Her childhood idols

MM told us those big and tall characters in colourful (should be silly, in my humble opinion) costumes were some of her idols from "Sesame Street", an American children's television series that was shown during her childhood days. Till today, these characters are still very popular with kids and their parents!

Well, I guess as long as something is good, it will never be forgotten. Ok, that reminds me. I shall ask the humans in the family whether they will remember the good Frankie Boy always. :)

The most patient patient

Frankie Boy was being commended as the most PATIENT patient today!

Err, that means he is the most accommodating yet unimpressed patient that the therapist has ever seen so far. Simply to say, Frankie will only stand and sit (when he's tired from standing) throughout the hour of therapy session. Never there's once he will lie down or doze off.

Feeling bored...

When can I leave this room?

Well, MM and I think that is quite an unusual description of Frankie's personality. But come to think of, other than being barkish to neighbours and strangers when he's kept inside the house, Frankie is in fact quite a patient boy. 

He will wait patiently for the humans to get his meal ready.

He will wait patiently for the humans to share their food with him.

He will wait patiently for his turn to bathe (he always takes "a nap" before his bath).
He will sit or lie down patiently while MM is grooming him.
He will endure patiently when MM is brushing his teeth (NO COOPERATION = SCOLDING).

He will wait patiently for his walk.
He will complete his walk patiently by pee-ing at every tree and every bush that he comes across.
He will complete rounds patiently to push out his poo for the day. *giddy*
He will wait patiently for a chance to win (BITE!) me at play time!  

He will wait patiently for MM to return from work/holiday trips.

He will wait patiently for neighbours to come home so that he finally has the chance of the day to bark at them!

Well, that's our Frankie Boy. :))

A new resolution?

Is Wynn Wynn having a new resolution?

Could it be shedding some fats? Or to become rounder?!! :p

Nevertheless, I wish her success. 

It's not easy to see her being so determined and focused. Keke!!

What NDP has meant to me nowadays

MM had once shared that she took part in one National Day Parade (NDP) as a teenager in the early 90s. Together with almost half of her school’s secondary one/two cohort, they were trained weekly for their presentation item with three other schools of students for almost two months! On the actual day, they were made to dress in unusually designed tracksuits (which were red on the right and white on the left), to present a dance and the “Happy Birthday To Singapore” wordings to the whole nation in the rain! Though they were still a bunch of giggling teenagers then, it was a shared experience and sense of achievement that make them feel proud they were there to present, to be part of the celebration and to feel what it means to be a Singaporean (oh yes, not to forget the first yet ever-lasting impression of fireworks that were blasted up in the sky and right in front of their eyes!)!

Nowadays, the NDP has become an increasingly expensive and elaborate show. In his commentary, “Why the obsession with NDP fun packs?” (My Paper, July 8), Mr David Lim shares an insightful observation on Singaporeans’ obsession with the NDP fun packs and how that has eclipsed the actual meaning of national day itself.

Well, my furry brain thinks there’s nothing wrong to stage the NDP as a big-budget performance for mass consumption. It’s also not a sin to throw in a fun pack for every spectator as a memento. But the appeal of the parade today has seemed to lose its original intentions. Instead of commemorating Singapore’s independence, achievements and vulnerability, as well as instilling Singaporeans the sense of belonging and moving forward as a nation together, the glitz and glamour have simply created a distance over the time. Oh yes, the use of Lady Gaga’s hit song to celebrate the contents of this year’s NDP goody bag is another unbearable disappointment. :(

Perhaps that’s why in the recent years of watching NDP on the TV with the humans, i cannot feel the patriotism, as fighter jets swooped across the sky and fireworks exploded in the midst of the singing of National Day songs. To me, the parade is just a fanfare, an entertainment that has to be done every year. Maybe it's because I’m a dog, though I'm one of the intelligent mammals too, my level of excitement is not as much as the humans'. Or maybe it’s just that today’s NDP is never able to fill me the sense of nationhood through the showy ritual. In fact, it's becoming boring and the recent years of National Day songs don't really sound nice to my ears.

Nevertheless, I'm always proud to be a Singaporean (hey, I have a valid licence issued by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore hor!). I, together with my family, sincerely wish our lovely country a very wonderful birthday with many more good years to come:

Happy 46th year of independence!!

Poo-tese or Mal-dle?

For those of you who have not seen Frankie for a long while, you can easily recognise that his furs have become reddish, instead of the usual creamy white.

HOW does that happen? Beats us. No one knows the answer, not even the vets! The best part is, more and more people thought Frankie is a POODLE!

Hmmm... is Frankie undergoing some biological evolution and becoming something in-between a poodle and a maltese? I don't know.

At least to me, he is still the egoistic and cranky Frankie that I always know. :p

It is finally here

How come only the humans have the poll cards?

Since each Singapore Citizen must vote for the next governing party for his/her constituency, shouldn't Wynn Wynn and I be given the cards too? 

Hey, does that mean our votes don't count? We are Singapore Citizens too.

Our records can be found in AVA Database. Our individual license and microchip numbers represent our legal citizenship. We also renew (and pay!) our "citizenship" with AVA every year FAITHFULLY! Therefore, why are we excluded in GE 2011? We also want to voice out our rights and needs!

This is really unfair. *Growls*

Please Help The Animals Too

While the humans are suffering and need all kinds of help in the unfortunate earthquake/tsunami incident, let's not forget our animal friends who are equally lost and traumatised too. Please extend your help; any amount will do the miracle to save/better their lives. Thank you.

You can find out more about World Vets who is an international veterinary aid organization providing ongoing veterinary programs in 28 countries worldwide, as well as disaster relief for animals.

Year Of The Rabbit Is Arriving BUT...

... please do not buy or adopt a rabbit

on impulse or because of some impractical reasons.

~ Poster from SPCA Singapore ~

Do also be more sensitive to our little hoppy friends'
needs and feelings.

Read TODAYonline.

HE Is Recaptured

There's a piece of big news in today's papers - the alleged leader of an Islamic militant group accused of plotting to crash an airliner in Singapore has finally been arrested in Malaysia after more than a year on the run.

According to the papers, the guy escaped from a high-security detention centre in Singapore by crawling through a toilet window, followed by a swim across the Johor Strait, using an improvised flotation device. He was arrested on 1 April in Johor state. But the news was only confirmed and then announced to the public today. I wonder how the guy felt to be arrested on April Fool's day. Nevertheless, his arrest means a BIG significance to every one of us. It represents an improvement in the security situation in Singapore and the region. We are safer, well... at least for now.

Why would one want to be a terrorist and threaten the peace and lives? Isn't it better to live together in a harmonious world? I cannot comprehend that at all. Maybe we just have different perceptions. Anyway, based on what I have heard about this guy, he seems to have the great potential in sports! I think he can become a good althetic. With a limp, he had acually managed to run, climb and swim effortlessly during his escape! If he had chosen to become a sportman, *OMG* who knows he could be the next gold medallist in SEA and Olympic Games!

Overall, no matter what we choose to do, we must always be responsible for our actions and accept the consequences. Just like when I always choose to bark at the trepassers, I am all ready to get a severe scolding from MM (MM: Yes, our dear Frankie is always barking at anyone who is outside our house. Can't stand his super acute sense of hearing/smelling...).

Last but not least, three BIG Cheers for Singapore!!! Thank you! :D

~ Image from s298.photobucket.com ~

Are you the Exception Or the Rule?

Have you watched or heard of the latest movie "He's Just Not That Into You" in town?

~ Pic from hesjustnothatintoyou.com ~

The movie seems to be quite a rave and catches many people's attention. It is not the usual typical love story. It tells the stories of inter-connected 20 and 30somethings as they navigate their various relationships from the shallow end of dating pool to deep murky waters of married life. In the love game, everyone tried to read the signs of the opposite sex, while hoping in heart that they would be the exceptions, and not the rules...

Why do humans add so much complication in their love relationships? When HE does not call her after the first date, or SHE does not want to develop further with him, isn't that a clear sign to say,"Sorry, I'm not interested."? Doesn't somebody say human is the cleverest animal of all? Look at us, just one "Grrr" from me, Wynn Wynn will get it immediately that I am not interested to play and that she has to stay far away from me. See, I just need to apply one rule and both of us are living exceptionally happily now.

Humans are really a bunch of complex creatures. I guess they just love to have more troubles to add more sparks to their lives. No matter how, no matter what, I still wish everyone to find his or her ever after exceptional happiness ultimately. :)

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day...

a day that is associated with roses, chocolates and mutual exchange of love notes,

when promises are made and lovers are united.

For others...

it is a day when more profit can be made by selling the 'love packages',

when the 'bread' is seemed more important.

For the singles...

it might be a day to feel the weird loneliness, to wonder or to act oblivious.

For us, the two innocent, furry four-legged ones...

it is a day when we will be left at home for the humans are catching "Breakout".

No matter who you are, where you are...

two or four legged,

single or attached,

in love or out of love,

at home or outside

fret not...

Celebrate the day with the love in your heart,

for your family, your friends and most importantly, yourself.

Have a Beautiful Valentine!

~ Image from foundshit.com ~

Life Is So Unfair!

I am a dog.

I have four cute little paws.

My four paws were given to me by my parents, so they belong to me.

Since they belong to me, that means I can do anything to them.

But... why do the humans stop me when I am sayang-ing them?

(MM: She means licking.)

Why do the humans scold me when I am kissing them?

(MM: Gosh, that was chewing!)

Why does MM make me wear a transparent lamp shade when I just want to show a bit more affection for my four paws?

(MM: Hello, that is not a lamp shade. It is called Elizabethan collar. Wetty paws are haven for germs and bacteria! Prevention is always better than cure, my dear...)

Doesn't anyone understand?

(MM: Yes, I really don't understand. There's nothing wrong with your paws. Perhaps it's time to get you busier.)

Sighz... Life is full of restrictions. Life is so UNFAIR! *Grrr...*

(MM: I can't agree more on that! Thus, can't you be more cooperative and make everyone's life easier? Sighz...)

Take a rest first while thinking how to fight for my rights!

The Onion

Onions, one of the oldest vegetables known to mankind, are found in a bewildering array of recipes and preparations, spanning almost the totality of the world's cultures. Though onions have many medicinal properties and health benefits, they actually a BIG no-no in our diet! Onions contain a toxic ingredient which is known as thiosulphate. Besides dogs, other pets affected by onion toxicity will develop haemolytic anaemia, in which the red blood cells burst while circulating in the animal's body.

Though Wynn Wynn and I cannot eat onions, we do appreciate them in another perspective. Recently we like a song performed by Aska, Yang Zong Wei. It is called "Yang Cong" (洋葱). As "Yang Cong" means "Onion", MM always loves to refer this song to the song of "Onion". Do not be mistaken... the song is not one of those funny vegan tales. It is beautiful and meaningful, especially the lyrics written by Ashin from MayDay (五月天). Though it does not tear your eyes like those powerful-scented onions, you might just be touched by this "Onion", in some ways.

<< 洋葱>>
如果你眼神能够为我
片刻的降临
如果你能听到 心碎的声音
沉默的守护著你
沉默的等奇迹
沉默的让自己 像是空气

大家都吃著聊著笑著
今晚多开心
最角落里的我 笑得多合群
盘底的洋葱像我
永远是调味品
偷偷的看著你
偷偷的隐藏著自己

如果你愿意一层一层
一层的剥开我的心
你会发现 你会讶异
你是我 最压抑
最深处的秘密
如果你愿意一层一层
一层的剥开我的心
你会鼻酸 你会流泪
只要你能 听到我
看到我的全心全意

听你说你和你的他们
暧昧的空气
我和我的绝望 装得很风趣
我就样一颗洋葱
永远是配角戏
多希望能与你有一秒
专属的剧情

如果你愿意一层一层
一层的剥开我的心
你会发现 你会讶异
你是我 最压抑
最深处的秘密
如果你愿意一层一层
一层的剥开我的心
你会鼻酸 你会流泪
只要你能 听到我
看到我的全心全意

你会鼻酸 你会流泪
只要你能 听到我
看到我的全心全意

Reflections

Time flies! Year 2008 had finally arrived with much anticipation, joy and perhaps some mixed feelings. Since it is the 1st day of the new year, Wynn Wynn and I decide to reflect on what had happened in year 2007 and what we should look forward to in year 2008.

2007 Highlights:

~ Our blog was born! Hip Hip Hurray!!!

~ My yeast infection was on the road to recovery. But the road was quite rocky. *Sighz*

~ We got our first taste of canned food with tripe! YUMMY to us but YUCKY to the humans. *Hiak hiak*

~ With a wetter 2007 and plus MM being super busy in her new job, our walks became lesser and less frequent. However, she had travelled lesser in the year, thus hanging around more with us. :))

~ With a 破斧沉舟 mindset，MM fed me Azmira Yeast & Fungal D'tox though most so-called natural herbs were unknown to us. I managed to stay alive *winks* and get to eat Azmira kibbles too! It had been a long break from those crunchy kibbles. I MISS THAT FEEL!!!

~ We started to have regular home-cooked SOUP and herbal DRINK for detoxification. Perhaps MM thought body toxins should be able to be removed with MORE liquid. :P

~ I was getting more grouchy and bad-tempered. Hey, I could not help it. My condition really bothered me a lot. *SOB*

~ Wynn Wynn became more choosy with her food. GOSH, she really thought she was a connoisseur of fine food and drink!

~ Oh yes, lesser teeth brushing yet CLEANER teeth & gums! All thanks to the powerful ProDen PlaqueOff Animal. :))

~ Dr Chua gave us a clean bill of good health. But I still have to work harder to be totally 100% recovered from my skin problem. 加油！加油!

~ Towards the end of the year, we began our new diet - BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food). No more home-cooked food (HCF) and no more commercial dog food. We LOVE those raw meaty bones! :D

Looking Ahead in 2008:

~ What else but a BETTER weather, MORE walks, MORE dehydrated treats, MORE trees and lamp posts for marking, MORE freedom, MORE hugs & love and definitely LESSER scolding! *Heehee*

~ NO MORE elizabeth collar on my neck PLEASE!

~ May our immune system become STRONGER and MIGHTIER!

~ Ok, I shall try my very best to be LESS cranky and barkish.

~ Not to forget Wynn Wynn to lose some pounds!

~ Hope MM would get her new toy soon. It has been a year!

~ Last but not least, a MORE fruitful and blissful year for everyone! Cheers!

Have a sweet sweet 2008!!! :))

SNAD

We heard of SNAG (Sensitive New Age Guy). But do you know that we have SNAD too? Of course we do! FYI, I am quite a good example of SNAD (Sensitive New Age Dog).

I am sensitive internally and externally. Being emotionally sensitive, I listen attentively to those woes or grandmother stories by the humans (though I might doze off in the midst at times). I show my concern by being a quiet dog in their laps (which can be quite a nice resting area). When someone is outside the house, I 'call out' to them to show my acknowledgement of their presence. You can't possibly feign ignorance. That is rude, you know. And when I am not feeling good, I give a 'hint' to indicate DO NOT DISTURB. I usually do not like showing an outburst of my displeasure. Most will get the hint and they will stay away to give me some timeout. Except for that thick-skulled Wynn Wynn. *Sighz*

As for being sensitive externally, the humans always say they have never seen such a skin sensitive dog like me. Well, I guess that is a compliment. :)

Mr SNAD

Something About Our Tails

It is always an enigma to everyone in the family, including our groomer. Wynn Wynn's and my tails are not bushy and heavy, like what most Shih Tzu and Maltese will have. The bewildering part is that we were not born from the same parents or fall under a common family tree. Yet both of us have the same tail condition.

Wynn Wynn's wagger...

My little stub...

WHY does that happen to us? We are not fed with dog food of poor quality. Even our home-cooked food is always prepared based on a balanced formula. Supplements? Yes, we have tried various kinds. And the result? Hmmm... WHY WHY WHY???

I remember when Wynn Wynn first came to us, she was a little weird-looking alien with sparse furs. After taking Dermatrix for about three months, she actually turned into a BIG furry ball! The funny thing is that her tail furs grew in terms of length, but not flourished much in terms of quantity. Isn't that puzzling? Perhaps before the nutrients could reach the end of her body, they had already being 'snatched away' by the other front parts. No wonder Wynn Wynn's waist blossomed the most! Keke!

As for me, I guess it is not that important for I am a guy. Guys go for macho look. Hence I feel that having the ability to bark loud and crispy clear is much more important than having a bushy tail that looks like a big flower! Hey, I am not eating sour grapes here. FYI, dogs and grapes do not complement each other at all. Understand?

Gone With The Wind

MM bought a new stuff to decorate her room today. Perhaps I should not use the word 'decorate' for the beautifying actually resulted in intangible form. Sensing her room was too full of our unique body odour, MM decided to do something to make the resting area more bearable, at least for her. When the natural outdoor fresh air had failed her miserably, MM bought this cute invention from Ambi Pur - a little fan accessory with meadow fresh fragrance that she came upon at the supermarket.

Surprisingly, this little thing can really make the room smell different instantly! In less than 10 minutes, the room was surrounded with an aroma of fresh meadow and fruity green touch. To Frankie's and my dismay, that also implied our odour was completely gone from the room! So sad... we felt that our privacy was being invaded. But MM was more than happy. In fact she kept asking.... no, should be telling us straight into our faces, "Wow, the room smells so great now! You like it too, don't you? Good, we are going to have sweeter dreams for now....." *Pouting*

Why did MM change the smell of the room? Isn't natural always good? Perhaps it has to do with 'olfaction', which actually refers to our sense of smell. You know, when we detect a certain smell in the air, it links to a part of our brain that is involved with memory and feelings. That explains why Frankie like to sniff his paw after he has licked it. The odour helps to transmit feelings of happiness and relaxation directly to his little brain. The more he feels that, the more he will lick his paws. As a result, he always ends up with something extra too - a BIG scolding from MM! Hiak hiak!

Goodbye, our ODOUR! Though you are gone now, Frankie and I will continue to work hard to bring you back! MM has underestimated our power. We will win Ambi Pur very soon! May the force be with us. ;))

MayDay - 私奔到月球

MM is humming that song again. It is also one of my favourite songs. Whenever I hear it, my tail will wag as if it is dancing to the catchy melody. It is a very nice song with a quite funny title - 私奔到月球 (Elope to the Moon?). In fact, it is a duet performed by the Taiwanese female singer, Cheer Chen, and one of the Mayday members, Ashin. Do not get the wrong idea. Both the singers are not planning an elopement to the earth's natural satellite. Hiak hiak!

In botany, Mayday is a bird cherry tree. In Literature, Mayday is actually a novel written by Nelson DeMille. Even in the terms of music and film, Mayday can be referred to an album record by Hugh Cornwell or a character in the film A View to a Kill (James Bond). But to me, Mayday 五月天 is a Taiwanese rock band which is made up of five talented, cute guys. Oops, did I mention the word "cute"? Heehee... please pardon me. I really do find them adorable *blush*. At least they are so much charming and ingenious than that cranky Frankie.

Aren't they adorable? JUMP! Mayday!

Last but not least, do allow me to share with you the lively lyrics of the song.


私奔到月球:

其实你 是个心狠又手辣 的小偷
我的心 我的呼吸和名字 都偷走
你才是 绑架我的凶手
机车後座的我 吹着风 逃离了平庸


这星球 天天有五十亿人 在错过
多幸运 有你一起看星星 在争宠
这一刻 不再问为什麽
不再去猜测人和人 心和心 有什麽不同

一二三 牵着手
四五六 抬起头
七八九 我们私奔到月球
让双脚 去腾空
让我们 去感受
那无忧的真空
那月色纯真的感动

当你说 太聪明往往还是 会寂寞
我笑着 倾听孤单终结後 的静寞
看月亮 像夜空的瞳孔
静静凝视你我 和我们闹嚷的星球
靠近你 怎麽突然两个人 都词穷
让心跳 像是野火燎原般 的汹涌
这一刻 让命运也沉默
让脚尖划过天和天 地和地 缘分的宇宙
一二三 牵着手
四五六 抬起头
七八九 我们私奔到月球
让双脚 去腾空
让我们 去感受
那无忧的真空
那月色纯真的感动

一二三 牵着手
四五六 抬起头
七八九 我们私奔到月球
让双脚 去腾空
让我们 去感受
那无忧的真空
那月色纯真的感动

一二三 牵着手
四五六 抬起头
七八九 我们私奔到月球
让双脚 去腾空
让我们 去感受
那无忧的真空
那月色纯真的感动

NOTE: You might still be able to catch the song 'singing' in our blog, if it has not been removed from the background. :)

The Starfish Story

MM found three red spots on my body after bath today. As usual, after my furs had dried up, MM applied the antiseptic cream on the spots, just like how those Jie Jies apply pimple cream on the bumps. :P

Looking at my red spots now, I suddenly remember a story told by MM when I was suffering from a serious fungal/yeast infection last year. It was The Starfish Story by Loren Eiseley (1907 - 1977).

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."

For the same reason, MM was encouraging me to be more positive in facing my skin condition. The starfish actually serves as a reminder that by having the faith, it would make a great difference in whatever we do for ourselves or others. I believe I will be recovered fully in no time and be a happy, carefree (no more elizabeth collar!) Frankie soon again. Yes, I believe that. But somehow I do wonder at times - does a starfish taste good too?

Blue Blue Monday

It was really a blue Monday for MM. We can tell that from her half-dead body language when we greeted her at the door. Thinking we might be able to understand, she shared with us the inconsiderate yet funny acts by some train commuters on her journey back home.


1) The Scaredy Cat

Miss Sexy Cat listened to instruction to hold on to the railing when she was on the moving escalator. However, at the end of the moving-up passage, she still grasped the railing as if her hand was glued onto it. As a result, her act almost caused "a little traffic jam" for there was a line of people standing behind her on the same escalator! Miss Scaredy Cat should she be!


2) The Bookworm

Hordes of people were rushing in and out of the train interchange at the peak hours. Yet Mr Bookworm could still wriggle his way slowly in the crowd, with his hands and eyes fixed onto his book. He was totally oblivious of his surroundings. He should count his lucky stars that he was in a busy passageway, but not on a busy ROAD! Anyway, we must say that Singapore's Reading Campaign is actually a great success!


3) The Lovebirds

No wonder there is such a saying "Love is blind". The lovebirds held onto each other tightly, as if nothing in this world could separate them. Even when the whole world slowed down behind them (actually more like due to them), they just had each other in their eyes. Who said that "Romancing Singapore" only happens in the month of February?!!

4) The Loud Hailer

A loud hailer is a portable device whose application is to send a person’s natural voice toward a targeted direction for a specified purpose. Mrs Loud Hailer is born natural. She always forgets the volume level she needs to use in a certain environment. To her, LOUD is default. LOUD is good! Perhaps she does not believe that a small mobile handphone is capable to convey CLEAR messages over a distance to the other party. Or perhaps she is just happy to share the gossips or the best served bak ku teh and rojak in Singapore with everyone in the same space. Hmmm... what about sharing some reliable information on how to struck a little pot of gold? It will be a immense solace for the working ants, especially after they have known they most likely need to work till a very dark golden age in the future.


The above are just MM's little grumbles. Please bear with her, just as we always do. After a good rest and a yummy dinner, she will be back to her normal self again. But somehow, Frankie and I are glad that animals are not allowed to take public transport like MRT. Can you imagine how stressed it will be on our little bodies and minds to go through such a situation? Mmm... Is Singapore really a gracious country after all?