Friday, February 27, 2009

Tribute to Ms Jojo Schnauzer

JoJo
Rescued on 23 July 2006
Passed away peacefully on 21 February 2009
Estimated age: 9 yrs old
JoJo was the second spokesdog for Noah's Ark in 2006,
helping to raise funds for her fellow fur friends
May she rest in peace

Dear Readers,

It is with a heavy heart that we are writing to inform you that Jojo Schnauzer passed away peacefully at 9.30am on the 21st of February.

3 years ago, Jojo Schnauzer was lost and wandered the streets of Geylang aimlessly. She was tired, hungry and missed her home dearly. One morning, she was quietly sitting at a coffee shop hoping to receive a bite. A kindly man, Mr Tan, approached her and upon seeing how hungry she was, set a plate of food down in front of her. It was her first decent meal in days! Jojo happily wolfed down her meal as Mr Tan walked around the food stalls, asking if anyone would like to adopt her. One stall owner initially agreed to take her in but had second thoughts and changed her mind. Because of this, Jojo was then sent to a nearby home for the aged in the hope that she would be adopted by someone else.


The next morning, Mr Tan returned to the coffee shop to check on Jojo but was told she was at a home for the aged. He was extremely upset to see that she had been confined in a bird cage. (http://noahsarkcares.blogspot.com/2008/04/jojo-schnauzer-cum-editor-of-noahs-ark.html) This was when he first contacted Noah's Ark and a representative came down to see her.

The representative decided that Jojo deserved a chance at being rehomed and subsequently sent Jojo for a medical check-up. Despite being 6 years old (as estimated by the vet), she passed all the necessary tests with flying colours! Subsequently, she was adopted by a kind lady who cared for her till the day she crossed the rainbow bridge.





These are what some friends of Jojo have to say:

A special contribution by a volunteer

Jojo was part of a team of Noah's Ark's road show dogs. She attended doggie events and school talks that educated children about the importance of sterilization, microchipping, the work of Noah's Ark and to adopt rather than buy a pet. Jojo helped Noah's Ark since the time she was found and adopted in 2006. It was mid 2007 when she retired as she started to become exhausted from the road shows and outings.

After her retirement, Jojo spent her days at home playing with her siblings and going on occasional outings. On Feb 14, 2009, Jojo attended her sibling's birthday party. Holly had recently turned 2 and held a birthday party to raise funds for Noah's Ark. Jojo had a good time at the party but when she arrived home that evening, she had blood in her urine. The next morning, her owner immediately took her to the Vet where they spent 4 hours at the Vet doing every possible test to find the cause of her being so unwell. She did a Complete Blood Count, had her urine tested, x-rays taken - but the Dr attending to her could not find anything wrong with Jojo except for some crystals in her urine. She was given antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine before being allowed to go home.

The next day, Jojo was back to her normal self and there was no more blood in her urine. She was fine for three days and on the fourth day after the visit to the Vet, Jojo suddenly became listless and had a loss of appetite. She spent the day sleeping and refused to eat all day. The following day, she simply refused to eat and just lie quietly in a corner. Her owner was extremely concerned so immediately took her to the Vet again as Jojo usually loves her meals and seldom refuses food. It was close to midnight when they headed for the Vet.

On the way to the Vet, Jojo was very quiet in the car and did not move at all. She didn’t seem well and her breathing became extremely laboured. Just before we got to the Vet, despite not having eaten for two whole days, Jojo threw up a lot in the car. Upon arrival, she was immediately put on a drip. Blood was taken from her and another x-ray was done.

The results of this recent test was a far cry from her normal results just barely a week ago. Her intestines and kidneys were inflamed and her heart looked abnormal. We were shocked and could not fathom the drastic change! The Doctor mentioned that JoJo's kidneys were very stressed and suggested we let her stay a few nights in the clinic.

We bade her farewell and headed home. Little did we know that was the last time we saw our darling Jojo alive. The Doctor called the owner in the morning at 9.30am and said Jojo was not doing well and we should come to see her. Before we could even leave the house, the Doctor called ten minutes later to say that JoJo’s kidneys had shut down and she was gone. She had been on a drip all night but all the fluids that went in did not come out. She did not urinate at all. Her organs had not been functioning well. The Doctor said she vomited a lot again just before she passed on.

When we arrived at the vet, we saw that they had laid little Jojo on the table in a private room and covered her bloated stomach with a towel. We kissed our darling Jojo goodbye for the last time. I felt that her body was still warm and could not control the wave of tears that threatened to fall. At the very least, Jojo seemed at peace after a night of struggling. We spent some time with her in the room and arranged for her to have a private cremation. Despite having her for only a few short years, she was more than just an adopted dog to us. She was part of our family.

We never knew why Jojo was abandoned, but we are glad she was a part of our lives. It was our greatest joy and honour to have spent three happy years with Jojo and we hope we brought as much happiness to her life, as she did to ours. We regret not being with her when she left us but I am sure Jojo knew that she meant the world to us, and that we loved and cared for her dearly and miss her tremendously. Jojo will always hold a special place in our hearts and will always be loved by us. SHE made a difference in our lives. God Bless Jojo.


JoJo in the middle with her friends Popsicle(left) and Snapple (right)


Eulogy by Mommy Lynda


It has been three years since JoJo first arrived in our home, but I recall clearly the first day JoJo spent the first night at our home, she was a sweet darling and a very good girl. In the middle of the night she would go to the bathroom on her own to pee and poo. Immediately, I saw that she must have had an owner previously as she was very well trained.

The next morning, I did what I had to do by placing advertisements with the press under “Lost & Found”, informed the relevant authorities, SPCA and AVA, that I had found a lost dog. Had it been my dog that was lost, I would have been devastated and I would have missed my dog dearly. But after a month had passed, no one ever came to claim JoJo.

There were many callers who called when the ad appeared in the press, all looking for their lost schnauzers, but none fit JoJo's description. I was initially hopeful that JoJo would be reunited with her owner, but as the days and weeks passed, my hopes were dashed. I realized that perhaps JoJo had been abandoned and not lost.

After more than a month, my family decided to keep JoJo. During this month while waiting to be claimed, JoJo had spent many nights sitting on my mother’s lap watching television. It was the first time that my mother had ever allowed a dog to sit on her lap. JoJo and my mom had become rather close and I came to the conclusion that perhaps JoJo belonged to an elderly person, which would explain the bond she had with my mom. JoJo liked to follow my mom around the house, watch my mom cook in the kitchen and keep her company while she read or watched TV.

JoJo gradually taught my mom to interact with dogs and I am so glad that it opened my mom’s heart. Before JoJo came into our lives, my mom showed no interest in dogs. Since JoJo came into our lives, I often heard my mom talking to JoJo, which was something she never ever did before. I was astounded and touched by this and felt extremely blessed to have Jojo.

Every morning, when we awoke, JoJo would look for my mom first without fail, as if it was her duty to keep watch on her. Just last night, my mom commented that the house was now so quiet without JoJo around. When JoJo was around, she would watch television with my mom and would “grumble” if it was past their bedtime! For the past few nights that grumbling is no longer heard, but we can still picture JoJo in our house, snuggling to sleep in her favourite spots.

Whilst JoJo was with us, we took her to road shows to interact with people and children. JoJo also volunteered her time and interacted with the kids at a Children’s Home, teaching children about guardianship and that owning a pet is a lifetime commitment.


Jojo (left) visiting a sick friend




Out in the park with Fur Friends

We also shared with people the beauty of adopting an older dog. These older dogs that enter your lives are grateful to you for adopting them and giving them a second chance in life. No doubt their life spans may be shorter, but if you can help by giving them a few good and happy years, why not? JoJo made a difference in the children’s lives she touched, and will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Jojo (2nd from right) at Pawtobello


Dear JoJo,

We will miss you dearly and we will remember all the good times that we had together with your fur friends.

You were a good girl and you had always been a joy to the family. We are thankful that you did not suffer much during your last days but you left us so suddenly and we were not prepared for your departure. We are still shocked by your passing.

We wish that we had more time to say good bye. We will remember the times we had together on 14 February ’09 at US Doggie Bakery with all your fur friends. I hope you had a good life before you left us.

JoJo, now that you have crossed the bridge and over the rainbow – please go and say hi to all your other siblings and tell them that I still miss them and will always remember each and every fur kid of mine.

May you rest in peace.

Love,
Mommy Dearest



Outing with with Fur Friends

Eulogy by Holly (Mini Dachshund), 2 yrs old

Dear Jie Jie JoJo,

Thank you for being my playmate and for allowing me to bully you and pull your beard and pull your ears each time we played. I know you loved me a lot, which was why you sat patiently while I naughtily pulled your beard and your fur. I know that I am the youngest at home and you always gave in to me like a big sister.

I am sorry that I had been a naughty brat and that I bullied you, but I know that you adored me.

With love,
Holly


Eulogy by Nikki (JRT), 14 yrs old

Dear Jo,

The house has been pretty quiet without you around. I miss all the arguments we had most mornings and evenings. Now that I have no one to argue with anymore, life has been rather dull.

I know that we’re both pretty old and we were constantly at loggerheads with each other, like our fellow two legged human folk – but at the end of the day, we were still best friends right? We would share our cozy beds together and we ate together during meal times.

When dogs get older – we all go through the same process, we tend to sleep more, forget things, argue as to who is right and who is wrong – and we never give in because we are always right! The truth is that although we get on each other’s nerves all the time, we love and need each other all the same.

Farewell my friend, till we meet again in heaven.

Love your controlling old mate,
Nikki

Eulogy by Prince (Mongrel), 1 yr old

I knew Jojo especially loved belly rubs and snuggling up next to warm bodies. Like any other dog, she enjoyed treats and pats. She was always ready to greet me with a goofy smile whenever I came to visit! It was great having to grow up with Jojo as part of my foster family. I miss her dearly and am sad that I'll no longer be able to play with her anymore.

Love from a regular visitor,
Mr Prince Mongrel


JoJo, this is a special post from all your fur friends. We miss you greatly, but we are comforted knowing that you are happy where you are. We take comfort in knowing we will meet again someday. Rest in peace.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Marley & Me Charity Premiere tickets all sold out!

Dear everyone,

Thank you for supporting Noah's Ark Cares in our very first movie charity premiere. Your support in one way or another has made this fund raising event a great success. Thank you to all our kind sponsors and supporters who made this fund raising event possible. To all our friends who bought the tickets – no words can express our heartfelt gratitude.

We hope you had a terrific night out, meeting friends and catching up with fellow animal lovers. We're quite sure the sponsored packet of tissue papers came in handy! After the movie, we are convinced that many of you would be more appreciative of your dogs. And if you do have a Marley at home, do remember that you mean the world to him/her.



Our work of art

Loved the movie Marley & Me? Can't get enough of the 100-pound labrador?

In conjunction with the Charity Movie Premiere organised jointly by Twentieth Century Fox and Noah's Ark CARES, we are happy to announce that Twentieth Century Fox has generously donated Owen Wilson's shirt, while Ms Ng Choong Leng has kindly donated Marley's Dog House and last but not least, a very beautiful painting of a dog, generously donated by local artist, Mr Koh Tien Gui in aid of our fund raising event.

These 3 items are:

1. Marley's Dog House (min starting bid $888) YES, it is the EXACT SAME DOG HOUSE that Marley made use of in the movie!


Marley's dog house - front view



Marley's dog house - side view



2. Owen Wilson's shirt (min starting bid $288) If you are a big Owen Wilson fan, you can finally own a piece of him all the way from Hollywood!


3. Painting titled "Oogling Oreo" painted and donated by local artist Mr Koh Tien Gui. (min starting bid $1288)



Yesterday, Tuesday, 17 February, Marley's Dog House was shown to the public at the Charity Premiere. Subsequently, the dog house will be showcased at Pet Safari Vivo City from 17-26 February 2009. Please take the time to go down and view the house if you are thinking about bidding for it.

All interested parties can place their bids by printing the attached Auction Form and submit your form to Noah's Ark CARES (42 Cairnhill Road#02-01 Singapore 229661) with the bid amount and item you are interested in.

The closing date for the auctions is Sunday, 1 March 2009. Results will be announced on Friday, 6 March 2009 on our Noah's Ark CARES' blog www.noahsarkcares.blogspot.com. The highest successful bidder for each of the different items will then be contacted via email.

Help feed our animals at Noah's Ark and continue to raise even more funds for the animals by bidding for these rare items that are truly one of our kind :D

Thank you for your support!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Marley & Me - Tuesday 17th February

To all who bought Marley & Me charity premiere tickets,

Our dogs worked hard at Pet Lovers Centre Vivo City from 2pm to 5.30pm on the 7th of February in order to sell movie tickets. Thank you for coming down, saying hi and filling our donation cans!

Please collect your tickets from VivoCity GV this evening, Tuesday 17th February, between 6.30pm to 7pm. Noah's Ark will have a table located on level 3, near the cinema halls. A complimentary drink and popcorn will also be given to you upon collection of the movie tickets.

On your seat there will be goodie bags filled with items that have been generously sponsored by Pet Lovers Centre http://www.petloverscentre.com/ and US Doggie Bakery (USDB) http://www.usdb.com.sg/, so please watch where you sit!

Finally, sit back, relax and enjoy Marley & Me!

See you this evening and thank you very much once again for supporting Noah's Ark!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

My first fostering experience

It was past midnight when we picked up Sanuk, the first dog that I ever fostered. When I first saw her, she reminded me of a gangly teenager with her long legs and rather clumsy movements.

My dog, Monster, didn’t like Sanuk on sight. I made the mistake of introducing the 2 girls in Monster’s territory instead of bringing her downstairs onto neutral ground for their first meeting. Monster sniffed at Sanuk suspiciously and making up her mind that she didn’t like the newcomer’s presence, she growled and barked non-stop. All this was happening at 1.30am in the morning! I was so afraid that my neighbours would come knocking.

Initially, Sanuk was very shy and timid. She zeroed in under my bed and refused to come out despite my coaxing. After a while, I gave up, switched off the lights and tried to get some rest.

It was quite a comical situation. Nervous being in a strange new place, Sanuk constantly poked her head out from below my bed and twisted her neck around to peep at me. Catching sight of Sanuk’s head, Monster would start barking and Sanuk automatically retreated back under the bed. This cat and mouse game went on the whole night.

By morning, Monster had still not warmed up to Sanuk. She was jealous whenever Sanuk came near me and would growl her immense displeasure. However, Sanuk seemed to have gotten used to me and seemed happy to just ignore Monster. After a hearty breakfast of milk and a packet of Cesar’s, she was happily dashing about - sniffing and investigating different corners of the house.

I spent the morning bathing both dogs. Monster was a breeze. Sanuk, however, got a fright at her very first bath. She yelped, jumped and clawed at my toilet door, as if trying to escape from the ‘torture’. After that, it was an entire day of toilet-training and letting the two girls adjust to each other. Sanuk was a smart girl and learnt pretty fast. By the 2nd day, she ran straight for the papers whenever she needed to pee or poop.

Of course, there were still “accidents” during the nights. As there were no newspapers in my room, she would do her business anywhere on the floor and I’d wake up to the “aroma” every morning. Despite already being rather big in size, I had to keep reminding myself that she was still a puppy. Eventually, she lived up to her “street-smart” credits as a mongrel! Within the first week, she learnt to nudge me to open my room door for her if she needed to do her business. When she wanted to come back in again, she would paw my door. I was amazed at her intelligence!

Since then, Monster and Sanuk bonded really well. They played together, slept together and ate together. Both of them were practically inseparable. When it was time for us to part as Sanuk was going to a new home, both Monster and I missed her presence dearly. Monster became unusually quiet during the first few nights. It is quite fortunate that Sanuk’s home is a short distance away and both Monster and I look forward to visiting her almost every weekend.



Sanuk & Kori - Sisters that have been adopted to forever homes


*Article contributed by Suzanne, a first time fosterer

Love is in the air


BFFs - Best friends forever!



There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face - Ben Williams



Zeus, the gentle giant



The Greatest Thing You Will Ever Learn, Is Just to love, and Be Loved in Return -Ewen McGregor, Moulin Rouge.



Where there is love there is life -Gandhi



Awww...don't look at me like that. We're just playing!



Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within the reach of every hand -Mother Theresa



No cord or cable can draw so forcibly, or bind so fast, as love can do with a single thread -Robert Burton



Can I please kiss you?



If you would be loved, love and be lovable -Benjamin Franklin


True love is eternal, infinite, and always like itself. It is equal and pure, without violent demonstrations: it is seen with white hairs and is always young in the heart -Honore de Balzac



Who says a cat & a dog can't be best pals?



Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres -1 Corinthians 13

Happy Valentine's Day!

Don't forget to give your pet a big hug & slobbery kiss!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Marley & Me Tickets

Dear readers,

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE MARLEY & ME CHARITY PREMIERE!

We are happy to announce that most tickets have been SOLD OUT, and only 1 row of $100 seats and 1 row of $10 seats are left.

If you haven't already done so, don't forget to BOOK YOUR SEATS TODAY.

If you have, we look forward to greeting you on the 17th of February.

Thank you once again & have a great week ahead!


- From all of us at Noah's Ark CARES

Monday, February 2, 2009

Charity Premiere of Marley & Me

Charity Premiere

Marley & Me


jointly brought to you by


Twentieth Century Fox and Noah’s Ark CARES


on Tuesday, 17 February ‘09


at Golden Village, VIVO City Hall 4





Dear Friends of Noah’s Ark,

You are specially invited to attend a movie premiere, Marley & Me, organized by Twentieth Century Fox and Noah’s Ark, one week before the actual movie screening, on February 17!

By now, most of you would have heard of Marley & Me, a book that was written by John Grogan on his Labrador, Marley. The book has now been adapted into a film starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, and directed by David Frankel. Marley & Me opens in Singapore cinemas February 26.

Movie Synopsis
As the snow falls on their wedding night, newlyweds John and Jenny Grogan (OWEN WILSON and JENNIFER ANISTON) decide to leave behind the harsh winters of Michigan and head south to begin their new lives in West Palm Beach, Florida. They obtain jobs as journalists at competing local newspapers, buy their first home, and begin to make their way through the challenges of a new marriage, new careers and, possibly, the life-changing decision to start a family.

Unsure of his preparedness for raising children, John confesses his fears to his friend and fellow journalist Sebastian, who comes up with the perfect solution: John should get Jenny a puppy. "There's nothing to it," says Sebastian. "You walk 'em. You feed 'em, you let 'em out now and then." Then came Marley.



MARLEY AND ME is a heartwarming and unforgettable story of life, love, family and the world's best - and worst dog.

Marley & Me opened at the US Box-Office at No.1 for 2 weeks running during the Christmas holiday period.

Watch the trailer below at: www.foxmovies.com.sg

Photos Courtesy of "Twentieth Century Fox"


Movie Details


Date: February 17, 2009 (Tuesday)

Location: Golden Village, VivoCity Hall 4

Screening Time: 7.15pm


Cost Per Ticket: Ticket Prices according to seat rows

Row H, J and K - $100 each (furthest from screen)

Row F and G - $50 each

Row C, D and E - $25 each

Rows A and B - $10 each


(All proceeds will be donated to Noah's Ark CARES)


To reserve and purchase your tickets:

(a) Send us an email at info@noahsarkcares.com providing contact details, ticket price and number of tickets required. Please state email subject as "Marley & Me Tickets". Payment can be made via funds transfer or cheque payable to Noah's Ark CARES. Please note that tickets will only be confirmed upon receipt of payment. There will be no refunds.

(b) Pet Lovers Centre at VivoCity, #03-05 on Saturday, 7 February from 2pm to 5.30pm

Come join us for a night out at the movies with your family and friends. Seats are limited so please do book early to avoid disappointment. THANK YOU!

We hope to see you there!

Lynda Goh
Vice President
Noah’s Ark CARES


Sponsored by




Supported by











Beneficiary of Animal Merchandise :)

Noah's Ark CARES Supporters