Fun In The Farm

I miss visiting our ancestral home in the Philippines. My grandparents from my dad's side owned a large parcel of land. My family and I used to visit while my siblings and I were still young.

I remember seeing plenty of goats, carabaos in the rice fields and cows grazing in the nearby meadow. I have even seen my relatives milk a cow and wondered if they were into cheese making too during that time because my dad and other relatives loved cheese so much; not that I see them making cheese though.

My uncles and aunts used to give us chicken feeds to feed the chickens running around the property. Not only that, we climbed trees and picked fruits, pat the animals around and run towards the nearby beach to soak. It was sheer bliss!

Last Pinta Island Tortoise Is Gone

Photo credit: Yahoo News/AFP

Lonesome George, the last Pinta Island tortoise passed away yesterday according to the Galapagos National Park Service's statement. The cause of his demise is still uncertain and a necrospy is planned to determine the cause of his death. He was estmated to be more than 100 years old.

Lonesome George was discovered in Pinta Island in 1972 and it was believed that tortoises of his kind was already extinct. So, Lonesome George had been in the park service's program since then.

The park service said that it would honor the last Pinta Island tortoise by convening an international workshop regarding management strategies to restore tortoise population over the next decade this coming July.

So long Lonesome George. I am sure you won't be lonesome anymore...

Help the Birds this Summer

It is unusually hot these days that even the small creatures cannot bear the heat. It is that time of the year again here in the Middle East when we have to endure the scorching heat and pray that it does not get us. So, imagine how the small creatures feel in this extreme weather condition.

My request is now for my family, friends and loyal readers to please forward this to as many people as you can to spread the word. A little help will go a long, long way to our feathered friends. The picture says it all.

Disappointing Animal Treatment in Sharjah Animal Market

I am not so sure if UAE is an animal-loving country. I don't know any law in place about the animals' welfare here. Maybe there is a law; I'm just not aware. However, I do know that UAE is not a pet-friendly country. For one, some pets (like dogs) are considered bad for some religious reasons. Pets are not allowed in the park or near the beach area. Pets are not allowed to be taken to any open court malls for a walk. It's really sad and frustrating for a pet owner like me.

Another frustrating and disappointing fact about the animals' condition in this country is how they are traded like a commodity. Sharjah Animal Market has been the target of many animal-lover supporters to regulate their selling of animals. Some have been found in a very inhumane condition like peacocks bound in a plastic bag and dogs kept in very small cages. Exotic birds and other animals have been sold too in paper bags instead of the proper cages.

Here is a link of some community journalists who shed light on what's happening in the Sharjah Animal Market. Kudos to Gulf News for allowing it to be publicized.

To all of you, if you cannot take care of an animal, then don't get one! Be responsible. Treat them nicely. Imagine what it feels like to be in a cage with your own manure and urine? Want to trade places with an animal? No! Then be kind!

Loyal Canine in Japan's Tsunami

I saw a poignant video of a dog who sat by his dog friend during the tsunami/earthquake in Japan. I cannot help but cry and wonder why humans cannot be like dogs - loyal and true.

If you have seen the video, you can feel the love of an animal to a fellow animal. Then you'll see why dogs are man's bestfriend - and a mutt's companion too.

Tiny Cat Village

Nothing makes me go "awwww" when a human being does something good to our furry, four-legged pals. I came across this article in the internet about a man who built cat-sized village for the homeless cats in Jacksonville. 

Craig Grant is not a fan of cats but his son moved out of the house and left a cat to his care. Little did he know that the cat was pregnant and soon had a litter of 5. 

He bought a 30-acre tree farm land near his Jacksonville condo and moved there. He erected the tiny cat village as a shelter for homeless cats and now houses 660 happy and purry pals!

Check out these photos and credit goes to Caboodleranch.com.

What a marvelous cat village!!! Don't you just love happy endings? :)

Lady Gaga's Gone Too Far

I respect PETA so much albeit I am not a staunch follower. I love pets, I love animals and respect their well-being. 

I read recently in the web that Lady Gaga sported "meat" inspired dress. So, I searched the net for pictures and almost gag when I saw her donning the outrageous outfit with matching mini head piece and shoes!

She said she did not mean any disrespect by wearing the meat-dress. What ever her reasons were for donning such a tacky outfit is up to her. However, think of the tormented animals being butchered to have that dress done - if that dress is indeed made of real "raw meat." 

Franc Fernandez, the designer, did not leave a comment. 

Lady Gaga has just gone overboard this time. People have accepted her theatrical performance and outfits but this one is just over the top!

Happy Millie

Hubby and I decided to have a breakfast at the nearby McDonald's. We took Millie along. We haven't walked Millie for sometime now because of the extreme weather. That won't be too good for her and for me too.

I just noticed how Millie loves to go around for a drive. She prefers sitting in the car rather than walking. She always sit in the middle of the road after few minutes of walk and loves to be carried. Such a diva!

We sometimes take her to our family outings but Dubai is not too pet friendly in most public places. So, what we do is just tag her along and let her see the beaches and the neighborhood.

This was taken last year on our trip to Atlantis in The Palm, Jumeirah. She had fun! We did too :)

Inhuman Humans!

I was appalled when I read this post about a cat serial killer in The Springs here in Dubai. Who would harm a hapless and gentle animal? I hope justice is served to this or these 'beast/s' who roam the streets of Dubai shooting on poor cats with their BB or air gun. Why don't we turn the tables around???

Please read this article posted in Gulf News few days ago. If you are from Dubai, please report any untoward incidents regarding your pets to the local police. Our furry friends need our voice!

Their Plea

It is really heart-breaking to know that there are many irresponsible pet owners here. I received an email from a friend about the animals on "death row" in the kennel. These furry friends have been, once in their lives, pets of families. Now, they have been abandoned and left to die.

Please be responsible pet owners. If you think you cannot take care of them, then don't give your kids one and when you're done, you just leave them to fend for themselves. Our pets have no voice. No one will speak for their sad plight. It is not their fault so stop being cruel!

To my friends in Dubai, if you want to adopt or foster a pet, please visit this site:

http://www.friendsofanimalsdxb.com/animalsondeathrow.htm

They deserve a chance to live a happy life. Give them that chance...

Good Bye Lola

Lola was our spunky and fat guinea pig who was the other half of Git. Lola was a little ball of fuzzy fur when I bought her from a pet shop 4 years ago. She was small and afraid. She was 3 years old when she joined our Creator this morning. She now lives in heaven with her other babies.

It took me a while to break the news to my daughter who has been through the ordeal of losing her pet Sheepy on 28 July, 2008. This is a part of a pet-owners' experience - dealing with a loved pet.

We will all miss our fur ball named Lola. She was the naughtiest and bravest cavy we ever had. Git will miss you a lot Lola. Go and play in your heavenly meadows with your other kids now . You've brought so much joy in our lives and we will forever be grateful. We will always love you...

(Dec. 2006 - Feb. 22, 2010)

Missing Your Pet?

I am a pet lover and my pets are not just four-legged creatures sharing a place in my home but they are part of the family. I will do everything I can to ensure that they are well cared, showered with love and treated as part of the family.

I am not surprised by how pet owners in the USA treat they precious furry buddies as one of the family members. They make sure that the animals are covered with health care and other benefits, receive their regular health and medical check ups and grooming. So, it comes as no surprise when a loved pet becomes "missing."

It is really great to know that there is a "missing pet alert" service in the US which can assist in locating lost pets. PetAmberAlert is a service which assists pet owners in helping find their pets. When the information is gathered from the pet owner by the Lost Pet Amber Alert, one of the staff will facilitate the process of spreading the information to animal shelters, veterinarians, groomers, animal control offices, media, police stations, pet shops and neighborhood watch volunteers. The posters containing information about the lost pet is sent via express mail, facsimile or email as instructed by the pet owner. People who have seen the posters will notify Pet Amber Alert via their website or hotline if they found or sighted the animal concerned.

As a member of the highly trusted TRUSTe and a verified certificate holder of the same, Pet Amber Alert is not a scam. Its purpose and objective is help you find your lost pet and with that, comes their integrity to assist you in their utmost ability.

Why I Love our Pets!

I am re-posting this. I can't get enough of my sweet Millie. So, this is in honor of all the pets who have come and go in our lives. Just few reasons why we love our pets so much. Enjoy the read!

~oOo~

Pets are normally man's best companion, not just dogs, but pets in general. I grew up in a house full of pets and I have always loved them. I took the responsibility of taking care of them while I was young and I am teaching my daughter the same responsibility.

Why do I love pets? Let me count the ways:

1. They don't judge you. They just love you for who you are and that's unconditional!
2. They lick your worries away.
3. They are so cute and cuddly no matter the shape and size and color they represent.
4. They are warm and fuzzy.
5. They follow you as their master but loves you just the same.
6. They know who you are even from afar. No introduction required!
7. They make me smile.
8. They listen to my whines and woes. They listen to my laughter and tears.
9. They keep me company.
10. They are beings.

Monday Party Game - Animal Shelter

I love animals! I love this game! My daughter introduced me to this game and I am hooked, the way I am hooked to my pet Hoppy in Pet Society.

Warning: This game is full of cuteness and I can guarantee hours and hours of fun!

Animal Shelter

Modern David and Goliath

I found this video very funny and amusing. Guess who won!

Not the size of the dog in the fight.. @ Yahoo! Video

Barking Bloody Murder

I got used to dogs who barely bark. All our dogs before, even the bigger breed, seldom bark. This little Millie of ours bark like crazy when she hears footsteps from the hall and other voices. I want her to stop because I don't want to cause any inconvenience to neighbors bearing in mind that we live in a flat not in a villa with an open yard.

There are ways to actually curb your dog's barking. Here are some tips on how:

1. Put on a 'spraying' collar. This spray collar gets activated when the dog starts barking. It sprays citronella which is safe for animals. The negative stimulus teaches your dog to cease barking.

2. Use a 'shock' collar. Personally, I am against this one even if it emits mild electrostatic shock. The sting can still hurt and I find this cruel to the animal.

3. Say "No" firmly. If your pet stops from barking after you said no, give the dog a cookie dog treat. Praise lavishly when your pet follows your command.

4. Use a dog trainer's whistle to call your pet's attention. Repeat if the dog barks again. That might give your pet a little reminder to stop.

5. I have this little trick I do with my Millie. When she starts barking, I say NO firmly and lift my slipper. She stops. Always work for me. I don't hit her though. I just show her who is the "alpha."

Well, if there are still other ways to stop your dog's nuisance barking before you get an eviction notice, please feel free to share it here.

Love your pets! They are your best friends...

Man's Best Friend

A dog is a man's best friend. It keeps you happy. It follows you around. It shows you its loyalty. It is always happy to be with you. A dog is like an extended family member with four legs.

It has been a while since I had a dog. It must have been ages! The last dog I ever loved so dearly was my pug named Rambo. I had him for almost 10 years until I left for Dubai. We had dogs after Rambo, the bigger kind like the Japanese Akita dog, and 2 yellow labs. I never had the chance to get close to these dogs because I was away and they are all gone now.

Having a pet here in Dubai is such a hassle. For one, they are exorbitantly expensive. I find this place not dog-friendly. Pets are not allowed to roam with their owners in malls and parks. Most landlords do not let their tenants to have pets at home. I just don't know why. However, I still managed to have one through adoption. The building administrator allowed me to keep a small pet. It was serendipity, really. A colleague forwarded an email almost 3 weeks ago about the owners leaving for UK and could not take their dog with them. I saw the picture of "Millie" and I fell in love with her right away. I told myself, "I should have this dog for my daughter." I called the owner but was unsuccessful because he already promised Millie to a family.

I have told my hubby that and he said we would just adopt another one in the shelter. Luck must be by my side because last week, I got a call from the owner of Millie asking if I was still interested. The rest was history!

We now have a dog! Our first family dog is a Bichon Frise and her name is Millie. She is already an old dog but we don't mind. She is such a bundle of energy. She leaps and sometimes bark bloody murder! She loves having her tummy scratched and loves to jump on the bed with us in the morning. She enjoys having walks and a smart dog too. She knows when it's time for her walk and will gently nudge the leash hanging near the door to signal the activity. She grows on everyone at home real fast. She is such a sweetheart!

My daughter still doesn't know and it's a big surprise. So, once again my heart is fluttering for man's best friend.

Disoriented Dolphins

I know humans get disoriented but never realized that dolphins do as well. About 200 to 300 dolphins were found in the shallow waters of Manila Bay yesterday near Bataan. Villagers, volunteers, fishermen and the navy were together in their effort to drive back the pod of dolphins to the deeper part of the sea. They were found swimming back and forth in an obvious state of disorientation where the probable cause is not yet defined.

I am so grateful to the courageous people who did their part to save these hapless animals. God Bless you all (and the dolphins!).

(Photo from: Daily Mail and Reuters)

Goodbye our dear Sheepy

Letting go of someone, even a pet, is so hard to do. We were not ready to say good bye to Sheepy but deep inside I knew we had to. My heart is not strong enough to face losing someone and I categorize my pets in that area too. Sheepy had to say good bye this afternoon. What's more heartbreaking was the call I got from my crying princess. My daughter has always been a strong kid. She doesn't cry in front of us. I have not seen her cry because of someone nor something. She's just steadfast unlike me. I wear my heart in my sleeve.

I know this was inevitable. The moment I saw his condition last night, I could tell it wasn't good. I tried my best to give Sheepy the comfort even for the last few hours he had. I guess it was his time. I never knew why he suddenly got ill when he was only 1 year and 2 months. He was our dear, gentle cavy.

I don't know if I did the right thing by giving my daughter pets to take care of. I was just teaching her how to be responsible to another living thing. I know that giving her company in the form of our 5 guinea pigs will make her a compassionate and responsible kid. I didn't mean to expose her to this kind of reality. I didn't want her to see the pet suffer and worse, die under her watch. I feel so hurt seeing her cry. Last night, she fell asleep crying and when I came home from work this afternoon, she was crying again and this time, all I could do was to assure her that our Sheepy is in heaven now sans the suffering. At her young age, I know it will be painful to accept that the pet you have taken cared of will one day leave. She still has to grasp the concept of life and death but I hope I did the right thing by giving her pets to love and care.

My heart is breaking right now. I just hope I will be able to console her with the fact that she gave Sheepy the best love a guinea pig could ever have.

So long Sheepy, sleep tight. We are happy that you have been a part of our lives. You will be missed.(Sheepy: May 3, 2007 - July 28, 2008)

Sheepy

Just as I was exuding with great happiness because of my nice blog template, I learned that our dear guinea pig pet, Sheepy has fallen ill. He is exhibiting the following symptoms of serious illness like deep breathing, lethargy, risen and puffy fur, eye discharge and loss of appetite. I called the vet right away because I couldn't take him to the clinic anymore as it's late. The doc advised me to force feed him with water laced with sugar and to apply eye ointment to clear the discharge. My daughter has fallen asleep crying because this is the first time for her to see our beloved pet having a hard time breathing. My heart aches to see my daughter get hurt and same goes to my pet Sheepy. I just wish he get's better. I can't afford losing someone so dear to us. Please help me pray for our little Sheepy to get well. We love him so much...