Rainy days are good for snoozin...

the Cookie who could have been our Badgley

Last Friday afternoon, in the midst of my meetings, I received a message from the hubs that he’d made contact with an owner who was giving up her 5.5 month old male cocker spaniel. She was moving away and wasn’t taking him with her (very annoying - but that's another story), so R made an appointment to view the puppy and decided to bring Misch too, and see if they could get along. Sometime during the night, I received pictures of the sweet little puppy named Cookie – the golden ECS was a dead ringer for Mischka at the same age! A total doppelganger, right down to the white chest and the melty eyes!

Can you spot the difference? ;)

Sunday afternoon, we made arrangements to meet up with Cookie again, so that I could see him for myself. I was totally won over by his exuberance and affection, he licked me all over my face, and just wanted to play! Chasing Mischy all around the playground, and rolling over for tummy rubs – so adorable! Unfortunately, despite it being Misch’s 2nd encounter with Cookie, she couldn’t get over the psychological trauma from the bite she received from evil LeeLee*, and her first instincts whenever Cookie approached, was to bolt, and if we tried to hold her still, she’d let out the most pitiful, strangled whine. The closest we could get them to be to each other was one foot away, lying down. If Cookie so much as leaned over to sniff her, Misch would jump away.

It was a sad moment when we came to the realization that we could never adopt Cookie, but it was even more heartbreaking to see Mischy so tortured. Our main reason for getting a second dog was to give Misch a playmate, but now we know, it would only serve to upset her and cause her distress. So for as long as Misch doesn’t get over the LeeLee episode, we will never be able to get a second dog. Not that Misch doesn’t bring us enough joy. She absolutely does. She’s the perfect dog – in our eyes at least – sweet, intelligent, affectionate, fun loving, and she’s won so many hearts with her endearing ways. I’m just sometimes resentful that the act of an irresponsible owner has brought so much pain (physical and psychological) to Misch, and I can’t help but feel immensely sad that Misch can’t enjoy the company of another dog. All we can do is try to socialize her more at dog runs and let her meet with other dogs as much as possible, in the hope that one day, she will come to realize that they mean no harm, and she won’t feel the terror rising up in her when a furry friend approaches. Hopefully one day she will learn that most doggies just want to sniff and play. In the meantime, we’ll be patient and as loving as can be. And we’ll only have eyes for her.

[* At barely 3.5 months old, Misch was bitten by LeeLee, an adult cocker spaniel, at the pet shop round the corner. He snapped on Misch's snout and refused to let go, despite Misch's desperate cries. She was frightful and refused to come near us for the rest of the day, and it took a few days before she trusted us again. Since then, she's been afraid of other dogs. Even after 2 months of puppy classes with friendly dogs smaller in size than her, she is still wary and sometimes barks and backs away in fear.]

Our Precious

Ever since Mischka came into our lives, we’ve never had a dull moment.

The helpless whimpers and whining the first few nights, the silly antics she got into while stumbling around, discovering a whole new world of kibbles, toys and treats, her first play session outside the confines of her enclosure when she was merely 12 weeks old, her first visit to the vet and her first walk outside. We’ve certainly come a long way from the harrowing days of toilet training her. The days when we would brace ourselves, as we walked in the door, for the mess that we knew would certainly be there, and her tap-dancing all over her own filth in her excitement to see us – those days are finally over. Phew. She still does the same tap-dancing routine, with the same expression of pure joy and relief that we are home (which probably means walk + food!), but no more mess! She’s all grown up now. She leaps and bounds down the stairs now, when she used to retreat in fear and insecurity. Her fine baby fur has given way to a thick, silky, luxuriant coat of glossy ruby-brown. Her once-sleepy, dreamy eyes are now bright and alert, always looking out for excitement, always inquisitive yet she looks at us, eyes full of love, and with the most melting, trusting expression.

I love it when she sees us for the first time each morning and showers us with a million kisses and rubs herself against us, all affectionate, and wanting some cuddles – she’s so cat-like that way, slinking around our legs, and burrowing in your neck and chest. I love to sneak up on her while she’s sleeping, watch her breathing softly. Sometimes I can’t help it, I reach into her crate and carry her out, her still in fantasyland, and cradle her in my arms, sniffing the faint scent of her cherry-almond shampoo on the top of her fluffy head. I love how the glutton in her can never resist a treat and she would be so focused and attentive to every sit/stay/paw/hi-5/rollover command, love how Miss Kaypo just has to follow you around and poke her little cold, wet nose into everything you’re doing, looking over tables, peeking into the fridge, sniffing at the doorway to areas out of bounds to her. Her favourite games are playing catch with Ozzie the ostrich and tug (with anything!). It never fails to crack me up when she struggles with her toy and her long floppy ears flap around her head as she shakes the life out of another innocent, unsuspecting plush. On walks, Mischka’s favourite activity is to chase any flying thing – especially birds – she’d pause mid-step when she spots one and stalks her prey, creeping up on them, before bursting into action! (never reaching any of course, since she’s always on leash – I wouldn’t know what to do with a dead bird in my hands either!)

We never get tired of just sitting and watching her amuse herself with her own toys. And she seems perfectly content just lying by our feet and absently waving her paws in the air while she gets a belly rub or gnawing dreamily on her bone. It’s always reassuring to hear the clink of her bell and dogtag somewhere in the house as she trots around. Mischka has truly changed our lives – not just XJ’s and mine, but also our family. Our parents were never dog-lovers, but now can’t stop gushing about how sweet and endearing she is. How life ever was before Mischka came along, I don’t quite remember the details. But knowing what I know now, and having what I have now, I could never ever do without a puppy as loving and affectionate as her.

Mischka turns 8 months today. See how she’s grown…

Mischka or Manuka?

After deliberating for several weeks, we finally took the plunge, and added this little baby to our family

Our darling 3-month old english cocker spaniel!

Getting her ready to be brought home - a puppy shampoo, 5 mins under the dryer and some powder had her smelling sweet :)

Pitstop at mum's place before we head home

She was pretty well-behaved, and only woke up to whine a little a couple of times in the night. But we ignored her as much as we could. It was heartbreaking, though, to hear her whimpering, and yet not be able to cuddle her. Sigh... you have to be cruel, only to be kind. But she's a strong girl! She made it through the night and woke up with a ravenous appetite, wolfed down her baby share of puppy food in no time at all. I'm so glad she's eating well and we didn't have to resort to the tinned food the pet store gave us for "just-in-case".

We missed her so much, we came home during lunch break to check in on her and she was thankfully fine, except for a bit of poo-mess. Toilet training her is tough! I hope it doesn't take too long more... =S

But for now... we need to decide on her name... What do you think? Mischka or Manuka?

Shenn's Barney Sunday

Took the little tyke out for the day to see Barney & Friends "live" at Plaza Singapura. He's a real cutie!! 'cept when he takes 2 hours to finish lunch...

I also learnt that Barney's green friend's called Babybop and the yellow 'un is BJ. "I love you... you love me... we are one big family..." *urgh* but the big smiles, exuberant giggles and baby "bear" hugs made my day. :)

No-Work Friday... Woohoo!!!

Took the day off today, cos it's XJ's last weekend before he starts work again. Yepz, he's moving on to a new job after 2 weeks of bumming around. (Oh, alright... apart from sleeping in till noon and glueing himself to the xbox, he WAS also planning the honeymoon...).

We spent a lazy day just hanging around, not doing much. And it was great to have some alone time. Had a leisurely lunch, curled up in a sofa at Coffee Bean and read for a couple of hours, caught a movie (Eight Below), then met up with my folks for dinner, before heading to Aunty Dawn's place, where we spent hours playing with Shenn.

This little tot has boundless energy! We could barely keep up with him. Barely two minutes after we arrived, Shenn was showing off that he knew his animals - "wabbee" (rabbit), "pik" (pig) and "ah-meh" (camel), ...

... decided he wanted to build a train track ("make twain twack!"),

... and demanded that we play ball with him ("...bat up!...")

He also has an amazing range of vocabulary for an 18-month old. ("beeeetle bug dead - gorgor catch, gone!").

It cracked me up when he got especially excited with his toy train. He'd point and say "up!" and "Vroommmmm..." when the train climbed up and down the inclines, wring his hands and shout "gone!" when the train ran under the table, and this was the funniest: he'd wait eagerly for it on the other side and squealed "ai!" and gave a little wiggle when the train re-emerged on the other side. We did this for a full half hour - little people don't ever seem to get bored looking at a train go round and round.

Shenn's also learning to speak in third-person - "Shenn-shenn drink..."

"shenn-shenn - more cake"

What a cutie... XJ just adores him... heh...

Busy Bee

It was another activity-filled weekend. No more complaining about weekends going by pointlessly, boringly, and wondering how countless hours just whizz by while you were doing nothing - read: sleeping/vegging.

Friday night, met up with Eddy from ET Music. He owns one of the companies that manages bands for events. We're thinking of either a 3-piece piano/doublebass/drums or 4-piece (add sax) jazz band for our wedding. Also looking at Striiiings - a string quartet - which specialises in classical music and jazz. Then caught up with XL, Kay and BB at WineBar for a couple of drinks.

Saturday was a busy day! Woke up early to 扫墓 at Bishan. Then popped by RI with XJ for him to reminisce abit before rushing to Seletar Hills (?!?) to meet up with Naleeza. She used to be a lawyer, but has since left the profession to bake pretty wedding cakes! She also hosts interviews on CNA, the most recent being that feature on Asian millionaires. Just in one session, she has ingrained in us the dangers of trans-fat. That got XJ and I reading food labels like crazy since. Haha. Incidentally, Today had a write-up on Nestle and how their products have less than 1% trans fatty acids. Here's what it says:

"...Trans fat is formed when liquid vegetable oils go through a chemical process called hydrogenation. In it, hydrogen is used to add density to the oils. Hydrogenated vegetable fats are used by food processors because they allow longer shelf life and give food desirable taste, shape and texture. Evidence suggests that consumption of trans fat raises low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol levels and lowers high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or "good" cholesterol levels, causing the arteries to become clogged and increasing the risk of developing heart disease and stroke..."

*shudder*

Drove home from Seletar Hills to rest a bit before trekking right across the country to Hume Ave for Dons' and Iky's marriage blessing ceremony. Check out the pics:

Ok, sorry, the only shot we got was one with the exit sign.. =X

With Dons, Iky and XJ

Getting cuddly with baby Naomi

Naomi wonders where that big head popped out from. Heh.

Naomi demos her rubber-face

Naomi tries to get me rubber-faced too

Meet our flowergirls: Phoebe and Audrey - Ain't they sweet?

You thought we were done for the day? Not quite! After Dons' and Iky's do, we headed down to XL & Get's place at Robertson for drinks. Gee.. it was really 环岛追追追 for us today.

Sunday was 环岛追追追 round 2! Dragged myself out of bed after only 3-odd hours of sleep to go to church, did speed shopping and bought yummy Royce chocolate in Orchard, then hitting Serene Centre for Teh Tarik ice cream before heading to Choa Chu Kang for lunch at Uncle Ray's newly renovated apartment. *pant pant*

Maybe it's all that running around the whole weekend - but now I'm down with a bad throat infection. Doc gave me 2 days' MC. Felt awful this morning, all woozy and weak from the fever, but slept it all off. Other than the slight discomfort which is kept under control with all the meds, and the fact that I'll be missing out on all my exercise for the next week or so (nearly died doing weights last night!), these couple of days' rest are more than welcome. It's given me the opportunity to catch up on much needed sleep, I got to do some reading (legal docs and floozy magazinees don't count), sorted out some thoughts on wedding preps/admin, and I've updated my blog!

Looking forward to another day of rest and recuperation, and by the time I make it back to work, it's past the mid-week mark. And then it's the weekend again. Yippeee!!

Meet the Wongs

It's been eons since the whole family last gathered in one place. Auntie M only just moved back to Singapore from the Netherlands not long ago and TTLL has lived in London for at least the last 10 years and has now relocated to Chongqing with Ken, but she's back for a few weeks of holiday. Now that MOST of us are in the same country (we're still missing Uncle James), we took the opportunity to have, not one, but two gatherings over the CNY.

The star of the show of course was Shenn. What a darling! *swoon*... At only 17 months, he's a bundle of boundless energy, very precocious, and very preoccupied with searching for one elusive frog among the bushes. It got too tiring running after him and we decided to try sedating him with some booze... niak niak...

Drooly!

TTLL & I at the BBQ party

All the cousins (clockwise, L to R): Carmen, Nic, Alex, Waye, Me, Ken, Yane, Shenn & Fran