SKC Dog Show (Sunday, 1 Nov 2009)

Dear readers,

The end of the year is almost upon us. How time flies! Do not forget to stay tuned to our blog as we have many doggie events lined up, especially for November. First up in November, we have:

Singapore Kennel Club's Asian Kennel Union Championship Dog Show

Featuring:
SKC Championship Dog Show
Obedience, Agility & Jumpers Trials
Companion Dog Show

When? 1 Nov 2009 (Sunday)
What time? 9am – 6pm
Where? Singapore Expo Hall 4B

Admission: $6 (adult) & $1 (dog). Children below 12 get in free!

Noah's Ark volunteers will be hard at work, manning our booth and doing their part to raise funds for the animals. Come lend your support by visiting our booth and purchasing our merchandise. We have newly designed t-shirts, memo pads and post-it notes for sale. Moreover, our 2010 calendars will be on sale too! If you have already bought one for yourself, please do not hesitate to buy some for your friends and family too!

Everyone needs a calendar especially with 2010 just around the corner and would make great Christmas or birthday presents...don’t you think? Alternatively, you can visit http://noahsarkcares.blogspot.com/2009/09/2010-calendar.html and purchase from us through an online order form. Stocks are running REALLY low, so get yours today!

Thank you for reading and we hope to see you there! Do not forget to bring your dogs along too for a day of fun, games and socializing. That’s it then, see you on Sunday! :D

My First Experience at Noah's Ark

As I approached Noah’s Ark, I could already feel it in my bones that I was in for a special experience. Just standing outside at the gates, hearing the deafening barks of the animals inside were enough to confirm the sentiments that I felt. I’ve heard stories of Noahs Ark from people who had been there on visits, but nothing they said could prepare me for what was in stall. When the gates opened, we were immediately surrounded by dogs of all sizes. They were jumping and running up to us, each one desperately nudging their noses against us, each wanting just a piece of acknowledgement and needing that little affection from us; it was overwhelming. By the time I finally got into the house, my white shirt had already turned to a shade of brown, complemented with designs of paw prints on it!

Marian's first visit to Noah's Ark

On the first night, it was hard for us to sleep. The occasional barking of the animals outside was enough to keep us awake through most of the night and I found myself waking at the break of dawn by the deafening barks as the dogs woke up eager to see their handlers.

Pick me!!

It was during this trip, that I had a taste of what it was like to be a veterinarian. Raymund must really be given credit for his patience and tenacity as he and the attending vet gave us very clear and precise instructions what was expected of me as I assisted in the various procedures. What was a simple procedure to them took twice as long for me to complete. Whether it was holding the scalpel blade at the start of the operation or even just holding the needles holder, I was undoubtedly nervous and it was blatantly displayed by my trembling hands. Sometimes having Raymund standing in close proximity did not help at all, causing my hands to shake even more!

However, with his encouragement and a constant reminder to breathe and relax, I managed to succeed and finally did various parts of the operation by myself. When he felt that I was quite safe to be left on my own, he sat close by in the next room eating cookies and started telling the dogs around him how students like us were causing him to put on weight as he had to find ways to occupy himself while we practiced our surgical skills! I bet this must have been his ploy to help me relax and not be so tense! Hee hee.

What was initially a nerve wrecking experience soon became a routine procedure. In time, I realized my hands were no longer trembling with nervousness! I had learnt to suture up a wound and how to feel for the various reproductive organs in an animal’s abdomen. It felt truly amazing and the confidence I gained from having such hands on experience was priceless. Throughout the trip, I got to learn how to perform sterilizations on both dogs and cats. It was a good hands-on experience, and being able to watch those procedures from a very close proximity was an opportunity not to be missed. We were shown the different aspects of shelter medicine and it was really an eye opener.

Going to Noah’s Ark was an unforgettable trip for me. It served as a good reminder for me as to why I wanted to become a veterinarian in the first place - to help animals.

Trevis, another vet student visiting Noah's Ark for the 1st time too!

Raymund has proven that with passion and enough determination, anything is possible. Anyone and everyone can play their part and improve the lives of strays. In the midst of studying, one tends to get lost and forget main goals. I was reminded that being a veterinary student is not simply about studying just to pass exams and gain the qualifications, but is it to also gain as much knowledge as possible to better equip one’s self for any scenario presented in the future. It was only after having numerous discussions with Raymund and personally seeing the fate of numerous strays that I was able to truly comprehend the need for more shelters like Noah’s Ark that provide a safe haven for the animals. Being able to rehome an animal is always a desirable outcome, but humans still need to be educated on being responsible pet owners for as they say, “A pet is for life”.

Thank you Uncle Raymund for what you are doing for all the strays and the homeless and most of all, thank you for taking that time to guide and instruct me and having the faith in me.

**Story contributed by Marian Low

Dog Walk at West Coast Park on 24 Oct

First of its Kind Collaboration

The Rotary Club of Tanglin is organizing a fund raising event that benefits both children and dogs. Register and support this first of its kind event and help raise funds for Noah's Ark CARES!

Disappointed that there was no National Dog Walk this year? Fret not! Here's one for you and your dogs!

Event Details
Date : Saturday, 24 October
Time : 5.00pm to 6.00pm
Location : West Coast Park (Car Park 1) Next to the Dog Run

Registration Time : 4.00pm to 4.45pm
Flag Off : 5.00pm (approx 1.5km walk)

Cost (Per Dog) : $10/-
Cost (Per Human) : $20/-

Goody Bags

* Two hundred goodie bags & two hundred woofy bags for the first two hundred owners & dogs to turn up at registration booth at 4.00pm.

Please produce your registration receipt to claim your goody / woofy bag. 200 Woofy Bags kindly sponsored by Royal Canin

How Do I Register?

Email the following details to info@noahsarkcares.com

1) Names & Number of People Attending
2) Number of Dogs Attending and Breed

How do I Make Payment?

Fund Transfer via Internet Banking
* please email us when you have done the fund transfer and ensure you state your full name in the bank transfer and date of transfer.

We look forward to seeing you and your dogs at West Coast Park!

Zeus Mongrel

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank The Rotary Club of Tanglin for organsing and sponsoring Dogathon '09.

For providing the Woofy Bags for our Fur Friends

To Err Is Human, To Forgive, Canine

On 30 May 2009, Lynda Goh, Vice President of Noah’s Ark, was invited to give a speech at the ‘Better Owner, Better Dog’ seminar and she shed light on the reality of pet abandonment, human animal bonding and gave a slight overview on Noah’s Ark.






Grayson Cheng fileding Q&A during the pets magazine seminar


Dr Simon Quek of Mt Pleasant Animal Centre (West Branch)

The topic of pet abandonment was also broached and we felt that it was also good to share with you, our blog readers.

Not wanting your pet any longer is already an irresponsible act on its own. Not to mention, the reasons for abandoning them. However, there are ways to rectify one’s recklessness.

There have been countless reasons for people giving up their pets. Unfortunately, these reasons are usually unjustifiable and extremely common. For example, many claim that they’re downgrading, a wife is giving birth or someone has developed asthma. Many don’t think twice about whether they will be keeping their pets for life and worse still, many others don’t wonder how their pets will survive if they were left stranded just like that. For truth is, they can’t, as domestic pets cannot fend for themselves after being sheltered their whole lives.

If you ever find yourself unable to keep your dog anymore, please don’t take the easy way out by leaving them out in the cold for they are helpless. So try your best to find it a new home, a fosterer or even a pet kennel as temporary shelter. If your dog is drastically ill, even euthanasia will be a more humane act rather than neglecting it. Your dog would rather have you there when it takes its last breath instead of having to die alone in an unfamiliar environment.

The human animal bond is still as mysterious as it is powerful. Dogs are actually powerful teaching tools for children. If they’ve grown up with dogs, chances are, they’ll grow to be more tolerant, respectful, disciplined and trusting. Not only are dogs good for children, but they can effortlessly make an elderly person’s day by keeping them company and spreading their love during animal assisted therapy.

If there’s anything one should believe in, it’s that there should always be a solution to a problem. If you suddenly find yourself too busy for your dog, giving it up should not be the first thing to cross your mind. Simple solutions such as doggie day care, occasionally hiring a pet sitter or even simple 10 minute walks with your dog will suffice and your dog will still love you with all its heart.

And what if external factors come into play? What if your child is fairing badly in exams or your maid has left and no one can tend to the dog? – Do something about it. Start being responsible and stop blaming others or even the dog, for it all boils down to disciplining your dog and acting like a proper owner.

Do remember, that there is no such thing as a problem dog, but there is such a thing as a problem owner. Hence, once you learn to become a better owner (and a better person), voila, you’ll get yourself a better dog!

To date, Noah’s Ark now shelters 800 dogs, 500 cats, 5 horses and a few small animals, mostly due to the irresponsibility and selfishness of countless human beings. So believe or not, if you stick with your dog till the very end, it will always be there for you, embracing joy with you and licking your tears away. It will always be your best friend, till it’s very last breath.


**Story contributed by Zen Law

BoBo, The Lucky Stray by Lee Kim Hong

The drain canals in Lim Chu Kang Chinese cemetery smells of death. When the dogs know that their days are numbered, they will wait quietly for death to come inside the drain. BoBo was one of the unfortunate dogs. She knew exactly how tortuous the wait was.

During one of my feeding rounds, we heard her "engine-liked" breathing and that led us to where she was hiding. It was deep into the drains. We were unable to reach her, a bamboo stick was used to shove her out. Out came not only BoBo but heaps of rubbish. It answered our question of the missing dog as we had not seen her for days during our routine feeding.

To our astonishment, the lower portion of her left leg was rotten, her feet was gone and there was a deep rounded cut mark around her ankle. Red raw flesh can be seen and there was kerosene smell as well. We could tell from her eyes that she wanted us to stop her misery.

Vets examining Bobo's hind leg

Without further ado, we sent her to the vet. As usual, the vet's first question to us were "What are you going to do if she manages to survive the ordeal?", "How about putting her to sleep?" etc. We were at a loss but we were sure that every living being has a purpose in life on this earth.

We asked the vet to save her and we will worry about what to do next later. Her left leg was amputated and she recovered pretty well within two weeks. Being left with so little to defend herself, we knew that it was impossible for her to go back to the cemetery. That place looks deceptively safe. Countless dogs were either abused or poisoned and laid dead unknowingly in their own "coffin".

BoBo after surgery, had to have her hind leg amputated


BoBo coping with three legs

In a desperate attempt, we made a SOS call to Lynda and hoped that Noah’s Ark can accept this poor dog. She was very kind to say yes....and that was how BoBo landed at the animal heaven. This was not without costs. BoBo had trade-off her leg to exchange for the ticket to Noah's Ark. At least we know she's happy there, not needing to worry about food, water or shelter again.

After a good swim at Noah's Ark


BoBo enjoying the freedom at Noah's Ark

With limited resources, we cannot afford to put all the dogs at Noah’s Ark or pet kennels. Our hearts weep when we know there’s so much to be done but yet so little was done.

The feeding at the CCK Chinese cemetery continues……

**Story contributed by Lee Kim Hong

A heartfelt thank you to the Pet Lover's Foundation

Dear everyone,

In our line of charity and volunteer work, it isn't always easy when it comes to obtaining funds, sponsorships and support. Finding the people to believe in our work can be rather challenging, especially with the financial crisis looming over our heads. We are thankful however, that there are people out there who believe in Noah's Ark and strongly support our cause.

On World Animal Day 2009, Pet Lover's Center launched the Pet Lovers Foundation. Although they have been generously donating to the numerous animal charities in Singapore since 1973, they have decided to up its corporate social responsibility ante this year. This was how the Pet Lovers Foundation was formed and their motto is to serve "Pets, People and our Planet".



Noah's Ark is extremely honoured and thankful that we have been chosen to be one of its beneficiaries of this foundation. Thank you Mr Ng Whye Hoe, Managing Director of Pet Lover's Center for generously donating $$1000 worth of vouchers to Noah's Ark. On our part, we will be using those vouchers to purchase canned food for our old and sick animals at Noah's Ark.



Moreover, when you purchase one of Pet Lover’s Center house brand products such as “Burp!” and “Trustie” and their exclusive import products, proceeds from the sale of these items will be donated to Pet Lovers Foundation Beneficiaries, where Noah’s Ark is one of them.


We would like to thank Pet Lovers Foundation for believing in our work. To all our supporters and friends out there, thank you. Without your help, donations and support, Noah's Ark will not be what it is today.

Thank you once again, from the bottom of our hearts.


Yours sincerely,
Noah's Ark CARES

World Animal Day 2009

Dear Friends of Noah’s Ark,


World Animal Day was started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species. Since then it has grown to encompass all kinds of animal life and is widely celebrated in countries throughout the world. October 4 was chosen as World Animal Day as it is the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.


It is intended as a day of celebration for anyone in the world who cares about animals. It is not restricted to any one nationality, creed, religion, political belief or ideology. World Animal Day is not linked to any one individual, organisation or campaign, but belongs to everyone.


For us at Noah's Ark, our work involves working with the neglected and abandoned dogs, especially the strays who are at the core of our welfare's work. Today, we would like to use this special day to commemorate our love and respect for animals by highlighting the importance of animals in the world. We dedicate this following poem to all the strays that struggle to make it through each day.

Through Lost Eyes
By Kelli O. Kersell

Come see the world through the "Eyes of the Lost",
Come feel the pain, come pay the cost.
You see them in alleyways, hiding in doors,
They shiver in winter, they're soaked when it pours.
Some may have once known a better life.
Then abandoned alone to this world of strife.
Their food's from the dumpsters, or off of the street,
Their throats grow parched in the summer heat.
In their fear and confusion, they quietly cry.
While still others must watch their little ones die.
Coats filled with fleas, mats and tatters.
They soon find out how little things matter.
Their bellies are empty, their spirits are torn,
Still they search on till their paws are worn,
My friend, I challenge you If you dare.
I ask, if you say you truly care.
Don't close your ears to the little ones cries,
See life...just this once..