Koru’s quest on finding her Doggie…

I never had the privilege of owning a dog… This was one of my childhood deprivations. I envied those who had even had a mongrel at home whom they did not even stop to play with. Growing up in pekeliling flats for 20 years, it was impossible to own one. When I moved back to Jalan Ipoh, it didn’t seem likely I could have one. Then finally now, my parents agreed to have one. I was elated beyond words!

My quest for doggie started somewhere this year around my Birthday. I decided to visit SPCA to adopt a doggie. I was lucky to see a 7-month old German Shepherd. I was short of cash at that time & my cheque will only be cleared 2 days later. When I finally got the money & was about to go bring “Bailey” home, SPCA told me she was already taken. I cried my way home… I hope she found a loving family & good home…
I stopped the thought for awhile, thinking I would not be able to accommodate one since I started working in June… quietly, I’ve started to prepare myself for dog ownership. I bought books on Dog Training, researched on the Internet, etc…

I was a bag of mixed emotions when Mike got Chi Chi… It was quite sudden, like Poof! Then came the pup. At least he takes the effort to provide the best he can for Chi Chi when he goes away for work at outstation. When I was at Phuket I bought a small gift for Chi Chi too, even it’s not my dog! J When I came back, my parents were anxious again after another neighbor’s house got burglar-ed while I was in Phuket. My dad suggested a dog all of a sudden. I said “Get one! What are u guys waiting for?” I assured him I’d be responsible for it.

So while I was still on leave, I started my quest. I paid SPCA a visit the next morning & dragged Felix with me J He was so disturbed by the sight of so many dogs surrounding him! It was a freaking wet day & I was adamant to see all the dogs there even in the rain! I saw an overweight GSD, two lovely looking Golden Retrievers. I really liked Oscar! 2-year old Golden Retriever. Reve said he just arrived a day before so he seemed upset but curious! I went home that night I marched up to my dad & said I’m bringing a dog home. He said ok but check with mother just in case. She agreed too. I was soooo happy!!

I got up very early with the money to adopt Oscar. I even bought McNuggets for him! When I reached, I had a chat with the girl & she said suddenly the owners would want to take Oscar back! I was fuming! I was thinking what the F*** !!! Then why put him there in the first place?? Are the owners playing a sick joke to their dog? They only told me that day that Oscar has a skin problem it gets smelly & that’s why the owners put it up for adoption! U can only imagine how pissed I was. Here I was, telling SPCA, I AM WILLING TO BEAR THE VETERINARY COSTS for their dog. Not to mention, love their dog, but the owner was pulling a fast one over the phone when SPCA spoke to the owner. SPCA had to assure the owner TWICE that Oscar will be well taken care of. When she hung up I asked her what was the owner so concerned about? She said “Argh, usual-lah these owners, scare people will mistreat their dog!” WTF. Then why leave your dog in SPCA? I left SPCA upset & heartbroken again. I liked Lucy, a loving little fellow, but her front leg was run over by a car & they said it’s a nerve paralysis and the leg has to be amputated. I almost cried when they said they mite put her to sleep. It’s really a lot to take in one day.

I called up my good friend & she suggested PAWS. So I drove all the way to Subang to continue my search…

It was my 1st time going to PAWS. I was very happy that they take the effort to make the area a cosy place to live in for the dogs. They have a lot of plants and you can even buy treats there to feed the dogs. The space there is limited so they are all mixed up together, and occasional nippings can be expected... Some of the dogs have been there for a long time. I was relieved that they don’t give a dateline to the dogs unless some circumstances. I met Sin Tian, I’m filled with awe for her. She connects very well with each dog & passionately described a few dogs to Thanny & myself. I saw one nice doggie but it was not ready for adoption yet. It would take 6 more weeks. She gave me their number & asked me to follow up if I’m still interested. Empty handed again….

I made a call to another friend to ask her advise for a good pet shop for pet supplies & she recommended one in Taman Megah. So I headed there to do some shopping. It was nice to see the place looked cosy and their cats & dogs ran all over the place freely. I picked a body harness, leash, shampoo, toys, bowl, ear cleaner, comb & food. I small talked with the owner, Abias, and I told him my events of the day. He said he happened to have one 1 year old, female, Golden Retriever belonging to his friend & he’s helping to sell it. I asked why and he explained that they stay in a condo and the dog is getting bigger & noisy so they kept the poor dog out on the balcony!!! Are these people fucking sick or what?? We played with the doggie for awhile & he kept asking me to consider but he won’t budge on the price. As I’m paying for the dog, RM800 was slightly over my budget. I just felt compelled to give a good home to suffering dogs. As the doggie spends most her time in the small cage, I was really very sad. I left, hoping Abias would counter offer me and was planning to come back the next day to negotiate again.

On Saturday morning, I got up early for an appointment with another breeder from a newspaper column I called up. So I dragged Felix with me again to find that God forsaken factory tucked somewhere in Gombak. The place is actually a factory manufacturing all sorts of things; chairs, animal cages, furniture etc… and they have spaces for dogs all kept in unhygienic conditions. This dude called Jeff showed me their Golden Retrievers; there were 6 of them. All were females & they are past their expiry. The freaking irresponsible owner bought the females from another previous owner & bred puppies out of the females. I was really upset after I probed further. The whole place screams “DODGY”. Its disturbing enough that the females are already 2nd hand & now they have milked enough out of the dogs, they wanna get rid of it like having a garage sale! FUCK! I bought a cage & left the place. Jeff told me they have GSDs as well but I would not even be bothered to support their shady business! The dodgy factory also breeds fowls, pheasants, Ostrich, parrots & mini pigs! Jeff tried to sell me everything! What a suspicious fellow. I really wanted to buy 2 of the females. My heart aches when they let her out from the pathetic cage & these are the same people who are exploiting her & yet she still shows her love to them. It was just too overwhelming!

So to everyone out there; Please think twice, thrice before owning a dog! DON’T support those breeders who only breed to make money & exploit their dogs. Otherwise, help out SPCA! You can do so much for a loving doggie there!

I am saddened if anyone thinks I am rushing to get a dog out of impulse. I AM rushing! It’s because cruel human has put a dateline to some dogs. Time is running out to save them. There is a room in SPCA I accidentally caught a glimpse of that day; inside were a pile of doggies lying in a heap. All were not saved in time. Puppies, dogs, died because time ran short on them. That picture is forever in my memory.