “Cancer cannot be detected through blood works too.”

So what can a cautious paw-rent look out for? Early symptoms of cancer include (though are not limited to) the presence of a steadily growing mass, non-healing sores, exercise intolerance, lethargy, loss of appetite or sudden weight loss, unusual poo like persistent diarrhoea or straining to defecate or pee, stiffness in gait, unexplained vomiting or diarrhoea, or being non-responsive to medication.

However, it is possible to keep a lookout for specific cancers simply because purebreds have a predisposition to particular cancers. For example, Golden Retrievers, Boxers, Bernese Mountain

Dogs and Labradors are prone to mast cell tumors, while Rottweilers, Great Danes and German Shepherds are prone to osteosarcoma. “Although all dogs are equally susceptible to cancer, hereditary aspects such as the passing down of genes of certain breeds and lineages can play a part,” explains Dr Tan. Dr Lin adds: “Scottish Terriers are 18 times more at risk of getting cancer of the bladder than other breeds of dogs.”

Other than genes, factors such as environmental elements and weak immune systems have been singled out as causes of cancer. “For example, ultraviolet radiation from the sun as in the case of skin cancers, or free radicals in processed food, radiation, or even viruses,” says Dr Ong. “A healthy immune system is also important in the prevention of cancer.

Cats affected by retroviral infections, such as feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus, are more prone to some forms of cancer. This is analogous to HIV-affected humans being more prone to some forms of cancer.”

PREDICTION AND TREATMENTS Can you anticipate that your furkid will develop cancer? The upshot: No. “Cancer cannot be predicted with certainty,” shares Dr Loon. “The exact causes are not wellknown in general till today.”

While it is true that cancer tends to strike senior pooches because old age weakens their immune system, that doesn’t mean that young pups are cancerfree either. “I have removed a cancerous testicle from a three-month-old dog before,” shares Dr Lin. So what can paw-rents do when they feel suspicious masses or spot odd symptoms such as sudden weight loss in their canine companions? “The best thing any paw-rent can do is to seek the opinion of a veterinarian when something is amiss,” advises Dr Ong. Dr Tan agrees: “Being able to recognise the symptoms and treating them quickly will improve the prognosis of the treatment.”

It is critical that paw-rents have a firm diagnosis before thinking of treatment

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Body and soul options. This includes being certain whether the lump is firstly cancerous or not, what type of cancer it is, and what stage or grade is it at. “Staging refers to the extent of the growth of the tumor while the grade refers to how fast it might spread,” shares Dr Tan. “An early grade tumour, such as grade one, is small and non-spreading compared to a stage four cancer, which is big and invasive to other body parts.”

To identify the type of cancer your pooch might have—whether it is benign or malignant—it’s best to undergo a biopsy or cytology of the growth. Biopsy procedures could be as simple as performing a fine needle aspiration and looking at the cell under the microscope in the clinic, or it could be as complex as performing an open surgery or a minimally invasive endoscopic surgery to obtain biopsies, which will be sent to the pathology laboratory. After the type of cancer has been identified, it’s crucial to see how much it has grown through procedures like chest x-rays and ultrasounds.

Traditional treatment for canine cancer includes surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy, and radiation, the latter of which is not available in Singapore. In the last 10 years, immunotherapy—which alters the immune system to fight cancer cells—has also been developed in the form of vaccines as well. However, the type of treatment depends entirely on the location, stage, grade and type of cancer— the earlier the mass is removed when it’s smaller, the higher the chance for a full cure.

Other alternative treatments include but are not limited to traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, gene therapy and molecular target inhibitors.

PREVENTION “Unfortunately, there is no sure way to avoid cancer,” admits Dr Lin. “But we can help to reduce the chances of our beloved pets contracting cancer by ensuring they’re not exposed to carcinogens, like chemicals, molds and toxic plants, and to apply sunblock or limit their exposure to solar radiation if they like being in the

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sun.”

Vets such as Dr Ong suggest boosting your pup’s immune system. “It’s the first line of defence in detecting and destroying cancer cells, so it’s best if your furkid is in general good health,” says Dr Ong. “This includes a good body condition score by regular exercise, a well-balanced diet supplemented with antioxidants, early sterilisation of female dogs, and the removal of any retained testicles in male dogs.”

Regular health checks are a definite must, especially for ageing pooches, as these assessments might include imaging studies depending on the vet clinic, which can help detect masses at their earlier stages. “We can detect liver and spleen cancers via ultrasound exams before they are palpably physical or show any signs of illness,” says Dr Loon.

Even still, health checks occur once or twice a year at most. To fill in the gaps, Dr Ong suggests keeping a close eye on your pooch at home. “We cannot stress the importance of early detection enough,” he says. “That would mean spending time with your pets to pick up on any unusual lumps and learning how to do basic physical examinations on your pet as well.” s

together time

ready fur therapy Want to give back to society together with Fido? We’ve got you covered with these four easy steps on how to become a therapy dog volunteer. BY CHRISTIANN PRIYANKA

s

tudies have shown that therapy dogs provide both physical and mental health benefits to their beneficiaries. These animals have been known to stimulate endorphin production, lower blood pressure, reduce pain and promote relaxation in humans. Mentally, they help to reduce stress, uplift spirits, encourage communication and socialisation, comfort, and decrease anxiety and loneliness. A German Shepherd or even a Chihuahua can become one as long as it is at least a year old and has the right temperament.

If you’d like to know how to go about registering your pooch as a therapy dog in Singapor, here’s a quick guide.

STEP 1: DO YOUR RESEARCH Before you launch headfirst into signing Fido up as a therapy dog, it’s important

52 petsmagazine.com.sg

to find out what this form of therapy entails. There are two forms of therapy: animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and animalassisted activities (AAA). “Animal-assisted therapy is more structured and involves the use of animals as part of a treatment process. Animal-assisted activities is about creating an enjoyable experience for our beneficiaries, with the goal being to enhance the quality of life,” says Tzu Ying, a representative from SOSD’s Healing Paws Programme.

There are costs involved with becoming a therapy dog as well. “Application to become a therapy dog with Therapy Dog Singapore (TDS) costs $35, which includes a one-time membership fee, a TDS human t-shirt and dog bandana which is worn during visits, and a car decal,” shares Stephanie Ho, paw-rent of four-and-ahalf-year-old Duke Lee, a Samoyed that volunteers with TDS.

STEP 2: IDENTIFY FIDO’S TEMPERAMENT As much as you’d like to make your pooch a therapy dog, your pup’s nature is very important. “Therapy dogs need to possess the 3Cs—be confident, calm and companionable,” shares Tzu Ying.

A therapy dog needs to be confident as it would be placed in situations with many novel objects, sights and sounds.

This ensures that it can handle any unexpected reactions during sessions.

Calmness is also essential. When the dog is calm, it’ll be able to express itself in a relaxed manner and obediently take cues from either its handler or the situation.

But most importantly, the dog has to be companionable. It should enjoy being around humans and meeting new people all the time. “Sable is extremely friendly and gentle with so much love to share.

She’s the gentlest and friendliest dog I have ever met. She brings joy to strangers,” says Jamie Kloor, paw-rent of 10-year-old Sable, a Yellow Labrador that volunteers with Healing Paws.

STEP 3: BEHAVIOUR TRAINING AND ASSESSMENT Once you have assessed that your pooch has the rigth temperament, it’s time for training and assessments to prepare him for his sessions. “The type of training

and assessments can vary, depending on what type of therapy the dog is used for,” informs Tzu Ying. At Healing Paws, dogs are tested for sensitivity to sounds, moving objects, strangers and being touched.

At organisations such as TDS, all dogs have to undergo basic obedience training, preferably Good Canine Citizen or higher. “For dogs that have not undergone basic obedience training, TDS conducts a separate evaluation test to ensure that they are suitable as therapy animals,” says Nadine Lee, a representative for TDS.

STEP 4: CONGRATULATIONS! All you have to do now is to sign up.

According to Tzu Ying, there is no official certification to become a therapy dog in Singapore. TDS also does not require human and/or canine volunteers to undergo training and/or certification before volunteering with them. So all you have to do now is to sign up as a volunteer via the respective websites.

You’ll also have to set aside some time for these sessions. At Healing Paws, volunteers are encouraged to go for at least one session a month. Each session lasts between 30 minutes to one-and-ahalf hours, but it is often capped at an hour because it can be tiring for both the dogs and volunteers. At TDS, volunteers are expected to commit to at least four visits in six months with each session lasting an hour. g Sable with a patient

Justin Lee and Duke

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paw-rent diary

A

dopting Mimi was a slapdash decision. A friend, knowing my obsession with felines, sent me a text one evening, “Can you find a home for her?”. Came attached was a photo of an adorable lap cat, all curled up and soundly sleeping. I tried to fight it, calling up friends from cat feeding communities and fosterers to see if anyone could take Mimi. But no one wanted to adopt a two-year-old kitty. She

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by Jessica Chan

was deemed “too old” to be an attractive adoptee. Knowing that she was going to end up at the SPCA, I made an impulse decision and said, “I’ll bring her home.”

Within days, she was with me. If I had time to consider, I might have had cold feet. Was I ready to take on a (sort of) special needs kitty? She had overgroomed herself to the point she looked more like a Sphynx than the fluffy tabby I saw in the pictures, no thanks to the constant moving

ILLUSTRATION JERRY KING

tough love

between fosterers. She was extremely skittish, shying away from me yet staying within view in this whole new world (my room). The moment that stole my heart was, perhaps, when she climbed up to check out my mirror, saw me and stared for a good minute. It was as if she’d given me some sort of silent acknowledgement, that I was going to be a part of her life from now on.

Little did I know that this sweet, shy facade was all a ruse. Once the little minx got familiar with her new kingdom (my room), she ran it. My precious collection of books has become her “cat tree”, while she leaves the 1.8m structure I spent $80 on and the entire day building untouched; my stuffed toys are her scratching posts and whatever’s on my plate is hers. And that’s when she’s happy.

Making a mark

Like any young couple, I would often spend time at my partner’s home. That might mean an entire 24 hours absent from Mimi’s life. I held this back for a couple of months, until I was sure she was comfortable. I went ahead and, alas, my mom called me in the morning, laughing, “Your Mimi just pooped at the entrance of your room.” While I gravitated towards the possibility of a medical condition, the accuracy of where she did her business proved otherwise.

Unfortunately for me, that was just the beginning. If the clock struck 12 and I wasn’t home, it was almost certain I would be coming home to a bed soaked in Mimi’s protest. Played with other pets—particularly dogs—and left the incriminating evidence (my clothes) in the vicinity of her space? Did not put her majesty’s preferred level of litter? Tried to put a harness on her in an attempt to walk her? Not filling up her water bowl when she wanted it? I’d get a huge, wet patch of disapproval. And I knew it wasn’t a medical condition because she would always do it at the exact spot I’d sleep every night.

Reprimanding her obviously did nothing. She put on her puss-in-boots face, and I’d just let it go. By letting it go, I

meant sleeping in the living room like a disgraced husband.

The silent treatment

My nightly routine involves leaving my door slightly ajar, giving Mimi the freedom to come and go as she pleases.

She would always sleep with me but the nocturnal predator in her DNA saw her zooming around the house in the night.

One Tuesday night, tired from a work event, I crashed straight into bed – I forgot to open the door for her. Oh boy, was she angry. But I didn’t get scratches nor her trademark anger on my sheets.

For three nights, she slept outside on her favourite chair. She refused to look me in the eye, and didn’t respond to my pats, my calls and, most of all, she refused to eat. The latter sent me into a frenzy. I thought she was sick. Daft me hadn’t figured out she was angry then.

I was about to send her to the vet, but my mother said she was fine. Why? She allowed my mother to manhandle her in any imaginable way. It became obvious she was just doing it to me.

How was it all resolved? I came home with a “bribe”. A can of new food for her, which I suppose she saw as an apology.

She lapped it up, and without a single look at me, sat on my lap as if saying I’d been forgiven.

On her own terms

You must be thinking, why do I even bother with this wily feline? Sure, she wasn’t like the kitties I worshipped through YouTube, but she would welcome me at the door. She would “protect” me as I went to the toilet, wait for me to have her dinner, and even do little head bunts to ask me to head back to our room for a quiet, cuddle session.

The moment I knew Mimi and I were meant to be was when I woke up one morning, and she had found a way to curl up next to me (after shoving my toys aside). Even as I type this, she’s sitting on my lap, slowly trying to edge my laptop away with her fluffy paws.

I guess she does love, well, own me— just on her own terms. a

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55

top dog

funny and fluffy With fur covering its eyes and a goofy personality, this hilarious pooch is truly a sight to behold. BY CHRISTIANN PRIYANKA FAST FACTS • Size Large; 27 to 45kg.

• Colours Blue merle, blue, grey, and grizzle.

• Grooming frequency High; brush fur at least three times a week and bathe every six to eight weeks.

• Exercise High energy level; needs daily walks or runs of 20 to 40 minutes.

• Temperament Sociable, bubbly, playful, adaptable, intelligent, and loving.

• Lifespan 10 to 12 years.

• Health issues Immune haemolytic anaemia, hip dysplasia, and cataracts.

• Suitable for first-time owners No. • Suitable for families with children Yes. • Suitable alone Yes.

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f

ans of Disney’s The Little Mermaid will instantly recognise Prince Eric’s shaggy, large grey and white pup, Max, as an Old English Sheepdog. Goofy, fun and lovable, Max is so affectionate and friendly that he befriends Ariel the mermaid early in the film even though she’s just a stranger. The breed is exactly the same in real life.

Originating in the western counties of England, the Old English Sheepdog was initially used to cart cattle and sheep into markets. They were bred to be wellcoordinated and quick, making them perfect for the role of drovers. To prove that they were working dogs and to get exempted from taxes, farmers docked their tails. This earned them the moniker 'bobtail'. This shaggy breed often had their fur shaved along with sheep. The hair would then be turned into yarn and used to make clothes.

Adaptable, bubbly, playful and loving, this breed makes the perfect family dog.

The Old English Sheepdog loves its home and will not roam or get into fights with other animals. It's also highly adaptable, making the breed suitable for apartment living. This pooch is also excellent with children because it's friendly and gentle. A quintessential family dog, the Old English Sheepdog thrives in close company with its paw-rents.

Though goofy and happy-go-lucky, Old English Sheepdogs are strong-willed and need a firm owner to control them. They will listen to commands but will ignore them if they feel that their paw-rent is not firm enough. This makes them unsuitable for first-time owners. They are boisterous, mischievous and clumsy when young and will need consistent correction and training to develop into a well-mannered adult pooch.

Old English Sheepdogs also have a natural herding instinct and will herd children and small animals by bumping them. They don’t make good guard dogs because of how friendly and easygoing they are.

With a dog as large and furry as an Old English Sheepdog, grooming and care is definitely timeconsuming. This breed has a dense, insulating, waterproof double coat that protects it from the cold and heat. It sheds frequently and its fur needs to be brushed at least three times a week.

Overgrowth of fur can lead to matting and skin problems. Taking this pooch to the groomer si recommended because grooming them at home can be a herculean task. The Old English Sheepdog should be bathed every six to eight weeks. This pup drools a lot and the fur around its mouth will often clump, hence, always keep wet wipes on hand to wipe away the collected drool.

These dogs need to be taken on daily walks or runs since they have a lot of energy to expend.

If they cannot get rid of stored energy, they can become destructive and bark excessively. h

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Fancy Feline

wildly lovable The Pixie Bob may look like a regular Bobcat, but this tailless feline has got extra toes and a big heart. BY CHRISTIANN PRIYANKA

FAST FACTS

• Size Large; 3.6 to 9kg.

• Colours Brown, gold, russet, tan, grey, and black.

• Grooming frequency Medium; brush fur and trim nails weekly.

• Exercise Medium energy levels; can be taken for walks.

• Temperament Intelligent, social, active, bold, and devoted.

• Lifespan 13 to 16 years.

• Health issues Generally healthy.

• Suitable for first-time owners Yes. • Suitable for families with children Yes. • Suitable alone No.

he Pixie Bob’s origins begin in the northwestern regions of the United States. While closely resembling the wild Coastal Red Bobcat that was native to the coastal mountains of the area, they are not the same. In 1986, Carol Ann Brewer rescued a feral male cat who mated with her neighbour’s brown spotted female. One of the kittens in the litter had a muted spotting on a reddish-fawn coat and had a wild look to it. Realising that this kitten had a unique appearance, Carol named the cat Pixie and began to breed cats to look like her.

The Pixie Bob has a stocky, muscular build with large bone structure and legs.

Its back legs are longer than its front ones, which have large paws with long toes.

Hence, when it walks, this breed appears to have a rolling gait, which is seen in wildcats.

Pixie Bobs also have extra toes, making their paws unique. These cats can have up to seven toes on one paw that they use like fingers. Perhaps the most obvious feature of the Pixie Bob is its lack of a tail. Despite its appearance, this breed do not possess any wildcat DNA. Pixie Bobs are great for families with children as they are very loving and devoted to their families. They are responsive to vocal commands and will express themselves through a range of vocalisations that include chirps and chatters. They rarely meow. If you’ve got other pets at home, the Pixie Bob would most likely get along well with them because of how friendly and

t 58 petsmagazine.com.sg

mellow it is. The breed is also highly adaptable and excellent for apartment living.

Often described as very “dog-like”, Pixie Bobs make fabulous adventure buddies. This feline can be walked on a leash, enjoys car rides and even plays in water. Though adventurous, this isn’t a cat that’s hyperactive. The Pixie Bob is actually quite a laidback cat that enjoys participating in family activities. Since these cats are very sociable and friendly, they are not ideal to be left alone. However, this does make them excellent cats to be around family and children and would do very well if they have people to interact with. They are very loyal and will even come to greet you at the door.

While they do not need constant attention, Pixie Bobs do need to have activities to occupy their time. As these cats are intelligent, provide them with stimulating toys. Pixie Bobs are generally healthy cats. The breed is available in both long- and short-haired coats. Its thick double coat needs to be brushed weekly to reduce shedding and prevent matting. Its claws need weekly trimming as well. l

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CALLING ALL PAW-RENTS! Usher in the Year of the Dog with pets magazine’s complete guide to 2018’s top canine breeds!

Find out more about your dog’s lovely personality, and get valuable tips on health, training, and grooming.

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Small wonder

tiny genius Rats get a bad rep in general, but the Fancy Rat turns that notion on its head.

BY CHRISTIANN PRIYANKA

FAST FACTS • Size: Small; 350 to 650g.

• Colours: Mink, black, white, champagne, blue, agouti, blue agouti, fawn, and silver.

• Grooming frequency: Low; bathe only if necessary.

• Exercise: High energy level; an hour of play outside of cage daily.

• Temperament: Friendly, sociable, intelligent, curious, affectionate, loyal, and loving.

• Lifespan: 3 to 5 years.

• Health issues: Generally healthy.

• Suitable for first-time owners: Yes. • Suitable for families with children: Yes. • Suitable alone: No.

60 petsmagazine.com.sg

r

ats don’t often have a good name in our books.

People often assume that these rodents are dirty, and may even be shocked or disgusted when they find out that they can be kept as pets. Despite all the misconceptions about this rodent, the Fancy Rat is certainly an amazing pet to have.

Fancy Rats—or domesticated rats—were first domesticated in the 18th century. At that time, rats were caught for rat-baiting which was a popular blood sport where a pit was filled with rats and people would place bets on how long it would take a Terrier to kill them all.

These catchers began to keep oddly coloured rats and eventually bred them and sold them off as pets. The name ‘Fancy Rat’ comes from admiring or appreciating the rat, rather than from the rodent being special in any way.

These rodents are highly intelligent and social critters.

They can be taught to perform tricks and even how to use a litter box. Being as social as they are, they are unsuitable to be kept alone and will do well with a companion of the same sex. Female rats go into heat every four to five days, therefore, to prevent any unwanted pregnancies it would be better to keep two rats of the same sex together. Male rats will often fight in the first few weeks but once an alpha has been established, will quickly settle down.

Fancy Rats are perfectly suited for families with children. They are highly affectionate and loving. Fancy

Rats can even learn and respond to their names. They are tame when held and are not aggressive, making them great pets for kids.

It is a common misconception that all rats are filthy—and this is definitely untrue for the Fancy Rat. These critters clean themselves constantly and also clean each other. Since they do such a great job in keeping themselves clean, bathing them is only necessary when there is a need to. Bathing Fancy Rats too frequently will strip them of their natural oils and lead to an overproduction of oils, causing stronger smells. Therefore, only bathe your rats if they really require it. Rats even allocate certain sections of their habitats to relieve themselves Highly active, they need at least an hour of supervised exercise outside their cage.

Wire cages are perfect for rats. Fit them with hammocks, pipes and rest boxes. The bottom of the cage should be lined with litter to absorb ammonia. Keep the cage away from extreme temperatures, as rats are susceptible to extreme cold and heat dehydration which is fatal. m

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ask the expert Email your questions to asktheexpert@petsmagazine.com.sg

bring it in

My three-year-old Maltipoo eliminates outdoors during our daily walks, but because of my hectic work schedule, I’ve been trying to potty train him indoors so he doesn’t have to hold his bladder for long hours. I’ve tried everything: attractants, fake grass, and even conditioning him with whistling, but he just won’t eliminate indoors. What can I do to encourage him?

P

otty training can be hard to change once a dog enters adult stage because it has gotten used to a routine. As a pup gets older, it’s also probably better able to hold its pee and poop for long hours. I had a dog that peed twice and pooped just once a day!

Attractants and fake grass may work

62 petsmagazine.com.sg

but you will also have to plan his water and food intake when switching your dog to toileting indoors. Firstly, bear in mind that this is a temporary plan. If you want your dog to start eliminating indoors, you will have to avoid walking him outside during this period—until he does it for the first time in the house. Should you be worried about him not expending energy through exercise, you can provide him with plenty of mental stimulation toys to keep him busy and tired.

Start with understanding his potty cycle. How many times does he pee a day?

When does he poop? To increase the odds of your dog doing his business indoors, I recommend that you pump him with plenty of fluids ans split his meals into several servings. Many owners have told me that it is impossible to pump their dog with fluids because they do not like drinking water. Water is not your only option. You can give your dog coconut water, fruit juices, milk for dogs or goat’s milk. You can also make broth and mix it with his water to entice him to drink more.

Ice cubes are another way to increase his fluid intake. The more he drinks, the more he will need to relieve himself. By doing this, you are basically setting him up for success as he will no choice but to eliminate in the house.

Training your dog to poop indoors is a little trickier. Again, the more he eats, the more he will have to let go. Split up his meals, or add some healthy treats to his food. There are many healthy treat options available now. You can add fruits and vegetables with high dietary fibre—such as pumpkin, psyllium husk and broccoli (in small amounts)—to his meal, as it will assist your dog in his poop cycle.

EXPERT: MAUREEN TAY Certified professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed AVA-accredited Dog Trainer Association of Professional Dog Trainers Pet Professional Guild KasPup UniFURsity

ask the expert Email your questions to asktheexpert@petsmagazine.com.sg

funky feast

My five-year-old Miniature Schnauzer loves eating my cat’s tofu-based litter. She doesn’t eat the poop or pee, but she swallows clean parts of the litter by the mouthfuls.

I’ve tried mixing the tofu litter with pine litter, but she still eats it! Will this affect her health and how can I prevent it from happening again?

T

ofu is palatable even to animals, so it should not cause any gastric blockages in your furkid. Some veterinarians actually recommend tofu as an alternative to dog food when treating food allergies. There is discussion that phenols from pine litter could cause toxicity. However, it doesn’t sound like your pooch has eaten much pine litter so it shouldn’t affect her. Your choices of litter are eco-friendly, so well done!

The options you have are to either change the litter to something less appealing to your pup, or cover the litter box in some way so that your Miniature Schnauzer cannot access the interior of the box. If you have tried a litter box with a cover, perhaps you can try creating a

64 petsmagazine.com.sg

tunnel that only the cat can fit through or place the litter box in a location that your dog cannot easily access, such as a toilet, balcony or raised location.

Do a search online and you’ll discover a wide variety of litter box styles, including those with doors, those that can be accessed only from the top, and those that have a tunnel—one of these should do the trick!

EXPERT: DR ANTHONY BECK BVetMed, MRCVS Chief veterinary officer Doctors Beck and Stone

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Suitable for adult cats

Suitable for adult cats

• Ideal for cats with sensitive skin and delicate digestive systems • Gluten-free ingredients • Easily digestible • Single Protein

• Ideal for cats with sensitive skin and delicate digestive systems • Gluten-free ingredients • Easily digestible • Single Protein

Seefisch

• Ideal for cats with sensitive skin and delicate digestive systems • Grain-free • Easily digestible • With fish from sustainable fisheries

Land-Geflügel Suitable for adult cats

Minkas with poultry is a nutritious basic food for all adult cats. Nutritious animal proteins, no soya or other vegetable protein extracts and the high quality grain mean this product is well received and easily digestible • Made with ingredients from Bavaria Gluten-free ingredients • No Soya

www.happydogsg.com | www.happycatsg.com www.facebook.com/happydogsingapore | www.facebook.com/happycatsingapore

ask the expert Email your questions to asktheexpert@petsmagazine.com.sg

green-eyed monster My cat is incredibly territorial and sassy. If she smells another cat or dog on me, she will pee or even poop on my bed in protest. I’ve been considering adopting a second cat, but am afraid of what my current cat might do. Is getting a second cat completely out of the question? What would you recommend?

A

younger kitten may be less threatening to your existing cat, as the younger kitty may still be exploring its environment and hence less likely to quickly establish its territory. You can try introducing the new and old cats in a foreign environment, away from your home. If this is not possible, introduce them in an area that is seldom used by the existing cat. Try using feline pheromones such as Feliway diffusers to ease the process. Place them at the new interaction spot for a couple of days before the cats meet for the first time. In addition, you may drip a few drops of lavender essential oil on a small piece of cotton or cloth and place it in the room.

Introduce the cats to each other before they even meet by transferring their scents. Rub pieces of cloth over their heads, cheeks and chins—these areas

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secrete oils with their individual scents.

Subsequently, interchange the cloths and rub the fabric with the other feline’s odour on each cat and their respective living environments such as their beds and regular hangout spots. Do this for a few days prior to introducing the cats.

You can try to remove or reduce the aroma of the present cat from her environment by washing your bedlinen and cleaning the house. Add sodium bicarbonate to the cleaning solution and mop water.

On the day of introduction, place each feline in a pet carrier. Have the carriers face each other to allow them to see and smell each other. Gradually open the carrier and leave the door slightly ajar. Let them emerge from the carriers at their own pace and observe their reactions to each other. You may need to repeat this a few times a day or on consecutive days. Try feeding them simultaneously while they are in the same room. Try playing some soothing music to reduce their anxiety.

If your cat is very aggressive or objects strongly, bring your cat to the vet to discuss this issue. Anti-anxiety or calming medications may help your current cat become less anxious and more amenable to accepting the newcomer.

EXPERT: DR TAI YESUN BVSc (Sydney), MVS (Murdoch) MRCVS CVA GDBA Veterinary Surgeon Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist Nam Sang Veterinary Clinic

ask the expert Email your questions to asktheexpert@petsmagazine.com.sg

grain of truth I’ve been reading up on grain- and gluten-free diets ever since they became popular, but I found no concrete scientific evidence to support the theory that they’re better for dogs or cats. What are your thoughts on these diets and how do they compare to kibblebased or raw diets?

I

t has been obvious (to me) for many years that many commercial pet foods are way too high in carbohydrates—more specifically in cheap grains—and now this has been put forward as the cause behind allergies. The problem is that the target for this “cause” has been simply labelled as “grains” in one mass statement, but the truth is far more complex. We should look at excess carbohydrates in general, and a deficiency in quality animal proteins and fats.

It has become a commonly held belief that all grains will cause allergies in pets, when the truth is that while some grains are genuinely allergenic (like wheat for example), other grains are quite hypoallergenic, like oats.

The way grains are presented to an animal makes a huge difference in how the body processes them. In the wild, grains in the diet would come from the gut content of a prey animal; they would be whole grains, partly chewed and digested and soaked in gastric juices. This is a far cry from the cheap, bulk flour and cooked wheat and corn (often at levels exceeding

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50 percent of the diet) that is added to modern pets foods such as commercial kibble. High carbohydrate levels put a strain on digestion and absorption, not to mention insulin metabolism and triggering inflammatory pathways.

There have been several studies showing that a small amount of grain/ carbohydrate in a dog’s diet is actually beneficial to their overall health and metabolism.

Gluten is found in varying amounts in different grains, and not found in some grains at all. Wheat is very high in gluten; oats are low-gluen; and rice and sorghum have no gluten. I do believe that some grains like wheat can cause direct allergies in dogs and cats, and can certainly lead to some chronic bowel issues like irritable bowel syndrome. Hence, I avoid wheat grains completely, and use oats, rice or other low- or zero-gluten sources.

EXPERT: DR BRUCE SYME BVSc(Hons) Founder of Vets All Natural P/L

ask the expert Email your questions to asktheexpert@petsmagazine.com.sg

D

ogs with double coats like Pomeranians are more susceptible to damaged coats after a shave-down. Here’s how a Pom’s coat functions: the outer coat protects the pet from external elements such as the sun, harsh weather, insects, etc. It is coarser, gives the pet its colour, and does not shed. On the other hand, the inner coat regulates body temperature and sheds off relatively easier especially in warmer weather. It also serves as insulation during cooler weather. It’s usually lighter in colour, shorter, and is cottony and soft to the touch.

Because of each coat’s unique function, they grow at different speeds, with the inner coat growing out faster than the outer. When shaved, the inner coat grows out faster while the growth of the slower outer coat may be hindered by the denseness of the inner coat, resulting in a patchy, sparse and dull appearace. In some cases, the outer coat may not even grow again.

With Singapore’s warm, humid climate, paw-rents commonly request to have their pets shaved down, and it is down to the groomer’s responsibility to highlight the risks of shaving double-coated dogs, which could result in the increase susceptibility to sunburns or damaged coats.

Double-coated dogs actually don’t require a shave-down to keep cool. What’s important is getting them brushed and groomed on a regular basis to minimise the amount of shedded inner coat on its body, such that air is able to flow through the outer coat. Regular brushing and grooming also helps the outer coat to grow past the supposedly dense inner coat, enabling the dog’s coat to look more even (assuming that the dog’s outer coat still grows).

The damage done to the coat due to shaving is usually irreversible and mostly aesthetic, so rest assured that it does not affect the health of the pet.

EXPERT: DESMOND CHAN Low Stress Handling Certified Silver SKC/DGA A Class Certified Dog Groomer Certified Feline Master Groomer Principal Pet Groomer of Bubbly Petz

what a hair-resy!

My uncle’s five-year-old Pomeranian underwent a lion’s cut two years ago and his fur has not been the same ever since. It’s sparse, thin and doesn’t grow out any more. Even the vets are stumped. What could the groomer have done to cause this, and what can be done to rectify the problem?

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orange aid My nine-month-old guinea pig’s pee is dark orange—almost red—but the vet says there is no blood in his urine.

I’ve heard that guinea pigs can have strongly discoloured urine but seeing it always worries me. Is this normal?

I

t is true that guinea pigs, like most herbivores, can have very dark urine.

This is likely due to their digestive system producing a pigment called porphyrin— it is a derivative of the breakdown of protein in their diet within their liver.

High protein and calcium in their diet can result in increased porphyrin in the digestive system, and hence lead to increased intense yellow, orange, or even red pigments in the urine. The pigments get darker when the urine oxidises due to exposure to air.

Although your vet confirmed there’s no blood in your guinea pig’s urine, I do understand your concern upon seeing such intensely coloured urine. It is good to ensure sufficient water intake, at least 50 to 100ml daily per guinea pig.

With increased water intake, it can help with hydration and also dilute the urine pigments of porphyrin. Also ensure that you give a good supply of green leafy vegetables and vitamin C daily. Try to choose vegetables and pellets that are not too high in protein and calcium.

Do not give too many treats that main

contain colouring and preservatives.

There should be a healthy range of fresh vegetables, hay and pellets to ensure good digestive function. Timothy hay is best, as it’s low in protein and calcium as well; orchard grass and botanical hay are also acceptable. Please avoid alfalfa hay and oat hay, especially after your pig has reached adulthood at 10 to 12 months.

There are cases of senior guinea pigs with weak liver function developing heavily stained and pigmented urine.

In such cases, the senior pigs will need to have comprehensive blood tests and x-rays to investigate both liver and kidney functions. Repeated urine tests should be done to keep track of possible secondary urinary tract infection in these old pigs.

Such patients will require fluid therapy and long-term supplements to keep them comfortable and pain-free.

EXPERT: DR GRACE HENG Veterinary Surgeon B. V (Sydney) Resident Veterinarian at The Joyous Vet

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picture purrfect d an Gr ize r pr nne wi

Owner: Serene Lu Pet: Onyx

Owner: Ng Si Ping Pet: Blaze

Owner: Adeline Tui Pet: Yuri

shower power

Owner: Ella Wong Pet: Kumaru

Congratulations to these 10 furkids and their paw-rents!

Prizes sponsored by:

Owner: Rona Soong Pet: Hana

Owner: Hazel Wong Pet: Coaby

Owner: Darren Ang Pet: Momo

Owner: Stephanie Lee Pet: Latte

Owner: Sheila Soh Pet: Lucky

Owner: Charmaine Chong Pet: Tommy

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happenings Inside

• Pets Picnic Party 2018 • Paw Fest 2018

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happenings

PETS PICNIC PARTY 2018 When 2 June Where Sentosa Cove (green field)

Singapore’s largest outdoor gathering for furkids, pets Picnic Party 2018, returned with a bang for its fifth year running! Organised by pets magazine, in collaboration with our official title sponsor Kakato, over 400 excited paw-rents and 200 furry doggies joined us at Sentosa Cove’s spacious green field for a fun-filled afternoon of games, delicious picnic grub, live music, and shopping.

Thanks to light morning showers, the weather was cool and breezy when the event started promptly at 2.30pm.

Eager attendees grabbed their Pet Lovers Centre goodie bag (worth $25.90) and proceeded to lay their picnic mats out against the gorgeous marina backdrop. The first order of the day: to pick up their scrumptious Western food! Picnic-goers enjoyed a choice of chicken steak with cranberry sauce and fries or fish and chips, courtesy of Brunches Cafe. Each participant also received a bag of chicken rice- or laksa- flavoured chips from F.EAST and a bottle of mineral water from Polar. 250 furkids received complimentary premium pet food from Kakato.

While local per formersNing and Jon took to the stage to perform jazzy tunes that set everyone grooving to the beat, fur-milies indulged in some retail therapy at our bustling weekend market, which featured start-ups selling handcrafted jewellery, customised pet portraits, freshly made pet food, trendy pet accessories, and human and pooch-friendly icy treats.

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PHOTOS LIM KAY LI

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happenings

The first stage game of the day took place by the nifty SKODA Kodiaq, which was displayed on the sunny green field for all to see. Five participants took turns to guess how many balloons were stuffed into the seven-seater SUV’s spacious boot. The winner, Jerry Ng, walked away with a $100 SKODA gift and grocery vouchers worth $100! Paw-rents also got to compete in other exciting stage games, which included doing fitness activities with their furkid and showing off their dog’s finest tricks. “The event’s a great place for us to bring our dogs to,” shares Sarah Chong, 30, founder of Vanillapup and Latte’s pawrent. “There’re a lot of activities and shops here, and we get to make friends with other pooches as well. Latte had lots of fun!”

To protect our pooches from nasty critters like fleas and ticks, we had Zoetis, a global health company, share about its newest chewable tablet, Simparica. Dr Eugene Lin, a veterinarian from The Animal Ark, picked three lucky paw-rents to receive free samples, and every participant who completed its crossword puzzle brought home a box of Simparica as well.

There were plenty of prizes to go around this pets Picnic Party! Five gorgeous pups were handpicked by groomer Doggies Galore to win full grooming vouchers (worth $70 to $130), and walking away with the title of Best Dressed Dog, a Fluff You customised leash and collar set (worth $45 or more), and Quayside Isle vouchers worth $100 was Randi the Cavapoo (@v0ndalism) which was decked out in an adorable red and white checkered ensemble! Runner-ups Yumi the Silver Poodle (@abbie_ yuki_yumi_miki_mika) and Truffle the Maltipoo (@ trufflethetrouble) also went home with customised leash and collar sets (worth $45 or more), courtesy of Fluff You.

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happenings

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As always, we saved the best for last: the muchanticipated lucky draw, where close to a dozen awesome prizes were up for grabs! Cady Tan, a self-employed fitness trainer, won for herself a 2D1N stay at Capella Singapore and breakfast for two at The Knolls (worth $1,146++).

“It’s my first time here at Pets Pincic Party, and I find it very well-organised and fun! There’s live music, stage games, and plenty of stalls for shopping,” shares Cady excitedly. “I’m super excited to have won a stay at Capella because it’s dog-friendly, so I can bring my five-monthold Miniature Schnauzer, Junior, with me.” Bagging the grand prize, a 2D1N stay at W Singapore Sentosa Cove’s Wonderful Room with breakfast for two (worth $1,240++) was Jenny Lim and her four-year-old PapillonPomeranian cross, Happy.

We would like to thank our title sponsor Kakato, lifestyle sponsor SKODA, supporting sponsors Zoetis, Fluff You and Doggies Galore, venue sponsor Sentosa Cove, prize and goodie bag sponsors W Singapore, Capella Singapore, Quayside Isle, The Body Shop, Talya’s Sorvete and Pet Lovers Centre, food and beverage sponsors Brunches Café, F.EAST, Polar and Tuck Lee Ice, partnering vet The Animal Ark, and partnering animal shelter Purely Adoptions.

Catch you at our next event!

Find us on YouTube at @PETSmagazine to see what went down at Pets Picnic Party 2018!

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happenings

Paw Fest 2018 at I12 Katong When 1,2 and 8,9 Sep

Where I12 Katong aw Fest is back for its third edition and was even bigger and better! This year, it was held over two weekends - one for cats and one for dogs. Over 500 pet lovers enjoyed the weekend festivities which included a weekend market, cat and dog adoption drives, educational talks and demonstrations, breed gatherings and showcase, and many side activities such as a free photobooth, balloonit, stage games and daily lucky draws.

We also saw the biggest record of participants for our annual Best Dressed Competition where one winner from each weekend both walked away with a complimentary hotel stay at the Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy worth $550! We hope you had fun at Paw Fest 2018 at I12 Katong - see you next year!

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PHOTOS LIM KAY LI

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happenings

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO FEED HAPPY, HEALTHY DOGS & CATS

100% NATURAL

W I T H A D D E D V I TA M I N S & M I N E R A L S

a bone t pick HOW YOU KNOW PUSS LOVES YOU It’s tough love when it comes to cats, but even though they might give you the stink eye, they do love you deep down. We think.

1. I can’t walk because he keeps rubbing against my legs.

No one’s a bigger fan of your gams than Puss. When cats rub their bodies against your legs, they’re showing affection—and staking their claim on you.

2. He digs his claws into my thighs.

Kittens often knead their mother’s side to stimulate milk flow—a behaviour they retain into adulthood.

When your cat kneads your lap, he’s trying to tell you that he feels safe around you. Unfortunately, the happier Puss is, the deeper he’ll dig his claws into you.

3. We often have stare-offs and I lose every time.

Don’t worry, your cat isn’t planning world domination when he stares at you. Cats display affection by staring and blinking slowly. It’s Puss' way of telling you that he trusts you and is often considered the equivalent of being kissed. Stare on, kitty.

4. He brings me dead lizards and cockroaches.

Cats are excellent gifters and will bring you an assortment of goodies, even if they might be gross to you. When they give you these offerings, they’re sharing their hunt with you. If you’re not worthy, they wouldn’t bother. v

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feb-mar 2013/www.petsmagazine.com.sg petsmagazine.com.sg

All good things come in threes - or even fours at Happy Dog!

The Happy Dog Natural Life Concept

HAPPY DOG

NATURAL

LIFE CONCEPTÂŽ

Dogs are descended from wolves and this was the starting point for our Happy Dog Natural Life Concept. But we have also adapted it to the needs of modern dogs. Scientifically proven, it provides your dog with a nutritionally balanced combination of vital ingredients to support optimum and species-appropriate metabolism.

The right amount of meat

TATEN AU ZU

UR B YERN A

S

N

AT

ER SD

BEST E

Premium quality meat and valuable animal proteins are the most important components of our pet food. In our Happy Dog dry food, the proportion of meat and animal protein in the overall protein content is up to 90%.

Fresh and natural from Bavaria

We could purchase our raw ingredients sustainably and at a good price from anywhere.

But many of our raw ingredients come freshly from our home region around Wehringen in beautiful Bavaria.

Getting off to a good start

The way to a puppy’s heart is through the stomach. With the Happy Dog heart-shaped loops, you are giving your little darling what he needs right from the start. Premium quality puppy food that is easy to chew and easier to digest than conventional kibble.

For more information: www.happydogsg.com | www.happycatsg.com www.facebook.com/happydogsingapore | www.facebook.com/happycatsingapore

t a C y pp a H s i t Wha ? t p e c n o c ” e n O n i the “ALL

Hairball Control

Cellulose fibers in the food to pick up swallowed hairs and remove them naturally in the stools

Necessary Taurine

HAIRBALL CONTROL

Taurine is a vital amino acid for healthy eyes and heart

NECESSARY TAURINE

DENTAL CARE

up to

89,0%

High proportion of animal-based protein Happy Cat has a high animal protein content

HIGH PROPORTION OF ANIMAL BASED PROTEIN

TASTE GUARANTEE

pH control for urinary tract health

The addition of special amino acids reduces the urine pH

Dental Care

3

pH

6

OMEGA 3 AND OMEGA 6 FATTY ACIDS

The croquette structure encourages chewing and friction from the cellulose fibers cleans the teeth

CONTROL FOR URINARY TRACT HEALTH

JOINT HEALTH SUPPORT

NATURAL LIFE CONCEPT®

Joint Health Support

The natural agents in the New Zealand greenlipped mussels naturally promote joint, ligament, and nerve health.

Omega 3 & Omega 6 Fatty Acids

Omega 3 & Omega 6 are unsaturated fatty acids that is important for healthy skin and coat.

They also have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Taste guarantee

High quality ingredients create an extremely tasty food

For more information: www.happydogsg.com | www.happycatsg.com www.facebook.com/happydogsingapore | www.facebook.com/happycatsingapore

Happy Pet Singapore Pte Ltd

601 Sims Drive Pan-I Complex #02-06 Singapore 387382 Tel: +65 6844 4409 Fax: +65 6844 4407 Email: enquiries@happypet.com.sg www.happydogsg.com | www.happycatsg.com www.facebook.com/happydogsingapore www.facebook.com/happycatsingapore