The Greater Disappearing Act

I know I know, it's been like a month + since my last post. Kindly let me explain a little. From the previous post, you can see that we've been having a lot of breakdowns on the comps & those electronic gadgets. Fear not, the comp have been repaired, and we've got a brand new, sleek, state-of-the-art & expensive digital camera =D, which means you can expect more photos!

BUT, the big but, is that my dear Rane has hardly any time now. Her new job is making her OT like nuts and she's hardly any time for me! And guess what? She just flew off for Phuket yesterday afternoon for a week of holiday with her ex-classmates. Who's gonna sleep with me at night for the next 4 days!? Thank god that Mage is still around to help me post this and let me rant a little. No pictures for now though. Rane took the brand new, sleek, state-of-the-art & expensive digital camera with her on her trip. Hopefully she doesn't spoil it and bring it back in good condition so that she can use it for its real purpose.....that's taking MY pics!

No Post

Let me apologise for the Great Disappearing Act.



All the technological products in my house is breaking down. From Rane's I-keep-on-restarting desktop, to her I-can't-boot-up problems laptop, to the i-can't-see-anything camera!



We are in the midst of rectifying the problems.



Desktop: For some unknown reasons, Rane's desktop keeps restarting by itself. It became so bad that it restarted almost instantly after booted up. After some trouble shooting, we concluded that the graphics card is most probably the culprit and it was sent back to the manufacturing company for the 2nd time. Now the graphics card is currently being held in Taiwan for a 'health screening' before being treated. Hopefully, all problems will be solved after the graphics card is returned to us, otherwise it could be the Mama-Bored that is giving the problem. Sighs.



Laptop: Even the most reliable machine at home is giving is problem! The laptop just hangs at a blue screen with lots of words. Before we could even read what it says, the system will restart itself. Sighs. Guess it should be a hardware problem, since reformatting did not work. Time to get a new laptop! Rane, please work harder! I'll promise to help you save by eating lesser!!!



Camera: My pictures were already lousy, all thanks to the lousy photographic skills of Rane and Piglet. To make it worse, now the screen of the camera can't display any pictures at all! Now Rane and Piglet uses their 'ah-ga-rationess' to take pictures of me. That explains why i seldom look good in pictures. Sighs.

Rane intends to get a new camera. She needs one that is small, light and user-friendly (she's too dumb to learn how to use complicated cameras.) Most importantly, she needs one that can take good pictures regardless of how bad the condition is and regardless of how dumb the user is.

Any good recommendations?

King of Fruits - Durian

Durian has long be known as the King of Fruits, much loved or hated by many people.

Being a typical Singaporean, I Love Durians! I love their stench frgrance very much. Every time Rane's father brings back some durians, I will stupidly poke my nose straight into the durian to get a better smell of it, and the durians never fail to reciprocate by poking me back!

Even though Mage strictly does not allow begging, he has never stopped me from begging for Durians. Guess he probably knows the goodness of durians and decided to share them with me!

The Dog is always last in Queue. Sighs.



When can I ever lay my paws on those yummy fruits!

PC down

Dearest Paw Frenz,

I am sorry for the lack of updates. Rane's PC (personal computer) went nuts! For a good whole week, I could not use the computer at all! I heard it was a graphics card problem. Hope it gets rectified soon.

Love,
Sugar

I am so bored these days, I spend most of my time stoning and sleeping.
Life without a PC is torturous.
Such is the life of an urban pooch.

My Story

After blogging for a month, I realised that I have yet to formally introduce myself. Allow me to do that today.

My Story

I was a pooch that both Mage and Rane has look forward to for years. They fell head over heels for me, and since then there was no turning back. As none of their parents were approving of rearing a dog, they had to brain storm for a long time before Mage decided to use the excuse of having me as a 'graduation gift'.

Even though the decision to get me was pretty much impromptu, both Mage and Rane did not make the decision on impulse; neither did they get me 0ut of novelty. In fact, Rane has read a lot about the various dogs' breeds, behaviour, demands and even diseases/sicknesses, therefore she had known what to expect when rearing a dog. She did only do this out of interest, but also to prepare for the day when she decides to own a dog. Therefore, when they first saw me, Rane could identify that I was a beagle, and that I will most probably be hyperactive (in comparison to lap dogs) and demand a lot attention. Most importantly, she guessed that I will bear the 'typical beagle's stubbornness'.

What a spot on she was.

Goodbye Mage

I stayed with Mage for a month in Marine Parade before I was arranged to stay with Rane, as Mage had to serve the nation for 2.5 months. During my short stay in Rane's house, I won the heart of Rane's family. Rane's parents no longer resist the thought of rearing a dog! I was finally accepted.

By the time I had to go home, everybody was so attached to me, they were so unwilling to let me leave. I guess the only ones who were happy were my fur-siblings - The 3 B's (I'll introduce more about my fur-siblings in my following post), as I had robbed them of their love and attention. Most importantly, they found me irritating for constantly sniffing them, and eating their food (and shit too).

In less than a month after returning to Mage's home, I was back at Rane's home! I was just too irresistable. Since then, I have been staying at Rane's house (much to the dismay of Mage).

Mage, I am really sorry. Sometimes it's really hard to decide when you are torn between two loved ones. I shall reassure you that I still love you and I will like to spend as much time with you as you will allow me to. If allowed to, I will gladly split myself or clone myself into two, so that I will be able to accompany both of you at all point in time.

Mage, are you already convinced by what I have said?

You will still continue to shower me with your love right? * wags tail*

Bug Bug

I have this thing for those six legged insects; especially bugs. I just can't take my eyes off these bug bugs.

When I first notice any signs of bugs, I will stop whatever I was doing and give them my utmost attention. I'll just stare and stare at them, until I declare them missing.

Rane says that I look silly with my eyes squint each time an insect flies near my face, just like those dogs on cartoon.

This is me staring at a moth.




Changing my position to get a better view of the lil' moth.




A short video of The Moth and I.

I really love these bugs. I always try to make friends with them by licking them, but they almost always disappear after that.

Can someone explain why?

Translation

Have you noticed that I have added a new widget at the right column? Yes, it's the Google's Translator widget. You can actually try clicking on the small flags to try out the various languages that my blog post can be translated into.

I have been playing around the translation function. I had thought that adding the function will be good, as it will allow other readers who are less proficient in english to understand what I am trying to bark about. Most of the time, my translated blog posts do not seem to make much sense, as they are translated word for word. Other times, they just simply translated the words wrongly.

However, I do encourage you guys to try out the translation function. It really tickles you in the stomach, Like how 'Taxi Taxi' became '出租车出租车'which means rental of cars, and 'I am allergic to dogs' became '我有过敏狗' ; which means I have an allergic dog.

The worst was when I addressed my owner as my mistress. They literally translated it to '情妇', literally means my lover whom I have illicit relationships with.

Any other doggie friends out there who is able to read other languages that can be translated into? Care to share any funny or senseless words?

Oh ya, my 'new' name is 食糖格尔 (Shi2 Tang2 Ge2 E3); Sugar the Beagle.

Taxi Taxi

Most Taxi Drivers don't like Me (Dogs)

For the past 10 weeks, I have been traveling from Choa Chu Kang to Bukit Panjang for obedience training class. As Rane and Mage do not own a car, we often have to hail for a cab. Most often than not, taxi drivers refused to fetch us because of me.

Common excuses (taxi drivers told Rane and Mage) include:

"Your dog is so Big!"
Hey mind you, I am only a medium size dog and you called me Big!

"Your dog will scratch my seats!" &/or
"Why didn't you wear socks for your dog?"
"Your dog will run around the taxi!"
"Your dog will distract me when I am driving!"
I was never allowed on the taxi's seat. I am always hugged tightly while seated on either Rane's or Mage's lap. Sighs. I have never known how it feels to sit on the seat of a car.

"Your dog will stink my taxi!"
Though I am not the best-smelling dog, I dare admit that I smell pretty decent; decent enough to not stink up the entire taxi.

"I am allergic to dogs!"
I understand that some people are genuinely allergic to dogs, but I guess most people just use it as a convenient excuse.

"Why didn't you put your dog in a bag or a carrier? " &/or
"Especially when your dog is so big!"
Doesn't it answer your question? Precisely, it's because I am 'big', there's no bag that can contain me! All the stitches will probably give way when the big is lifted up from ground. Even if Rane were to get a container that fits me well, I guess there will be great difficulties trying to fit the container into the taxi.

And the list goes on.

There was once a taxi driver drove off immediately upon seeing me and there was another time a taxi driver brushed us off with a bad attitude. On average, we have to hail for 8 taxis before they are willing to fetch me.

Most of the drivers that we approach are Chinese, and the rest are Indians. To avoid any misunderstandings, Rane and Mage never approaches Malays, as most of them are muslims. Most often than not, the Chinese taxi drivers are the one who display great unhappiness upon hearing that they have to fetch a dog.

Just last week, when Rane was approaching a queue of taxis, a malay driver winds down the window panel asking where she had wanted to go. When Rane explained that "It's okay. I am travelling with a dog." The malay driver actually declined politely with a smile. This was a behaviour that few drivers displayed; to decline Rane/Mage politely. (Please do not be mistaken. I am not being racist. I am just sharing what I have experienced.)

Most Taxi Drivers don't like Animals

If you think that only dogs (like me) have problems trying to get on a cab, then you are wrong. Rane was rejected countless times by taxi drivers when she wanted to bring the cats and the rabbits (which are always contained in locked carriers) to the vet.

There was once, a taxi driver agreed to fetch Mage, Rane and Dopey (a lop ear rabbit) from Sunset Way to Choa Chu Kang. However, midway during the journey, the taxi driver got unhappy with the fact that Mage and Rage had a furry animal with them, and started being grumpy. By the time they alighted, the taxi driver was having really bad attitude. That left Rane really sore at the end of the day.

The Few Taxi Drivers who love Animals

Despite the many bad experiences, I do have some good ones to share too. I remember this Chinese taxi driver who was very happy to see me. Mage, Rane and the taxi driver started discussing about dogs, with the uncle explaining that he has always wanted to get a dog, but he has no time for it. Now that his timing is more flexible as a taxi driver, he is considering getting one. Mage and Rane started telling him the various welfare organisations where he can adopt a dog from, and that not all dogs can be licensed under the address of a HDB flat. I will always remember him turning around to look at me when the taxi stops in front of a red light.

There was another time when an Indian taxi driver drove us home. He started saying how he used to train dogs as a police officer, and his experiences with them.

Another Phillipino taxi driver was more than happy when he was told that he needed to pick me up along the way, when Mage brought Piyo (another lop ear rabbit) from Marine Parade to the vet in Choa Chu Kang. The uncle started sharing about his life and love with dogs when he was back in Phillipines.

Pet Taxi

If you are wondering why didn't we book for a pet taxi instead of a normal taxi meant for human, the reason is pretty simple. Cost.

Rane has enquired several companies which offer pet transportation. The cheapest she found was $30 per trip, and $50 for round trip, regardless of the location. Some companies even charge more upon knowing that 2 human beings will be tagging along.

Hiring the service of a normal taxi cost an average of $8 when we head for lessons, and $6 when we head back home. (Price difference is due to additional charges incurred during peak hours.) For a round trip, it would have cost us approximately $15.

Should we hire the service of the pet transportation companies, it would have cost us at least $500 on transportation alone. That is $350 more than what it would have cost us to take a taxi.

Conclusion

Though not all taxi drivers are willing to have dogs as their passengers, I will like to believe that they are the minorities. After all, everyone has a right to what/who they like or dislike.

Meanwhile, I just hope that I will meet taxi drivers who love me and my fellow paw friends, and that I have my own transportation too. Only then can I command Rane and Mage to drive me wherever I want to go.

Cutesy Little Baby

Everytime Rane has to train me for the up-coming test, she always grumbles to Mage (my original owner whom i still love alot) "Why did we ever get a Beagle! Beagles are stubborn and difficult to train."

(Rane: Sugar is pretty much a stubborn dog and that makes training her really tough on us; it requires more than just patience and tolerance. She will determine whether we are hitting the roof by listening to our tone of voice and watching us for our facial expressions and body languages. She only behaves and listens to instruction just as we are about to reach our limits. Therefore, we (Mage and I) are usually very stern with her during training sessions.)

Then, the next day I read Rane's sms to Mage. In the sms, the following was mentioned.

"Oh, I remembered why we got Sugar. She was such a cute, lovely and cuddly dog back then. She was eager to please and was so irresistible."

I shall post my baby pictures and you guys be the judge after juxtaposing my baby photos and my current photos.

These are pictures of me at 3 and a half months old.

And these are pictures of me at around 10 months old.

Yeah yeah. I ain't that bad now right.
My looks may have matured, but i still must be as lovely and attractive.

Otherwise, it does not justify why i still get so much love, hugs and kisses everyday.

treat me!

I topped my training class yesterday,
Rane decided to be nice
(for once)
to give me a treat.*sniggers*

it is like a buffet.I could choose watever i want!

the buffet box. it is rather small,but filled with my favourite treats!Can i start choosing now?i thought i have a ticket...

Sniffing and snuffing...

Ta da!
i got my treat at LasT! yEaH!

Events for Pets & Owners: September & October '07

Rane frequently surfs for the various events held for pets & owners,
even though we rarely turned up for such events.
* Can someone Knock talk some sense into her*

I shall share with you the events held
in the month of September and October.

(Note: The events are posted in random order.)

SKC 23rd Open Show
14 October 2007 (Sunday)
Ang Mo Kio Community Club
(click on SKC's logo to view more information)

Spokes-Pooch

Beggin Strips should consider me for being a spokes-pooch the
next time they want to launch a new marketing campaign.

I believe the sales will increase faster with my pix on the front
instead of that cartoon dog.




How about Sugar Shrek in Shrek 4?

白蛇传 sounds not bad too.
I will be glad to be the priest who subdued the green snake.




The new IR (Integrated Resort) should consider hiring me to work
at the Universal Studio as a clown.

Then I don't have to depend on Rane to buy me treats.
* Sniggers*




The Dog Club should considering taking photos of me
when they start an adult collection of dogs.

I am Hush Puppy Not

Hi All,

I'm Sugar the Beagle. There were several occasions when my mistress, Rane (her pseudo name) brings me out, people will go around saying "oooh ... look at that Hush Puppy!".

Last week, Rane and I walked pass this young couple, with the boyfriend proudly (and loudly) announcing to her girlfriend "Look at how cute that 'Hush Puppy' is! I had wanted to buy the 'Hush Puppy' dog when i saw it at the pet shop the last time!"

I felt so offended. Especially when he couldn't stop pointing at me. My mistress started to wonder. If the guy had really purchased the "Hush Puppy", would he abandon that 'Hush Puppy' upon realising that it was a beagle!

Anyway, for those who don't know, allow me to do a brief introduction. Hush puppies are not beagles, they are basset hounds. Though both the beagle and basset hound are scent hounds (scent hounds refer to canines who hunt primarily with their acute sense of smell), and are usually tri coloured, we are two different kind of breeds.

Beagles have ears that looks more triangular that are while basset hounds have ears that are much longer, like a vertical rectangle. If you were to look at a beagle, then a basset hound, it will seem as though a basset hound has a much longer body with slightly shorter legs, in comparison to a beagle.

Beagles are commonly represented by the cartoon character, Snoopy.

A picture speaks a thousand words. Just view my photo, and then juxtapose it with your Hush Puppy's shoebox. You will then be able to see the vast difference between the two.