Countdown 2010 to Beginning 2011

The Bark-ery that comprises Arwin, Precious, Hermoine (3 cats) and King-sun, JJ & Jo Jo (3 dogs) and myself wish you a bark-ful 2011 and thank you for all your support this 2010.

Countdown of 'Events' 2010:

1. This year, the wildlife industry took a strong toll with the arrest of Anson Wong, wildlife smuggler and trader. Personally, I hope he has learnt his lesson once and for all and embark into something else when he gets out.

2. The DG of some government decides to say that it is ok to consume stray dogs! This doesn't help the reputation of Malaysia in the eye of ANIMAL WELFARE!

3. Bogus vets have risen with the failing of 'qualified vets' from UPM! The damage of lives they have done to dogs...blood on their hands. How do they sleep at night??

4. As it is, Malaysia is not a recognized country when it pertains to ANIMAL WELFARE nor is it a country that is ANIMAL FRIENDLY especially to dogs. To make matters worse, an animal testing facility from overseas wanted to set-up a facility in Malacca (I think) and thank god for PETA and the rest of the animal lovers who rallied infront of an embassy (can't remember which one).

Always remember that it is people like yourself that make a difference to the 4-legged stray, feral and domestic. I say a nightly prayer for you always ensuring that you're kept safe and sound. Without you, our 4-legged will not survive.

A note to remember:

Be merry during New Year's Eve, drink sensibly and please NO ALCOHOL FOR THE DOGS and drive safe.

Arwin's Nine Niftiest Funny People/Animal Activities to Watch

1. Hoovering (Vacuuming)
2. Pigeons standing on the verandah pedestal eye to eye contact with me
3. My mom in a hurry almost every morning leaving for work
4. Waking up when the alarm goes off
5. Talking on the telephone
6. Taking a shower or bath
7. Doing aerobics in the living room
8. Hermoine (the M C Hammer among all of us!) chasing mom when she's mopping!
9. Taking the mickey out of mom when she bakes for the dogs during the weekend

Bark-ery Mutt Cheeseburger Muffins

Product Code: TB12
Product Name: Bark-ery Cheeseburger Muffins
Price & Size: RM30.00 for 9 to 12 muffins.
Ingredients: Free range mince beef, oat bran, whole-wheat pastry flour, pinch of baking soda, egg, cheddar cheese

These muffins are extraordinary. Its mini cheeseburger without the bun!

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge or freezer for up to 2 months. Defrost in the microwave for a few seconds. Cool and serve.

Bark-ery Mutt Loaf

Product Code: TB11

Product Name: Bark-ery Mutt Loaf

Price & Size: RM35.00 for 1.5kg loaf. Makes 12 slices.

Ingredients: Free range mince beef, oat bran, parmesan or cheddar cheese, carrot, water, garlic powder

No dog can resist a meatloaf filled with all the necessary nutrients after a hard day’s work. It’s onion-free, making it dog friendly.

Remember 1 slice a day. Maximum 2!

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge or freezer for up to 2 months. Defrost in the microwave for a few seconds. Cool and serve.

Bark-ery Mutt Chook Muffins

Product Code: TB10
Product Name: Bark-ery Mutt Chook Muffins
Price & Size: RM25.00 for 12 muffins
Ingredients: Shredded cooked chicken, yogurt, ground flaxseeds, whole-wheat pastry flour, baking soda, cumin, dried oregano, dried basil

Fun to bake, warm and homey, muffins almost ooze comfort. These muffins tend to be meaty or eggy rather than fluffy and full of flour. Trust me, your dogs would prefer it that way.

Muffins freeze well, so if a whole batch isn’t consumed within four to five days, pop the remaining into a freezer bag and into the freezer. Defrost them in the microwave whenever the dog deserves a treat.

Remember one muffin a day (OK, two max!)

Make those resolutions stick in 2011

How is that all those best-laid plans and good intentions fall to the wayside approximately after a couple of days after the new year? To help us kick-start the new year and put some of those resolutions into action, allow The Bark-ery to come out with some suggestions to help you through:

Resolution #1: Spend more quality time with King (aside from the usual rushed walks)

This goal needs to be more specific: what will happen? Tricks? Visiting other dogs? Just hanging out? When will this happen? How often? A goal is more easily achieved if there is a concrete plan for achieving it. (King spends his time squirrel watching in the garden. Doesn't eat them of course but loves chasing them. In the afternoon, he gets visits from the monkeys where he loses his marbles by barking mad. I swear, there are times I can see a 'smile' on the monkey's face!)

Resolution #2: Get more exercise – both of us

It can often be pretty hard to start a new exercise habit. Making a “mini-plan” can often help. What kind of exercise? How long and how often? If you tell yourself something like, “When I get home from work, I will put on my shorts and t-shirt,” you will find it much easier to get going. Simple but extremely effective. (King gets his exercise twice a day: 7am and 6pm)

Resolution #3: Bone up on training

Be sure to pick times when you aren’t too mentally tired. Will-power is a limited resource and a good training session requires a good amount of self-control. So, don’t try a training session after a tough day at work. Make sure that you – and your dog – are fresh. (King watches his papa exercise by lying on his side and enjoying the air-con!)

Resolution #4: Drop a few pounds

Again, specificity is key. Realism is also key. People’s health goals (I can’t say for dogs) are often rather ambitious. Perhaps consult with the family doctor (and vet) about reasonable goals and how they can be achieved. (King:"Excuse me, I've no problems in that sector.")

Resolution #5: Give back

What a great idea! No sophisticated suggestions for this one. Just the obvious: Pick something close to your heart. (King:"My 2-legged girlfriend bakes weekly for us and in turn, she contributes to the animal shelters. I lub her with all my heart.")

Lastly, The Bark-ery wishes all her 4-legged customers a Har-py Christmas & a Har-py New Year! Its been a good year!

Lend a Paw to those in Need

Pass on the latte and instead, give a couple of dollars to the animal shelters of your choice. Or, in lieu of a material gift, donate in the name of a friend who has everything. A few bucks can go a long way!

Give the gift of an orphan pet

Help the animal shelters achieve their laudable goal of No More Homeless Pets with a one-time sponsorship of an animal. Scroll through tons (and tons) of dog photos and bios to choose whom you’d like to sponsor.

Ensure the golden years, are, well, golden

Sadly, after a lifetime of devotion, many critically ill, special needs and senior pets are abandoned at overburdened shelters where, proving largely unadoptable, they await euthanasia. Fortunately, there a few kind souls laboring to aid this sad situation. Financial support is always needed; you may designate your donation for specific needs, animals or projects should you wish to support a particular facet of their work.

Save lives

Most animal shelters in Malaysia as in the strong and stable ones for instance: Furry Friends Farm, Independent Pet Rescuers and SPCA specialize in mass pet evacuations and rescues necessitated by natural disasters. Donate or become a member to support their good work.

Get down with the spay/neuter effort

It’s desperate out there. 5,000,000 (yes, five million) animals are euthanized annually in the United States. In Malaysia, besides being euthanized, they’re either strangled or drowned! Help sponsor the animal shelters with a spay/neuter program and this would save the animal and unwanted population.