A Short Brief From The Editor

Announcements

2nd Annual General Meeting

Beauty Pageant For Exotic Birds

No More Pets
by Noor Aini Abdullah -Amir

Responsible Pet Ownership
by Dr. S. Sivagurunathan

"Behaviour, Training & Human - Animal Bond" Course

NO MORE PETS

For the first time in my life, I now finally know what people mean when they say they almost literally froze to death with shock. Yes indeed, at that particular instance when it happened to me, I did feel my hands go ice cold, as if my whole body was being painfully drained of its life support system. The reason? A frantic phone call from my eldest daughter, Wani, sobbing out what I THOUGHT was: "I'm sorry Mom, I just hit one of your dogs."

I cannot now remember at what point exactly in her conversation I suddenly realized Wani's emotional outburst had nothing to do with her accidentally 'ending' the life of one of my treasured pets, but I can tell you the moment her conversation came into proper perspective, I honestly began to feel as if the sun had suddenly come out again - even though it was close to midnight.

Nonetheless, more than a week later, the incredible feeling of loss and despair I experienced still remains very real despite the fact that the 'passing' of my precious pooch was only an imagined one. In this, I can't help but wonder that for all of us who do have pets, surely something in us MUST already know our pets never live long enough to satisfy us - not so far anyway. So, why haven't more of us learned to, first of all, accept the hard, cold reality that we have to, one day, say good bye to our much-loved little friend(s) and afterward, to cope with our loss?

As I sat down after my life-draining experience to ponder on how I, personally, would handle my grief when the time comes - and surely it will come sooner or later - I found myself receiving great comfort from remembering the very first time I heard, in detail, how one pet owner, Eddy, was able to come to terms with losing Prince, his fiercely loyal companion of 12 years.

This is Eddy's story: "Well, eventually I managed to pull myself together to take him (Prince) to the vet," Eddy began, his voice quivering at the thought. "I made sure I was with him when he was sedated, and I made sure I was with him when he fell asleep, especially at the point when I realized he was slowly drifting off to 'sleep' forever. But, as I moved away, I swear to you Prince held out his paw, reaching out to me for that one last time reassuring me everything was fine, that he'd be with me in spirit forever."

Did Eddy imagine this touch? After all, Prince was so highly sedated at this final stage, surely he couldn't have had the strength to make any movements at all? Or, was it a touch that reached out because of the great love Eddy and Prince had for each other? It didn't seem to matter because, as far as Eddy was concerned, it DID happen, Prince DID reach out to him. And, in so feeling this incredible even-death-cannot-part-us bond, Eddy found himself immediately letting go, in his heart encouraging Prince to make that inevitable final journey toward the arms of the God who had created him.

As Eddy ended his tale, the two of us were so drenched in tears, I immediately said to myself, NO MORE PETS. You see, even though animals of all shapes and sizes had always been a part of my life, I'd never personally witnessed the death of one. After hearing about Prince, I was convinced I wouldn't be able to cope.

Yet, only two weeks later, I found myself firmly imprinted in front of a little cage in my neighbourhood pet store, staring down at, and completely mesmerized by, a bundle of red fur with two dot-like eyes. While I counted out all the reasons why I shouldn't take him home with me, I was already signing a cheque for this very purpose. In next to no time, Bear (as I'd named him there and then) was firmly in my arms. But all the way home, I promised myself yet again: That's it, NO MORE PETS. However, a year later, while still counting other reasons why I shouldn't give Bear a companion, little Peaches was similarly bundled into my car.

Today, Bear is five and Peaches is four. Obviously I cannot imagine my life without them. Therefore, NO MORE PETS! However, as I sit here now VERY determined not to present Bear and Peaches with yet another companion, I can actually hear the yelpings of an adorable pup who is, I am trying to convince myself, only a temporary guest. You see, a few days ago, my maid Elvi and I somehow managed to save a little dog from drowning when he'd accidentally fallen into my swimming pool. While looking for his owner (or mother, or both), I didn't feel it right to simply call him "Dog," "The Little One," or "Si Kecil Itu", therefore temporarily named him Moses (since we had to "draw him out of the water"). While Elvi and I dried and cleaned our new 'baby,' we repeatedly told each other that Bear and Peaches would NEVER stand for it, would NEVER accept Moses into our household, therefore we had no choice but to eventually let him go.

That was about three days ago. Since then, Moses seems to have recovered from his ordeal remarkably well, has become very playful and - surprise, surprise - Peaches, in particular, has taken to him! Bear, while cautious, nonetheless steals sideward glances when he thinks we don't see. But then of course, why should I care whether or not Moses gets along with the rest of us? After all, the moment we find his original family, he goes back to them.

So, can someone then tell me why Moses now has his own little bed, his own assortment of toys, and his own snacks and food? Did I not mention that he is only supposed to be 'in transit'? I did say, didn't I that I would have NO MORE PETS?

Still and all, for now (at least), while my whole family - Bear and Peaches included - joins me in wishing everyone at MNAWF everything wonderful for the coming festive season, so too does little Moses. May God bless you, and keep you (and your pets!) well. As we enter the new millenium, let us look forward to more successes in our joint efforts, whether we carry them out as individual pet owners and/or pet lovers, or as members of our Foundation. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year/Millenium, and Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

Noor Aini Abdullah-Amir
Patron