Congratulations!

Tracy, looking trim and beautiful as ever, strolled into Poochville, alongwith her hubby Kean Seng and Juju for her weekly bath. Who would have thought that she has just delivered baby Hazel Lim May Jean on 8th December,2010!

Even as an expectant mother then, she too was beautiful.

She has always struck me as "A Perfect 10", since she first stepped into my shop for Juju, 3 years ago. Tall, slim, fair flawless complexion, gentle and soft spoken, she is just everybody's dream girl!

Will baby Hazel be a replica of her mummy in years to come?

Water Disruption!

I woke up @ 6am, earlier than usual, having been forewarned about the water disruption from 7am till 7pm. I headed towards the bathroom for a quick shower and scurried down the stairs to the backyard and garden and CLEAN UP & FLUSH OFF whatever defecation left by my rotty, gsd and the golden retriever while my maid dashed to water the plants!!

MISSION at home accomplished, I sped to the pet shop and ..............was ..... aha... fortunate not to be greeted with these SIGHT!!.......

NEVER BELIEVE the owners when they claimed that their pets are house-trained or paper-trained! One even brought her own "toilet" as in picture 1 but see where this cheeky one choose to poo?

These batch of "boarders" are more disciplined and did not soil all over the place thus cleaning was made easy. It was eightish when water from the tap turned into a mere trickle so I decided to ......CLOSE FOR THE DAY!!

Happy Birthday!

Well, Al-Wyn too, shouldn't be due till third week of January and I was hoping to get him induced to be born on 14th January .... my birthday!!.........

A routine check-up ended up with me being hospitalised there and then at The Specialist Centre .... bleeding ... the cause!! I was administered with the epidural to induce the labour.

I was in the labour room with another lady. We were wondering who would be the first to deliver and it was she. "Congratulations! You've a baby girl!" said Dr Loh. "You may hold your little one." I heard the lady's sigh of relief! The ordeal was over. Both mother and child were then wheeled out of the room.

There was complete silence ..... then .... music filled the air ...."Joy to the world, the lord has come, let all receive his King ....." The X'mas carollers were rendering the Christmas hymns just outside the labour room!! All at once, tears were streaming down my cheeks! I felt miserable. I had been there since morning and dreaded the long hours! The carollers left ...... and it was not until 12.45am, 23rd December, that Al-Wyn arrived weighing 2.98kg! Considering being a month preterm, he was pretty heavy!

"Hey, why ain't I allowed to hold my baby?" I asked weakly, oblivious of the condition of my little one! After all, the other lady was allowed to hold hers! Dr Loh hesitated, then, gestured the nurse to bring my baby to me, so brief, I could register nothing but a monkey-like creature while he said "See ... it's a ku ku cheow (meaning penis)!" The nurses darted out of the room along with my poor boy ....

Outside the labour room, to my 15 yr old brother, my hubby explained, "See ... with the nurses scurrying like this, it must be a case of emergency ......" Little did he realize that it was his BABY he was commenting on!!

A visit to the nursery room, saw my pathetic newborn in the incubator with tubing stuffed into his nostrils! and a black patch over his eyes!! Unlike other mothers, I could not hold and breastfeed my boy!

I was discharged 2 days later, but my little darling remained at the hospital for a week! Relatives visited us and I became over sensitive when I caught them whispering. Call it the post-natal blues, I was indeed dejected. My hubby ain't bad looking and I, ahem! ahem! was pretty attractive, but how come our baby was so ....??! I soon discovered that being preterm, his yet to shed long coated hair contributed to the monkey-like look!!

Whatever, my precious one has flourished into a handsome HULK!!!

Happy Birthday, Son! I love you!!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday! Miss U!!

Ca-Ryn was due to be born the 3rd week of December and was supposed to be a 'gift' to her daddy whose birthday falls on 20th December ........

I was admitted into The Specialist Centre because I bled. About 5ish, my gynaecologist, Dr Kelvin Loh checked on me. "Young lady, you ok?" Were the urges that of having a bowel movement, ok? Anyway, I complied with a "I suppose so." With a smile and murmuring about golfing, he left the labour room.

Soon after, a nurse came ....."3 fingers dilation" said she. I panicked ... oh my ... @ 5 fingers dilation, my BABY will be OUT and the doctor?.....golfing? Nurses were all around me. "Easy now, stop pushing, doc's coming, inhale...." soothed one simultaneously holding an oxygen mask to my nose to weaken the pushing .....

Dr Loh strode into the room, donned his gown and seated before me while my legs were being strapped up! This very action hasten the pushing .... "CAN HOLD NO MORE!! MY BABY IS COMING OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!" I screamed! "YOUR BABY NEARLY FELL DOWN!!!" bellowed Dr Loh who grabbed my poor baby, by the neck, with a forceful jerk!! Apparently, he wasn't prepared (as his gown was not yet laid before him to cushion falls, if any) for the almost instant arrival of my darling, weighing 3.8kg @ 6.26pm on 15th of December !

I didn't realize then, that the strong urges of having bowel movement indicated labour pains as I was administered with epidural when I delivered my first child.

By the 3rd month, when Ca-Ryn's head could not sit firmly on her neck without support, anxiety and fear mounted up. Could she be injured by the forceful jerk?!! Her paediatrician, Dr Michael Khor brushed off our worries ..... see Ca-Ryn now with head-stand ...whatever... depicted?

Ca-Ryn is now enjoying her life to the fullest while serving her 6-month internship in Beijing since July. Away from home spells FREEDOM!! Take care, darling ..... muaks ... muaks .... from mummy!!

In memory of Tom!

My response to a missed call @ 7.55am from Julie this morning, brought fatal news!! Between sobs, Julie mourned over the loss of Tom, her darling shih tzu/yorkie cross .... Cause of death? Unknown.... Tom had always been frail though.....

Julie was still crying her heart out when I chatted with her a while ago. I know what it's like having lost my rotty (01/10/08).

Tom, I miss you too....

My maids made off with my handbag!!

Hi! I'm back! I laid off, not because of waning interest to blog but because of my exhaustion from covering chores initially undertaken by 3 persons!! Good exercise though!!

It was a Monday morning (22/02/10) between 6.30am - 7.00am on a "Chap Goh Meh" that I discovered the maids gone, with my handbag ! I had conveniently, the night before, left on the chair, my handbag containing rm6,000 (which was to be banked in), 2 cheque books, 8 credit cards, identity card, driving licence, a 10 MP camera, holiday apartment's keys & house keys along with important notes & documents!!

My losses did not stop there! There was a penalty charge of rm250 for each maid, Rm8000 & Rm8300 already paid to the agent when securing the maids, charges for change of locks for entire house, charges for credit cards replacement, charges for marking presented cheques etc!!

A hefty price I paid for a lesson learnt .... NEVER TRUST a maid anymore with ANYTHING!

My mum had always, on her visits to Penang, warned me to lock up my handbag & I would always brush her off with "Arghhh ..... I shouldn't be engaging them if I don't trust them!" I'm thankful Mum didn't rub into my sore with a "I TOLD U SO!!"

In fact, except for a small safe (a gift from Citibank), u would never find any drawer or cabinet with locks in my HOME! Stories of burglars damaging locked compartment etc resulting in further expenses incurred repairing, made me decide against having locks!! Guess I've got second thoughts now!

"Dogskin" Rugs For FREE @ Poochville!!

I only see this pair, this time of the year annually and, the same TUNE I would be SINGING to their OWNER! My reprimand seemed like music to her?his? ears!!

"Aiyo, I don't have the time ma... Didn't u see the trimmed face n head this time? Before, u can't even tell from head to tail, remember?"

"Oh yeah hor, marked improvement! Man, I feel sorry for your dogs!" I rebuked.

My sarcasms put most people off but there are just as many (e.g. this particular person) who took them in good spirit knowing that I meant well!

Try as I would to be tactful, my annoyance more often than never, supersede my train of thoughts to be mindful of others' feelings!!

When you subject your pets to such condition of densely matted fur, skin infection arises. Residue trapped within after shampooing can never be thoroughly rinsed off thus causing irritation to the skin. In this case, I do not know if it is the dogs which are fortunate (as apart from some noticeable red spots and tell tale signs of residue, the skin seem alright) or the owner who is lucky as she?he? need not incur medical expenses for treatment!


Busy as I was, I took great care to ensure the coat of each dog in one piece !





Their owner shied away from my camera .... "Leena, please ...not on the blog!!".....instead, flashed a quick shot of the dog skin rugs with a hand phone before dashing off with the two darlings, n giggling over the RUGS!!
"HEY! ENSURE NO MATS NEXT YR!!" I yelled!



Ain't they adorable minus their coats?




This is another pathetic pooch.

Thumbs-up to Kenneth for his dignified deed!!

Kenneth turned up punctually with a pekingese in his arm. Stroking the pooch, I asked...what's your name? Quasi ...offered Kenneth. Mmm....nice name I thought. My task made simpler too, when running through my phone directory! I've got, on my list, too many Baby, Bebe, BB ..... and the like, Ben, Bobby, Bobo, Brownie, Buffy, Casper, Coco, Curly, Cute, Happy, Fifi, Fluffy, Girl, Ginger, Goofy, Jojo, Kiki, Lucky, Max, May, Momo, Pipi, Prince..... that I was always doubtful of which pad to hit should I need to ring the owner up for one reason or another!

Quasi's previous owner left him with the SPCA and it was from there that Kenneth adopted him 5 months ago (soon after Quasi's eye operation) for rm300. Ain't that a noble act that we should emulate? If only there are more people like him.....

Curious to know what Kenneth is by profession, I text messaged him the question, to which he replied..... a medical student!! With such a kind-hearted soul and a suave disposition, I bet he'll make a great doctor!!

Kenneth, are u still eligible? Should I post your contact here?

Ca-Ryn threatened to delete my blog when I mentioned quoting her as "available"! On a serious note she insisted that the blog should not be spiced up at her expense. She would not allow herself to be a subject of ridicule amongst her friends reading my blog! Darling, your threat carries no weight as your mom, i.e. me! have had my password changed!

Jokes aside, SPCA welcomes your support be it in cash or in kind to help upkeep the animal shelter. In case you may not have noticed, this donation box sits in the corner of my shop.

Heartiest Congratulations!

Chong Mae Ryn has always been a high achiever! Her past academic excellence boast of straight As in PMR (7) and SPM (11)

Having attained high distinctions for all 4 subjects of the Monash University Foundation Year Examination last year, she is granted full sponsorship to pursue a Degree in Engineering at the National University of Australia!!

Daddy Chong Seen Yew's perseverance darting forth n back to procure the full scholarship of rm500,000 from JPA has paid off! One Great Papa He Is! ya?!!

Syabas to 1Malaysia!, my niece will be on her way to Australia on 07/02/10! and, for the first time, celebrating Chinese New Year away from home. Mummy Tuinny, please don't flood Malaysia with your TEARS!! Aha.....we do not wish for a wet new year. On a happier note, your daughter is on her journey to a greater height of SUCCESS!

Well, Rynee, here's wishing u the best of everything in life!

Love from Auntie Leena, Uncle Ng, Al-Wyn & Ca-Ryn!! .............muaks! muaks!

Where to potong ...oops! sorry, cut, I mean.....

My unforgettable experience was with a shih tzu, Bobo, which has since been adopted by my sis-in-law, Kim ..3 yrs?..4 yrs? ago! I remember vividly, it being the first dog I groomed for $$$$! Nails clipping on his earlier visits had always been such a commotion (he kicked, howled, bit), that his previous owner, Mdm Sin, decided to pop into his throat a sleeping pill before sending him to my shop!

With a "Please help me get the long (indeed very long, quick extended, too) nails cut at whatever cost!" and a "No one can ever get to do it!", she left. My brother, Seng, happened to be around. Bobo looked at us, ready to launch an attack, groggy (effects of the pill) though it may be!

No way this fella gonna sleep... get me the clipper... hold him tight lest I'll be bitten!" said Seng. What he did next was terrifying ..... snip! snip! snip! amidst Bobo's shrilly cries and ferocious protest and oblivious of my cries too, for him to halt!! Within seconds (though it seemed a lifetime), he had all the nails cut closed to the pads!!... and timely too.... I was losing my grasp on Bobo ... he was far too strong for me! Blood oozed with each cut staining the floor and my brand new tee-shirt (which cost more than what I charged Mdm Sin)! My hands were coloured by the potassium permanganate administered to stop the profuse bleeding!

"Traumatic for the dog? Well, he acted traumatised anyway.. thus it makes no difference! Sometimes, you need to be cruel to be kind. He will be exposed to more injury with nails as long as they were!" explained my brother.

To Mdm Sin, I related the whole scenario and was apologetic. However, her never ending "thank you" made me wonder if I should agree with my brother's drastic action..... What say you?

Incidentally, since I am on this topic, let me share my personal nail experience .....

It was my day off on a Monday. I checked into this newly opened salon operated by my customer for a pedicure. Honestly, I have past the age of vanity but was there for moral support. I've always envied people with long nails because I've never had long nails all my life. My weak nails (when wet, can even be bent backwards!) chipped off easily, so when the manicurist suggested the gel extensions, I fell for it!

Throughout the session, I was attended to by 4 manicurists. My initial allocation of 2 hrs for a pedicure, dragged to 7 hrs in all, and was slapped with ..phew...a whopping bill!

The following day, at my pet shop, I kept flaunting my nails and demonstrating the colour changing from peach (body temperature) to pink (wet my hand, place it before the air-conditioner to cool it) ! Two days later, a nail extension came off and another and another .........! Could it have been due to rough handling with dogs, ...drumming the table with the finger nails ....? What about the toe nails coming off as well? I don't groom with my feet?! Anyway, to make up, the proprietor suggested another session .....

Ignoring all advices, I clipped off the nails till the raw nail beds surfaced! I flinched each time I slipped my hands into my jean's pockets, reaching for one thing or another ....or rummaging through my handbag .....

Tokens of Appreciation!

Well, I am so glad to see the delighted faces of owners when presented the mugs with faces of their MUTTS (ha..ha,merely jesting) looking... smiling...staring back at them! Oh!...squealed some of them...."When was this shot taken! How cute..bla..bla...?" Gosh! need I say further? Of course, the time when they sent their dogs in for grooming, dude!! Will probably post more mugs of those taken of owners n pets together... with owners consent!

Some even requested for more!...but of course, the extras ..... on their bill!

By the way, if you are someone who happen to know my daughter, please don't tell her that I have conveniently posted her up there .....ssh....ssh... t.. h..anks!

Welcome To Poochville!

Spare the cane & spoil the DOG?

This morning's talk show on air brought back memories of my childhood and that of my children's.

While chatting over the phone with Al-Wyn, my son, I casually mentioned that I may be touching on this topic. He was quick to respond with "Hey, mom! Save us (speaking on behalf of his sis, Ca-Ryn, as well) the embarrassment!" From this, it is obvious my children were not spared the ......."belt"!

My 4 siblings and I were never spared, not only the cane, but broomstick, hose, belt and whatever mum could lay hands on, in anger!! I resented those beatings and thought mum was abusive! I realised now bringing up 5 children with an age difference of a year or 2 from one another can be hellish! The only way to break fights....."STOP IT!" followed by raining whack...whack...whack!!

"Mummy..Mummy...ko ko do me...." wailed then 5 year old, Ca-ryn. To 10 year old Al-Wyn, I bellowed! " How many times have I warned you not to tease your sis, huh?" Hence, with my children, very well ....ahem... disciplined though they may be, the occasional "Turn Your Back" and whacks on the bottom were unavoidable!!

My canine children receive no different treatment. When positive approaches fail, pain (the last resort) is inflicted! I always believe that action speaks louder than words! One whip saves all the shouting of QUIET! QUIET!.....!! I hardly cane my pooches but when I do, with one whip, I make sure they won't ever ask for it! My "QUIET!" never fails to send silence across the room as far as my 2 legged and 4 legged children are concerned!

PLEASE..... Free ur pooch from MATS!

"I don't want her bald...not with Chinese New Year around the corner!" so said the owner.

Well, I told her she's fortunate it's a schnauzer she owns, as, for pet grooming, almost the entire top part of the body is clean shaved, so there won't be much left to be de-matted!! "What?! Clean shaved?! No..no..no.. When my friend (who has left the country) passed her to me,the coat was this long and I like it that way!. I tried with all stuff recommended by pet shops to no avail... the knots got worse by the day.....I merely want the coat de-matted!"

I almost retorted....YOU KIDDING? I'll be able to work wonders given a MAGIC WAND!!! Man, pet shop operators would be laughing all the way to the bank if they chanced upon any product that can de-mat densely knotted balls of hair just by APPLYING!!!

Imagine having adopted this poor thing for 2 years and never had it properly GROOMED! How can anyone in the right frame of mind allow their dogs to be covered up with mats? Can first time owners be excused for subjecting their pets to such abuse...mistreat...? I chose not to use the word neglect as it seems too mild a term!

I hate the innocent expression they wear while questioning if what lies before their very eyes are matted fur?! Even if they can't see, surely feeling, touching, tells it all!!..... I'm even more annoyed when they claim ignorance of pet-care simultaneously blaming their maids (supposedly smarter?) for not caring for their OWN pets!!

Told the owner it's IMPOSSIBLE to have her dog de-matted as it will be in agony when we pull and tug her coat!! (As if the owner has never experienced wincing as she comb her own matted hair!)

Showed her, pictures of pet-groomed schnauzers (since she claimed not to have seen any...would u believe?). "U sure that's how they're suppose to look like? Hm..hm.. "
Thought the owners would be impressed with the result......"Y botak ?" exclaimed the hubby. "Rather cute but......." said his wife. It was only then that I realised their genuine ignorance of pet clips, grooming...

Apparently, they were saddled with this pooch, so I offered to put it up for adoption or better still secure a buyer for them. The hubby hesitated..... "no-la...... my friend......"

Well, doggy (name with-held), pray hard that mom and dad ACCEPT "d new look" otherwise you'll be back to the UNKEMPT state and will have to endure all the pulling of tangled hair.....

As for the couple (learned people, they are) , I wonder how long they'll hold on to the poor thing out of "obligation"..... it may be for a decade!!... ARE THEY AWARE OF IT????I believe their friend would rather his dog be adopted by someone else who can shower her with love and attention! Whereas in this case, they probably only ensure their maid see to the needs of water and food of the poor thing!!

As they walked out of the shop, with doggy trotting along, led by the maid,....I bet , then will be the last I see of their backs!!!!

Crusty (dob:17/03/06)....destined to be Mine!!

I thought my kennel was puppy safe when I allowed Crusty, then, about 4 months old to roam freely within the area. My thunderous reprimand of NO never fails to halt his action of toying and chewing latches of cages lined along the wall.

One Sunday,when I was most busy with heavy bookings of grooming, Crusty howled in pain, triggering deafening barking by all the other dogs! Crusty's mouth was stuck to the latch of a cage! My helper's thoughtless immediate reaction of pulling Crusty, aggravated his PAIN!!

By the time I dashed from the grooming room, he was already in a pool of blood and defecation!! I couldn't see how the latch was stuck and how Crusty could be freed... I cried and attempted to remove the screws of the panel of the cage but couldn't as the rusted screws wouldn't budge. With Crusty still in excruciating pain, I left him for the office to summon help by phoning a friend to saw off the cage!!

It was chaotic. Dogs waiting to be groomed.. customers turning up to collect their dogs... customers waiting for advice of intended purchases....

It was heart-wrenching watching Crusty's eyes pleading for help. "He bites!!" shouted my helper and moved away from him! So what?...Someone will have to act...and who else, but Me!

I pressed my face against his to stop him from struggling to break free. I coaxed him amidst the deafening barks (animal instinct told him he was in good hands... he relaxed with blood still oozing) and gently prised open his mouth, while Ah Boy, a customer who by then joined in the commotion, looked into his mouth. The L-shaped latch hooked through Crusty's lower jaw!! "Leena,thrust his mouth to the right!" and in an instant HE WAS FREED!!!!

I hugged him and cried! So relief, I was!!!

I took him home that night and arranged for Dr Yeoh to make a house call. His jaw was so swollen! Crusty was given a jab and a course of antibiotics! He had a jaw, that of a horn bill, lopsided though!!

I couldn't sell him because of his disfigured jaw so I started training him. Then, came a couple who wanted a trained dog for their family. By then, Crusty was already 15 months old(June 07). I demonstrated the come, down, sit, stay commands to perfection. So impressed, they were, that they paid for him right-away! I watched him left with a heavy heart. I consoled myself .... I have too many other dogs fighting for my attention... Crusty will be better off with the sole love of his new owners!

Months later, on the eve of Chinese New Year, his owner called up. "Leena, would you want Johnny (given a new name) back? Since I'm pregnant now, Johnny is cared for by my father-in-law. My father-in-law has just been admitted into the hospital for ?? stitches for bites launched by Johnny! My husband wants him sent to the SPCA!"

Golden retriever?..attacks??? Crusty has a habit of mouth-grasping arms ... I guess an act initiated by slaps from my maid for being too playful?? But, to really sink his teeth into the flesh?? I wouldn't believe it!

I sent him to my sis in KL. Her family adored him, yet a little wee bit fearful in case he bites!!

Nov 08, Crusty was sent back to me!! He had raped my sis's German shepherd and had a litter of 5 cross-bred pups!! My sis was infuriated!

My rotty succumbed to mammary tumor on 01/10/08, so welcoming Crusty home was timely.

April 09, started training him to beg (ask nicely) for food, play dead...

It's the "TREATS" that does the "TRICKS"!!!

My children kept pestering me to blog.....to share my views and experiences on the upbringing of my four legged kids!! There's just too much to talk about that I don't know where to start! Whatever I'm writing is not intended to be offensive, so if you should take it personally then too bad, this blog is not for YOU....SORRY!

Incidentally, I'm running Poochville Pet Centre in Lebuhraya Peel, Penang. Time and again, I have customers telling me their dogs are stupid....do not respond to even the simplest command, bla bla bla. I'm always quick to remind them that there are no stupid dogs .... only (excuse me) STUPID OWNERS!... owners who do not really bother to spend time educating their pooches yet complaining about them. Yelling SIT SIT SIT SIT to a pup or dog which has not been taught is not going to make them sit....so this is where the treats work miraculously...

YOYO, photo by courtesy of Yen

"Your dog performs when given treats only one...." WOULD ANYONE WORK FOR FREE ... WITHOUT A SALARY??? We expect rewards (pay) for effort we put in ... the doggies' rewards for its performance??..TREATS!! LUCKY is the owner who has dogs performing only for her affectionate hugs and kisses like the social workers working FREE for the charitable bodies!

Healthy puppies craved for simply anything edible, so I suggest using their staple food which normally would be kibbles as treats. Use alternative treats only when their attention wane.

Watch my shih tzu CRUNCHY sneezing, counting etc, american cocker spaniel CUDDLES nodding its head when asked if she wants food and golden retriever CRUSTY playing dead etc when I post them on the YouTube.

I'll start off with Crusty.