Fur Fur's 5th Birthday

Today is Fur Fur's 5th birthday!

I clearly remember 5 yrs ago, on the day 4 Oct 2002, Fur Fur became part of the family. From than on, everyone who's close enough knows that I have a daughter named Fur. Today, she has become my Elder daughter, for I taught my little one that she is Fur Fur che che, her Elder sister, someone she should love and treat as family......

3 Oct 2002, K and I finally decided to get a dog, though I'd always been against having a dog, 'cause I was very frighten of the species (and all other small animals like cats, hamsters etc). Nonetheless, since K mentioned he'd always wanted one and I didn't really hate them (just scared of them), so we went shopping for one at Farmart. To our disappointment, there were few available but the owner said that there would be fresh batch coming in that night and they'd be available the next day.

Came 4 Oct morning, like any kiasu Singaporean, we rushed down again and sure enough, there were many puppies. One had already been bought, this cute little Jack Russell. Turned out to be Fur's brother, slimmer and quieter. If we had been earlier, I would probably have a son and a daughter now (it's much easier to have a boy, as female dogs menstruate too u know). As fate would have it, we were a tad too late (nothing to be sorry about)......

Browsing the cute arrivals behind the glass window, there were Chihuahuas, Prince Charles Cavalier, Shitze...... ONE caught our eyes, a Plump, Cute little ball of Fur, with the most striking coat of brown and Superb whiteness that truly shines. However, there was just one imperfection, a tiny spot of darker brown on it's head. After some consideration, we asked the owner for a look at it (since K said it'd be easier to recognise her anyway). So the cute little playful one was brought to a playpen behind. Wow! She was so lovable, jumping and barking (those very puppish kind) at us (well, I was kind of afraid that she might bit my hand) and there was no turning back from then on. Bonus was, the mark on her head turned out to be just a water mark (we found out after we reached home).

Boy, that was the beginning of sleepless nights (well, u think that only comes with babies right), when dad and I had to sleep with her in the living room so that she could see us from her playpen. It didn't solve the problem entirely, at the very least she whined and whimpered instead of barked the night through.

However, she was "promoted" pretty fast. Initially, we had her in the yard but gave up when she kept barking and trying to climb out of the fencing. Then, she got moved to the living room in her playpen. Still not satisfied, the whining, whimpering, climbing etc continued. Next, she got moved to our room in her playpen, still she whimpered. Finally, her Daddy (K) gave in and she was allowed onto our bed! Yes, she loved it. No more noise. And she'd always go under the quilt and snuggled between our legs to sleep. Really know how to enjoy life right! She slept with us this way, regardless of her never-ending fur shedding, occasional peeing on the bed etc. Till Baby En came along......

From then on, she had to sleep with Gong Gong and Ma Ma. Now, guess she's grown-up enough. She's sleeping in her own bed in the living room (initially, she'd sniffed and clawed at the door every night for people to let her in and it really pained my heart).

Fur didn't come to live with us after we moved to our own house. Though the initial plan was to bring her along. We even had the designer to create an area for her to sleep in our room while we were discussing our reno plans (I was still pregnant then). By the time we were ready to move (when Baby En was already 8 mths old), my mum vehemently refused to let us bring Fur along, as she has a persistent fur shedding problem. Mum was also afraid I couldn't handle a difficult baby and a very mischievous dog. Guessed she's probably right as my little one needed plenty of attention from me and she had sleep-related problem (till she turned 21 mths. This meant I never had a full night sleep till then) and required to be breast-fed very often. She could not have me out of her sight, not even when I needed to cook. I really feel bad, having to leave her out from my new home. I wish I'll be able to have her with me soon for I know I do not have many more years with her. Just the thought of her leaving me one day, is enough to really upset me......

There was this particular incident that I still recall clearly this day. Fur just joined our family then. K and I had already planned for a short trip overseas. As the decision to have Fur was very much one done without the family's blessing (esp. when the initial plan was to have her stay with K as he mentioned his family is receptive to having a dog, since his dad got him one before. Turned out otherwise. So, I brought Fur to my house though my dad had already mentioned he didn't want one at home), we decided to send her to a pet hotel, the one at Farmart, which was her 1st home when she arrived in Singapore. Very bad choice. When we were brought to the area where she was supposed to be kept, we knew it wasn't a good decision. The cage where Fur was to be enclosed in was among those of very huge dogs. And the area was being guarded by big, ferocious Bull dogs. This tiny little puppy was shivering as she was being put inside. I felt horrible but I couldn't expect anyone to help take care of her while I was away. So we left. It was early evening then. By the time I reached home, emotions overwhelmed me. I was sobbing buckets recalling how she looked. Dad rushed me down to the pet hotel to pick her up just before it closed for the day. She was so relieved she peed on my hands. That's my dad, 嘴硬心软。

Suddenly, I realise I have so little memories of her in recent years, days after I had Baby En, after I moved out. All I can recall were those days when I had only Fur. It stumbled upon me how little time I have for her now, which is why I have a strong sense of guilt towards her. I believe this is how a mother would have felt when they have a new child in the family, when they have to neglect the older one. Used to be clothing for Fur, toys for Fur, snacks for Fur wherever I went. Now, I hardly buy her stuff, always this for En En, that for En En, with the occasional spending on Fur.

Anyway, we celebrated Fur's birthday last evening when everyone gathered at Dad's place (except good old Dad himself, who had to work). I ordered a birthday cake specially for Fur and some great biscuits. We all sang her a birthday song, took some pictures and blew out the candles (not an easy process, as Fur kept running away and wanting to bite me when I try to catch her. Guess she was afraid that I might be bringing her to the candles). We had the cake with her and of course the two young ones loved it the most (Greedy Pigs! BTW, the food are specially catered for pet diet, as they do not contain "dangerous" ingredients like sugar, chocolate etc. But they are all HUMAN GRADE. En En loved the apple crumble biscuits though they were really hard.).

Happy Birthday Fur!!!!