Polka & Me

The Last 2 Years

2014-09-16T15:24:00.000+08:00

I am fine and things are swell. I am sitting in a small town in South India and watching the rain as I write this. Yes I am in India! It’s been almost 2 years. So many things have happened and my mind has just been exploding. That’s what India does. It’s an assault on your senses. Food, smells, noises, traffic, colours, people, stray dogs. Yes stray dogs. I hardly saw any in Singapore - and never ever in the sanitized part of the city. Here, in India, the roadies (that’s what I like to call them) are everywhere. On the road, near shops, restaurants, temples, inside apartment complexes. Everywhere. And the laws for roadies are pretty good –better than those in Singapore. I had to lookup Indian Animal laws for an issue that the community was facing in our apartment complex in Bangalore so I am pretty well informed about my rights. I’ll tell you about it soon. Bangalore, the cosmopolitan city, that’s where I landed. I wonder what makes it cosmo – the North Indians?

I landed in Bangalore in a dark, dingy box as part of the airplane cargo! NOT FUN. I was furious when I got out. I knew something was up at the airport checkin counter itself when She was acting cool. Way too cool. And He kept asking has the crew being informed that there is a dog on board. He was a bit anxious. I knew something was up right then. Actually I should have guessed it earlier. The week before I suddenly started putting on a bit of weight and She kept weighing me every single day and looking at the machine in despair as the needle kept moving. Oh such a cheapo! She was thinking of the extra luggage weight that I was going to be! That trip was NOT FUN. And worse was to come. We landed in our apartment and it was full of ticks. You heard it right. The entire house! They were crawling on the walls. I kid you not. It was a nightmare. I’ll write about it later. Oh! The poor thing that stayed there before us! We somehow made through the night and the very next day went to my cousin Sufi’s place for respite. We went in an auto rickshaw with loud music and traffic sounds everywhere and my tail hanging precariously outside, practically scraping the road! My mind was exploding.

Now cousin Sufi has to be a separate post. It took almost a year for us to be friends. Ok that’s a stretch – It took us a year to just become cordial thanks to all the efforts that I made. He is a spoilt insecure brat and would bark at anyone who petted me! And so much restless energy. He jumps from one couch to another, from the floor to the bed, from the bed to the chair and so on. No wonder they call him ‘The Flying Sufi’. Well we are kinda ok with each other now and meet often. That’s the thing with family you just can’t escape them. Sigh.

I also met a lot of lovely people and dogs in my neighbourhood. My neighbours just adored me and our doors were usually open so I could run from one house to another. And there was so much food in that house. It all stopped when She realized that the next door mom was giving me chocolate despite being made aware of the list of forbidden items! They were put on probation for a while and then it was back to fun times sans chocolate. It was like a never ending party and I got so many cards and toys from all the lovely folks around us that it was overwhelming. I even had a separate birthday party!

And when it got really cold in Bangalore and my nose turned brown, we went on a beach vacation. Yes. My nose turned brown. Brrrown. Even I was confused. I saw myself in the mirror and it was completely brown! I had to look at my old photos to confirm that it was indeed black at one point. So off we went to the sea side. I’m not much for the waters but it was fun and I could roam off leash everywhere in the resort. And they serve you chai and ‘bhajjis’ on the beach!

We have a car here and so no more pleading with cab drivers. Yay! We can travel easily but I had no idea what was in store. We went to Kerala, Chennai, Pondicherry and then did a west coast trip from Kerala to Karnataka to Goa to Maharashtra! I tell you my mind is still exploding with all that is happening. I went paddle boating in Chikmangalur, slept in a trailer park in drunken Goa, planted trees in a forest for 10 days in Pondicherry, gazed at the blue waters of the Arabian Sea from the steepest cliff I’ve ever seen and ……. I can’t think anymore. My mind just stopped.

Oh. A pig just passed by I’ve got to go bark at it.

What A Dog Teaches You

2011-12-02T10:19:00.000+08:00

An email forward that says it all !

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What A Dog Teaches You

A dog teaches us a lot of things, but we never seem to take notice. These are some of the lessons you might learn…

* When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
* Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
* Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
* When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.
* Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.
* Take naps and stretch before rising.
* Run romp and play daily.
* Thrive on attention .
* Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.
* On warm days stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
* When you’re happy dance around and wag your entire body.
* No matter how often you’re scolded don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout. Run right back and make friends.
* Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
* Eat with gusto and enthusiasm, stop when you have had enough.
* Be loyal.
* Never pretend to be something you’re not.
* If what you want lies buried dig until you find it.
* When someone is having a bad day be silent, sit close by… and nuzzle them gently.

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Top Dog - Djokovic

2011-07-06T13:46:00.000+08:00

Djokovic's lucky charm, Pierre the toy poodle, was not able to enter UK due to quarantine rules. Pierre was nonetheless able to provided guidance, support and luck telepathically resulting in Djokovic's sensational win at Wimbeldon and sealing the World Number One status. Congratulations to Pierre!

From this link
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Pierre, the white toy poodle, is tennis great Novak Djokovic’s security blanket, lucky charm and mascot, all rolled into one….Team Djokovic is comprised of Novak’s girlfriend, his coaches and Pierre, who gives the tennis champ an air of calm just by being in the stadium on his own special cushion….unfortunately for Novak, the British Animal Quarantine laws are proving a formidable roadblock for Pierre’s presence at all lawn Wimbledon championships now being played in London….. according to the british tabloids, Novak himself appealed to the “highest level” of british diplomats to secure an entry visa for Pierre, but to no avail….Pierre will have to settle for a cushion in front of a wide screen television at the Djokovic homestead where he will bark his approval whenever Dad serves an ace…. Pierre has his own Twitter account and Facebook page, so he’ll be able to keep in touch with all of Novak’s fans around the world….

Let's get on the "BAN"dwagon

2011-07-06T13:13:00.000+08:00

In true San Francisco style, there is a proposal to ban all pet sales..

At the least, banning puppy mills and kitten factories will be a good start and hope more cities worldwide get involved.

Link to the news item:
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/26/local/la-me-goldfish-20110627

If the proposal is accepted - you can buy live animals to eat but not as pets - now that's a topic for another day :-)

Little Nina

2011-06-06T15:21:00.000+08:00

She looked tiny and fragile and so very lonely. She'd being attacked by rats and left with a big open wound. She put her paws on my knees, and greedily snatched the treat from my half opened hands.

Impulsively, I decided to foster little Nina, a 2 month old puppy. She hadn't found a home, she was all alone in the back room at the shelter and had very little human or dog interaction. I thought of the delicate, frightened pup, I thought of puppy cuteness and I thought of Polka getting a playmate.

We welcomed Nina with giddy excitement. She was less than half of Polka's size. I put my hand forward to pet but she put her head down and went on her knees and shivered. Little Nina was scared, viewed everyone with suspicion and crawled with her head down like a tunnel rat. It was disturbing and sad to watch her move and I wondered what life had offered in her brief 2 months existence!

I was trying hard to make her feel welcome and comfortable - bribing her with treats and toys, getting down on all fours and waiting for her to approach me, taking her in my arms - but nothing worked. Little Nina just shivered and took a step back at every attempt. All my efforts were in vain...

But that was not the case for Polka - she was able to work her charm. Initially, it was a slow dance. Polka moved forward aggressively, Nina retreated instinctively. Polka pawed her persistently, Nina stayed her ground. Polka continued to paw, Nina joined in the fun. Polka became dominating, Nina submissive... and the dance continued. Soon, they found their rhythm. Polka became gentler and Nina braver. Polka became less insecure of the new puppy and Nina more trusting of all of us. It was wonderful to watch as they learned to play together, share toys and become best of friends.

Under the tutelage of Polka, Nina blossomed little by little. I was the one who was suppose to teach, foster and bring my experiences 'to the table'. Instead, I had nothing to offer but a lot to learn.

I learned to be patient while Nina was getting paper trained. I learned to be tolerant and accepting as she learned to stand her ground. I learned what it means to protect as Polka came in between every time I tried to scold Nina. And I learned to let go.

Little Nina found a family but she preferred to go back to the shelter. She now has her own "nerd gang" and is healthy and happy. Lots of love and luck to you dear Nina!

Dog Tales

2011-05-18T13:45:00.000+08:00

'Pee'ved!
A friend on her dog's annoyance at being left alone:

Our dog doesn't like being left alone for long periods.. When we return from our vacations, she expresses her annoyance by jumping and peeing on our bed. Now we have 2 dogs and both of them do it!

The dogs are definitely 'pee'ved ;)

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Practical Lessons
My plumber had come to fix a leakage in the bathroom. This was an ongoing saga for the last 3 months with no concrete solution but its hard to get angry with him. Polka loves him and he also gives me 'puppy' tips :)

I was bitten by a puppy when I was in primary 1 - I got 18 stitches on my forehead. A few years later, I was bitten at the ankle. Now I am not scared of puppies. You should never run when you see a pup. You should not put your hand on his head - it can scare him, you know. Don't follow the pup- he might not like it and come to bite you. You hit a puppy, it will bite you. You love him, he will love you back.

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Robinhood
I stole a dog once. I went into the house when the owner was out and picked up the dog and ran. The owner beat the dog, starved him, and locked him up. I could not bear seeing the poor thing abused. His nails were curved back into his paw!. I hid him in my house till I found a nice family who adopted him.

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Lawyering up
My lawyer cousin had a story to tell:

My friend is a big shot lawyer in India - single and childfree. His pet dog is his only family. He takes him on vacations - not just locally but abroad as well! Everything is planned around the dog's schedule - meetings, work, cases, court appearances.. Any meeting after 6pm is held at his place. The dog comes into the room just before the meeting starts and stays till the end. The lawyer never makes a decision at the meeting. In his words, "I will discuss with my dog and get back to you in the morning!"

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Dying with Dignity

Conversation with a 85 year old gramps:

I have a 18 year old dog. People in our area know us very well - The old man with an older dog! But we are going strong. My previous dog was 15 when she was put to sleep. She was very sick. One night, she looked at me to tell me - this is it. I knew I had to do it. I called the vet. He said, 'If I come in the morning it will be $30, if I come now it is $150'. I said, 'Just come. She is ready to go'. I didn't want her to suffer through the night. It was heart wrenching to make the decision. That was 10 years ago! Now, my 18 year old dog and me - both are pretty close to the final moment. I am not sure which one of us will be facing the dilemma. Hah.

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Poo, Pee and all that drama!

2011-04-25T10:15:00.000+08:00

The other day, I was walking on the side lawns of an Arts School, when Polka suddenly decided to poo. A young chap sitting on the ledge close by, smoking a cigarette, was forced to watch while Polka went about her business. I gave him my 'Shit Happens' look and he stared back in disgust. Polka is usually shy of relieving herself in close proximity to others so it would normally be an awkward situation for me. But it was comical to watch this young boy - an underage smoker mostly - giving me this child like disgusted look. I got a poo bag out and extended it to him 'Would you like to do the honors for me?"
It was hilarious to watch the little boy - big glasses, a smoke in hand - his face contorted with shock and disbelief.

But seriously, what is the etiquette when it comes to the business of dogs doing their business? Is it acceptable to give little boys nightmares? Should we be apologetic or embarrassed about picking after our precious ones? Or should we walk around proudly with our poo bags? Or am I making a big deal out of nothing?

I don't think so. I see a lot of crap on the lawns these days. The number of people shirking their responsibility seem to be growing. How do we bring pride into the very act? How do we make it sexy?

So Polka and I decided to do a survey and ask 'the common man' for thoughts. I present you the top 'crappy' quotes

A single man walking his dog and picking up poo.. That's definitely sexy. He is a keeper.
Use transparent poo bags - let everyone see what a responsible community we are.
Small dogs no need lah.. So little - its not worth picking up.
That's the maid's job. Not mine. I don't take my dog out for a walk.
We should use bio degradable poo bags and it's time to figure out how best to collect the city's crap and use it as fuel or fertilizer.
I am teaching my dog to sit on the toilet and flush after him!

The feisty Nina!

2011-03-17T12:37:00.000+08:00

Based on Myers Briggs Test, I would be a ISJF personality :)

The fighting spirit!
I am half the size of Polka but I more than make up for it :)

Bite me!

Anything you can do, I can do betterr !

Wink Wink ;)

Let sleeping dogs lie!

Adopt me for a helluva time!
Call ALL

The Sesame Ball

2011-01-20T15:30:00.000+08:00

I saw the old gentleman from the corner of my eye. He was tall with grey hair. Must've been 65 years old. He was standing outside the Kopitiam, under a tree, eating a sesame ball (A sesame ball is a Chinese pastry filled with black bean paste and sesame seeds on the outside). I was sitting at a table, enjoying my kopi and watching people go by. He looked at Polka and smiled to himself. I finished my coffee and started on our usual route to Fort Canning. The gentleman was still standing under the tree. As we passed him, he suddenly called out, 'Hello Doggie'. In true Polka style, she responded by jumping on the gentleman and wagging her tail. The startled man stepped back while I quickly pulled Polka away saying, 'Naughty Polka! Bad Polka!'. With an apologetic smile, I hurriedly walked away..

After a week or so, as I passed by Kopitiam, Polka started wagging her tail at a gentleman sitting on the steps. He said 'Hello'. I realized it was the same one with the sesame ball. I smiled, 'She remembers you!' He was visibly pleased. After the customary 'how are you' and 'good byes', Polka and I continued on our walk.

I'd completely forgotten about him - till recently. I saw him standing next to the lawn opposite our apartment. He was thrilled to see Polka and vice-versa. Then he got chatting, 'I saw a similar dog in Israel. If you don't mind can I give a treat to your dog ?' I was hesitant to agree, 'Well.. Umm.. she has to go poo first .. maybe some other time'. He responded, 'Ok! Lets go to the kopitiam then!'

I was still trying to figure out if he hadn't heard me or had decided to simply ignore me when hubby arrived.

Hubby in a low voice: Whats going on?
Me: He wants to give a treat to Polka.
Hubby: Why?
Me: Well... he is Polka's friend.
Hubby: ???
Me: Umm.. Polka met him couple of times before this and he likes her.. I guess..
Hubby: So where's the treat?
Me: He wants us to go to the Kopitiam with him!
Hubby: Why do strange things happen only to you?

I handed Polka to hubby with a smile. So the gentleman, Polka, hubby and me headed to the Kopitiam.

Me: So how long have you lived in Singapore and Israel?
Gentleman: Am actually half Israeli and half Singaporean. I've lived mostly in Singapore. I went for a couple of weddings to Israel.
Hubby: So you stay close by?
Gentleman:  Farther down - but I come here to visit the temple.
Gentleman: Would you guys like a drink?
Hubby and me in unison: No thank you. Some other time!
Hubby: So you must be close to the other food mall. We used to stay on that street earlier.
Gentleman: Yes. I stay in a landed property there. It's the house for the aged and poor!

Hubby and I go silent. We exchange glances. I can see the accusing look - How can you agree to this? He must be already low on cash!

Upon reaching kopitiam, the gentleman goes inside to get the treat. We stay out with Polka and I try hard to avoid hubby's piercing eyes. Luckily, two girls come by and start playing with Polka and provide the needed distraction. Soon the gentleman returns, hands me a brown bag,  'Its hot now. Give it to her when it cools down. Bbye.'
I turn back to look at him, he smiles, waves his hand and vanishes into the crowd.

We continue walking with Polka on the crowded street and eventually reach the park. We sit down and open the brown bag.

It's a sesame ball!

Polka Woof

2011-01-07T11:17:00.002+08:00

"In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semihuman. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog."

- Edward Hoagland

Happy Birthday Polka!

2011-01-06T22:09:00.010+08:00

Polka was born on Dec 19th 2009, as per her medical records. A Sagittarius girl. According to Linda Goodman's Sun Signs book - every female teenager has read her book including yours truly - "To the Sagittarian, life is secretly a circus, and (s)he's the clown, rolling and tumbling through purple hoops in a sky-blue suit”. This describes Polka perfectly - a happy-go-lucky, carefree spirit!

For her birthday, Polka got a lot of treats and toys. As a special treat, she was even allowed to sleep on the bed with us! We decided to take Polka to the Animal Lovers League (ALL) farm from where we'd got her nine months back. The volunteers were happy to see her - the little puppy they'd known had grown into a big, strong, wonderful girl.

Polka was left behind in an off-leash park next to the farm. She was known as Kiwi then.. This was the story that was put out by ALL at that time:

"Cases of abandonment and cruelty continue to soar. Little Kiwi is one such case. Kiwi’s owners simply left her behind. Never to return. The poor girl sat in a field playing with the dogs as they ran by. One by one, the dogs left for home, with their owners. Kiwi’s owners were nowhere in sight. This innocent girl was left without water and food. All she had on was a red collar. We looked around anxiously for the people who left her behind. Nobody knew or saw her owners. We waited and prayed they would return but nobody came. How harsh and cruel this world can be to the young and innocent who ask for little but love and a roof over their heads. Little Kiwi remains as happy as can be. She loves the company of other dogs, bigger or smaller than her. Kiwi is amazing. Despite her sad tale, she continues to brighten our lives. She seems to know no sorrow. Do you have a forever home for Kiwi? She is young and deserves far more."

I guess Kiwi (now Polka) thought it was all an adventure. She was 2 months old when she got left behind in the park. I can imagine Kiwi looking around for her owners, perhaps her mother, trying to find a familiar face among the crowd.. She must have sat patiently having full faith that everything would be just right. When she was taken in by the kind folks at ALL - the farm with hundreds of dogs and cats must have caught her fancy. Her big eyes must've lit up, 'This seems like fun. So many dogs to play with'. She was kept isolated as her immunizations were not done but she must have said, 'I must be special to get a room for myself. That’s so cool'. When we met her at the farm, she wagged her tail and was ready to play. There was no sorrow or fear written on that beautiful face and every stranger - human or dog - was treated with a delightful jump. Polka surely must see life through rose-tinted glasses!

When Polka arrived home for the first time, she ran into every room and back and then looked up at us with her large inquisitive eyes, as if to say, 'And the adventure continues. Life is indeed a circus and I always take centre-stage. After all, it’s all about rolling and tumbling through purple hoops in a sky blue suit. Isn’t it?’

Happy Birthday, my dear Polka!

Karmic Konnections - part 2

2010-12-22T12:00:00.000+08:00

I used to take Polka out for a walk to nearby Mt Emily Park. The dogs owners that we came across were rather unfriendly types. They would see us and tug their dogs in the other direction. I'll admit Polka isn't the most well-behaved of mutts, but how can one walk away from that cute face? Hubby gleefully suggested, "It can't be Polka. It must be you!". "But how can they walk away from this cute face?", I retorted. Nonetheless, I began frequenting Fort Canning Park from then on.

One pleasant cool evening at Fort Canning, and the park was surprisingly empty. A black dog was sitting with his owner in the main lawn. Seeing Polka, the dog came running to us. Gideon was a sweet dog with beautiful, gentle eyes who turned out to be a shelter dog from Salem, Massachusetts. I got chatting with the owner - Jim had recently moved to Singapore and was elated to see another dog so eager to play. He was feeling guilty about moving to an urban landscape from a green, wooded, suburban place. Polka and Gideon ran furiously in the big empty lawn, chasing each other, jumping and having a good time. Gideon and Jim were back in suburbia - albeit for a short time. As a passerby aptly put it, "these two dogs are made for each other!". Polka now has a new play date on weekdays!

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That same evening at the park, I met a couple with two little dogs, a black and white pair. The dogs smelt the treats I had in my hand (I blackmail Polka with treats all the time) and stood in front of me with pleading eyes - their paws reaching up to my knees. How could I resist? Soon, Polka was in her game position egging them to play. They were shy at first, but eventually opened up and were as friendly as the couple. Polka had a wonderful time and so did I. We exchanged phone numbers and since then meet on a regular basis.

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As I walked back home, I realized how lucky I was to be surrounded by such wonderful people. Karmic connections don't you think?

Karmic Konnections - part 1

2010-12-14T20:52:00.184+08:00

I'm not a believer in Karma and don't believe 'things happen for a reason'. Actually I think everything is random. But there are times when good things happen in succession and I wonder if there is something more to it .. Maybe it's karma - the good karma that Polka brought with her. Karma is a bitch indeed in that case. Haha.
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We had moved to a new place just a couple of months before Polka happened to us. We were as anxious about Polka adjusting to the new environment as we were about our next door neighbour's disposition towards her. Soon after, I met them in the corridor and casually mentioned, "We just got a dog, she usually doesn't bark but we're not sure what she does when we go out. I hope she's not been disturbing you..." The elderly gentleman - presumably the grand-dad visiting from overseas - laughed and said "No. Not at all. We have one at home too - hope he is not disturbing you. Haha."

There's a dog next door and I've never heard or seen him? The patios are adjacent but fenced .. and guess we're not the neighbourly kind. I felt a tinge of guilt at not knowing my neighbours, at not making an effort to introduce myself or calling them over. All this wasted time! Polka could have had a playmate and could be going for doggie walks .... but hey wait a minute - they are at fault as much as me aren't they? Anyhow, I decided to call them over for tea.

Like all good ideas that go nowhere - I never went ahead with the invitation. After a month or so, the fences were gone (the fence was on their side of the patio) and there was a flurry of activity. That was the first time I'd seen the family together. A 3 year old boy, mom and dad. No dog! The grand-dad sure had a sense of humour. The little kid was delighted, the parents loved dogs and Polka was happy. It was perfect. Unfortunately for us, their stay in Singapore was coming to an end, and they were leaving at the end of the month.

Soon they were gone and I was back to square one. What if the new neighbour didn't like dogs?

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My hubby, being the paranoid type, decided to get a fence immediately. "We need a fence right away. Imagine if she jumps onto the other patio! Polka is over-friendly - she will stand at the edge and that might annoy them especially if they aren't dog lovers. If they complain, we may have to look for another apartment! We have to get a fence right away!"

If the neighbours' don't like dogs - they can get there own darn fence! Why should we hurry? But after two weeks of daily reminders from hubby - "did you go get the fence?" - I couldn't take it anymore. I got the fence and we promptly fixed it. Our new neighbour moved in but we never saw them and it was business as usual. As luck would have it, the building was getting painted and the fences had to come down! And we (read hubby) started worrying again.

One evening when we arrived home, Polka came running, wagging her tail, smiling and dragging us to the patio. There was a small cute dog next door - Curio! Polka had already made friends with the neighbour, who turned out to be a friendly lady who actively volunteers at the local shelter and fosters dogs. She had fostered Curio, a rescue dog, for two months and then convinced her friend to adopt it. Both ladies were gushing all over Polka and feeding her avocados, asparagus and other healthy stuff. I could not have asked for more! Soon Polka was dispatched to their side of the patio and beer cans made their way to our side. The dogs were playing and having a blast while we were drinking and chatting. A wonderful Friday evening indeed and a great start for many more!

Polka Talk

2010-12-14T20:28:00.002+08:00

Taking Polka out for a walk in the central business district is always an adventure. It garners interest from the tourists as well as locals. She is a big dog for Singapore.

Overheard in Singapore:

She looks like a cartoon character. Funny looking thing.
So tall. She is a pencil
What a fierce looking dog. Put a muzzle lah!
Such a kind and gentle face
Ma, look the thinnest dog ever! (My vet assures me she is the right weight. Singapore dogs in general are overweight)
She looks like a dingo mate !
She is so loong - like a sausage.

Polka Talk

2010-11-29T10:48:00.001+08:00

One day some aliens chanced upon the planet Earth. After a keen observation, they concluded the rulers of the Planet Earth are ... drum roll ... DOGS!

'Humans work to provide for their masters - the dogs. They clean up after them, shower them and ensure there's always food and water available. Some confused beings also take them for spa treatments, hair color treatment and dog yoga. Dogs are seen playing, running but mainly sleeping and relaxing. Hence we conclude: Dogs are the rulers of Earth.'

"If we are alone in the Universe, it sure seems like an awful waste of space." -Carl Sagan

Floating in Space

2010-11-29T10:17:00.000+08:00

I love to jump. Bounce high up in the air and come down. No control; floating in air; the adrenaline rush. High on life.

I jump high and momentarily stay at the top and then let go. Something ain't right. The excruciating pain. I am on my back. Gravity sucks.

Hysteria and panic everywhere. A shot in the body. Out like a light.

Half opened eyes. On a bed. Lots of faces staring. Sleep.

The smell of sickness and medicines. A dying dog close by. Still groggy. Where am I?

The non-stop moaning. She is dying for sure. Caged in like animals, stacked up against each other. Closed spaces. Feeling doped.

Surrounded by sickness and depression. Attendants come in to check. Hard to keep eyes open. Tired.

The stench. The blazing eyes; She's struggling to stay alive. Drifting in and out.

Less dopey today. There he is with tears in his eyes The doctor comes in 'Couple more days. He needs a lot of rest'

Couple more days in here? NO! Take me home right now! Pat on my head, kisses on the forehead, the neck massage. 'Everything will be alright' says he. I feel better already.

The smell of death. The whining. Penetrating eyes continue to stare. She's half dead for sure. Feeling sick. Couple more days..

A flick of the switch. Green men everywhere. Cages been cleaned. Drugged weak dogs. No struggle at all.

Cold eyes. A sudden blink of her eyelid. Still not dead. Trying to say something but no sound..

White light. Silence. No movement. No stench. Nothing. A teardrop glistens. I see a rainbow.

No pain anymore. Floating in space. Let this last longer. Feeling high once again.

The Day Polka Went Missing

2010-10-21T15:38:00.002+08:00

Polka was 4 months old but her vaccinations were still not done. So she had to stay confined in the apartment. We used to put her in the playpen, latch it and leave the house. That way, we were sure she wouldn't hurt herself or destroy the furniture. But Polka was getting bigger and soon outgrew the pen. It was time to let her free in the apartment.

The first time we left Polka alone was actually to spy on her :) We went out by the front door and made our way to the garden outside our patio. We stood behind the bushes and waited patiently. Polka was sitting at the door for a long time. After confirming she had the house to herself, Miss 'busybody' went on an exploratory trip. She looked around, climbed the bar stool, sniffed at the scotch on the bar table, walked to the TV stand, stared at the CD case for a while and then suddenly entered the patio. We ducked down - she was small at that time and couldn't see beyond the patio walls but she heard the movement. We stayed down, trying not to breathe - like the paparazzi, hiding, waiting for the coast to clear and then slowly made our way back to the front door. When we opened the door, Polka jumped at us angrily and went back to the patio to investigate!

After that, we started leaving her alone for longer periods. One evening, we went out for dinner at 7pm and arrived back around midnight. We had a bottle of wine and were feeling quite light headed. We opened the door - expecting Polka to jump - but there was no sound! Polka wasn't there! The nice 'after drink' buzz was gone in an instant and we went into panic mode. We rushed out to the patio, looked outside in the little garden, screamed her name at the top of our voices but nothing! Silence. All the doors except the one to the patio were closed - but we went to every room, calling out her name, hoping she will magically appear. When we returned back to the front door, we realized we'd walked into the house without actually using a key! We hadn't locked the main door when we left the house!

Hubby screamed, 'POLKA MIGHT BE STOLEN! She's not microchipped as yet. How will we find her ?' I didn't want to think about that possibility. I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind, 'She's a stray. Nobody will steal her. What will they do with her ?' Hubby stared at me in disbelief ', How can you talk about our Polka like that!' We glared at each other, but as time was precious, we decided to concentrate on the matter at hand.

Our apartment is on the 5th floor which also has the swimming pool and the gym. The main door leads to the elevator as well as swimming pool. The patio is enclosed with a 4 foot wall and the other side of the garden overlooks the tennis court 2 floors below.

It was impossible for Polka to turn the knob and open the main door and at the same time it was highly improbable for Polka to jump out of the patio. But get out she did! Maybe she entered into the pool or jumped the high wall into the tennis court or followed someone into the elevator! It didn't make sense but nothing did. How could Polka get out of the apartment in the first place? Hubby and I decided to split up and search for her.

Hubby jumped over the patio walls and disappeared while I rushed out of the main door. I called the security guard. Had he seen a dog running around in the building or the lobby ? Maybe someone called to complain about a dog? The guard had heard nothing and was skeptical, 'Ma'm how did the dog get out of the apartment'? I couldn't explain. I went outside the building - there were people stumbling out of the many bars across the streets, teenagers smoking at a corner and and an occasional car whirring by. I called out to Polka and I thought I saw her running towards me. Alas, my eyes were playing tricks on me.

I walked back disappointed. Hubby and me were dejected, blank, trying to think of what to do next. We decided to call her name once more. POLKA! And voila, she appeared! Polka came running towards us from the pool side, with her ears pulled back, eyes shining brightly and a happy, smiling face!

We were relieved and thrilled and confused! Am still not sure what happened that night. Maybe, someone opened our front door by mistake and Polka sprinted out? Maybe, the door was slightly ajar and she got out closing it behind her? And where had she been all this time? It's all still a mystery! But one thing is for sure - Polka had thoroughly enjoyed her 'solo' night out!

And yes the front door is now locked at all times!

Il Cani D'Italia

2010-10-07T21:43:00.000+08:00

The first thing that struck me about Italy were the dogs!
Beautiful places, ancient ruins, modern cities, pastas and dolces, throngs of tourists .. it was all what I expected but surprise surprise - dogs! Everywhere in Italy!

Traveling 2 weeks sans polka was hard - I missed her terribly but the sight of these four-legged creatures was comforting. One could see them in the metros, buses, trams, walkways, malls, high fashion stores, cafes... It was crazy! Soon it was easy to tell a city by its dogs.

Milan - the fashion capital of the world. A cute little dog waiting patiently with its owner at the metro station was the first to catch my attention. A small bundle of fur looking in the direction of the train - fashionably groomed, stylish, quiet, but with an air of confidence - like the Milanese. The train arrived, the owner picked the little creature in her arms and into the train. No one blinked an eye. It was the most normal thing to see in Milan - a dog sitting on the arm of a Dolce & Gabbana coat! Or was that just another fashion accessory ?

Florence - the birth place of Renaissance. Dogs walking freely, unleashed in crowded piazzas - soaking in the atmosphere - oblivious to the tourists taking pictures of Donatello's sculptures, lifting their legs up at the corner of Palazzo Strozzi, window shopping on Via De'Tornabuoni, admiring the latest fashions from Salvatore Ferragamo, looking down their nose at the tourist pasta places near Il Duomo, sitting on the steps of the Uffizi gallery and contemplating life. The 'Dantes' & 'Michaelangelos' of today's Florence!

Rome - ancient ruins and modern city; chaotic traffic and tranquil alleyways; The rich, the haughty and the 'gente commune'; vespas and ferraris; beggar-dogs and fashionista ones!
The beggar dogs lie on the footpath with a bowl placed in front of them, trying to charm passers-by with their droopy eyes and shaggy looks as they wait to hear the clink of the coins. A loving look, a pat on the back and some change please! The fashionista dogs walk by into the Prada store to check out the latest designs. The polished floors, the glass walls, the minimalistic look, the demure lighting -' Shoes for you and his royal highness?' Rome - where everything and everyone goes!

Naples - the city of contrasts and contradictions. The sturdy, rugged dogs with the 'seen-it-all' look; they have braved many storms, faced harsh realities, survived and thrived in hostile environments. They roam freely on the streets, in the castles and galleria with a swagger, staring right at you as if to ask ' what can you do for me ?' A city where its 'every dog for himself'.

But after a while, its easy to see beneath the hard exterior; the beautiful eyes despite the 'crusties', the royal walk albeit on litter-strewn streets; the vitality and excitement but no rush to reach any destination; the hesitant enjoyment at a gentle stroking of the head. These are the dogs of real Italy - Naples - a city everyone loves to hate and hates to leave!

Polka Talk

2010-09-25T12:02:00.000+08:00

A vacation within a vacation
Lots of doggies and lots of fun
Summer camp for Polka and Italy for me
From hectic days back to relaxed ones!

A vacation within a vacation
A little dose of education
Hiking and eating and new sights to see
And now its back to Polka and me!

Citizen Polka

2010-09-09T10:50:00.001+08:00

Recently, a cab driver asked me, 'Did you get the dog from your country?' I responded, 'No she's local. I am just a resident here but my dog is a citizen. Haha'

Polka is a Singaporean due to the fact that she was born on this piece of land. But neither Polka nor I can answer the question, 'Where is home? Which place do you belong to?' My childhood was in India, I came into my own in USA and currently enjoying my time in Singapore. I long for each place that I've lived in and am part of every place I travel to but I don't feel I belong to any one place.

So who am I? A global citizen? Traitorous to no one and patriotic to myself! But what does it really mean to be a patriot? As Samuel Johnson famously said. 'Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel'. As the world gets flatter, the physical lines that tend to divide and categorize us continue to blur. We are getting closer to becoming citizens of the world or at least citizens of the Internet.

The Internet has made us realize that we are very different and yet very similar. We are now all part of this global village - connecting instantaneously to anyone in the world, seeing places we never dreamt of, signing petitions across borders for causes we believe in, playing games in a virtual, fantasy-filled world, getting a second and even a third life - traveling seamlessly between the virtual and the real world with no passport or visa!

That begs the question - Is reality virtual or the virtual reality?' Are we global citizens or citizens of our own mind? Maybe we are the figment of our own imagination, residing in our own heads, creating and re-creating boundaries as we please ....

I am sure Citizen Polka would agree!

The Dealmaker

2010-08-30T11:11:00.000+08:00

A week after we got Polka home, I was looking at her - trying to understand what she must be thinking - and I guess she was doing the same. Suddenly her quizzical expression changed and she looked at me as if to say something and that particular look reminded me of my grandma.

My grandma was in India. It was almost 10 months since she was bedridden. Polka didn't even exist then! Some days it was better and some days it was worse. I had gone to see her 6 months back. She seemed small and fragile but was attentive and happy to see me - 'You better have kids soon. I will not die before that' I responded, 'Sure! Its a deal. You are not going anywhere in that case as I don't plan to have any'. Its fun to watch her expressions when I say things that are 'outrageous' !

We usually discuss on the happenings in the family - what each one of us is or rather should be doing - the younger ones should be studying, the unmarried ones should be looking for the right partner and the married ones need to make babies.. But this time it was different. She wanted to talk about her life, her past, her unhappiness. I'd never heard my grandma frustrated or disgruntled other than the occasional complaint about the maid or the food. It must have been the illness .. She talked incessantly about the unhappy times. The verbal abuse her mother had to endure from her grandfather, the sickness and curses that killed her mom when she was 7, her marriage at the age of 8, the hard life and the expectations from the new bride, the uncles and aunts who were looking out for their own good, the inconsiderate neighbours, her daughter who had to work on the farm, the black soot from all the cooking, the dark evenings... Her voice changed, her language changed; she was remembering the events vividly and re-living them. The picture I had painted in my mind was quite different - the mango trees, the quaint house, the friendly neighbours, the well where her sons went swimming, the fresh village air, the real taste of 'zunka -bhakri' - it was all gone. I could only see a small girl longing for a childhood she never had; conflicts she never could resolve; a closure that she so desperately wanted.

She became irritable and screamed at everyone who tried to help. Nothing could calm her mind. The illness, the smell of medicines, the attendants, the bedridden existence, the helplessness - it all made it worse. She became stubborn and didn't wish to listen to what we thought was 'reason'. Everyone was prepared for the inevitable including me. As her condition deteriorated, I was hoping she'd die sooner than suffer a prolonged, miserable, death.

I looked at Polka - she continued looking at me in that peculiar way. I was trying to hold on to that moment - to get some clarity - when the phone rang. My grandma had passed away.

My grandma! She'd dance so that I would eat one more bite and sing the weirdest village songs. She'd walk softly to spy on the maids so that her heavy anklets didn't give her away. She'd let me teach her how to write her name and would give me 'ladoos' for not failing any subjects. She'd proudly proclaim to anyone ready to listen - 'my granddaughter works in America!'. She'd wear the Wallmart slippers I'd got for her only on 'special' occasions and would circle a broom around me to keep the evil spirits away. She loved all of us grand-kids equally and loved me a little more!

I did not cry that day. I was blank and numb. I tried to make sense. I knew this was going to happen and had even wished for her suffering to end. But somewhere in the back of my mind I was hoping for her to get better, stronger, laugh once more and then bid farewell on a high, healthy note. I reasoned - she was a fighter and had a desire to live - she had let go on her own terms.

A week later, I noticed Polka looking with that same peculiar look and I thought to myself - that's the dealmaker - Polka was my baby! And then the tears wouldn't stop.

To kill a mocking bird!

2010-08-24T22:11:00.000+08:00

Everyday I go for my walks in the evenings. Its not at regular times and its hard for me to plan my day but what can I expect from her. She has no discipline, no structure! She does not even wear a watch! But I digress - I will leave that for another day.

We usually walk in front of our house. Its a nice, huge green lawn in the middle of the city. I walk in the grass, look around, say hello to unsuspecting strangers and try to chase the birds. It was wonderful - till recently ...

A small black bird has decided to make my lawn his home. He perches himself atop the trees and awaits my arrival. Every time I step into the lawn, the tiny bird glides from one tree to another and into the open lawn. He soars high up in the sky and dives low to the ground. He flaps his wings and circles in the air over and over again and goads me. I pull and tug at the leash as I watch his every movement, every flap, every turn. My heart beats faster and I start panting harder. I growl in frustration and stare in anticipation of a fall. But the dance continues! The black bird flies away and comes threateningly close; and twitters and sings and mocks me - 'Come get me!'

Aah what a pleasure it would be to kill the mocking bird!

'FUR'IOUS !!!

2010-08-16T20:45:00.000+08:00

My understanding of the fur trade was shaped largely by PETA's sensational 'I'd rather go naked than wear fur' ads. I'd spent as much time admiring the models as I'd spent pondering about the animal killings. If all the folks, especially the guys out there, were doing the same, I think PETA definitely succeeded in raising awareness.

I don't wear fur and I never gave the fur trade much thought - till recently. I was forwarded this disturbing video on the dog fur trade. It was horrible to see dogs and cats been mistreated and skinned alive. That's when it hit home. Dogs ? Fur ? Really ? For me, mink coats, leather items , 'medicines' meant seals, foxes, crocodiles. elephants, tigers, rhinos - wild, exotic animals.. However deplorable these killings are, they happen in far away places - in the cold waters of Alaska or the jungles of Africa. Poachers, hunting traps and custom crackdowns are almost out of a movie scene. But dogs and cats - these are domestic animals, man's best friend! This is very close to home and very close to my heart. I am furious. It's disgusting and sad. Are we really capable of this level of cruelty ?

I wouldn't want this kind of fate to befall anyone - even the people brutally skinning alive helpless creatures. After all, in all likelihood they're just trying to survive. It's because of demand and supply, because of glamorizing and branding and because of me and maybe even you. Aren't we responsible for being unaware, for being complacent, for patronizing these products and companies? I have to do something, get active but before that I have this sudden urge to give a tight hug to my dear Polka!

To (Ba)Be or not to (Ba)Be

2010-08-07T09:58:00.002+08:00

After Polka arrived, there has been a lot more vocal interest in our family life. 'So what about a baby? ' 'Now that you take care of Polka, you are equipped to take care of your own' 'Your biological clock is ticking!' 'whats wrong with you - raising a dog instead of your own kid??' I used to be ready with a canned but honest reply 'I don't feel the need to have a baby.' But this is usually followed by 'Hmm.. Is there a medical problem?'

One of the most common comment I get is 'You will be a wonderful mom!' Now, I agree that makes me feel good. I am affectionate. loving and full of infinite wisdom :) I wish I could retort, 'I also have a good body maybe I should become a stripper?' (Note to self: Join a gym)

Its hard for most people to fathom that some us don't want/need kids. Most of my family and friends mean well and do believe that a baby is necessary to feel 'complete'. How can one say no to an experience of a life time, unconditional love, the support for old age, mid life crisis, maternal instinct, peer pressure or atleast the need to propagate one's genes?

For me, its hard to fathom that people would want to have kids for these reasons. I believe if you are having kids for any reason other than maybe maternal/paternal instincts you should not be having one. Those genes need to go nowhere. Get a life or better still get a dog!

With a 6 billion and bulging population, more than half the world below the poverty line, life expectancy rates moving upwards, the doom and gloom about climate change - do we really need another small, cute, tiny little baby to occupy space on this planet?

Evidently we do. Because there's a baby born every second or so.. I don't understand this urge to have your own when they are so many out there who need a home. Nature will balance it for sure but it won't be pretty. Like dinosaurs, one day we might be extinct too. The universe is expanding and soon might go up in flames. Why not make it better for everyone today? right now?

Be it pets or kids - why not adopt?

Polka Talk

2010-07-30T14:59:00.002+08:00

Email from a friend:

Welcome to mommyhood - handling Polka must be just as challenging as handling an infant - except that Polka will always be friendly, welcome you wholeheartedly, be loyal and be with you forever