Tamago's health scare, Koala Mama and her pupparoos

Wow what a week its been. I'm tired and I'm not even working. Oh yeah did I mention that i quit my finance job and plan to move to Langkawi island to work at the animal sanctuary? That's why i was there a couple of weeks ago.. To test the waters a bit. I'll be going again next week for a week to discuss my responsibilities and living arrangements and whatnot with the LASSie people. Really excited to finally live my dream of working with animals on an island paradise. But before that there are other things I want to share with you.

My wee Tamago had some sort of stroke/brain malfunction/system meltdown thing last saturday evening. I know she's old (about 9 years old now) but still I didn't expect that to happen at all. Remember she always seems young to me because I've only had her a year. She was asleep behind her bed and I was reading in mine. I heard her wake up and start to climb into her bed and then suddenly stop. I looked over at her and was confused by what I saw. She seemed frozen halfway in and out of her bed with her front legs in over the side, her back legs dangling outside, and her tummy resting on the cushioned edge. It took me a moment to realize that she couldn't move. In my panic I picked her up and she began to tremble violently. I quickly put her on my bed and she just crumpled unable to even sit up. Her head was tilted to one side and bobbing. Her eyeballs twitched uncontrollably in their sockets. During this episode I was talking to her and calling her name but she didn't respond or seem to see me. Holy shit I thought it was all over for my little Tamago.

I called my friends NT and AC in hysterical tears asking for emergency vet numbers (It was after business hours and a public holiday). I also contacted SL from KL Pooch Rescue for her emergency contact. In the end I brought Tamago to the Gasing vet where a Dr T came to help us. My parents had to pick me up and drive us because I'm not familiar with the Gasing area at all. Without all the testing its impossible to know for sure what happened but Dr T said there were two possibilities. One, that Tamago had a stroke, or two that a growth in her brain may have caused the episode. An MRI will show if there's a growth but strange thing, Tamago could walk just two hours after the episode. She was wobbly and fell lots but she could walk. By the next day she was back to her old self. It was like nothing had happened. Absolutely no symptoms from the day before. Very mysterious... Let's hope this brain thing doesn't happen again! So scary.

Last week I saw a photo of a mama dog and her newborn puppies desperately trying to stay dry under a van during a storm. Of course they were completely soaked through as water continued to flow and swirl over them. It was a heartbreaking sight. The person who posted the photo on facebook was looking for someone who could provide a foster home. Now, usually I don't foster dogs because I live in a condo and pets aren't allowed, but I couldn't stand the thought of that dog just trying to take care of her babies in the dirty water so I offered my home. I figured I could supervise them more and make sure the noise level was kept to a minimum because I'm home lots now that I'm not working and in the meantime the various rescue groups could find a more suitable home.

Koala Mama and her 6 beautiful babies moved in with me on Monday night. She has 4 little girls and 2 bigger bully boys. They are about 3 weeks old and some of them have opened their eyes. They are precious chubby little lumps of love and oh my god I can't handle their unbelievable cuteness and fragility. I'm in love! Teeny paw pads and velvety ears - Squeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!! Little muzzles and toothless yawns - AWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!! But let me tell you about Koala.

When she was first brought to my home I was told that she was very defensive over her puppies, barking and growling warnings at strangers. At first I was a little wary, worried that my neighbors might hear her and complain but not a peep came out of her when we met. She observed me quietly without malice or fear. After her rescuers left we eyed each other for a bit and I just sat with her and talked. She allowed me to rearrange her nest and handle her babies. That night itself she began to shadow me constantly. After the first time I scratched around her ears and chin she decided that she was in love with me. She became so busy with shadowing me and staring at me adoringly that she needed to be reminded about her pups. They would cry for milk and mothering and she would just stare at me in wonder, oblivious to their cries. Poor girl, I think she's thrilled to have someone take care of her. She looks deeply into my eyes while resting her head on my knees and nuzzles my hands asking to be petted. She pokes her head and body under my arm to be encircled in a warm hug. She makes my heart melt and ache at the same time.

She is so excited and happy when she sees me with her bowl at meal times she literally prances and hops around me. Such is her joy and appreciation at being fed. I am so touched by this pooch she brings tears to my eyes. I can't imagine her life outside as a stray. She is as innocent and defenseless as a bunny.

Now I just have to work on her not being so obsessed with me so she can concentrate on her pupparoos! Koala loves being petted and loved while she is nursing her pups. She is easily distracted, little more than a child herself and she is thrilled to have a 'mother' take care of her after having had to fend for herself and her pups for god knows how long. She sticks to me like glue. She has become so attached to me that she sometimes neglects her pups, preferring to follow me around than to tend to their needs, so what I've been doing is sitting down quietly with her while she lies down and handing her the pups for feeding and cleaning. Once the pups are nursing, I pet her head and side and praise her so she will not get up before the pups have had their fill. Last night I fell asleep on the floor with her and the pups. When I woke up, I snuck out of the room and shut the door super quietly so as not to wake her. I'm exhausted but it is nice to be loved so quickly and unconditionally by this sweet girl I met just 3 nights ago. I would love to keep her forever but I'm moving and can't afford to anyway :(











What can we rescuers and fosterers do? We've fallen in love a hundred times and will fall in love again and again.

Tamago & Puppy Cola - Adopt an older dog ok?

Tamago and her Governator chew toy.
Tamago after a day out.
Tamago and Puppy Cola after the groomer's visit. I had all of Tamago's hair cut. Its so freaking hot in Malaysia and she hates having her hair brushed. She's unrecognizable as a shih-tzu now and soooo much neater and cleaner and she smells way better too.
Last photo I took of Pupsilly.
No idea what dog Tamago looks like now but I think she looks freaking adorable!! You should've seen the looks of horror some Shih-Tzu people gave me when I brought her to an SPCA event. First I was asked if she was a pug.. When I said no they were like oh my gawd... I guess they think the long hair makes the dog. Whatever! My pooch is a companion not an accessory and she's way more comfortable now.

Just wanna say that adopting an older dog is super!!! I adopted Tamago last year when she was about 8 years old so I guess she's 9 now. Everyone wants puppies because they're soooo super cute, playful, and adorable. Who doesn't love puppies? But realistically, who has the time for them? They're babies and require so much time and energy from their caregiver. So many people adopt puppies and then dump them when they get too big, or because they're too energetic, or they can't train them. If you're working full-time or perhaps you don't have as much space for a hyperactive pup, consider adopting an older dog. You'll still get the love and the loyalty, but in a calmer package. You can enjoy the companionship with less headache. Adult dogs that are abandoned pets are usually already housebroken, trained, past the age of teething and destructive chewing. Tamago is a perfect companion. Mellow like me :)

Puppy Cola went to her new home a couple of weeks ago and her name is Shadow now. She's about 4 years old and another example of why adopting an older dog is so awesome. Also, adult and older dogs need homes too. Please don't brush them aside.

Miko - 7 and a half weeks old, and FEMALE. Oops!

Yes I camera-stalk the little tot. I'm soooo happy to finally have hand-rearing success! Miko is healthy, active, and out of the danger zone of the first few weeks. She knows how to eat and drink on her own. My work is done :)



Miko likes to sit on feet :) No, that is not my leg. I am not an insanely hairy chick.












Miko and Tamago finally share a bed.


The cutest little thing! Hand-reared SUCCESS!! WOOHOO!!! WHO ROCKS?? I SO FREAKING DO!! YESSSSSS!!!!!!! *fist pumps in the air*

Tabatha's been adopted and other updates...

Its been an interesting couple of weeks in my animal kingdom. Tabatha was adopted last saturday morning by a nice family while she was in the cattery at SPCA Selangor. She is ready for spaying in a couple of weeks so she will be back for that. We all really miss her. She has a larger than life personality and my apartment feels wayyyyy too peaceful now.

Miko is able to do his business on his own now and has a litter box which he diligently uses. He totters around on shaky little legs and invades Tamago's bed. His teeth have grown in and he can eat canned kitten food or moistened kibble although he still prefers his milk bottle. He doesn't know how to drink water so I've had to force him to drink water through a syringe. I hope he will be ready for adoption to a good home in about 6 weeks.



I didn't mention this before but Noel was adopted a few weeks ago. Yay for him! He was adopted by a nice young lady who has another little kitten.

Spike is adjusting to life without Tony Montana. It's only been about 5 weeks since Tony Montana passed away and he is so deeply missed. It is a great comfort to us that he died peacefully at home of natural causes. Spike's dad and I have been showering him with gifts of toys and treats and plenty of loving. He's never been an only dog before and I think he is quite lonely now. Spike and I will have this whole Friday together though because its a public holiday and Spike and I will be working at the SPCA booth at an event in Bangsar. It'll be a nice outing for me and my pooch.
Tony M loved his car rides. He loved watching the world. I miss him.
One of the few pics of me with both Spike and Tony.. Tony was sniffing something.. oh well..
Me and Spike at my last visit.

Spike and his dad.
Toys can't replace Tony but we hope to distract Spike from his loss.


Tomorrow is the first anniversary of Molly's death. I can't believe its been a year. It still hurts so much. I miss her everyday and I think about how happy she was when we were all still together. One big happy family. Then I think about all she went through and how miserable she was at the end and I feel sick and my heart aches. I feel a tightening in my chest that can only be the pain of loss and guilt. i have to say this, i care, i care a lot about all these animals but i wish i didn't anymore. i don't want to. i can't stand it when things don't work out.

Molly's smile.

Updates! Tom Angus Tulliver & Tamago

Hola mis amigos!

Thanks soooo much for all the kind words and support :) Little Tamago is doing so much better. Her appetite is good, she eats two square meals a day. She wags her tail, comes when I call her (most of the time :P) , and best of all she is happy and excited to see me when I wake up and whenever I come home. She has impeccable bathroom habits and is extremely well-behaved. She is totally not destructive, very calm and quiet, and she knows how to tell me that she needs to do her 'business'. She never has accidents. If we are together in my room and the door is closed, she will get up run to the door and paw it a few times, then sit down, and look at me as if to say "Hey! Let me out! I gotta pee!". When I open the door she immediately runs out to the guest bathroom where I have newspapers laid out for her to go on. When she's done she comes back.

Tamago is also pretty independent. She actually seems to enjoy alone time. I've been home all day and night with her before and she is not constantly by my side. Sometimes she will wander off to another room by herself for hours. Sometimes she asks be let out of my bedroom in the middle of the night and does not return until the next morning. She is not upset when I leave for work everyday. She still doesn't know how to play with toys but she seems alright just hanging out and watching the cats. The only thing that really bothers her is thunder. Poor thing. She is shit scared of thunder. She gets tense when a storm is on the way.. She knows when they're coming. She trembles really badly her eyes opened wide with terror. She breathes so hard and so fast she drools everywhere. She climbs up onto my lap and stands on her hind legs and wraps her front paws around me like a child asking for a hug. I just hold her. Is there anything else I can do?

Tom the kitten is doing great. He's gained weight but he's still lanky and gangly.. I guess he's almost a teenager now.. About 5 months old. His fur looks much better. He's still very affectionate, vocal, and playful. He and uncle sparks are getting along like a house on fire. They play constantly. Pretty wild wrestling and tumbling, very entertaining to watch. Tom's a greedy little thing and loves to run from bowl to bowl eating everyone's food. When he's done doing that, he runs to Tamago's bowl and pokes his head in beside hers to steal her food. He's such a twerp. He tries to steal food from me too.

Tamago - My little sad foster pooch

Things are not going well. Tamago is completely unresponsive. Sometimes its almost like she's not a real dog.. just a stuffed animal or a robot. She's numb. She doesn't seem to have feelings. She stares and stares blankly for hours. She just lies down all the time and doesn't move. Her tail doesn't wag. Her ears don't even perk up a tiny bit when she's called. She doesn't react to anything at all. Tamago hasn't eaten a full meal since she got here, just a few nibbles here and there and a few treats. She's been with me about 6 days. She has only pooped once, 3 days ago. That's how little she's eaten. She has only peed 3 times in 6 days. She should be peeing at least two or three times a day. She's not drinking nearly enough water. I don't know what to do. She isn't sick, she's depressed. She always wants to be alone and just stares into space. It's very sad to see her this way. A dog should be such a joyful creature. She seems an empty shell. I can't get through to her. You should see her now. She's just lying there, chin on the floor, eyes open staring at nothing.

Tamago - New mini foster pooch

I said I would never foster a dog ever again after my heartbreak. But I was wrong. I can't resist. I miss dogs so much and my new little foster dog is tiny and completely silent. No one knows she's in my 'no pets allowed' apartment.

Tamago is 8 years old and the best behaved little pooch I have ever met. She doesn't make messes, doesn't chew on things, is paper-trained, she never makes a sound. She's lower maintenance and less attention craving than my cats! Incredible.. but sad.. Tamago doesn't know how to play. She doesn't know what to do with toys. She doesn't know how to walk on a leash. She doesn't know how to have fun at all. She's the best behaved dog in the world because she doesn't know how to be happy and loved. All she does is sleep and sleep. How do I make her happy? She's a sweetheart. Just look at that face. Its not really visible in the photos but her eyes are beginning to cloud a little.. The beginning of cataracts perhaps? How do you teach an old dog to have some fun?