Changing People�s Mindset, Gently But Surely

Biscotti is not a former street animal but I saved her from becoming one. She was one of six puppies spawned by a dog ‘attached’ to the neighbour across the street from us. I say attached because the woman did not really claim it for her own. She fed the mother dog once a day, but that was all. No licence. No real shelter. In fact, the woman said she had never ever touched the dog let alone bathe her. When the dog became pregnant, the woman said she was going to dump them at some oil palm estate or at the Old Klang Road market. I hedged, hoping that somehow some kind souls would take the pups in. In the end, I decided adopt Biscotti because my own dog of 23 years had passed away. Meanwhile, my neighbour decided that it would be smart to spay Biscotti’s mum so she would not have to ever face the hassle of dealing with puppies again. Before she changed her mind, I quickly took her to the vet and got it done (my neighbour paid for the procedure). Biscotti has never forgotten her mother and I sometimes take across the street to see her.

I talked about how providing incentives (for others to do good) is a much better pathway to win people’s hearts over and make them do right, than to criticise and coerce. Lian agreed.

From:�Lilian Tan
Date: Tue, Apr 23, 2013 at 3:49 PM
Subject: Re: before/after shots of Biscotti
To: Chan Kah Yein <chankahyein@gmail.com>I think you hit on the right strategy for My Animal Care. Some people need only a little nudge and help to do the right thing.�One of the most valuable pieces of wisdom given to me was this: “Nobody gets up in the morning to fail.” Similarly, I want to believe that “Nobody gets up in the morning to hurt animals.” Where we can, whenever we can, we should remove the excuses for neglect and irresponsibility, and encourage responsibility.�This neighbour of mine is now very friendly and I even got her to feed my dogs and cats when I went away recently. I daresay she’s now even a bit envious when she notices how well Biscotti has turned out.

Fei Mui

And below is Biscotti, now adopted by Lian.

�Biscotti.

Lian’s own dog, Sophie, just passed away not too long ago, at the age of 23. Yes, that’s TWENTY-THREE humans years (23X365 days). She was a mongrel Spitz. She wasn’t on any special diet or supplements (I just had to ask). Just given lots of tender loving care.

Talking about food, I know of a friend who looks after many dogs and her dogs are brought up on home-cooked and an “ordinary” brand of kibbles. “Ordinary” meaning it’s well known to be of an average quality. All her dogs are thriving and in the prime of health. Her oldest is 17 and looking great. No cataracts, no arthritis, just an occasional selective hearing (attitude!) problem.

So there…what is the secret to long life?

It shall remain what it is: A SECRET.