Thursday, August 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Greyhounds - meaningless killing
Saw a National Geographic program yesterday about the lives of Greyhounds.
I must admit I was saddened by what I saw.
We all know that Greyhounds are bred to race. But what happens to them after they have passed their prime or not the fastest? They are "Euthanised" (for want of a better word).
They are killed. Period. Just like that - life snuffed out of them.
There was this scene where a male vet tech injected something into the greyhound and after a while it just went limp. A female vet tech later appeared with a wheelbarrow and together, they loaded the greyhound into it. This female vet tech then wheeled it out to a waiting truck where another guy was waiting. Together, one holding the front paws while the other the back, they swung and toss it into the back of the truck with the rest of the greyhound carcass.
Those "lucky" ones may be sold to a "research facility" (and we all know what they do there).
Most of them don't even get to live past 4-5 years old when their life expectancy is 12-15 years old. Younger if the breeder feel that they can't race.
Despite the animal welfare/protection laws, this aspect of abuse was not addressed as technically, the breeders and owners have not done anything wrong.
It's not right - call it what you want - it's just plain killing.
And meaningless.
I must admit I was saddened by what I saw.
We all know that Greyhounds are bred to race. But what happens to them after they have passed their prime or not the fastest? They are "Euthanised" (for want of a better word).
They are killed. Period. Just like that - life snuffed out of them.
There was this scene where a male vet tech injected something into the greyhound and after a while it just went limp. A female vet tech later appeared with a wheelbarrow and together, they loaded the greyhound into it. This female vet tech then wheeled it out to a waiting truck where another guy was waiting. Together, one holding the front paws while the other the back, they swung and toss it into the back of the truck with the rest of the greyhound carcass.
Those "lucky" ones may be sold to a "research facility" (and we all know what they do there).
Most of them don't even get to live past 4-5 years old when their life expectancy is 12-15 years old. Younger if the breeder feel that they can't race.
Despite the animal welfare/protection laws, this aspect of abuse was not addressed as technically, the breeders and owners have not done anything wrong.
It's not right - call it what you want - it's just plain killing.
And meaningless.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Another food blog
I'm fascinated by food blogs. Especially those that comes with clear and sharp photos, like this one.
I've always been interested in cooking but unfortunately am not a very good cook. Looking at those pictures simply fascinates me. Who knows, I may even give the recipe a try provided I'm not too lazy, which most of the time, I am.
Check out the "Makan related" area at the side of the blog.
I've always been interested in cooking but unfortunately am not a very good cook. Looking at those pictures simply fascinates me. Who knows, I may even give the recipe a try provided I'm not too lazy, which most of the time, I am.
Check out the "Makan related" area at the side of the blog.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Swine Virus
First it was Mad Cow Disease where cows were infected.
Then came Bird Flu where chickens/poultry were infected.
Now Swine Virus where pigs (no prize for guessing right) are infected.
So again I ask : what "hygiene practices" are we "compromising"?
Then came Bird Flu where chickens/poultry were infected.
Now Swine Virus where pigs (no prize for guessing right) are infected.
So again I ask : what "hygiene practices" are we "compromising"?
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Here we go again...
Someone wrote to Today complaining that small dogs should also be leashed and the reply is as follows :
Be a responsible pet owner
I have no problem about the leashing part but again the part about bringing your pet to eating places has irked me. Again their reasons are due to "hygiene".
If you are having a guide dog then things are different - it's allowed at eating places. But they are quick to add that "operators of food establishments can exercise their discretion whether to allow guide dogs on their premises".
Furthermore, NEA & AVA feels that "being well trained, a guide dog is not likely to compromise public hygiene practices in food shops and hawker centres, so long as it is harnessed and kept at the owner's side at all times".
If you want a dog to sit quietly by your side while you have your meal, I can think of at least 2 dogs capable of doing that (provided no crab & "har jion kai"/prawn paste chicken is in the vicinity - but I digress). In fact, if you look around, most dogs brought to eating places are within reasonable control.
Behaviour aside, my dog is as healthy and clean as any other guide dog. So what "hygiene practices" am I "compromising"?
It has been said that Singapore's law are "draconian" and in this case, I can't help but feel that it's true. I'm not a hardcore animal rights activist but in this instance, I strongly feel that my dog do have a right to go to any eating places with me as I do not agree with both the agency's reasoning.
Be a responsible pet owner
I have no problem about the leashing part but again the part about bringing your pet to eating places has irked me. Again their reasons are due to "hygiene".
If you are having a guide dog then things are different - it's allowed at eating places. But they are quick to add that "operators of food establishments can exercise their discretion whether to allow guide dogs on their premises".
Furthermore, NEA & AVA feels that "being well trained, a guide dog is not likely to compromise public hygiene practices in food shops and hawker centres, so long as it is harnessed and kept at the owner's side at all times".
If you want a dog to sit quietly by your side while you have your meal, I can think of at least 2 dogs capable of doing that (provided no crab & "har jion kai"/prawn paste chicken is in the vicinity - but I digress). In fact, if you look around, most dogs brought to eating places are within reasonable control.
Behaviour aside, my dog is as healthy and clean as any other guide dog. So what "hygiene practices" am I "compromising"?
It has been said that Singapore's law are "draconian" and in this case, I can't help but feel that it's true. I'm not a hardcore animal rights activist but in this instance, I strongly feel that my dog do have a right to go to any eating places with me as I do not agree with both the agency's reasoning.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Our days are numbered??...
I cringe whenever I see complain articles about dog owners bringing their pets to eating places. And this one is no exception from Stomp :
Dog drools on table as family eats
Like I always say : there are dog owners and there are dog owners
Why can't these people be more considerate? Don't they know that their action will backfire?
Already there are letters to forums asking the authorities to take action against dog owners who take their dogs to eating places. At the rate at which we are going, it's a matter of time before action IS taken .
On the other hand, the reasons given for why our beloved four-legged family member cannot join us at the "dining table" is always "hygiene" related.
What kinds of diseases have our pets passed to us?
Rabies? We have been rabies free for more than 10 years ! I think it's easier to catch a cold from someone on the next table ! No one has yet to come up with anything concrete to prove that our furry friend has passed anything contagious or deadly to us. The medical profession has always been paraniod over germs. Anything and everything has germs so let's not target our dogs.
I think cows & chickens are more deadly : remember "mad cow disease" and the more recent bird flu?
What hygiene and cleanliness are we taking about?
I think my four legged friend is cleaner than some two legged ones. And can you be sure the one who's cooking your wanton mee or chicken rice or roti prata is "hygienic"? He could have dug his nose or "gorek gorek" his backside or went to the toilet and didn't wash his hands after that and you are happily tucking into his food. And not forgetting the A, B & C grading NEA gives out to the stalls. Ever noticed how dirty the C stalls are? And they are still in business.
So the point about hygiene and cleanliness is moot as far as I'm concerned.
But seriously, we dog owners have to get our act together.
Dog drools on table as family eats
Like I always say : there are dog owners and there are dog owners
Why can't these people be more considerate? Don't they know that their action will backfire?
Already there are letters to forums asking the authorities to take action against dog owners who take their dogs to eating places. At the rate at which we are going, it's a matter of time before action IS taken .
On the other hand, the reasons given for why our beloved four-legged family member cannot join us at the "dining table" is always "hygiene" related.
What kinds of diseases have our pets passed to us?
Rabies? We have been rabies free for more than 10 years ! I think it's easier to catch a cold from someone on the next table ! No one has yet to come up with anything concrete to prove that our furry friend has passed anything contagious or deadly to us. The medical profession has always been paraniod over germs. Anything and everything has germs so let's not target our dogs.
I think cows & chickens are more deadly : remember "mad cow disease" and the more recent bird flu?What hygiene and cleanliness are we taking about?
I think my four legged friend is cleaner than some two legged ones. And can you be sure the one who's cooking your wanton mee or chicken rice or roti prata is "hygienic"? He could have dug his nose or "gorek gorek" his backside or went to the toilet and didn't wash his hands after that and you are happily tucking into his food. And not forgetting the A, B & C grading NEA gives out to the stalls. Ever noticed how dirty the C stalls are? And they are still in business.
So the point about hygiene and cleanliness is moot as far as I'm concerned.
But seriously, we dog owners have to get our act together.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
cute white schnauzer puppy
This cute little fellow was at Stormville, looking for a new family. I have to admit we are real tempted to have him.
Temperament wise, he's great. At 2.5 months, he's already paper trained ! He's not the kia-si type, very gung-ho and very much like Mercy. Very playful. Kept jumping at Sabre, at one point his whole head was actually in Sabre's mouth...
As much as I would like to have him, I'm kinda hesitant. Having 2 dogs can be a handful (salute to you, Chief
). But still, I'm seriously considering. Hope M's not going to sell him off soon.
"I'm sooooo sleepy..."
"Eh... what's happening there?"
"You taking my picture?"
"Am I cute or what?"
Temperament wise, he's great. At 2.5 months, he's already paper trained ! He's not the kia-si type, very gung-ho and very much like Mercy. Very playful. Kept jumping at Sabre, at one point his whole head was actually in Sabre's mouth...
As much as I would like to have him, I'm kinda hesitant. Having 2 dogs can be a handful (salute to you, Chief
). But still, I'm seriously considering. Hope M's not going to sell him off soon."I'm sooooo sleepy..."
"Eh... what's happening there?"
"You taking my picture?"
"Am I cute or what?"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
