Stranger anxiety in dogs
We know that the young child will go through a time when he or she is extremely wary of strangers. It is interesting to see this same phenomenon in Summer too. When we took her back in Dec, she seemed quite happy in the company of humans. We first met her at a year end gathering at my brother in law’s. There were perhaps around 30 of us there and she was extremely comfortable with the crowd.
Over the past few weeks with us, we have noted that she does not take too well to people outside of the family. When our neighbour who loves dogs (Mae dotes on him) comes over and tries to make contact with her, she growls at him. And just the other day, there was this deep almost adult bark from here. Most times, we still hear the chipmunk yelps, especially in the morning as she seeks to reenter the house. However she is friendlier to children and would allow the young ones to pat her on the head.
The past Saturday we had a CNY gathering at our place for the relatives. Mae as usual lapped in the attention showered on her. Summer was not friendly. She would not even take food from David, who gave her to us. Though at times, she would just forget herself, go just wild, and attack Mae who just gets horribly upset. They had to be tied up for a while in the kitchen until order was restored and the guests safe from dashing dogs. What a night.
Add comment February 3, 2009 carolynchoo
The Changi Experience
Flying back home from Changi airport was such a delight. Mum, being 82 years old, was automatically given priority boarding. And the wonderful lady at the check in counter decided that she should be accompanied by us, so my daughter and I were automatically given this same priviledge.
And with ample shops and food outlets, we enjoyed a leasurely breakfast at Toast Box and walked around the shops. I even managed to get a good deal for my sports shoes!
With our priority boarding, we were one of the first few to enter the plane. We got the 2nd row seats as the first row was reserved. As the plane filled up, 2 guests took their seats at the front row, and were warmly greeted by the flight attendants. I was then reading the inflight magazine. One of the men looked like the CEO of AirAsiaX.
There was a slight delay in our take off as we were waiting for another passenger to board. The HE came in. It was Tony Fernandez himself and he sat in the seat right infront of us. It would have been nice if he had addressed the passengers, but he was busy with the other two, in deep conversation over business.
When food was sold, it was interesting to note that those in front of us actually paid for the food they ordered.
When we touched down, it was a long walk to the international arrival. Renovations were ongoing. The new arrival hall was great compared to the old one which was always crowded with so few baggage carousels to handle the many incoming flights. This one had about 8, I think. However, it was again a very long walk to the taxi stand.
Add comment February 3, 2009 carolynchoo
Meet Kate
I am here in Singapore for the Chinese New Year break. What an experience we had trying to leave the country. We left PJ at 4.45am, thinking that we would be in time for the check in for our 7.30am Air Asia flight. To my horror, the departure notice board had our flight on “closed” and there were huge signs stating that passengers on international flights had to check in 3 hours earlier!! Was it not to be 2 hours? Nevertheless, we joined the long queue to have our bags scanned and weaved our way, trolley and all, through the crowds to our “closed” counter. There was a long line. I asked the last person in the queue “Singapore”.
“No.”
My 10 year old daughter and 82 year old mother were told to stay put while I frantically searched for our counter. Security staff were of little help. They told me to look at the counter signs, but none were flashing our flight number. And yes, they were good in stopping me from going out through entrances. Finally I found an Air Asia staff whom I had to speak across the barriers and he directed me to another counter at the other end of the airport. Back I rushed to anxious mum and child, and we made our way again through the crowds to the counter where a paper notice of our flight number was put up. Incidentally only 27 passengers had checked in by then. The rest must still be looking for the counter.
The agony did not end here. Our departure hall was somewhat makeshift. Warned to enter earlier to avoid the immigration rush, we decided to skip our McDonald’s breakfast and enter. There were 2 departure halls, no food nor washroom facilities. We were not allowed to leave the hall. There I suffered until we boarded, and for the first time, I rushed to the loo even before getting my seat. There were several others in the same agony. We must all have missed the huge sign they claimed to have put up, stating the lack of facilities in the departure hall.
Now I understand why so many brickbats have been thrown about in the dailies on the LCCT facilities. It was not that bad when I last went to Manado October last year.
The journey itself was fine, and the plane not packed to the brim. Perhaps the other passengers thought they missed their flight too. We reached my aunt’s by 9am. The relief was great as we initially thought that our holiday was over.
Now about Kate. This is my cousin’s miniature Maltesse, who looks a like a better groomed miniature version of Macio. Possibly 1/8 her size! Maybe Mae has some Maltese in her too, in addition to the Cocker and Poodle bits? She is one year old, all white and furry and definitely portable. The children sweep her up in one hand, place her on their shoulder or cuddle her to bits. Imagine doing this to Summer, who incidentally is growing bigger each day. One packet of Alpo puppy food does not even last a week.
Summer is slowly finding her voice. If she is let out in the morning and wants to come back in, there will be this weird noise at the gate. If chipmunks could bark, maybe they would sound like her. Mum in her defence calls it musical. I call it a tuneless screech and wail.
Are Summer and Mae getting along? Hmm… I suppose the tolerance level is higher on the touch-me-not Mae. And perhaps Summer is learning that the old one just does not want to play with her?
I will miss the two scamps for the next few days, and will be entertained instead by a very minute ladylike pooch.
Add comment January 24, 2009 carolynchoo
More Summer Antics
Summer is still up to mischief, with May as her target. May is becoming more and more of a grand dame with Summer around. Summer has for the past few days been annoying May. She would inch her way to May, plant a sloppy lick on her ear and proceed immediately to nip it with gusto. May retaliates with a ferocious growl carrying the “get off me, you brat” message – which Summer ignores. She launches into full attack. She leaps at May and nips at her. Up May gets and we have another squabble – Summer having the time of her life, and May grumbling “why me?”
Summer is also finding her bark – usually late in the night when she has her “let’s get at May” routine; and also early in the morning. Neighbours would soon come a-complaining I foresee. Her bark at best sounds like a shrill whistle that has not quite found its steam. Yes, it is quite pathetic, but she still tries. Shauna is learning a valuable lesson in not giving up.
Shauna started school yesterday. The husband insisted that mummy and Summer tag along for moral support. So there we were, mother and dog at the back. Car rides are presently the few occasions when the dog is awake and sober. She would sit quietly, slowly inch her way towards me and before long her entire length would be plonked onto me. Today I sat infront as the husband has to drop me off at work after leaving Shauna at school. Summer was most well behaved, seated at the back, with Shaun’s bag in between them. When I got off, Summer gave me the most woeful expression, sending the message “oh dear, one less person to annoy when I get back home?”
Add comment January 6, 2009 carolynchoo
Summer and Me
Last Christmas I gave a copy of Marley and Me to a good friend. Little did I know that I would end up with my own Marley! My brother-in-law had a 4 month year old Labrador Retriever that he wanted to give away. The husband said that was his dream dog and the daughter just went wild over the idea of a puppy in the house. I was outvoted. We already have Macio – a 4 year old dog of the “dan lain lain” category – with a disposition and body of a sheep, and the face of a Lovely Lace teddy bear. The only thing unruly about Macio is her curly locks that grow and grow. Macio will definitely not welcome another furry one in the house. As it is, she cannot stand the sight of the dogs taken out on walks in the neighbourhood.
On the night of Saturday 27 Dec 08, we picked up Luna, as she was then called. I renamed her Summer Tham – to capture her warm & sunny disposition and passion for water. She was by then almost as tall and as long as Macio – or May as we call her. True to form, May did not take too well to the newcomer at all; and it did not help that Summer was this frisky dashing gal with a passion for jumping at and onto anything that moves. After a few growls from May, they soon learnt to keep their distance – each at least 2m away from each other. Summer pooped and pee-ed all over the house that first night home. So there we were in our bedroom, the husband, wife, daughter and 2 dogs.
On Sunday 28 Dec 08, we left the dogs with the maid as we went off to church. We returned to a mess in the living room. Summer decided to attack the Christmas tree. She pulled at the beads and broke two blue icicles and 1 blue heart ornament. In all our Christmases with May, the Christmas tree was safe.
On Tuesday 30 Dec 08 we took a day trip to Cameron Highlands and left the maid with the dogs. We wondered what sort of mischief the two would be up to. Nothing prepared us for the sight of Summer’s tummy upon our return. It was bloated and she lost her sleek form. The maid did her usual “Tak Tahu” act. The husband was fuming mad! We suspected she chewed on the plastic covering the bicycles. That night she pooped more than ever and thankfully by the next day, she regained her figure.
Thursday 1 Jan 2009, Summer’s prime mischief of the day was to break May’s porcelain water bowl in the kitchen. She did her usual “let’s put our paws into the bowl and see how much water can I splash out”. Immediately there were screams of “SUMMER!” Undaunted, Summer went on to grab the bowl in her jaws and dashed out, stunning May in the process. And in the dining room, the bowl slipped out of her jaws and broke into pieces, with Summer rushing into the living room with the last portion of the bowl still in her mouth. What will the dog do next?
Summer has really made her presence felt. Her energy, her smiling face, her tricks… and how she loves to nibble at us. She would throw herself at me and try to nuzzle, then lick and then BITE whatever is in jaw-shot! Summer has truly kept us busy this end of 2008, and it looks like 2009 will be equally hectic.
By 2 Jan 09, May is resigned to the fact that Summer is here to stay. The two are more comfortable in each other’s presence – they can sit side by side and even sleep with bodies touching. I have no doubt that there will be more Summer tales to tell.
Add comment January 6, 2009 carolynchoo
Another new blog
I am still trying to get the hang of blogging.
Last week I sucessfully added pages to my carolynchoo blog.
Today I learnt that you cannot add new posts to a page! So here is another new blog – just for my dog tales.
Add comment January 6, 2009 carolynchoo
