Good Life

It's a good time to look back on my life. As with all superheroes I have an origin story, but mine's not a myth though. I didn't get bestowed special powers but I was gifted a new family and home, a safe place to rest, play, eat, poop, and retire. My main job is to look cute and follow people around, especially Godpa, who calls me 跟屁虫.

My previous life and identity is a blur (sounds like the start of a good story) with the earliest records found here. I had the most feminine of names: "Ger Ger" (girl girl) perhaps because I was underweight and looked petite. Godpa recalls I could even be stashed away under a shirt. That'll be impossible today with my hefty weight.



The first few years was both exciting and challenging as we had to adapt to each other. I was given a proper "education" as with all young ones in Singapore. We all attended obedience classes where Godpa and Uncle Leon learnt how to treat dogs properly. I think we were all over-aged students as I was probably 3 years old then in 2008.



Memories of my past are vague but Godpa guessed I may have had Adverse Puppyhood Experiences (for humans they call it ACE) that inhibit my socialization with other doggies. When meeting dogs I either go into fight mode, barking away new friends, or flight mode, turning my back to them. When I got frantic I even nipped at Godpa.



Fortunately their patience paid off and I'm much more confident now. I've made new friends in the estate and we often do the doggy routine of sniffing each other out (but not too long). Godpa thinks I've a boyfriend, a very stable beagle who is very chill and whom I love to approach on my own and offer nose-nose intimacy.

I think I'm too old for puppy-love now coz I'm probably 15 years old, an old dame. My health is good but with aging, eyesight isn't as good (cataract) and I'm getting wrinkles and pimples. I know Godpa will look after me, seeing how he did his best for his father, whom I miss too as he used to puppy-sit me when Godpa goes to work.

Wishing all a beautiful life.
May you feel at home whereever you are.

Woof! MWe need help

Godpa asked me to help out so I took extra effort to make this appearance after staying 3 years off the blog. And I'm probably getting too old for this (11 human years).

So why do mwe need help?

Well, godpa's been volunteering since 2007 at this place with a cool name: Oogachaga. I hear the people there are very kind to both pets and humans. They help take care of humans who feel lost, confused, depressed, or conflicted. They also help reconcile loving relationships that have turned bitter and help bridge better understanding between family members. 

For me, a hug a day solves all problems. But for humans it's really complicated and takes lots of professional counselling to get them going again.  I guess Oogachaga is providing hugs in its own way so that humans can feel loved and generate love. With more capacity to love and be loved, there can be more joyful and peaceful homes (for pets as well). 

Now here's the problem, this cool place is facing a possible shutdown after running for 17 years. Godpa says they've been facing this problem for years because regular funding is hard to get. It's not easy to get donations because human society does not like the people they are helping. I guess it's a little like how some humans just go for purebred puppies and ignore older non-purebred dogs like me. It makes me sad that humans make comparisons among themselves.

So help MWe please : bit.ly/donatetooc2016

Gratitude

 

It has been 5 years since joining the family, that makes me about 8 years old. The skin's a bit wrinkled but I still look great.

There's so much to be grateful for, the nice daily meals, clean water, cozy bed, and lots of freedom to roam the house. I get walks four times a day, and occasional outings in the car. I get to bark as much as I want when strangers walk near the door, and I get to lick the floor clean (that's my favourite pastime besides sleeping).

Godpa enjoys my company, stroking me, giving me tummy rubs, playing fetch with me, and receiving my kisses. He feels content seeing me curled up in bed each night. 

I think godpa is getting playful these days. He just bought this pressure cooker thingy and hopes to cook his own nutritious meals. It's good to remain playful, just don't feed me any failed cooking projects.