Thursday, 18 December 2008

A Family Investigating Task...

It was one of the usual walk that Jeremy had with Golden, and I was doing the laundry when there was a big 'hoo-ha' by the gate...and Ashley shouted to me "Mummy, another Golden!"... Out of curiosity, I went out with Cieran with me to have a look... Where?? I didn't see any. Jeremy told me there's 2 dogs and he had seen them roaming around. Oh no..could it be one of those abandon cases? I walked out in search of the dogs with Ashley happily following behind. But we have lost them. I can't let them go roaming in the streets, but having Cieran with me was in the way. So, I went back home and get Jeremy to search for them. Jeremy and Ashley became detectors walking around hunting for the 2 dogs, while I anxiously waiting by the gate. It was fortunate that Jeremy managed to lure them over to our house. The 2 dogs were without collar and leash... no humans was with them... We keep looking around for potential owners, but no one was around the area. We found 1 beautiful golden retriever, male and 1 mixed shih tzu, female. Golden was excited over his new friends and keeps barking to go over. I can't blame him.. due to lack of man power, we have to tie Golden by the gate lah... I have a quick check on the 2 dogs, no injuries. They seems to have roamed for quite a long while. I offered food and water to them, but only the shih tzu ate hungrily. The golden retriever refused to eat, but drinks lots of water. I suspect they are in adulthood, rather old age by judging their teeth. We waited by the gate for a while, but no one was walking by looking for dogs... what shall we do now? We have to let them stay for the night. The lost GR (we named him Jack) is rather aggressive when Golden goes near. He barks loudly and attempts to bite. Poor Golden was only playful (still a young adult) and wants to be friends. On other hand, the shih tzu always follow the Jack around and looks tamed. We tested Jack, he understands commands and thus, definitely a trained dog. Since Golden and Jack can't be together, we have to put Jack and shih tzu in the crate for the night. The night was spent on how to settle the dogs and what should we do next. The next morning is a tough challenge. We have to think of ways to bring the 3 dogs for outdoor walk (to do business). That was not an easy task... Jeremy tried to bring Golden and Jack together, but shih tzu barks to follow. In the end, they have to take turns and we wasted lots of time doing that. We left the house late, but fortunately it was year end and we are not in hurry compared to other days. The morning in the office was busy for me. Not for work though.. but busy contacting SPCA, ASD, Pets Channel forum, trying all means to locate owner and find fostering homes. Through the process, I learnt several new things. One such is, advertising in classified for lost & found pets in straits times was free! The response in pet channel was great. Many helpful dog lovers responded to my announcement and have offer to help in fostering shih tzu. Finding fostering for Jack will be more challenging due to HDB ruling and I am worried if we can ever find one kind soul to take him in. Jeremy and I couldn't handle 3 dogs definitely, yet we are reluctant to send them to SPCA. We have set a dateline till 22Dec, in hope to find the best options for them, before the last resort to SPCA. The day was spent more on spreading the words around... In the evening, whole family went for a hunting walk. Well, we need all members to be out with 3 dogs together lah... Jeremy takes care f Golden who is strong and always wanting to go near Jack...Cieran is placed in stroller with me pushing on one hand, and the other hand with Jack, leaving shih tzu following behind. Ashley's job is to guard on shih tzu, ensuring him following the troupe. What a scene! The walk was a longer one.. with several challenges. Along the way, we met some couples walking their dog also, thus we need to hold on the the GRs tightly. We also met families with little children where we have to avoid in fear that children will be afraid of dogs (esp when shih tzu is not latch on). Really a interested investigating task...On positive side, the whole family member has one common task to perform! The walk was put on an end when we didn't locate any potential owners searching for their missing dogs, so we headed home and offer the dogs food and water. Jack and shih tzu has to be in the crate to spent the night. I get worried as they will have to be cramp in the crate for long hours again. But while in deep conversation with Jeremy, the door bell rang. 2 maids claimed to be the owners. Jeremy verified their identity (asking for dogs' description, their address etc..) before we open the gate. Indeed, Jack seems to recognise them. I am glad that they have found their owners and going back to where they belonged to. Thank goodness that this was not a case on abandon which appear to be so common especially during a recession. Jeremy & I were so relief and finally, we are back to our own routine. The night was a rejoice one with a peaceful sleep! YES!!!!

1 comment:

zeRi said...

How did the maids manage to lose 2 dogs in the 1st place?!! But happy that the dogs have finally returned to their owners.

Can imagine it's quite a feat for the whole family to walk the 3 dogs esp when you have 2 kids in tow. Regardless of it, u guys have done a good deed :)