GUESS WHO'S IN THE NEWS

Man and his best friend: Chua with Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better’s canine representative Sharmini Popiko Sasha.

Saturday March 28, 2009

Pet adoption drive this weekend

By WANI MUTHIAH

ALMOST every day, countless dogs are caught by dogcatchers and brought to the local pounds to be exterminated.
Some of these dogs are pets that end up at the pounds due to unforeseen circumstances. They, too, are put to sleep if no one comes for them.
Most times, owners do not come to claim their pets at the pounds for fear of being slapped with a costly compound by the local councils.
A visit to these pounds will leave most people with a dent in their hearts, given the pitiful sight that greets one there.
Being the intuitive animals that they are, dogs at the pound more often than not appear to literally beg visitors to take them home.
That is why non-governmental organisation Community Develop-ment and Integration Initiative (CDII) initiated its canine welfare programme, Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better.
Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better programme’s Clarance C.R. Chua said their main scope was to rescue dogs and puppies from the pounds and put them up for adoption.
“We neuter, vaccinate as well as treat these dogs before finding them homes,” said Chua.
He added that they also rescued puppies and dogs off the street as well as those neglected or abandoned by their owners.
“We also attend to distress calls from people who come across dogs in precarious situations,” he said.
He narrated how a young woman in Klang sent Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better an email seeking help for a seven-month-old stray puppy in her neighbourhood that was being abused by some of her neighbours.
“We took in the dog, named it Rottie and sent it to one of the veterinary clinics that treats our animals,” Chua said.
He added that Rottie was currently recuperating and would be put up for adoption in about a month or two after being treated for a severe case of heartworm.
Given the large number of dogs and puppies which need homes, as well as to introduce the Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better programme to the public, Chua said an adoption drive would be held at a mall in Petaling Jaya today and tomorrow.
“We hope people will show us their support by attending the event,” Chua said.
The adoption drive will be held at the NZX Mall in Ara Damansara from 11am to 4.pm on both days.
Besides puppies and dogs, there will also be cats and kittens up for adoption at the event.
Dog owners can also bring their pets for complimentary ear-cleaning and nail-clipping by professional canine groomers.
For details, as well as to read about Rottie, visit: http://www.malaysiandogsdeservebetter.blogspot.com/.
For further information, call 019-357 6477 / 019-320 3875.

IN THE NEWS

Angel Wong and her dog Grumpy.

Friday March 27, 2009

A dog’s best friend

By WANI MUTHIAH

Show host Angel Wong Chui Ling, who adores dogs, will be doing her bit for her canine friends this weekend.

AMONG all the shows hosted by popular television and radio presenter Angel Wong Chui Ling, her favourite is the food programme One Day Five Meals.
“I suppose it’s because I love eating and the show allows me to enjoy many culinary experiences,’’ says Wong in an interview.
One Day Five Meals, which completed its first season run on Astro Wah Lai Toi recently, required Wong to have five meals a day on a RM50 budget.
“It can be challenging as I also have to treat another person to at least one meal a day,’’ says Hong Kong-born Wong who has lived and worked in Malaysia for over a decade.
The second season of the programme is currently being shot.

“We used to shoot everyday for the 13-episode series and this became very tiring as eating five meals every day can be quite daunting.

The current season is being filmed with a break of several days between each episode.”
Apart from her many TV appearances, Wong also hosts a daily five-minute segment called Chui Ling Drive Time Mall at 5.15pm on MY FM.

“I speak on a variety of topics and have been talking about dogs for the last two weeks,’’ says Wong, adding that she has a passion for dogs.
She says she’s always had dogs while growing up in Hong Kong and is now “mother” to two dogs and “grandmother” to another two more in Malaysia.
“My children are Pit Bull terrier Lulu and Irish Setter Wallace whilst Lulu’s babies Grumpy and Fat Girl are my grandkids,’’ says Wong.
Given her love for dogs, Wong is currently supporting and endorsing canine welfare initiatives by non-governmental organisation Community Development and Integration Initiative (CDII) under its Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better programme.
Under the programme, stray and abandoned dogs are rescued, vaccinated, neutered and treated before being put up for adoption.
Wong says she will be making an appearance at the Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better adoption drive held at the NZX Mall in Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, tomorrow and on Sunday.

“I will be there from noon to 2pm on both days to lend my support and motivate volunteers.”
The event which begins at 11am and ends at 4pm on both days will have dogs and puppies up for adoption as well as free nail clipping and ear cleaning services for those who bring their dogs there.
There will also be homemade pet snacks on sale as well as talks on animal healthcare and the benefits of having a pet for companionship.

Cats will also be available for adoption at the event.
For details, visit http://www.malaysiandogsdeser%20vebetter.blogspot.com/ or call 019-357 6477/ 019-320 3875.

ADOPTION DRIVE

Adoption drive at NZX Mall, Ara Damansara on March 28th and 29th, 11.00am to 4.00pm.

Please join us.

Please help my brother........

POPIKO MAIL

My unfortunate brother

This mail was sent to my human by a kind lady called Dr Mahalekshmi. we have will take this unfortunate brother and send him to our vet in Klang for vaccination and neutering pending adoption.

Read about his plight which is narrated by Dr Mahalekshmi.

I was born in such a malicious way. My father, A rottweiler went wondering on the roads not accompanied by his owner and met my mother. From the rumors I heard, the owners of my father watched happily while my father copulated with an indefinite breed, sadly my mother.

Months later I was born. Unfortunately my mother was viciously dragged away from me by the spiteful dog catchers. I managed to run and hide myself in some bushes, where I felt my little heart sob and break to pieces silently as I watched them drag my mother away. Her eyes were locked with mine, I don’t know her fate, and I coiled myself together and cried silently because I know, I’ll never feel those playful bites and the love of my mother again.

How long could I just stay there in the shrubs all alone, hungry? I started wondering around. I walked for days, looking for food. I dint know how and what to eat, so I started digging squander from the bins. I dint know I offended some people, but all I did was to satiate my thirst and hunger.

One day, a kind lady, saw me wondering and called me. She called me Puppy. And each time she came calling for me, she had food in her hands. Along the way, I met a friend. A white crossed breed puppy. We were friends. We roamed around together. We waited patiently for anyone from the neighborhood to offer us food. Sometimes, we were lucky.

We got food like chicken rice or bread. Sometimes, some people offered us spoilt food but we quietly ate it, as I said, to gratify our hunger. I did my duty as a dog. I defended most houses. I didn’t allow strangers near the houses that fed me. I did all I can to make sure all those kind people who fed me slept safe at night. But one very mean man didn’t like what I did.

He caught me one day and broke my front left paw. I watched him injure me, wondering what I did wrong. I howled in pain, I begged him to stop but it was too late. My bone could be seen, I couldn’t feel my paws anymore. I cried wondering what I did wrong. All I did was chase people away from the homes. Those mean bad people. For months I suffered in pain.

The kind lady whom calls me puppy took me to a place with a lot of dogs. All of them were in pain. She addressed him as a doctor. The doctor checked and walked off. Soon enough a worker came to this kind lady and said there was no assurance that my bones will unite.

The kind lady was heartbroken and brought me back. Since that day, I sit outside her gate. I guard her house. I take care of her. I still go visiting with my other friend to other houses that offer me food. I still guard their house. It’s been almost 6 months now since I injured my leg. I walk with a slight hobble. I mind my own duties but yet people abuse me.

People hurt me. They hit me because I seek shelter under their cars. Recently I slept in the trash area of a home. No one was home, and that cruel man that broke my leg came and closed the doors of the bin and locked it from outside. I was gloomy and cold inside. I shivered out of dread, till a girl came screaming and opened the doors. If this girl didn’t help remove the wood that locked the doors, I would have died. But all I wonder is why can’t I have a decent home? Why can’t I be like any other dogs that are loved by their owners? All I need is a roof over my head and some food.

Perhaps just some clean water too. But im not asking for much, am i? I’ll offer you more than you can imagine. I’ll protect your house. I’ll make sure no one gets in without your permission. I won’t hurt you if you’re kind to me. I won’t make much noise. I will take all your whipping and pounding. And I assure you that I’ll be your faithful companion. Just give me a home, that’s all I ask for….i’m not as bad as you think I am…all I need is a chance…and a home…

Whine, whine.......

Sharmini Popiko Sasha (SPS)

p/s - potential owners and sponsors for this unfortunate brother can call 019-3576477 for further details.