Who's the boss?

My son and I are back to the phase when we are negotiating on our walking route every day.

When we disagree, he will just sit down refusing to budge an inch. So, we are usually on the sidewalk - me standing, he sitting, for a couple of "stand-off" minutes. And, there's no way pull an 80-pounder boy to his feet gracefully. In one long deadlock moment this week, I had to tie him on a nearby tree while I waited a few feet away at our front gate. He seemed contented just sitting under the tree waiting too. I think he was ready to sit there all night. Hmmm....

As a result of that, he got a huge lecture and had his ears pulled and in turn, .... I have to concede an additional 2 new streets into our daily route. We still have some odd disputes in the last junction home. I have to remind him that I no longer kick a fuss when we start walking the last 2 new streets and he shouldn't kick a fuss when it's time to go home.

So far, so good.....well, until our next peace treaty.

My beeworks tumblr site seems to hang each time I access it. So, I have trouble updating it. Sigh, just when I have complete strangers following my unpublisized site. Anyway, I'm hoping for better results when I update my Windows soon.

Kids don't know the value of money

Today, I found out that my electricity bill doubled this month. It's probably because we have been sleeping with the air-conditioner almost every night from 9p.m. to 9 a.m.. So, tonight we started our austerity drive....which lasted about 3 hours.

At midnight, the boy comes out from the room to nudge me. I'm pretty sure he knows a particular device that goes "tit-tit" that makes the room cold. 

Syntea is used to be on tumblr. I'm facing some technical issues there :(

In the heat of the day

The weekend's been hot. My boy made sure he had a dip in his pool before going for his evening walk. Smart boy!

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Taking two to tango

Every since that one time I walked my girl before my boy (he was misbehaving), Riko thinks she has gained all rights to go first now. Most evenings since, I've managed to stop her from getting out the car at the park. Not today. She door-crashed and shot out the door with my boy. So there they were having a mighty good time in the middle of the park. I caught up with "monkey-girl" to leash her. Ruki did his usual off-leash park sniffing that ended at the far end of the park. I leashed the boy and we turn back. Walking back, all I could hope for was "Please get me back to the car in one piece!". Walking two dogs with different temperamentals at the same time can be a suicide mission. My girl paces a step ahead of the boy. While the boy prefer his senior citizen pace and stopping leisurely at random spots to sniff. I must say we managed to walk back to the car with me look pretty cool. The sad news is Riko did not want to go into the car. So, we walked the second part of the route - the neighbourhood TOGETHER. We did pretty well except one part where Riko got excited and lunged at a barking dog behind the gate. Will I risk my life again? I don't know ..... It would be nice to have a calm walk with the two. For sure. Syntea is also on tumblr.

Meal deals

Meal time in our household is becoming a true family affair. Since Ruki started on home-coooked breakfast, we have (sort of) been sharing the same foods. Try to spot the difference in our meals. Ruki eats almost anything. The only things he spits out (literally) are whole pieces of vege or fish. Nowadays, I have to slip in the fruits, veg & sardines by chopping them to smaller pieces. I think he eats more healthily than me!....but, he's not getting any thinner.

Riko's eating habits are the total opposite of the boy. She eats depending on her mood. The boy... he eats like his life depended on it. When she eats, it like a great relief... when she finishes her plate... we celebrate. When Ruki doesn't eat, we panic. I suspect that she must have been a dutch girl in her previous life because she loves cheese and yogurt. To coax her to eat, there is a sprinkling of cheese (slices or cream cheese) over her kibbles. On good days, she finishes her food. On normal days, she'll pick on the cheese bits and leave the kibbles untouch. She's not on home-cooked breakfast because she keeps staring at her plate....as if to decide as to whether I am trying to poison her with strange foods or not.

My lunch similar to my boy's ....except that mine isn't served in a dog bowl. Same basic ingredients - brown rice with potatoes, carrots and pumpkin (whatever leftover after Ruki's portion). No meats as I'm aiming for vegetarian lunches till end May (at least).

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Everybody's on a DIET from now on

Since the health scare, I've made some conclusions. Ruki needs to lose at least 4 inches of his waistline. Riko needs to appreciate her meals more. Brownie needs to put on weight... lots of it. And I need to eat well - more veges, less meat and coffee.

So this week, we decided to do this.
1. I will go cold turkey on my coffee intake and bring lunch to work.
2. Have mental note to not think of nasi lemak. I had sinned last week at Uncle Lim's.
3. The kids will have homecooked meals.

Weekend menu

breakfast
beef tenderloin cubes
chicken liver
rice with a bit of pearl barley
Pumpkin, carrots, potatoes, guava
sardines
dash of extra virgin coconut oil

dinner
beef shanks
chicken feet
chicken gizzard and liver
rice with mashed pumpkin
carrots, potatoes, brocoli
sardines
dash of extra virgin coconut oil

Riko's first reaction - I think she thought I was going to poison her.


And...Ruki...he would eat anything. Even chopped guava and brocolli....as long as he can get to the meaty bits.


So far, Riko seems to want to have a cup of her regular kibbles once we get home. Ruki seems to be is always hungry. To be honest, I can't tell. He gets his nightly spoon of greek yogurt before bedtime. No extra kibbles.

I will be on stool-monitoring duty. So far, they seem to have smaller poo. I don't think Ruki did his morning poo. Plus, I thought that home-cooking would be a daunting task. In a way, it's comforting to know what they are eating. So far so good.

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The day my girl drank from the toilet bowl

Yesterday afternoon, I heard the sound of slurping of water coming from the guest bathroom.

It was my sweet girl. Since when did she start this?


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Angry Dog

For a couple of months, I noticed that my sweet girl is developing a temperamental side.

It started with barking at anything that passes by our gate...well, she has been doing this from young. One second she's chewing her breakfast in the kitchen, the next second she's by the gate barking at something. So, I didn't notice anything out-of-the-ordinary. I thought she was one very alert dog.

Then, it moved on to barking and lunging at dogs while we are walking. I don't notice anything out-of-the-ordinary again...because she is light-weight enough to hold back.

Then, came lunging at motorbikes when we are walking by the road. Then, lunging at people on bicycles.

Two weeks ago...whille she was walking off leash in the park, she ran up to a group of teenagers and growled at them. In that incident, the boys startled and ran for their lives. One of them even climbed up the roof of a nearby parked car!

Ok, I see a trend now. Not good....unprovoked growling attacks!

I noticed this same behaviour in another dog (12-year old female beagle) who is barky at any male dog (Haruki) that comes too close to her. Needless to say, my boy is smitten with any girl dog. The owner tells me that she was bitten when she was young...so, she doesn't like anyone getting too close to her. Now, she just tolerates Ruki when he tries to get close.

I'm not sure about my girl though... Perhaps, she was not well-socialized during her formative years. She didn't go to dog school and all. When she is at dog get-togethers, she prefers to stay close to me while her brother is out there mingling with the dog crowd (a.k.a. smelling butts).

I call this barking behaviour .... the small dog syndrome. My friends call it bad parenting.

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The new norm

By doctor's order, Haruki should be on house arrest for at least a week. But, my boy was already giving the sorry face by Day 2.



So, yesterday we went for a short walk in the park. Let me say, a day in "dog years" must be damn long because he made sure he smelled every bush in the park. Thankfully, after getting off jail time and spending a day sleeping...his appetite is back to normal. Normal means waiting patiently on the kitchen floor as his meal is being prepared, wanting "seconds" and finishing up his sister's leftovers.

Ever since the health scare which had my boy spending the whole night staring out to nothing, I have developed some acute paranoia. I've started to check to see whether he is still breathing in his sleep.



And, I guess someone is feeling a bit privileged. There has been some attention on him with the visitors coming on the weekend bearing treats. For the past week, the air-conditioner is turned on for him. This was what I found when I turned on the bedroom lights last night.


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Damage Control

So in some 24 hours, I spent close to RM2,000 on my kids' med bills. I can deem this the "cheap" side of the damage.

I will need the following items to improve our quality of living. Let's see here....

Lifetime supply of doggy meds - Frontline Spot-on (for fleas/ ticks), glucosamine (for hips) and Heartguard (for heart).



A new humans-only car for fur-free rides...so that my current car can be converted to a full-fledged dogmobile


A small house in the forest so that my kids can run offleash in peace.



A laB pool out back, to exercise the dogs


A litter of little Harukis



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Hips don't lie

There are some things I fear in life for my kids and these are some of them.

1. My boy refusing any form of food and drink.
2. Regular vet is closed and you need to call the emergency vet service.
3. My boy tipping over 80 pound-zone.
4. Hip dysplasia.

Ruki was rushed 3 times to the Animal Hospital in KL last night.

Tue 9.30 pm On the first consult, the doc asked how many meals did he missed. For a moment, I heard myself talk like some psycho mum....hahaha...
"Just tonight's dinner..... BUT he has NEVER refused food before...EVER."



His temperature was 40 celcius (fever). As the lab and x-rays were closed at night, the vet could only do a physical examination. His spleen was swollen. Apart from that, he didn't yelp when examined. Suspected tick fever. Blood sample was taken but we will have to wait till morning for the results. We were given antibiotics and vitamins.

As the night went on, he was walking around the house. He'll stop and just stand ...sometimes, oddly facing the wall.

Wed 2 a.m. He was still not asleep. When he wasn't standing, he was sitting upright. It was really pitiful because I know he must be tired and sleepy but he couldn't lie down for some reason.



Wed 2.30 a.m. Called the e-Vet. Could he be bloating? He has been standing for the past 4 hours. Is he in pain? He's not whining or anything. Any home remedies? 2 charcoal pills....still nothing.

Wed 3 a.m. - we were speeding down Jalan Damansara enroute to hospital again. My boy was given a anti-gastric shot. The doc said he should feeling better in half an hour.

Wed 6.30 a.m. - my boy hasn't eaten for 24 hours and hadn't slept a wink the whole night. So, we decided to leave early to avoid the traffic jam.

We waited till 9 a.m. for the doctor. He was weighed again. 40 kg. The doc said OMG. I'm thinking isn't it "normal" male lab weight, right? Well, after converting to pounds....88 lbs did sound scarier. I had in mind that he should never go over 80. So, we have to lose at least 10 pounds each....or between us....for a start.

So, Ruki stayed back at the vet to get x-rayed. Poor boy... he must have been exhausted but didn't complain. Such a trooper.

Wed 1.30 p.m. Holding my breath while listening on the phone...
Blood Test
Alievated white blood count.
Calcium - low side
E-cannis = negative (no tick fever)

X-rays (non-sedated) (I was worried about his heart & lungs)
Heart - ok
Lungs - ok
Spleen - swollen
Liver - slightly enlarged



I have another x-ray, but I can't tell whether that's the liver or heart. Gee....why didn't I become a vet?

Wed 8 p.m. ....Junior vet consult
ahh...my boy. He has the cutest side-step running ever...is probably due to bad hips . We have been procastinating that pelvic examination. So, we finally got the full works.

His right hip is a little more severe than the left. No surgery need....yet. He has to be on full preventative mode from now on - "lose weight", glucosamines and no dangerous stunts of any kind.

We brought Riko to see her brother and to get her tested for tick fever. He had come off the anaethetics and was sitting quietly in his pen. My sweet boy is such a trooper...for not being restless and all. If it was my girl, she would have whined her head off.



Thurs 9.30 a.m ....Senior vet consult
Strangely, the first thing the doc asked "Do you have a pool?" Gee....I'm wondering... Do I look like a tai-tai who lives in a mansion up Bukit Tunku?



Officially, my boy tested negative for tick fever but the enlarged liver and spleen seems to still show possible exposure. Hence, he needs continuous tick prevention to avoid exposure or relapse. The x-ray showed slight swelling in the prostate area, which might have been caused by the fever/ infection. Doc says "to consider possible cascration". What??

"What about my little Harukis??"
"He also needs to get laid first before he loses his balls"

Anyway, his weight has to be managed but the doc says no walking for at least a week.

We came home and he slept for most of the day. My baby girl's blood test was all-clear.

I saw a black lab pup today

Imagined name Aiko or maybe Akiko (3-syllable like my other two). She's so CUTE but very leggy...much taller/ bigger than Haruki when I brought him back. 10 weeks. Born 15 Dec. Litter of 4 males, 1 female. All black. Father imported from Aust. Champion and breeder shows his dogs. Anyone?

No, I don't lurk ard the pet store anymore. Was there to make grooming appointment for my fat boy. The pet store girl remembers me and Ruki after 3 years. Then again, dog grooming girl also remembers Ruki after not visiting for 1.5 years the last time. I think the boy enjoys his spa time because when I send him there...he doesn't even look back to see that I have left the room. He just heads straight to the groomer.

Anyway, Aiko is very sweet. If only....I had more hands (and legs) and love to go ard. This will complete my dream tri-color factor.

Girls are easier to handle.

My boy's walks are non-negotiable. He's my personal trainer. Yes, he trained me well. Absolutely no excuses to skip the night walks.

My dad keeps saying he wants to make dog soup out of my boy..... (maybe I should tell him that since this is his plan, I need to get a dog replacement)

I think my dad is actually secretly proud of my boy since he gets stopped by total strangers who ask about the boy, during their evening walks.

Santa Paws 2011

The kids had a great time at the SPCA-organized meet up today.

You check me out...

We check you out...


Everybody was busy sniffing each other.

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Marathon Week 2

I've been working from home quite a bit recently.

Usually, I'll send my boy for daycare after his nap at 3pm because he spends his quality time (walking) with his granddad in the evening So, he knows he needs to be at daycare for it. My girl will always follow me home after the send-off. Some nights, I was unable to pick the boy up (due to work)...so, he had spent two nights at daycare last week. In the evenings, granddad walks him over to my place and each time, my foster boy is around with us. I wonder whether Ruki figured he has been re-homed especially some nights, when it's time to leave, his grandma asks him to stay behind.

One thing's for sure, each time my boy comes home from his over-nights, he has been a little needier. He started to sit on the living room couch and on the bed.



Meanwhile, I figured my girl cannot be an only child ever. The few days when I was working from home and Ruki did not come home with us, she looked totally depressed. She just moped about. She didn't want to eat at all. One night, she vomited stomach acids and still, she didn't want to eat a single kibble (even by force). Also, she kept following me about the house like velcro dog.

When we finally went over to daycare, she was truly excited. She could not contain her happiness - leaping for joy and tail-wagging as she greeted her brother...as if she had not seen him for years. As predicted, she finally ate...like a horse!

This is how the kids are tonight. The boy had a very light dinner (a.k.a still hungry...and looking moody). So, the kids had a butter cookie each before bedtime.



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My sweet girl - Year 2 Report Card

Mariko - baby then, still my baby now...

Still worships the ground her brother walks on.

Loves sitting in the car.. moving or stationary.

Had her period.

Then, gave up her ovaries because she wants to always be the baby in the family.

Still sleeps on the bed as she did the first time she came into the bedroom.

Still as mischievious as ever but has learnt that pink panties is not a toy. She has the ability to be sleeping soundly on the couch to barking at the gate in 10 seconds.

Always distracted at meal times.

Sometimes, she has to be forced to finish her meals before playtime.

She still hates bath time.

But loves going for her walks.


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Marathon week

I've been having crazy sessions at work and at home for the past weeks. This week, it has reached to "marathon" status. Every waking moment is about work.

In the home front, we've been having rainy nights the whole week. This has made the evenings super cool and relaxing. Well, it has super great especially for my boy. His normal walks typically takes about half hour....which is when he starts to "overheat" and would gladly head home to dip in his pool. However, with the extra cool nights, he has been extending his walk time.

Last Monday, he walked me for an hour and a bit. Every time I tried to "short-change" him with a shorter route, he will notice and steer me back to the long-cut. When he noticed that he's approaching home, he will quickly move to the opposite direction.

On Tuesday, he walked me for a record 1 hour 45 mins! During the walk, we had 3 stand-offs - the first and second times, we stood at the sidewalk refusing to budge unless we were going in our own preferred direction. Mid-way through our stalemate, he decided to sit and wait at the roadside until I give up. And, I did (give up) and followed him. So, he took me round his route. The third stalemate, I was so ready to tie him to the nearest tree, come home and get the car to take him home. Finally, when we were close to home, I dropped the leash and told him that I was going home. He got the message and slowly prodded home (with a few deviations to the nearby bushes) too.

On Wednesday, he stayed overnight at daycare because I was too tired for another marathon. Typically, when this happens, he'll be the first to jump in the car when it's time to go home. This time, he has also started to climb into bed with us. Something he never does even as a pup. The only times he's on the bed is in the morning, when he wants me to get up to feed him pronto.

Thursday, we were walking in the steady rain in the night. Friday, we were walking in drizzle in the night. The neighbors must be starting to wonder about that psycho-woman in hoodies wandering about in the night.

Rain - very good for him, not for me.




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My baby girl turns 2 today

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FOR GOD SAKE.....get a grip, lady!

My girl got her neck bitten by a 7-year old Golden Retriever yesterday.

This is the second time this happened. I didn't blog about an earlier incident with my boy. The first time, my boy was off-leash at night at the park. Out of nowhere, the lady and her dog came by. Yes, being off-leash has its risks and my boy is totally bad on recall command. So, he goes running off to meet (confront) him. Next thing you know, the silly lady start screaming and her dog takes a bite at my boy's neck.

My boy wasn't even fighting back. The other dog just continued sinking his teeth of into my poor boy. That stupid lady kept screaming and yanking the leash from the other end. FOR GOD SAKE, GET A GRIP!!

I had to run over and pry her dog's jaws out of my boy (and he didn't want to let go) and that stupid woman just stood there.

The same thing happened yesterday. My girl ran out the gate to the same dog. The stupid woman started screaming. COME ON....this is not a ROTTWEILER....and she's not ATTACKING YOU or YOUR DOG!

I had to once again pry open the Goldie's jaws...and he really didn't want to let go. So, I had to coax him first. That didn't work. I stuck my fingers in his mouth to pry his jaws open. Nada. It became more urgent when I saw blood. So, I had to hit his head a few times until he let go. That woman just stood at the end of her leash the whole time.

I really don't blame the dog. There was so much anxiety caused by her screaming. She didn't even bother to come over to calm her own dog. STUPID WOMAN.

I bumped into her son taking out the dog (Max) after he bit Haruki. He told me that Max was a rescue and they took him in this year at the age of 7. His past wasn't good...and is poorly socialize. So, I can understand.

But, her mom really needs to stop screaming and come to calm her dog. I don't think she knows that it's her dog that bit mine in the end!

I really need to have a word with her. I know it's wrong to have my kids loose for a moment... but, if it happens, they are not the killing type...so, for God's sake, don't freak out!

My kids, especially my girl, doesn't know danger at all. She'll just run towards any dog she sees. Yesterday, she came out of it with neck scrapes and teeth marks. I wonder whether she's still traumatized.

Which reminds me, my boy had gotten loose one time when he was less than 1 year old. He ran towards the rottie down the road and got nipped. It's fair...he learned his lesson. Another time, a black lab that we used to bump in our morning rounds came out of the bushes and attacked (bit) Ruki. My poor boy was stunned...and he didn't fight back. At least those times, I didn't have any issues with the dogs or their owners.

Dogs are after all, dogs...

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Strange bedfellows

This is one of Ruki's favourite sleeping position. Bent hind legs against the nearest wall. Few nights ago...

This morning...

The kids lounging around...last week.

My foster, last week. Positioned closest to my desk ... but lying low and undetected...not to be at risk of getting sent out.



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