to this PET shop: STOP your nonsense.

I presume, everyone has their fair share of encounters with bad groomers.

The severity usually range from a wrong fur-cut, to ill advices, and even the most jialat I've experienced was groomers nicking the dog accidentally and drew blood.

This case which I am going to share, brings the severity list to a new high. Cutting off 1/3 of a dog's tongue. Can you even imagine it? It's unthinkable! 

Wapi - Before grooming

Wapi - After grooming on 28 August 2010

The best part is, the groomer delayed the veterinary report from Wapi's owner for 10 days before releasing it to them at their insistence. Please see below for the SMS conversation shared between the groomer (also the owner of the shop) and Wapi's owner.

Note the dates.

The reason why they couldn't retrieve the report straight from the Vet is because they (vet) are affiliated with the shop, and due to uncertain reasons, Wapi's owner HAD to go through the groomer to receive the report.

From Wapi Aware:

We called the Vet on 31 Aug 2010

2nd sept 2010 - We asked again! - they say the scanner is down

4th sept 2010 - We ASKED AGAIN! - they r out of town. How convenient.

6th Sept 2010 - we find out the report was just WRITTEN ON THAT DAY ITSELF!

Vet report. Notice the date.

From Wapi Aware:

The Vet, can refuse to release the veterinary Report to the rightful owners of the pet.

Because the groomer was the one, that registered with them. Even if the groomer was the one that caused the injury?

We had to wait so many days 28th aug 2010 - 6th Sept 2010. Just to receive this.

We needed this information when seeking a 2nd opinion from another vet. But the delay was unacceptable... 10 days!!

When we called the vet, he said that the report needs to be "TYPED". And they will release the report to the groomer only.

10 days later we collected this "PIECE OF TOILET PAPER" from the groomer.

Up till today, there were no action taken against that groomer/owner of the PET shop who should STOP their nonsense.

From Wapi Aware:

CASE - " The best outcome you can hope for is contract compensation."

SPCA - " Unfortunately,there is no jurisdiction in Singapore on groomers causing grievous hurt to pets. We can only refer you to AVA".
...
AVA - HAVE STOPPED INVESTIGATION!

I have since decided to BOYCOTT this pet shop and never visit them again. Not just based on this, but because of my own experiences with them. 

Remember this post on Ash's bad grooming? It was done by them.

Remember in 2009 there was a mini bull terrier case - Xena?  It was they who sold Xena away for $150 (without proper screening) all the while still receiving payment from the couple who boarded her there while looking for potential adopters for Xena. - from what I understood

And in early 2009 when I was still patronizing them because of convenience, I ever found BUGS crawling around in their rawhides. Can you imagine how long the stock has been lying there without anyone checking it? I've also received a huge pack of avoderm before with not 1 or 2, but many many worms and bugs crawling in it. (but that can be the supplier's and not their fault).

Too many too many bad reviews heard and experienced from them which caused me to feel that they're in it purely for the money. Disgusted. Utterly disgusted.

For Wapi's facebook page dedicated to this case -- Wapi Aware

Last but not least, for information on the petshop:

PET shop, please STOP your unethical ways. 

The groomer (also the owner) is called Eric as seen in the SMS conversation.

They have 3 branches in Singapore, I can only name 2 from published info & personal experience:

• Serangoon (Wapi's case)
• East Wood (My case)

Update on 20 September 2010

I walked by the Eastwood branch on 17 September 2010, and I peeped in through their glass doors. I spotted another bug inside the packaging of the milk bone treats. I seriously thought they wouldn't commit this kind of mistake again until I saw the Greenish-black spot move around in the packaging. 

Disappointed. 

Disclaimer: All photo credits goes to Wapi Aware. 

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. 

Shaving your Husky...

may be a very wrong choice.

For people like me, who are first time owner of Siberian Huskies or any double-coat breed, and was stupid enough to fully trust a groomer who said, "...shaving a husky keeps them cool." , and not do research beforehand, please think twice.

I was one of those who shaved my husky and I am not proud of it.

BEFORE

  Proud, Majestic, Beautiful Coat

AFTER GROOMING

It wasn't a clean shave, he got cut at least 5 times. And it was plain ugly and torturous for him.

We could not bring him out for walks until late at night for fear he would get sun burnt.

Ash hid in the laundry room for weeks and he refused to be in front of any reflective surfaces.

After around 4-5 months

Now he's a white lamb with the exception of his facial markings.

I don't love Ash any less because of his markings/coat, but I really regret putting him through the torture of the bad grooming experience, especially after seeing his cuts. 

So fellow dog lovers, mummys/daddys, please don't go down my path.

Double coated breeds should only be shaved only for medical reasons because their coat protects them from various elements like temperature, and sun burns. 

Do you know their coat keeps them warm when its cold and cold when it's warm? That's why they are very adaptable to extreme temperatures, be it arctic or tropical like Singapore.