TheWongDogs

Healing Paws @ Assisi Hospice

Cory attended his first Animal-Assisted-Activities (AAA) at Assisi Hospice last week! Earlier this year, I made a resolution to do more volunteer work around my schedule. So far, the Healing Paws program seems to fit the best as it allows me to schedule time out to spend with Cory. *Cole is not suitable so for now, it is the SOSD FLAG DAY*

Do pardon for the lack of pictures as guidelines state that the faces of beneficiaries cannot be show. Also, the main focus was to interact with the beneficiaries, while ensuring our furkids are on their best behaviour. However, I will see how to work something out for future sessions.

How did it the session? Read on…

THE WONG DOGS EXPERIENCE

As it was after lunch, some of the participants were experiencing a little food coma. But those who love animals, their eyes lit up immediately when they saw Cory and Napoleon (Owned by Sheen and Eugene) walk in. It was heartening to see them hug, stroke and massage Cory while they revealed stories when they owned pets. From loyal kampong dogs to collecting up to 10 canines at one time, there were so many to tales to be heard. Ultimately, all they want is to have a listening ear and given some attention.

If you ask me, I could not have asked more of how Cory performed. He was so giving towards being hugged and even gave some of the senior beneficiaries’ kisses, to squeals of delight.

Cory’s next session? Thye Hua Kwan Hospital!

Photo credit: SOSD

AAA is not therapy work and as such, do not follow a structured program which has to be documented and evaluated. Instead. AAA sessions are extremely casual that are meet-and-greet sessions at homes and institutions.

Photo credit: SOSD

Want to get involved? Express your interest at the Healing Paws site and you will get an update on when the next assessment session is happening.

Labels: aaa, animal assisted activities, assisi hospice, dogsofinstasg, healing paws, miniature schnauzer, save out street dogs, sosd, volunteer

❤ "Healing Paws @ Assisi Hospice" was Posted On: Tuesday, 14 July 2015 @01:57 | 0 Wong comments ✿

Discipline vs. Training – The Wong Dogs Are Still Learning!

Puppyhood is not the only part of our pets' lives that training takes place. It is perfectly normal for some people to think I take Cory’s and Cole’s good behaviours for granted. But many do not know it takes loads of consistency... Hey, I love going out with peace of mind you know! Imagine just heading out for brunch at a café and reading a magazine, knowing that your furkids will know their boundaries. As such, the incident above might surprise some…

A couple of days ago, I was faced with a behavioural incident. While chewing on his Deer Bone, the usually docile Cole reacted by growling towards Cory who was being his typical “kaypoh” self. I literally flew from my seat, scolded Cole, got him into a submissive position and held on to his muzzle for five seconds. After which, I separated Cole to be by himself for half an hour in the living room. The whole time, he treated to a guilty look with his shoulders hunched forward. After the entire incident, I had Cole manja-ing me for affection.

This got me thinking and I decided to ask Rao Canine’s dog trainer, Vivien Chin (who was also his fosterer) on whether I had been too harsh or strict with my Singapore Special. Here is what she had to say.

Vivien with Kafka

“I would scold my own dogs if they did that (growling). But I will also teach them not to bother the other canine when it is preoccupied with a treat during meal times. Patricia McConnell, one of my favourite authorities on canine behaviour and training, says that, “Every owner has to decide what is acceptable in their own household; my criteria are quiet warnings like head turns or stares are acceptable, anything else is discouraged.”

You said that, “the usually docile Cole reacted by growling towards Cory who was being his typical “kaypoh” self.” This reminds me of my own dog, Lulu. Lulu used to be Dog B in Scenario 2 of this Pat Miller’sarticle on resource guarding. When Kafka, my German Shepherd, was a puppy, he used to snatch her food from her, she would give it up and walk away. I’d praise her and reward her with another treat. For a long time, she would defer to Kafka. However, after fostering a few puppies that did not know what manners was, her patience gradually wore thin. Lulu now defends her food when intrusive puppies and even Kafka comes too close. Lulu is a gentle dog, when I verbally scold her, she would look remorseful. She knows I do not approve of her growling and a light smack on her butt also serves to tell her my disapproval. However, unless you know your furkid extremely well, I do not encourage pet owners to do that because the dog might turn around and bite. At the same time, Lulu counts on me to maintain law and order. On hindsight, I should not have taken Lulu’s patience for granted, just as you might have taken Cole’s docility for granted. Now, I make sure Lulu gets to eat her food without any disturbance from any other dog and Kafka would wait patiently for Lulu to finish her food before he licks up what’s left in her bowl.

I do not do alpha roll as it does not seem useful. While holding on to Cole’s muzzle may not to be too harsh and your actions were not too strict, it might not be fair and you could be stricter with Cory by not allowing him near Cole. If possible, consider counter-conditioning techniques to get Cole to like the presence of Cory around his treats and during meal times.”

I am not perfect and only by being teachable, I can become a better pet owner! Thank you, Vivien!

*The opinions expressed in this blog post are of The Wong Dogs and Rao Canine’s own. Every case is unique and pet owners should check back with their own canine trainers before attempting any methods on their own.

Labels: dog training, dogsofinstasg, miniature schnauzer, rao canine, singapore special, the wong dogs

❤ "Discipline vs. Training – The Wong Dogs Are Still Learning!" was Posted On: Wednesday, 3 June 2015 @03:14 | 0 Wong comments ✿

Lunch Over Books – The Book Café.

Before I continue, this is not a full review of The Book Café but a quick meal I had earlier in the day.

Also, today marks my mum’s birthday! Happy Birthday, Mummy!

The Book Café serves quite the list of nosh to choose from. But what I find most attractive is their offering of Asian food.

Having tried a couple of dishes, today the spotlight is on the Salmon Noodle Soup. Singaporeans will identify with the Salmon Noodle Soup as it is uber similar to the popular Fish Head or Fish Meat Bee Hoon. The broth was delightfully tasty with generous portions of salmon though more ikan-bilis would have been appreciated.

More than just a comfortable setting and an extensive menu, is the quality of service. I have experienced the past three times I was there. From the handling of the phone reservation, to taking of orders, everything was perfection. Thank you for making every visit an enjoyable one.

For more information, do visit their Facebook page here.

Operating Hours

Sundays to Thursday: 830am to 1030pm (last order at 10pm) Friday and Saturday: 830am to 1230 midnight

To make a reservation, drop them a line at 6887-5430

Labels: cafe, dogsofinstasg, lunch, miniature schnauzer, review, singapore special, the book cafe, the wong dogs

❤ "Lunch Over Books – The Book Café." was Posted On: Monday, 23 March 2015 @03:23 | 0 Wong comments ✿

Assessment Time – SOSD Healing Paws

Today, Cory took one step towards one of my resolutions for 2015 – that is to start involved in Animal-AssistedActivities (AAA). Interested parties had their canines exposed to a number of situations (wheelchairs, walking sticks, rough handling etc) to see their reactions, assessing their suitability of AAA events. Due to taking part in the assessment, do pardon the lack of pictures.

Credit: SOSD

Unfortunately, Cole due to his shy demeanour among strangers (that is why I did not sign him up) is still not ready to be involved in the programme. However, looking at the progress he has made towards strangers, I won’t be surprised if he is part of Healing Paws’ activities in time to come.

A little backgrounder, AAA differs from the more common practice of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT or Pet Therapy). AAA are more casual and usually involve more “meet-and-greet” activities that involve pet owners and their furkids visiting homes and instituitions. What attracted me most is that such sessions are all-inclusive and do not need to be tailored nor geared towards medical conditions.

Recently, research has shown AAA has helped enhanced the quality of life especially for the disabled and the elderly, providing relief from anxiety, dear and loneliness. In kids, an obedience demonstration can be used at facilities which house children/teenagers with delinquent behaviours.

That is not to say other forms such as AAT and Pet Therapy are of lower quality. In fact, these take more specialised curriculums and need trained professionals with the process being documented and evaluated.

Thank you Dr. Siew, Stasha and Maureen for the opportunity. Now, it is time to see if Cory makes the cut!

For more information on the SOSD Healing Paws programme and how you can express interest, visit the link here.

Labels: aaa, animal assisted activities, dogsofinstasg, healing paws, miniature schnauzer, mixed breed, save out street dogs, singapore special, sosd, the wong dogs, therapy

❤ "Assessment Time – SOSD Healing Paws" was Posted On: Sunday, 8 March 2015 @09:06 | 0 Wong comments ✿

“Yes, I Café Hop With Them” – Sin Lee

I couldn’t help not putting such a headline. Especially when I was told that pet owners who love to visit such establishments are of lesser stock. Yes, you heard me right.

The word “hipster” has been diluted recently with hoards of similar establishments sprouting like mushrooms all over Singapore. So you realise what the word really means when no official Facebook page or website turns up on your Google search. It is either they have a heck care attitude towards online presence (with such attention to detail in their interior design, I highly doubt it) or they truly believe in the power of “word of mouth”, right?

Located away from the Tiong Bahru hipster crowd next to the wet market, Sin Lee’s address has it the only café in the vicinity below a block of flats that are more than 50 years old! Imagine how my excitement grew when they told me they are fine with me dining at their alfresco area with Cory and Cole.

So, what can pet owners look forward to when they make their virgin visit?

THE WONG DOGS REVIEW

Like my review for Percolate, Sin Lee is not a pet café. However, the management did allow me to dine alfresco while Cory and Cole relax beside me and watch the world go by.

I absolutely love how everything has been designed – besides the many Instagram-worthy pictures you can take here, the environment feels like it has been whitewashed with a filter on its own. Service-wise, the staff are not the most boisterous but I do appreciate their quiet demeanours and earnest personalities.

If you are driving down, do park at the carpark behind the café (free and open to public on Sunday) though it is mostly for season holders on weekdays. Should it be full, your best bet would be Block 8C across the road.

Of course, what is a café without nosh? With Sin Lee not being a pet café, there is no menu for furkids here. In fact, it hardly matters to Cory and Cole because they seem to be content with just hanging with me. Humans on the other hand, are treated to quite an interesting and may I say, utterly SIN-ful (such pun!) list.

1. Fried Chicken & Waffles ($21.90)

“It better be good…” I mentally noted when I saw the price tag. Though I had my expectations pegged higher, it was quite enjoyable. The sizeable waffle was baked to a comfortable-looking golden hue and the texture was soft to the bite. The chicken leg was deep fried, yet moist and sending yummy signals to my taste buds. If you ask me, can be shared between two.

2. Salted Egg Sweet Potato Fries ($12)

“Wait, these are sweet potatoes??” and continued munching on a couple more of fries! Used to crunchy and salty versions, I relished chewing on these moist creations. Personally , I dislike salted egg but hey, these went really well. Served with crunchy curry leaves on top, need I say more?

3. Beef and Grains ($23)

It took some getting used to the saltiness. Even my mum felt it was too much for her. However, I can think of many people who will fall in love with this uber local-tasting dish. The beef was deliciously tender and the risotto rice (grains…) added a nice chewy texture. It might not look like much, but this definitely filled a considerable portion of my tummy.

4. Pie Crust Milkshake ($9)

If you ask me, this THICCCCKKKK milkshake ought to be a meal on its own. Topped with digestive biscuits, it really felt like someone blended an entire pie into the concoction it lasted me through the entire meal.

My mum gave her own review – Nice décor to sit in on a relaxing afternoon. However the food had very strong flavours and very generous portions. Light eaters can consider the starters to be quite sufficient.

So, will you be making a trip down with Fido?

Operating Hours
Tuesday to Friday: 130pm to 9pm
Saturday: 12pm to 9pm
Sunday: 12pm to7pm
Closed on Mondays.

To make a reservation, drop them a line at 63773-170

Labels: bukit ho swee, cafe, dogs, dogsofinstasg, miniature schnauzer, mixed breed, pet-friendly, review, sin lee, singapore special, tiong bahru