TheWongDogs

The Sun And The Pool: Swimming at Sunny Heights

Cory and Cole has not been swimming for a while now. It was not till their furry buddy, Sam Forrest LooLim posted pictures of their latest watery escape that it was high time to get these boys on a hydro-work out again. Besides the dog park, an hour at the dog swimming pool knocks them out for a good two days!

So, why did the boys fall out of habit? Cole had a serious bout of dandruff issue earlier in the year which upon the advice of the vet, said he should abstain from swimming for a period of time I was just not impressed with many of the dog swimming pools, service and cleanliness-wise.

So imagine my excitement when I realised Sunny Heights (previously named K9 Kulture) had renovated the pool into looking quite classy. In my opinion, certainly one of the better-looking (and cleaner) swimming pools for dogs in Singapore.

Derrick Tan, Head of Operations at Sunny Heights say the place was really old when they first took over and it took a lot of planning to get the place to start looking decent, “The unkempt state of the pool had many people complaining about its set up. In addition, we faced a couple of challenges during renovation as we had to source for the right materials that would beuaitfy the place, while brainstorming for what was comfortable for both pet and owner.”

Early reviews of the place have been positive and many have commented on the set up and improvements made to Sunny Heights.

But, how will Cory and Cole like the place?

THE WONG DOGS REVIEW

Sunny Heights’s pool for dogs is quite the sight to behold as compared to a couple of months ago. Besides the cannot-miss water features added, pet owners will love the introduction of sun beds and a gazebo which offer a relaxed environment and shelter from extreme weather conditions.

The Wong Dogs love how both swimming pools have been re-tiled, giving it a refreshing look to visitors who had to bear with cement flooring for the past few years. However, please be careful when threading through the water. Even though they have been treated with anti-slip solution, I found myself almost falling face-first into the water a couple of times.

Of course, how can we miss out the fun-looking water features that have been added? To date, these have only been seen at children’s pools in Singapore and is really eye-catching for first-time visitors.

Cory seem to love playing or swimming through the jets of water (it is really cute seeing him manoeuvre through each feature.

However, Cole took a while getting used to them. At one point, he refused to go past the shower feature though he eventually did with a little coaxing.

Though the service was not in use when we visited, The Wong Dogs was intrigued by the Z9000 Dog Wash, a mobile rinse for pets! For a small price, dog owners can now choose to bathe their dogs after their swim instead of just hosing them down. Besides the typical shampoo and conditioner rinse, options such as Flea & Tick rinse and Blow Dry are also available!

This is just the start. Besides plans to add another gazebo, the people at Sunny Heights are looking to introduce night swimming though the scheduled start of this service has yet to be confirmed. “This is to cater to pet owners who are busier in the day. Allowing swimming at night will definitely see many more people coming with their furkids,” says Derrick.

Night swimming? Count me in!

For now, here are more pictures. Enjoy!

Operating hours

Mondays to Fridays – 1pm to 6pm

Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays – 1pm to 630pm

For more information, visit their Facebook page here.

Labels: animal world, dog swimming pool, dogs, dogsofinstasg, miniature schnauzer, mixed breed, park, pet grooming, review, sunny heights, swimming, swimming pool

❤ "The Sun And The Pool: Swimming at Sunny Heights" was Posted On: Friday 19 September 2014 @02:13 | 0 Wong comments ✿

The Meat Behind A Raw Diet - Primal Pet Foods

A half-day portion for Cole and Cory.

The Wong Dogs are primarily on dry kibble. But what happens when their dear daddy is quarantined at home and food is running low? Well, for this particular time, he had to give in and open a bag of Primal Freeze-Dried Formula ex-colleagues pooled together for Cole’s birthday. Much to the glee of the boys who hovered around me more impatient than usual – Especially that picky eater of a Singapore Special, Cole.

But why all the fuss? After all, if it is truly the most ideal diet out there, I should be practising the ‘Only the best for my dog’ mantra, right?

The Raw Goodness Review

As I have only given Primal Freeze-Formula to the boys, I can only base my experience on this brand. Can you blame me? If I am going to sample anything on for The Wong Dogs, it better be of a certain standard! It definitely can’t hurt if Primal is given the best rating of 5 stars by pet food review site, Dog Food Advisor.

So not happening...

Also, hell no am I going to prepare their meals! Time aside, I am no pet nutritionist and would not even dare take up the task. Due to Cory’s exhaustive list of allergies and intolerances, I went with the Turkey& Sardine Formula. The poultry provides amino and essential fatty acids along with grounded bones which is an excellent source of calcium. Additionally, the sardines are cold-pressed and contains additional omega-3 fatty acids. More than offering raw meat, Primal has gone ahead to add beneficial ingredients such as seeds from pumpkin and sunflower, coconut oil, quinoa, alfalfa and kelp to provide a balanced meal.

After being activated with water.

Giving them Primal takes a little more time as I need to mix the nuggets with water to activate the ingredients. After a week, I notice Cory and Cole producing lesser waste while maintaining the sheen on their coats. I also realised they were a little more alert while on the diet.

On Primal Pet Foods

With companies such as Primal Pet Food stating their theory that a “natural” diet is one which suits canines best, many desperate pet owners have lapped it all up. However, a number of vets have dismissed the idea of a raw diet though recent years have seen more veterinarians supporting the idea.

Dr. Brian Loon of Amber Vet

One veterinarian clinic in particular Amber Vet currently stocks Primal on their premises. Dr Brian Loon of Amber Vet says the clinic acknowledges the potential benefits that some pets show from being on a raw diet though adds that the main concern of most veterinarians is the risk of contamination and incomplete meals, “For pet owners who wish to start their furry charges on this path, we recommend a good quality commercial raw diet that has been formulated to be complete and balanced. These diets have a smaller risk of bacterial food contamination, compared to fresh raw meat meant for human consumption via proper cooking methods.”

A little introductory video on prepping for a Primal Raw Diet meal.

Donut getting ready for his dinner.

David Ong has two dogs, Donut a Miniature Schnauzer and Oreo a Chihuahua and feeds them a raw diet from Primal. One of the main reasons is trying as much as possible not to give them processed food. “They have fluffier coats (especially the Chihuahua) and their canine smell is not so strong. Also, Donut’s beard used to be very yellowish but has lightened by many tones,” he says.

Like Seriously, How Expensive Can It Be?

"Raw doesn't cost that much, daddy. Really! Here is the calculator!"

According to The Wong Dog’s weight, Cory the Miniature Schnauzer at 8kg would require eight nuggets a day while Cole the Singapore Special, weighing at a whopping 22kg will need 22 nuggets daily. The boys are typically fed two meals and wiped clean a 14 oz. (397g) bag in a day. A simple calculation made me go, "woah..."

“B2K Pet Products air freight all Primal stock from the US, costing us a bomb. However, for the ultimate, freshest and quality-assurance, customers are paying for peace of mind with every bag of Primal they purchase,” says Kenneth.

"Oh, please... it is not that much! Don't you spend more on yourself?" - Cory

Don’t get me wrong, if I was a millionaire or maybe even own a tiny Chihuahua, a high-quality raw diet will be most preferred. Maybe, a little “raw-topping” as a supplement to their daily intake?

It may cost more... But did you see how I gobbled everything up?

“For bigger dogs, it is too pricey to live by Primal alone. However, I do recommend customers to feed a topping to their meal in order to keep the cost low. Our big furkids definitely deserve a taste of the best raw food here in Singapore,” says Kenneth.

Labels: b2k, miniature schnauzer, mixed breed, primal pet foods, raw diet

❤ "The Meat Behind A Raw Diet - Primal Pet Foods" was Posted On: Thursday 11 September 2014 @23:45 | 0 Wong comments ✿

When All Is Quiet...

Herbie the Siberian Husky

“I love mingling with other pet owners. But Herbie my Siberian Husky prefers it quiet. There was this one time where we visited on a busy weekend afternoon (the place was packed with dogs) where Herbie ran one round and came back with a bored look. It is as if she insisted on leaving. Today, we tend to be at the dog park where there is barely a single soul. It could be as early as 7am or 4pm on a weekday. She just prefers it that way and tends to be more active with just one or two canines running about with her.” – Herbie at Bishan Dog Park

Labels: bishan dog park, dogs, dogsofinstasg, photography, pictures, Siberian Husky, stories

❤ "When All Is Quiet..." was Posted @01:37 | 2 Wong comments ✿

Mid-Week Scooting!

Photo Credit: Jet Ho

Goals give us focus. Dreams give us inspiration. What is my focus? Simply by how much I can give and watching my entire world change... For both humans and canines.

It is time to step on the accelerator and GO GO GO!

Labels: bishan park., dogs, dogsofinstasg, miniature schnauzer, mixed breed, pets, photography, picture, pictures, scooter, singapore special

❤ "Mid-Week Scooting!" was Posted On: Wednesday 10 September 2014 @03:39 | 0 Wong comments ✿

Nature’s Finest – Timberwolf Organics

The adage “You are what you eat” cannot be truer for ourselves today. Even more so for our dog friends. With countless brands lining the pet shop, it is no easy task maneuvering through everything. For me, it was all about narrowing down what is the best out there via DogFoodAdvisor.com (Timberwolf Organics is given the highest rating of 5 stars) and friend recommendations before making a choice. In the end, I put my money on Timberwolf Organics from 2012 till now. Truth be told, Timberwolf Organics is not as well known as many of its peers. Many times when I have discussions with other pet owners on the many types of dry foods around, I get question marks when I mention the brand.

Timberwolf Organics also Timerwolf Organics is a meat-based dry food that provides quite the nice selection of novel protein sources such as elk and venison. Of course, traditional meat such a lamb and fish are also available for nit-picky eaters (Cole seems to prefer the Ocean Blue formula).

The best part, which is the hallmark of any premium pet food is the ingredient list. More than just what are the ingredients is how they are listed. All of Timberwolf Organics contain either meat or meat meal as their first ingredient.

Grain-free options use Russet Potatoes as their main source of carbohydrates while formulas with grains only use pumpkin, sweet potato, oats, barley and millet. Also, Timberwolf Organics contain a considerable number of herbs either not found in many pet food brands or a minuscule amounts. This include Basil, Chicory Root, Ginger, Watercress, Anise Seed and Watercress among others.

Another reason I give my stamp of approval? Timberwolf Organics are free of corn, gluten, soy and added sugars. Pet owners take note! One huge plus point is the absence of food recalls since 2008! In this day and age where recalls are getting more common, this gives us ease of mind that the diet our furkids are on is safe for them.

AFTER A YEAR

Yes, there are many good pet food brands out there. But after testing out a couple with Cory, it seems that Timberwolf Organics gave the overall best results.

Are you feeding us already??

Also, when one first opens the bag, an aroma is released. Honestly, this is one of the better smelling pet foods around! Pet owners who I talked to said the strong smell and taste is what drives their pets to love Timberwolf Organics.

While doing research on which pet food I should consider, many have told me about how Timberwolf Organics played a huge part in healthy skin and coat. Personally, if Fido is getting good nutrition, it can be seen on the outside by everyone. Cory the Miniature Schnauzer has no skin issues (a rarity for his breed) and gets envious looks from other pet owners who comment on his smooth coat while out for walks and events. Cole the Singapore Special used to had a lacklustre dull coat and it took about six months on a Timberwolf Organics diet before his jet-black coat started shining (due to the high levels of essential fatty acids within the kibbles). Also, Cole had extremely watery and smelly poo when I first got him, Today, his waste is perfectly formed and exude a less pungent smell.

Some pet owners have commented that their dogs poo much more when on Timberwolf Organics and fear that their furkid is not absorbing enough nutrients. You need not worry – this is due to the small amount of carbohydrates and fibre such as beans, seeds and whole root vegetables which contain a host of natural vitamins and minerals.

Will I be changing pet food to avoid Cory and Cole developing resistance towards certain ingredients in the near future? Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing is for sure – Timberwolf Organics nurtures healthy canines not only on the outside but the inside as well.