MeekiaHub

Photosnap - Stripe T-shirt

2008-08-21T16:03:00.003+08:00

Photosnap - White

2008-08-12T17:56:00.005+08:00

Check out the mysterious eyes. Does it look like the night safari eyes' logo?

Idea from baby shots. They look so lovely under the blanket / towel ...

My Classic Dog

2008-08-12T14:26:00.004+08:00

Another creation of mine!. I bought this hat sometime ago thinking i could let meekia wear it during my ROM day. And well, i finally put it on for him today... it took me much effort to place the hat alone up on his head. Yet to say i gotta command him to 'stay', distracting him with food and managing with my camera the same time... I really wish I have more hands at that point of time (sweats...) and the red bow further adds a sense of class to meekia. Isn't he gorgeous? My camera settings: high speed shutter with natural day light.

Brushing up on photo-taking

2008-08-11T23:00:00.009+08:00

Today i was inspired and motivated after i read my casio exilim camera's product manual. I come to know how to capture good pictures using the continuos shutter mode setting. I chosen meekia, a challenging model. My objective for a start as 'beginner', is to be able to take down natural pictures that reflect his unique personality. My chosen picture of the day is:

Do you pick up your dog's poo?

2008-06-05T13:22:00.010+08:00

To be honest, I am not a disciplined owner all the times...haahaah... especially so because Meekia loves to do his 'big business' on privacy spots like beneath the bushes or trees. I find it difficult for me to locate the camoflauged poo and that unlikely anyone would be stepping onto it...so, i choose to leave them to mother nature.

The saying "What goes around, comes around" (so true...haahaa). One morning while rushing to work, i stepped onto another-irresponsible-dog-owner's-dog's-poo. It must has been a large dog, i guessed. It produced large pile of soft yellowish stools at the middle of the grassy pathway.

Well, it serves as a good reminder for me to Be a Good Dog Qwner.

I am then motivated to learn to make these little square paper box which can be used to collect meekia's poo. Also, can be used to throw those chicken or fish bones during meal time. Isn't that wonderful? It is easy to make and can be stack together neatly, 'opening up' whenever want to use it. :D

"It's me or the dog" (?)

2007-10-25T13:08:00.000+08:00

"Parachuted into homes where the pet is running riot and the family is in the dog house, dog training expert Victoria Stilwell arrives to restore order. Through observation, interviews and secret filming with a 'pet cam', Victoria assembles her evidence and diagnoses the problem. A clear practical training programme ensues, offering pet and owner the chance to change the bad habits of a lifetime. It's Me Or The Dog is the definitive guide for pet owners offering them transformational and hands-on advice that puts pets in their place and owners back at the head of the household." (@Arts Central)

This is a fantastic and useful program especially for dog lovers or owners out there. This show begin since 3 oct (i missed so much...) and i actually knew it through a sms from my classmate. hahaha.....

Well, at least i watched once :P This 30min Victoria's dog training reminded me, "Do not ever beat your dog" and triggered me to review again the areas which i should improve on disciplining for Meekia.

It is understandable how frustated the family members can get when their dog sits at the sofa(and get aggressive when forced to get down), stealing food from table and family while they eat and pulling on leash when walking and being unfriendly to visitors(even bite!).

When the messages does not get across to the dog > the dog would continues all the unacceptable behavior > the family got more frustated and helpless and they may naturally turned to use physical punishment (negative reinforcement) which will only reinforce the behavior to happen again.

I like the way that Victoria actually demonstrated by applying it to the owner (the owner take the role as dog). She'll command "you CAN sit on the sofa", then the owner get near to sit, she commanded "you CANNOT sit on sofa" and repeated. This is to indicate the inconsistency with us(owner) in disciplining which made the dog CONFUSED over what are the cans and cannots.

Once, she stood up and shouted loudly at the owners halfway through a conversation which left them shocked. This is how a dog feel when owner do this to them and something to note here is that, an excessive use of shouting/beating may turn the dog into an aggressive one, due to the accumulation of fear within them.

Getting used to having visitor around and welcoming them: each visitor must ensure NO eye-contact given to the dog and to "drops" a snack at different interval. Gradually, the dog will learned that having visitor around is a pleasure.

I set myself 2 goals:
1. To train Meekia stops sitting on sofa or bed
2. Letting Meekia know it is a pleasure to have visitors

Meekia and my doraemon collection

2007-09-17T01:12:00.001+08:00

Frog Story

2007-07-29T23:45:00.000+08:00

Meekia met his first frog as we were at outside the MRT. It was dimly lighted up area. The frog was on the concrete and I did not saw him. When the Meekia sniffed him, the frog jumped. Meekia just ran over, scooped him up in his mouth. It all happened too fast. I was shocked and find it very disgusting...

Upon home, Meekia vomited 3x consecutively. JK spontaneously searched info online. I am so glad he was around with me. Meekia was rather incoorperative when we performed the first mouth rinsing for him. I am relieved he does not develop any further symptoms/complications after that.

Here i would like to share this piece of info with other dog owner:

Signs of Toxicity

Due to the slow and awkward movement of the toad, dogs readily will attack them. When attacked, the toads release the toxins and dogs become affected. Common signs of intoxication include foaming from the mouth, drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, stumbling, falling, tremors, rigid legs, and seizures.

Treatment

If your dog is exhibiting signs of toxicity, is conscious, and not seizuring then:

Rinse the mouth with running water: place a garden hose or faucet along the side of the mouth and run the water.
Rinse the mouth for 3 to 5 minutes at a time for a total of 3 times.

IMPORTANT:
Do not force water down your pet’s mouth or try to make your pet swallow.
Do not give any oil, milk, or other substance besides water.

IF YOUR PET IS SEIZURING, HAVING TREMORS, CANNOT STAND, SEEK VETERINARY ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY!!

Save the earth....

2007-07-17T00:51:00.000+08:00

I am happy that I am doing my part to save our earth by using recycle paper, (newspaper to be exact). I used to feel "guilty" each time i use a plastic bag (though small size) to pick up Meekia's poo. Somehow, i felt i am harming our already sick earth until i tried out with newspaper one day. It worked out perfectly. I simply need only one page of newspaper each time, fold into about A4 size. Whenever Meekia is ready to poo, i will place the newspaper right below. Once he is done, pull away the newspaper or the dog. As the dog is likely to perform the "sweeping" or "burying" using his hind legs. He may unintentionally kick his poo out from the newspaper...
Then gently wrap up and throw to nearby dustbin.

Durian...I love it !

2007-07-12T19:40:00.000+08:00

meekia's first contact with durian and he falls in love with the aroma of durian instantly.

meekia managed to grabbed a bite while mummy went to kitchen...

And he is loving it...

Meekia tried out on Gentle Leader

2007-07-07T17:33:00.001+08:00

Look! This is my lovely dog had his first feel of gentle leader. And I can't believe myself this is a very wonderful tool. Too good to be true you see. Very easy to put on, less than half the usual strength i need to use when walking my dog and he receive clear direction on what to do.

I like the idea that there isn't much pulling needed, no shouting, no threatening, no choking or strangling whatsoever. While not many use in singapore as they dislike the look of it which they think similar to those of a horse and some misinterpreted it as crucial, which is not true.

I would recommend the use of gentle leader. It control a dog's annoying behavior in MINUTES. It is scientifically designed to use a dog's natural instincts. It eliminates pulling and lunging, power steering for dog and it is comfortable and painless.

Mushroom?

2007-07-07T08:46:00.000+08:00

me and meekia have our usual morning walk. We decided to take a longer route by the large field. And i was surprised to see this little "mushroom" which meekia found!

Article on gentle leader

2007-06-29T15:05:00.001+08:00

Gentle Leader

2007-06-29T14:35:00.000+08:00

The long awaited day arrived! I am happy (and thankful) that Angie came over to give me tips and advice for meekia. She recommended to use "gentle leader" which i overheard as "gentle needle" initially. (haa haa...). which she'll bring over next week to try out for meekia.

Some information which i liked to share:

"Dogs have a natural instinct to pull against pressure and dogs waIked on choke or regular collars still pull, even though pressure on the throat causes pain and choking and even though their owners rnay yank, tug and shout to try and stop them.
The Gentle Leader does not choke your dog. It is scientifically designed to direct your dog’s entire body by controlling his head and nose. And wherever his nose goes, his body must surely follow!
The Gentle Leader dissuades your dog from pulling on the lead by transferring the pressure of his efforts to the back of his neck via the neckstrap, while the pressure of the noseloop communicates your natural leadership. Your dog’s instinctive resistance to these redirected pressures causes him to stop pulling to relieve the pressure at the back of the head and to relax and walk easily by your side."

Comic: what a dog will ask for from Genie?

2007-06-29T13:58:00.000+08:00

I came across this picture from Chicken soup for the pet lover's soul.
This comic is so true yet funny! My dog loves belly-rub just as much!

Meet the crabs.

2007-06-27T22:08:00.000+08:00

He is overstretching himself to have a peek of the crabs in the huge metal bowl.

Toothpaste makes dog "high"!

2006-10-27T20:18:00.000+08:00

"Teeth should be checked regularly for decay or chipped teeth. Any decayed or chipped teeth should be handled by your vet. You can maintain your pets oral hygiene by brushing its teeth weekly with a tooth brush. Do not use toothpaste meant for humans, the strong mint will overpower your dogs senses and can cause it to get "high"! You must let your dog get used to teeth brushing when it is a puppy so that it recognises it as a normal weekly routine."

Reference: http://www.pick-a-pet.com.sg

Oops! now wonder Meekia behave differently after bath today.....

Nice ~

2006-09-27T22:57:00.000+08:00

MeeKia turned 7kg !

2006-09-27T22:33:00.000+08:00

MeeKia has grow bigger. He weigh 7kg @ 8mths old.

MeeKia & Friends (Nicky, Maverick and Alice) Part1/3

2006-08-27T22:30:00.000+08:00

MeeKia & Friends (Nicky, Maverick and Alice) Part2/3

2006-08-27T22:25:00.000+08:00

MeeKia & Friends (Nicky, Maverick and Alice) Part3/3

2006-08-27T22:22:00.000+08:00

My new doggie file from my sister

2006-08-23T19:43:00.000+08:00

D.I.Y Collar

2006-08-14T20:50:00.000+08:00

Me and JK spent S$4 on a stainless steel chain. We attached 2 keychain rings on both ends of the chain and voila! MeeKia has a new collar now. It is easy to put on and it is reliable....

A fruitful Sunday

2006-08-14T13:00:00.000+08:00

Thanks to ShuQing borrowing me The complete Idiot's guide: Positive Dog Training book.

In the afternoon, I started training MeeKia SOCIALIZATION - to accept touching. He did perfectly well. He used to bite a lot when being touched and i am amazed this simple training works. This is the technique:
1. Hold a treat with one hand out 20-30 inch
2. Place the other hand on dog's neck
3. If dog doesn't move, remove hand and reward treat. If dog moves, stop and start over again.
4. Repeat 10x till dog is comfortable and consistently not moving.

I am home late from my "pak-toh" cum study. MeeKia was all excited, as usual, jumping and barking when he sees me. Then, it came to my mind to teach him the DOOR etiquette - proper door manners.
I think it is important not to let dog has the habit of charging through door before the owner.
Meekia was readily to charge in before i pull open the doorknob. He was surprised today I commanded him to "Sit" and "Stay". He did as told but was a little nervous and gets up very soon each time I proceeded with my next step. I repeated the steps starting all over again and he gets less nervous graduallly.
I am happy with meekia's first door etiquette performance. I will continue to work hard. I want Meekia be Mr. Manners. <13aug2006>

Swimming @ Sembawang Park

2006-08-13T21:10:00.000+08:00

I am overjoyed JK suggested to bring Meekia to the beach! I love to see Meekia swim. It was crowded on saturday. I had Meekia leashed and he was terrified by the waves. Me and JK tooks efforts forcing him and luring him with toys but they came useless.

Then, we meet another dog owner with his 4 years old BiBi. He shares with us some of his dog training experiences. BiBi (Jack russel) is so trendy with his tail-end dyed in pink. He is muscular, friendly with strangers and is obedient. He makes friend with Meekia and decided to ignore him shortly because Meekia is too expressive i guess....

Then, I carried Meekia towards the water, slightly my chest level and LET GO , he FLOATS and he SWIMS! He was kinda swimming desperately towards the shore. (he has a pitiful looks...haa haa) JK would jog with him after each round of swim.

Soon, we're ready to pack and go home. Within a seconds, we saw Meekia coating himself with the fine sands! (he is trying to wipe himself dry) His entire body and face was 'white'. Me and JK could not help laughing.... <13aug2006>

KELME bag

2006-07-31T20:46:00.000+08:00

This is my new KELME school bag. I fall in love with this bag the moment i saw the cute paw attached! And it is selling at a very affordable price S$14.90

Slipper murderer caught

2006-06-18T20:40:00.000+08:00