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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Ash to the beach!

On our way there...


We reached Sentosa around 12nn and met up with the guys who already 'chope' an area for us.

Ash staring at a leashed Shi Tzu. But his posture looks alert but not aggressive leh... tail down, ears perked, but no growling or snarling.

Rabbit family shot

Fave past time, playing with Ash's furry ears.

"Mummy, no more photos please......"

Distract him with something... and he wakes up again! hee!

And for people who follow me on twitter/facebook, you will already know that Ash met with an accident at Tanjong Beach that day. 

INCIDENT ONE
After we set up our spot, bf and me brought Ash (leashed) for a quick dip in the waters before other dogs come by. However on our way there, an unleashed Labrador puppy made a bee-line dash (not aggressive,should be just wanting to make friends) towards Ash while I was trying to pull him in the opposite direction. But I was too late and a dog-fight ensued.

It was pretty one-sided because of the huge size difference, and all I could hear was the puppy crying out (more like screaming). My mind went totally blank at that point of time and all I could remember doing was to pull Ash in the opposite direction and bf running over to stop Ash. Apparently from witnesses (bf and friends), Ash grabbed the pup by her waist and tossed her in the air. 

The puppy had no puncture wounds and appeared to be unharmed except for the shock. But I wouldn't know because I had no contact with her. However she (the pup) was running around as though nothing was wrong 10 minutes later.

But at that point, I felt so terrible. After that first meeting with the unleashed pup, another unleashed mini Schnauzer 不怕死 ran over and stood between us and our 'spot'. That was my last straw and I broke down crying while hugging Ash tightly to me until the mini Schnauzer ran off.

The feeling of the whole incident was so terrible, because of the guilt I felt for the Labpup - the mental repercussions it might have on her, and the pain I had to inflict on Ash by choking him so he will stop.

It was so horrible. I can't imagine people who let their dogs run around biting other dogs/humans, don't they feel ANYTHING?

I wrote this in PC forum: 
By posting this here, my main motive is to share my point of view with everyone. There are some who might feel that their dogs are too small to cause any harm, too friendly to cause any dog-fight, but it happens. Because not all dogs are friendly, and you cannot ban such dogs (like us) to frequent the beach just because of this.

I fulfilled my responsibility by leashing Ash everywhere, and I keep a distance from other dogs/animals because I know what will happen.

A lot of heart-ache and pain could be saved if everyone does their part.

If you cannot ensure your dog will come back to you under any circumstances (excited with a new 'friend' / incoming vehicle), please keep a close watch on him/her and do not assume that other dogs are as friendly and welcoming.

P.S.
And please, if you ever encounter people coming up to you giving a warning, "Please try to keep your dogs away from mine as he's not very welcoming towards other dogs" don't treat it personally and reply with ,"We have no intention of going near your dogs", because we are not referring to your intentions, but your dog's.
INCIDENT TWO
After that first incident, we moved to a bigger shelter where we tied Ash to one of the pillar. Along came a Pug and Silky Terrier and I was praying they won't be unleashed. But surprise! They unleashed the 2 dogs and I got bf to go over and warn them just in case the same tossing accident happens.

But they were so defensive and I got so pissed off. Accidents happen for a reason. I definitely did not want any dogs coming near Ash, and I doubt the Labpup's owner had the intention to bring their pup over to meet Ash. It's always the dog's intention, not the human's.

All I can say is, at least the Labpup escaped in one piece because of Ash's bite inhibition. 

  Stopping him from chasing another unleashed mini Schnauzer with no owners in sight.

INCIDENT THREE
We finally went back after seeing a Golden R, Rottie, Mongrel, and German Shepard, all unleashed at the beach.

While walking to the car, we stopped by a showering area and tried to clean Ash a little. I saw a Mongrel from the corner of my eyes and told Bf to hold Ash firmly. Both of us practically pinned Ash to the wall, while he was staring intently at the Mongrel.

Oh did I mention the Mongrel was unleashed? Yes. It was unleashed. And the blonde caucasian lady (presumed to be its owner) pushed the tap and gathered water in her cupped palms and slowly walked over to her dog and tried feeding it, which it didn't want.

She did this twice. All while bf and I was pinning Ash to the wall. And it's not like we were very far apart. It was a close proximity and dangerously close at that.

Sigh, seriously. It would be a much better place if everyone were more cautious and sensitive of their surroundings. 



10 comments:

  1. I understand where u r coming from.I agree with you fully.Owners really ought to be responsible for their dogs.I have witnessed an unfortunate mishap that happened quite some time back when I went to a Pets' Event. A chihuahua was tossed like a toy by a much bigger dog. From what I understand, it happened very suddenly and owners of both the dogs were unable to stop it.The chiwawa was screaming in pain.The owner crying out loud with her chiwawa wrapped in her arms and rushing towards the exit to seek help.The wawa was lying limp in her arms,clearly trumatised and in pain.What I heard later on was one of the wawa's eyes was hurt very badly. It was so very sad. I remember I left the event shortly after the incident occured, as I was very affected by it. After this incident,I was even more vigilant in ensuring Rossi gal's safety when I bring her out.

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  2. Ya that was what happened to the labrador puppy- tossed in the air like a toy.

    I didn't see it cos my mind was blank and all I remember doing was to keep pulling him away and hearing the puppy scream.

    It was damn terrifying for me, and I felt like shit throughout the day for causing such trauma to both of them.

    I think the owners I've met at East Coast Beach are much more responsible, though they're aloof but at least all the dogs there are leashed and they ask if Ash is friendly before approaching.

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  3. remember the incident a few years back when a toddler's ear got bitten off by a husky? the husky was unleashed and because of that incident, dogs were unwelcomed for some period of time.

    I know how you feel, 'cos I've seen dogs unleashed too and because of Tiara's petite size, sometimes I do get very frightened when the unleashed dogs start gnarling at Tiara. Had to protect her at all cost!

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  4. oh my god! I didn't read about that incident!

    But seriously, I get very agitated when I see unleashed dogs nowadays.

    And you + Tiara, so petite! How to fend off if they really attack!

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  5. It's something that we have to deal with constantly - especially in "so called off leash" areas like the dog run and tanjong beach.

    Met a 9month old shepherd and 1yr mongrel at the beach yesterday. They were playful and unleashed - and "new" at the beach, not part of the group of kakis that we always see there. I knew the dogs would come over... Phoebe already in her angled posed... like in the video. And i have another GR on leash in my other hand. I just dig my heels in, rein in the leashes and wait for the moment to come.

    The dogs came within the zone and because she's on a leash, Phoebe starts barking... sounds really fierce ya. Then the owner walks up (I'm smiling all the way)... "she's not fierce - just bossy. Are your dogs ok?" "Ok, ok..." So i still hold on to her and intro her to the 2 dogs - once her face change, i know all is ok.

    I hope people really read their dogs and know what what they think. Phoebe is not the best-est dog out there, but i understand when she's grumpy, snappy, sleepy leave-me-ALONE...

    Hugs to you and Ash!

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  6. Thanks milkbone! <3

    But how do you tell if she's 'okay' with the dogs and won't snap at them already?

    I'm ashamed to say, I don't know how to tell the difference and I'm afraid to introduce ash to other dogs because I can't tell.

    But I want to know ... because - 'you fear what you don't know' and I feel it's unfair if I do it to ash just because i 'fear'.

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  7. Hmmm... her face changes?

    Huskies in general don't have much facial expression... that's just me and what i see in the huskies that i come by...

    Ya i know how you feel about the fear of the unknown. Phoebe is worried and scared of kids, don't know if they are coming or going! Anything below the maturity of an 18 year old, she would panic, bark, lunge... *horror*. It got so bad (cuz you just don't want to hurt a child with your BIG dog!), that when i see kids, i auto-pull back and get worried. All the wrong energy if going to her, but i can't help it!!! She's better with my BF, so i know it's me.

    Thankfully with the help of some of my clients and their kids, she's much better now. And I stay next to a childcare centre :P

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  8. It's easier (but not easy) to improve the situation if you have people/friends willing to help socialise... but... everyone's scared shitless about ash once i tell them the story, which I feel I shouldnt with-hold.

    )':

    But good job for you!! :D

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  9. Awww... I'd work with you!!! :D

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  10. really!!! Thanks a lot! Really appreciate it! We should plan a day and go out and bring them along.

    Ash has 0 doggy friends... ):

    Do you have msn? If you do, add me on soyeabean_milk@hotmail.com!

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