TheWongDogs

New Open Space – Dog Run At Sembawang Park

The weekend is finally here. So, the question today is… Have you visited the Dog Run at Sembawang Park? If you haven’t, here are what The Wong Dogs thought about our first visit.

Officially opened in mid-September this year, there was much fanfare (the opening coincided with a pet carnival )when quiet Sembawang Park was set to be the location of Singapore’s sixth dog park (there are so many?!).

However, the Dog Run at Sembawang Park did not come easy. When The Wong Dogs visited, I was told that nearby residents have been appealing for a dedicated space for quite a while now. “We kept pestering our Member of Parliament (MP) since there was so much open space at Sembawang Park. After so many years, this dream has finally become reality,” said a regular park visitor.

Unlike most dog runs, Sembawang Park’s is interestingly different. Instead of facing a flat piece of land, dog owners will quickly realise that the fenced-up area is located along a slope – making for quite the workout for our pets.

Did you know that Singapore currently has five other dog parks located at Bishan-AMK Park, Clementi Woods Park, Jalan Pari Burong Playground, Katong Park and West Coast Park. I certainly did not know that there were any at Clementi Woods Park and Jalan Pari Burong Playground!

While we start planning our visits to some of these rarely mentioned Dog Runs, here is what The Wong Dogs thought about the dog run at Sembawang Park.

THE WONG DOGS REVIEW

My first thought was, "Like that only?". But hey, let's give Cory and Cole a chance first.

As mentioned, the slope allows for our furkids to expand more energy as compared to other places. Cory and Cole would accompany me to the bottom of the hill before we made a dash to the top. Hey, a dog run does not mean pet owners should just be standing around, right? Though unique, furkids with limb disorders would be advised against too much physical activity here. Dogs with hip dysplasia and luxating patella are advised not to do too much leg work on such a gradient.

Drivers will definitely love that there is ample parking. With two huge car parks (Car Park 1 and Car Park 2) on either entrances, I would recommend you park at the entrance further up as it is closer to the Dog Run.

However, there are some major flaws that we noticed on our first visit to the Dog Run at Sembawang Park. Hopefully these will be rectified soon.

- The lack of a water point. Unlike the dog run at Bishan-AMK Park and West Coast Park, there was no water supply! The nearest is outside the fenced-up area 200 metres away at the park’s toilet.

- A gaping hole at the side of the fence which leads to a construction site. An extremely dangerous flaw, especially for canines with poor recall. I personally saw a dog disappear underneath to retrieve his catch toy and even though he returned in five seconds, not every furkid is so fortunate.

- No lighting. By 7pm, the Dog Run was pitch dark. Other dog parks are well-lit with Bishan-AMK Park conducting Agility classes in the evenings.

In a nutshell, it is commendable that more open spaces are being converted into dog runs for our furkids to play their hearts out. However, as I do not live in the vicinity, (25 minutes by car), visits here will be rare. But The Wongs Dogs are more than willing to meet friends if they ask! :)

The Dog Run aside, this is my first visit and it made me realise what a serene and huge place Sembawang Park is. With plans to do a mini hike along its coastal Park Connector. Now, I am really excited!

For more information on the Dog Run at Sembawang Park, you can visit the website here.

Labels: dog park, dog run, dogs, dogsofinstasg, miniature schnauzer, mixed breed, north, pets, sembawang park, singapore special

❤ "New Open Space – Dog Run At Sembawang Park" was Posted On: Thursday, 13 November 2014 @21:40 | 0 Wong comments ✿

From 9am to 6pm – The SOSD Flag Day 2014 Experience

When Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD) sent out call out for volunteers to participate in this year’s Flag Day, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. But more than just asking people for donations on my own, I knew from the start I would do it with Cole by my side. Besides being adopted from SOSD, I knew participating in this event with him will make for a very powerful image when we make our way around Orchard Road. Hey, he needs to do his part for all his brothers and sisters who have not found their forever homes yet. :)

Collecting our Tins. Photo credit: SOSD

Photo credit: SOSD

Throughout the nine hours, I was constantly talking about my first days with Cole to what he is like now; peppering it with information on SOSD’s work and should they want to know more and get the full experience, to head to the National Youth Park.

9am

Seeing as how most of Orchard Road should remain empty till about 11am, I decided to park myself outside Dhoby Ghaut MRT station. Being a major train interchange had its perks and there were no lack of willing donors. I even had two people donating $50 notes here!

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

1pm

After lunch and giving Cole a much needed break, it was time to get back into action. And I knew the perfect place... Civic Plaza outside Ngee Ann City where the Subara MediaCorp Challenge was happening

Photo Credit: URA

One thing I learnt while Googling on how to maximise your Flag Day experience, was to park yourself outside convenience stores like 7-Eleven. People are bound to have small change, right? There were so many who came to me saying, “I don’t want all my coins, can I give them all to you?”

4pm

It was time to wind down and honestly, the tin can was getting super full (and heavy!) with Cole getting a quite bored that we were in one area for so long. With that, it was time to bring him for a walk around Orchard Road and ask for donations before we ended at 6pm. By then, anyone who even threw the slightest of glances at Cole, will have me asking if they would like to donate… many were willing to!

Of course, there were quite a number who wanted to ask if he is up for adoption. "Sorry folks, you are one year too late!"

It was heartening to meet throngs of people who were so open and willing to find out more and it serves one cornerstone point in the entire experience – if you love what you are doing with a mighty passion, who has time to be tired? I certainly felt mentally awake the entire time!

Photo Credit: Sam Forest Loo Lim

Unfortunately, it is no easy task to handle a 22kg dog and ask a bunch of stickers with the collection tin at once, hence no personal pictures on my side. But…! I am blessed to have friends who managed to snap a couple of shots! Thanks to everyone who came down and picture credits go to Jaster Ngui of Pawlicious and Sam Forest Loo Lim’s mummy, Ke Ying!

Pawlicious Pawsicle starting from $3.50

Oh, and yes! How could I forget our dear Jaster who gave an appreciative Cole NOT ONE BUT TWO PAWCICLES! But of course, he deserves it for being patted, prodded, hugged and stared at for nine hours, right?

Photo Credit: Pawlicious

Till next year! For now, I think Cole will be sleeping the next two days away!

Oh, before we left, this group of photographers asked if they could borrow Cole for a shoot they were doing with a model. I wonder... Whose look book will he appear in...

Labels: dog rescue, dogs, dogsofinstasg, flag day, gathering, mixed breed, pawlicious, save out street dogs, singapore special, sosd, sosd flag day 2014, the wong dogs

❤ "From 9am to 6pm – The SOSD Flag Day 2014 Experience" was Posted On: Monday, 10 November 2014 @01:15 | 0 Wong comments ✿

Sunday Feast – Necessary Provisions

Starting out as pop-up café, Henry Congressional at Henry Park, Necessary Provisions has been brewing up quite the caffeine storm at Eng Kong Terrace.

But how did they draw The Wong Dogs’ attention? After all, such cafes are a dime a dozen, right?

The answer: The Sunday Feast. Not breakfast. Not brunch. Feast.

THE WONG DOGS REVIEW

White 8oz.

If you ask me, a weekday visit to Necessary Provisions is the most ideal for pet owners. Besides being relatively less crowded, you get to experience their full menu. But we are not here for that today. Instead, something a little different that will catch the attention of café hoppers – Sunday Feast.

It was their last day before they changed up the menu so a visit was definitely on the cards. Sunday Feast only includes three main courses which diners can choose from, along with their entire selections of desserts and coffee.

Potato & Leek Soup

Interesting presentation aside, the Potato & Leek Soup, was light and delicious before making way for the Spicy Pork Burger. Smaller than most, the patty wase marinated well and cooked well and came with Shoe String Fries as sides.

Spicy Pork Burger
What I missed taking a picture of was the delightful Pea & Watercress Risotto which went very well with mint sauce and generous topping of fresh watercress.

Blueberry Pancake

My sweet tooth ached and with that, came the Blueberry Pancake. Soaked with maple butter, the texture was still extremely soft and buttery, just how I liked it. However, the blueberries lacked the sweet punch I usually like.

Outdoors seating is minimal and it will depend on luck if you get the proper alfresco seating as Necessary Provisions do not take reservations. However, I personally did not mind the tiny chairs and tables when I first arrived.

Now, I cannot wait to see what Necessary Provisions have in store for the next edition of their Sunday Feast.

*Note* This selection is over and is meant to chronicle a Sunday meal with Cory and Cole.

Operating Hours

Sunday Feast starts at 10am to 6pm

Wednesday to Thursday – 1230 to 230pm and 6-9pm

Friday to Saturday – 12-230pm and 6-11pm

Labels: cafe, dogs, miniature schnauzer, mixed breed, necessary provisions, singapore special, sunday feast, the wong dogs

❤ "Sunday Feast – Necessary Provisions" was Posted On: Sunday, 2 November 2014 @02:06 | 0 Wong comments ✿

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