Pet People Reads

We have often found it difficult to find some of our pet related titles in local bookshops and the hassle of actually going into Kino where there’s the greatest selection, is well, a hassle.  Therefore, we’d like to introduce Book Depository as it’s cheaper than local bookstores, books get to you real quick and delivery is free.  We have often found titles unavailable locally and it’s so nice to get things in the post, even if you had to pay for it.

As I’m still new to this affiliate thingy, I am not certain if I have done it right so that Pet Epicure earns a small commission should you click on the banner and buy a book.  I’ll work at it but in the meantime, if you’re looking to expand your book collection and gain new knowledge, do give book depository a go.

book depository

book depository

Books we highly recommend include

Temple Grandin – Making Animals Happy

making animals hapy

Anita Frazier – The Natural Cat

the natural cat

Ian Billinghurst – The BARF Diet

the barf diet

Of Hope in all it’s shapes and forms

Today, I picked up Fritz (as he is to be known for now) the Doberman from Ara Ampang Animal Medical Centre.  His owners had asked for him to be put down because he had become paralyzed but Dr Jonathan got in touch with me asking about Reiki and Acupuncture.  In the end, we decided Fritz would come to my house.

Note: I have been called arrogant and foolish.  Today, I realised, it’s true :(

When I got Fristz to the house, the magnitude of what I have volunteered for erupted in my face.  After introducing him to my pack and settling the sweetie down on a nice mattress, I went in to investigate wheelchairs for dogs.  The severity of his disability having already shocked me to my core.

After ten minutes, I went outside and had my closest brush to a hysterial fit as I have ever had in my life.  There was blood EVERYWHERE.  First I thought one of the dogs had killed another.  Then I though, one of the dogs had eaten some part of another dog.  Then….worse thoughts ran through my mind.

When the red haze of terror and panic abated, I realised, Fritz had been ‘walking’ around the porch with Tristan and the blood was from the wounds on his back legs where they dragged along on the floor.  Realising my distressed, Tristan and Sheeri quietly snuck under the bench and hid their faces.

Taking (I’d like to say a few but reality disagrees) moments to calm myself, I manouevered Fritz back to his spot, leashed him to a sturdy table and went up stairs to pray and recover.  20 minutes later, I packed the bemused children into the are, went to the shop and picked up Kiss and Anya’s old crate, some washable wee wee mats, a longer leash and a selection of other items which I thought I might be able to fashion into a makeshift/temporary walking aid.  Amy, Erika and Olivia seemed unnaturally calm.

Then my Facebook/Twitter breakdown erupted.

And wonderful people from around the world responded. Moral support flowed in and honestly, it helped!  Dr Bel recommends cage rest, regular assisted walks and suspects possible ivermectin toxicity.  And/or a slipped disc.  Yen messaged me with contacts for Dr Dom who has a doggie wheelchair I might be able to borrow and for Lydia, a pet physiotherapist, whose own story is so inspiring, I’m sharing the link here.  Made me feel like a total wimp to be moaning and groaning when Lydia’s Hope was much worse off!  Dr Susanna has agreed to squeeze us in on Christmas Eve and Katarina will send Reiki this evening.  The kids even drew Fritz a picture to look at so he wouldn’t be too bored in the crate :)

The Universe sent help in so many ways and shapes, I now have hope.  Thank you all!  He’s now resting in his borrowed crate, with bandaged feet.  He had a good meal and has a bone to entertain him if it pleases him.

However, I think Fritz needs a new name…so let the suggestions roll in.

There’s no such thing as just an animal

A friend shared this heart warming story about an injured dog caring for a mixed litter.  Click here to read.  It is so touching and reminds us so emphatically why we have to keep on doing what we do.

Well worthing shedding a few tears over.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year folks.

HHPs Rock!

One of the reasons I support cat shows is that the Cat Fanciers Association actually encourages ethical breeders.  For instance, altered cats can compete and collect points in the Premier category.  This allows people who want to own and show pedigrees to particpate in cats shows without keeping a breeding animal.  If you’re serious about your breed and you can get a breeder to sell you can intact cat, you can then venture into breeding and showing intact cats in the Champion category.

But best of all, if you’re just a cat lover and have a well loved cat, you too are welcome to show off.  Yes, there is a category called Household Pets and this is where the real action and excitement lies.  Well, for me at least.

We took three of our adoptables and Shadow (our first ever cat, a tuxedo) to the recent MyCatz2010 at PICC and they ROCKED.  They were pitted against a few other shorthairs but also competed against longhaired cats and Persian and Maine Coon crosses.  These magnificent, well groomed and pouffy haired specimens won a lot of awards but our Molly, Ryker and Gerard brought home more than their fair share of ribbons.

I wish I had had the foresight and organisation to have taken photos.  They have a small stack ribbons and won food (which we have donated to Furry Friends Farm) and we are so proud of them.  Now, let’s hope they get new homes.  The thousands of spectators that wandered through the halls were amazed that HHPs could compete and that our three won so many.

One particular little girl charmed us by asking (somewhat vehemently and passionately) to adopt Molly.  Her parents were amused and said they would consider it but she spoke with such eloquence and confidence abuot how she would care for Molly and assume all the responsibilities that come with pet ownership.  I think the little girl has a better idea than many adults what a commitment it is.  Even is she cannot adopt (though I sincerely hope otherwise), I know she will one day make a few cats a very good companion.

I will end by being cheeky and asking anyone who does have photos to please email them to me so I can share them.  Thanks!

MyCats 2010

We are excited to inform you that Malaysia will host the first 12 ring CFA sanctioned show in Asia.

The top breeders from the region will be gathering in Putrajaya to see how well their cats conform to CFA breed standard.

If you are interested in pedigree cats, do make the time to visit the show.  We will also be showing our domestics there so come on over and support Pet Epicure’s adoptables.

For more information or to enter your cat, email mycats_show@yahoo.com

 

Adoption Drive Update & Thank Yo

Firstly, thanks have to go to Cornelia De Alwis of www.SkinDeco.net and PohLin Loke.  They got us stuff from My Lip Stuff, Serendipity and ApronBay.  We would also like to thank Terri from GenPharma, Roy from SeaPark Pet Supplies and Stan&Cas of Addiction.  The goodies bags would have been sad if not for your efforts.

Kudos Lisa from Sri Nyona for the yummy food.  It ain’t a party if there ain’t no grub.

Yen, thanks for hauling Don and your clobber all the way to make Furrenz‘s signature pet ID tags.

I also want to thank our friends and fans who blasted Facebook and Twitter with the news of our adoption drive.  While we only managed to find home for four cats, we are already feeling the ripple effect of so much publicity.  People have been calling and visiting and we’ll be giving out the goodie bags to the families who come to adopt over the next few weeks.

To date, we’ve only placed 35 cats this year.  To hit our dream of 50 this year, we would be over the moon but the credit for whatever else we achieve over the next few weeks will go straight to the wonderful people how have extended their help in all the myriad ways it was needed.

To family and extended family, by blood and marriage, We Love You!  And sorry there are no photos, our photo dude was busy helping to convince ppl to adopt :)

PS:- A friend of Wilson, the lovely Ginny Yap of www.obs3ssionsz.net blogged about her visit and posted PHOTOS! Thanks for coming and taking photo too.

Tame Pet Birds

For those of you who visited Pet Epicure back in the early days when we were near the banks, you may remember Jaime, our tame cocktiel.  She was the cheekiest and cleverest thing and helped me to realise that birds are so much more than we give them credit for.

After a many months, we added two more tiels to keep her company.  Gigi was ok with the idea of us handling her but Max, even from day one, despite having been hand reared, took offense at the idea of human interaction, never mind touch.

Sadly, we lost Jaime when a cat swiped at her while she was flying by.  The claws must have introduced some nasty bacteria into Jaime and she was lost to us forever.  No more would I have my Char Kuey Teow Inspector come to taste my food.  No more would we have hre little love bites.  And no more would our hairstyles be improved by her little adjustments.

Anyway, I recently came across a bird breeder while investigating a tame bird for Cian.  My youngest doesn’t actually have a pet of his own and has always been partial to birds.  I think they are cheeky like he is.  Anyway, here’s the link to Hazel Tan Yoke Chin and her tame tiels and lovies’ Youtube channel.

If you watch the one of her feeding the baby lovebirds, you can see how gentle she is and how conscientious she is with cleaning.  She’s essentially the best kind of breeder, someone who has pets whom she loves and spends lots of time with.

Tame Lovebirds

20% Store Wide Discount This Weekend!

In conjunction with out adoption drive this weekend, we’re offering an unprecendented 20% store wide discount on everything!  We’re sorry for the late notice as we’re sure many would’ve liked to save up for this.

What do you think of our new banner?

Hi, to celebrate our new banner, we’ll be rewarding every tenth comment with a bag of Angel Sashimi Cat or Dog treats.  I personally think it’s gorgeous but we want to hear your specific thoughts.  The banner features Jon’s little dog, Clifford and was designed by Chiueh.

Health benefits for children with pets

Researching this one made me cry.  I have always had pets (THANK YOU ma and pa) but I never realised I was lucky until I myself became a parent.  So many children nowadays are denied the simple pleasure of the company of a living being.  Instead they have PSPs, Nintendos and Wii.

While I had a Sega when I was 10 and access to the Internet when I was 15, and unlimited access to the TV, these thing never monopolised my time because we had dogs; dog to play with, dogs to go walking with, dogs to clean up after and dogs to feed.  I even learned to cook for my dogs and read books about dog breeds, training, health and just good ol’ feel good stories with animals in them.  I loved James Herriot and Enid Blyton’s Shadow the Sheepdog.

Don’t get me wrong, I have asthma but I think if I had had access to the pets from babyhood, it would be a different story.  But mum was advised against it and so we were kept clean and away from the ‘dirty creatures’.  However, as soon as I was old enough to choose, I would always be found in the company of our dogs.

Here are some great articles about the health benefits of having pets in relation to kids.  For those parents who are thinking of getting a pet for their, read and go to a shelter this weekend. Save a life and give your child a childhood worth remembering.  For those of you who keep the dog outside because it is ‘dirty’, lighten up and have  a bit of faith in the good ol’ immune system.  For those of you who think animals and children don’t go together, go out a meet kids who have pets.  Talk to them and watch them interact with their pets.  It’s heartwarming.

Benefits of raising kids and pets together

5 ways pets can improve your health

NYT explores the health benefits of pets

And just for fun, here’s the link to James Herriot’s site

Meg and Kiss

Meg and Kiss

Meg and Midnight

Meg and Midnight

Kiki and Sheeri

Bern and Barley

Bern and Barley

Kiki Sheeri
Cian and Truffle

Cian and Truffle

kid and dog

Sophie and Abbey