TheWongDogs

Precious Little Finds: The Duf Store

There is just something about discovering places which stock the quirkiest of stuff. One such find is The Duf Store.

Founded by graphic designer, Delia Goh, this entrepreneur married her interests to start The Duf Store: dogs, animals and a passion for design and crafts.

What attracted me most about The Duf Store is the opportunity to get Cory and Cole illustrated! Delia tells The Wong Dogs that she started out illustrating her Miniature Schnauzer, Duffy for her own collection, “It was only natural as I was taking tons of photos of him. You can say Duffy was my inspiration and I thought it would be a good idea to offer customised illustrations to other pet owners too.”

She adds that due to each piece being drawn by hand, an artwork can take about two weeks for the final product. “This is to allow minor tweaks in-between,” Delia explains.

Besides creating unique illustrations of people’s furkids, The Duf Store also makes a variety of accessories aimed at ladies. “Besides doing illustrations, my other interest in handmade crafts and products are also animal-related to I decided to offer it under The Duf Store too,” explains Delia.

For example, The Duf Store released a limited edition Night Owls Early Bird Necklace where you can choose from four different styles. “These are handmade and came about only when I went out to source for ideas and materials. The Night Owls Early Bird Necklaces was inspired by the recent white lifestyle display products that have been cropping up at interior displays. The birds on these necklaces are made of rubber yet I have managed to give them a ceramic look,” says Delia.

The Wong Dogs also spotted a Frenchie Multi-Purpose Pouch which breed aficionados will love to have but it has unfortunately been snapped up!

Don’t turn up those noses just because The Duf Store only has an online presence. Delia tells me that due to the high number of requests she gets, orders today will need a slightly longer waiting time for her to start. In fact, she only could afford to do an illustration for Cory and promises one for Cole in the near future.

With that, The Wong Dog is passing on a message, “I am waiting!” - Cole :p

For more information on The Duf Store, visit their website here.

The latest updates can be found on their Facebook page and their Instagram account.

Labels: crafts, dogs, dogsofinstasg, homemade, illustrations, miniature schnauzer, online, pets, picture, portraits, singapore special, the duf store

❤ "Precious Little Finds: The Duf Store" was Posted On: Wednesday 27 August 2014 @23:30 | 0 Wong comments ✿

Cory's Clean Up: Awesome Pawsome

Miniature Schnauzers are relatively low maintenance dogs to keep, right? They don’t eat much (a 12kg bag of kibble can last Cory three months) and they definitely do not shed. But one of the must-dos which this breed needs: Grooming.

Cory usually starts to look messy one and a half months after a full groom but I ‘tahan’ for a full two months before I cannot bear having a walking carpet around my house! :p

Since the human a.k.a. me is a creature of comfort and convenience, I dislike changing groomers and rather stick to one and be done with it. But with the many negative experiences which do not seem to tally with the grooming charge, cab fares and irregular waiting times, I was starting to get extremely irritated. How can I not be when you find out the groom wasn’t done properly (one experience had me spending a full four hours at the store!) or being returned a damp Cory who was still shivering? We can go on forever but let’s save the ranting for another day.

After relating Cory’s grooming woes to a friend, I was introduced to Awesome Pawsome, a mobile house-call grooming service. Since The Wong Dogs was about to be launched, why not try something new? Remember the following pictures? Awesome Pawsome was responsible in getting the boys ready for their pictures to be taken!

Awesome Pawsome might not be the only mobile grooming service around, but what I cannot deny is their dedication towards their job in getting their furry customers looking their best. With experience comes a quick hand and seeing groomer, Ian Wong swiftly snipping away, the trimming is over before you know it!

One of the most interesting things I have seen is Ian bringing a blender to prepare a special shampoo for Cory. Ian tells me there is a very good reason for this, “Blending the solution creates a bubbly consistency where the micro-foam releases the properties of the shampoo. This provides a better over-all cleanse.”

Tip: Never use shampoo directly. The skin of dogs is weak and when the solution is concentrated, can cause itchy skin and canine keratosis.

Lastly, I love the peace of mind I have each time Cory is groomed at home. Mobile grooming services such as Awesome Pawsome never need to worry about coming into contact with parasites such as ticks and fleas! But what about the price you say? Yes, mobile grooming is pricier but let’s look at this way – With my furkid being groomed at home, I enjoy the luxury of not needing to book a cab which definitely saves me the hassle. Even if you drive, you will save more in petrol fees and throes of finding a parking lot!

Awesome Pawsome caters to a wide array of customers though it seems their services are most popular with Golden Retrievers and Miniature Schnauzers. Recently, the mobile grooming service has expanded and now take in feline customers as well. “Most cats are generally unpredictable and can be much more dangerous to groom due to their dislike for water, making showering a difficult task,” says Ian.

For more information, you can visit their website here.

Want the latest updates, do ‘like’ their Facebook page.

Labels: awesome pawsome, dogs, grooming, miniature schnauzer, pet grooming, pets, review, shampoo

❤ "Cory's Clean Up: Awesome Pawsome" was Posted On: Monday 25 August 2014 @10:47 | 0 Wong comments ✿

Treat Of The Week: Pawlicious Mooncakes

By now, many people would know that I have been looking forward to the Mid-Autumn Festival this year. More than just mooncakes for myself, is the choice of getting this popular annual snack for Cory and Cole.

The Wong Dogs went back to an old favourite and ordered Pawlicious’s many different flavours available.

“Since all of our food is human-inspired, why can’t our four-legged friends have mooncakes?” argues Jaster, who bakes these creations.

Besides a new flavour (lamb!) this year, Pawlicious decided to use organic whole wheat flour (rich source of calcium, iron and fiber), making this year’s mooncakes more nutritious for all their doggie customers.

Paw parents, you guys totally cannot miss is the addition of Snow Skin Mooncakes! Though Jaster is tight-lipped on revealing how she came up with this popular delicacy, she tells The Wong Dogs that the process was no walk in the park and required time for her to perfect the recipe.

In fact, this tough cookie nearly gave up though she is now glad that she didn’t. “It was difficult as I decided to do away with shortening due to it not being food for dogs. Icing and sugar was also omitted making Pawlicious’s Snow Skin Mooncakes totally safe for all our canine customers,” she explains. This year, Pawliicous introduced Potato & Cheese as their latest addition to the range.

When I cut open the traditional mooncake, you can obviously see that there is no stinging on the filling and each piece is chock-full with meats. As for the snow skin version, the colouring is derived from ingredients that include beetroot, purple sweet potato and cranberries.

What The Wong Dogs realised was the difference in packaging this year. Granted it is not something you will get from a high-end mooncake brand, but definitely beats plastic boxes, right?

Obviously enough, Cory and Cole gobbled their portions as if they weren't fed for days (the greedy buggers)

The boys had their fill and now, their furry friends such as Sam, Pecan and Buxley will be getting a portion too! Will your pet be chomping on a mooncake this year? Well, there is always next year and from what Jaster revealed, there are many more interesting flavours to look out for!

For more information on purchasing these dog-friendly mooncakes, please visit Pawlicious Facebook page.

You can also visit the Pawlicious website here.

Labels: dining, dogs, dogsofinstasg, miniature schnauzer, mixed breed, mooncakes, party, pawlicious, pet cafe, pet treats, pets, snowskin mooncakes, treat of the week, treats

❤ "Treat Of The Week: Pawlicious Mooncakes" was Posted @10:39 | 0 Wong comments ✿

A Positive Change: Cole And My Grandmother

My Nai Nai (grandmother) was never a dog lover. In fact, she often recounted how my parents used to keep a beautiful Cocker Spaniel but gave a host of behavioural issues before I was born. So you can imagine her reaction when I first adopted Cole late last year. “So big! So black! Why are you keeping another dog,” she berated. Fortunately, she does not stay with me.

It is a totally different story today and with her staying in the same household for three weeks, I decided to ask her what she thought about Cole.

“How do you find the black dog?”

“Very well-behaved, very manja and so handsome”

“Don’t you think he brings bad luck because of his colour?”

“Black dogs are good. They chase away 'dirty' stuff.”

Just a few days of being constantly around him (he being there for family gatherings as much as possible) and her initial negative impressions have turned for the better.

Labels: dogs, dogsofinstasg, mixed breed, musings, pets, singapore special, stories, the wong dogs

❤ "A Positive Change: Cole And My Grandmother" was Posted On: Thursday 21 August 2014 @04:06 | 0 Wong comments ✿

Treat Of The Week: Fetch Box – Exclusive Marvel Comics Box

Many people know I am a huge Marvel Comics buff. Seriously, ask me anything from the X-Men and The Avengers and a few minutes later, you will get mere mortals going, “Okay okay! Why are these comics so complicated??”

That aside, when Fetch Box (who previously had their Burt's Bees package) decide to have an exclusive box of Marvel Comics dog toys, I knew Cory and Cole had to get their very own! When I opened them, they seem larger than what was depicted on the website. Oh well, all the better for the boys.

Initially, I wanted to photograph Cory and Cole playing with them at a field. But due to the wet weather the past few days, it seems we just have to make do with home-styled shots.

It seems while Cory preferred the Captain America and The Hulk Tug toys, Cole seems to be rather more intrigued by the Spider Man Bottle Stuffer. In fact, the boys seem to love cuddling them more then chomping the toys down to bits. What I loved is these canine toys were actually sturdy to last Cole! That Singapore Special goes through normal chew toys within minutes. Given, it is not made of KONG material, but hey, these hold up pretty well.

Packed neatly in Fetch Box’s classy signature paper lunch box, every set retails at $42.90. Not the cheapest around, it is expected since these Marvel Comics dog toys are imported from the United States. Another point to note is these playthings are exclusive to Fetch Box and can only be purchase if you order your own set. Oh, and each Exclusive Marvel Comics Box now comes with the latest treats from Old Mother Hubbard!

For more information on Fetch Box’s exclusive toys, visit their website here. You can also check out there Facebook page here.

Labels: captain america, dog toys, dogs, dogsofinstasg, fetch box, hulk, marvel comics, miniature schnauzer, mixed breed, puppy, review, spiderman

❤ "Treat Of The Week: Fetch Box – Exclusive Marvel Comics Box" was Posted On: Friday 15 August 2014 @02:49 | 0 Wong comments ✿

Waiting By The Door

“The amazing array of treats are good… The long hikes break the monotony of mundane Singapore life… The gatherings bring laughter most of the time… But sometimes, it really is the simplest of activities which you tend to cherish and give you a couple of moments to ponder… These two pictures were taken as I was watering the plants outside and just looking at how patient they wait by the door is something only a pet owner can understand. Were they expecting a meaty reward? Perhaps. But what they know they will get is tons of hugs, tummy rubs and manja-ing sessions to come. ”

What are your special moments?

Labels: dogs, dogsofinstasg, miniature schnauzer, mixed breed, musings, picture, singapore special, stories, the wong dogs

❤ "Waiting By The Door" was Posted On: Wednesday 13 August 2014 @08:06 | 0 Wong comments ✿

East-Side Coffee - Percolate

Is Dempsey overhyped? Tiong Bahru too hipster-mad? Or all too far away altogether? Well, those living in the east of Singapore can hop down to Bedok North Avenue 3 and discover Percolate! Considering the east seem to be lacking in coffee places, starting up here was a no-brainer for co-founder, Avin Tan.

A tiny outfit which serves one of the best caffeine drinks around. Strictly not pretentious, serious coffee drinkers will be lured by the aroma even before stepping into Percolate. “We really love the staff and customer dynamics which can only be achieved through small and intimate spaces. For some reason, a bigger floor plan makes it harder to achieve such a relationship,” says Avin.

Opening shop earlier this year, Percolate has steadily seen her customer base grow. Weekends see the café filled to the brim, with barely enough seating for the ever-growing crowd that need their caffeine fix. Maybe it is the current café-hopping craze that Singapore is currently going through, but there must be something that makes Percolate different?

Avin says he designed Percolate to be a cosy and relaxing space which serves up honest and delicious coffee, “Coming in, we hope visitors will feel welcomed, akin to stepping into their own homes.” Percolate sources their beans from local coffee roaster partners, which allows for a fresh cup in what Avin describes as “carefully selected service ware”.

It also helps this earnest barista has interned at some of the hippest coffee places (Loysel’s Toys and The Steeping Room) around Singapore. Previously in the airline industry, he was also exposed to the different caffeine cultures around the world – which makes for some impressive taste buds on what makes a good cup of coffee. “I like the art of coffee-making as it is so much more than just pulling a shot of expresso or steaming some milk. Being a barista also involves being social with the customer while the coffee is being made. I always strive to make the right cup of coffee, finding out the preference of customers and striking just the appropriate conversation within a short time. Believe it or not, it can make someone’s day,” says Avin.

Customers will also be able to pick from a selection of cakes and pastries. With an ode to going local, Percolate sources from local micro bakeries which count as the owners’ personal favourites too. “We believe in building relationships so it was natural that we integrate their products deeply into their menus too,” says Avin.

The Wong Dogs Review

Okay, disclaimer – Percolate is not in the truest sense, pet-friendly.

But the owners are huge dog lovers and will not chase away customers who wish to have a cuppa and spend some quality time with pooch. Pet owners will prefer visiting Percolate during weekdays during the late afternoon which The Wong Dogs did. This will also allow you the chance to speak to the owners and know more about the café.

It was quite relaxing sitting back with the two furkids as I tucked into an Expresso Tart and a 5oz cup (similar to a latte).

I was expecting the former to taste extremely bitter but I was pleasantly surprised that the tart had the perfect mix of sweetness intertwined with a slight bitter aftertaste. Percolate also has a host of other pastries though due to limited storage space, these sell out quite fast, especially during the weekend.

The cup of coffee was your standard fare of a delicious brew (Singapore’s standards are rather high) and is attributed to Avin’s outlook on what is good coffee. “Percolate’s strives to be meticulous, paying the most attention to our coffee-making,” he says. As mentioned above, this is contributed by sourcing their beans locally, keeping their stock as fresh as possible. The 5oz cup also counts as Percolate’s best-seller to date. “We find that this is the coffee to milk ratio that is the easiest to enjoy as it is creamy and sweet and can be taken without sugar,” he says.

With such comfortable settings, repeat visits are a confirm must!