I used to take Polka out for a walk to nearby Mt Emily Park. The dogs owners that we came across were rather unfriendly types. They would see us and tug their dogs in the other direction. I'll admit Polka isn't the most well-behaved of mutts, but how can one walk away from that cute face? Hubby gleefully suggested, "It can't be Polka. It must be you!". "But how can they walk away from this cute face?", I retorted. Nonetheless, I began frequenting Fort Canning Park from then on.
One pleasant cool evening at Fort Canning, and the park was surprisingly empty. A black dog was sitting with his owner in the main lawn. Seeing Polka, the dog came running to us. Gideon was a sweet dog with beautiful, gentle eyes who turned out to be a shelter dog from Salem, Massachusetts. I got chatting with the owner - Jim had recently moved to Singapore and was elated to see another dog so eager to play. He was feeling guilty about moving to an urban landscape from a green, wooded, suburban place. Polka and Gideon ran furiously in the big empty lawn, chasing each other, jumping and having a good time. Gideon and Jim were back in suburbia - albeit for a short time. As a passerby aptly put it, "these two dogs are made for each other!". Polka now has a new play date on weekdays!
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That same evening at the park, I met a couple with two little dogs, a black and white pair. The dogs smelt the treats I had in my hand (I blackmail Polka with treats all the time) and stood in front of me with pleading eyes - their paws reaching up to my knees. How could I resist? Soon, Polka was in her game position egging them to play. They were shy at first, but eventually opened up and were as friendly as the couple. Polka had a wonderful time and so did I. We exchanged phone numbers and since then meet on a regular basis.
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As I walked back home, I realized how lucky I was to be surrounded by such wonderful people. Karmic connections don't you think?
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Karmic Konnections - part 1
I'm not a believer in Karma and don't believe 'things happen for a reason'. Actually I think everything is random. But there are times when good things happen in succession and I wonder if there is something more to it .. Maybe it's karma - the good karma that Polka brought with her. Karma is a bitch indeed in that case. Haha.
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We had moved to a new place just a couple of months before Polka happened to us. We were as anxious about Polka adjusting to the new environment as we were about our next door neighbour's disposition towards her. Soon after, I met them in the corridor and casually mentioned, "We just got a dog, she usually doesn't bark but we're not sure what she does when we go out. I hope she's not been disturbing you..." The elderly gentleman - presumably the grand-dad visiting from overseas - laughed and said "No. Not at all. We have one at home too - hope he is not disturbing you. Haha."
There's a dog next door and I've never heard or seen him? The patios are adjacent but fenced .. and guess we're not the neighbourly kind. I felt a tinge of guilt at not knowing my neighbours, at not making an effort to introduce myself or calling them over. All this wasted time! Polka could have had a playmate and could be going for doggie walks .... but hey wait a minute - they are at fault as much as me aren't they? Anyhow, I decided to call them over for tea.
Like all good ideas that go nowhere - I never went ahead with the invitation. After a month or so, the fences were gone (the fence was on their side of the patio) and there was a flurry of activity. That was the first time I'd seen the family together. A 3 year old boy, mom and dad. No dog! The grand-dad sure had a sense of humour. The little kid was delighted, the parents loved dogs and Polka was happy. It was perfect. Unfortunately for us, their stay in Singapore was coming to an end, and they were leaving at the end of the month.
Soon they were gone and I was back to square one. What if the new neighbour didn't like dogs?
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My hubby, being the paranoid type, decided to get a fence immediately. "We need a fence right away. Imagine if she jumps onto the other patio! Polka is over-friendly - she will stand at the edge and that might annoy them especially if they aren't dog lovers. If they complain, we may have to look for another apartment! We have to get a fence right away!"
If the neighbours' don't like dogs - they can get there own darn fence! Why should we hurry? But after two weeks of daily reminders from hubby - "did you go get the fence?" - I couldn't take it anymore. I got the fence and we promptly fixed it. Our new neighbour moved in but we never saw them and it was business as usual. As luck would have it, the building was getting painted and the fences had to come down! And we (read hubby) started worrying again.
One evening when we arrived home, Polka came running, wagging her tail, smiling and dragging us to the patio. There was a small cute dog next door - Curio! Polka had already made friends with the neighbour, who turned out to be a friendly lady who actively volunteers at the local shelter and fosters dogs. She had fostered Curio, a rescue dog, for two months and then convinced her friend to adopt it. Both ladies were gushing all over Polka and feeding her avocados, asparagus and other healthy stuff. I could not have asked for more! Soon Polka was dispatched to their side of the patio and beer cans made their way to our side. The dogs were playing and having a blast while we were drinking and chatting. A wonderful Friday evening indeed and a great start for many more!
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We had moved to a new place just a couple of months before Polka happened to us. We were as anxious about Polka adjusting to the new environment as we were about our next door neighbour's disposition towards her. Soon after, I met them in the corridor and casually mentioned, "We just got a dog, she usually doesn't bark but we're not sure what she does when we go out. I hope she's not been disturbing you..." The elderly gentleman - presumably the grand-dad visiting from overseas - laughed and said "No. Not at all. We have one at home too - hope he is not disturbing you. Haha."
There's a dog next door and I've never heard or seen him? The patios are adjacent but fenced .. and guess we're not the neighbourly kind. I felt a tinge of guilt at not knowing my neighbours, at not making an effort to introduce myself or calling them over. All this wasted time! Polka could have had a playmate and could be going for doggie walks .... but hey wait a minute - they are at fault as much as me aren't they? Anyhow, I decided to call them over for tea.
Like all good ideas that go nowhere - I never went ahead with the invitation. After a month or so, the fences were gone (the fence was on their side of the patio) and there was a flurry of activity. That was the first time I'd seen the family together. A 3 year old boy, mom and dad. No dog! The grand-dad sure had a sense of humour. The little kid was delighted, the parents loved dogs and Polka was happy. It was perfect. Unfortunately for us, their stay in Singapore was coming to an end, and they were leaving at the end of the month.
Soon they were gone and I was back to square one. What if the new neighbour didn't like dogs?
--------------------------------------------
My hubby, being the paranoid type, decided to get a fence immediately. "We need a fence right away. Imagine if she jumps onto the other patio! Polka is over-friendly - she will stand at the edge and that might annoy them especially if they aren't dog lovers. If they complain, we may have to look for another apartment! We have to get a fence right away!"
If the neighbours' don't like dogs - they can get there own darn fence! Why should we hurry? But after two weeks of daily reminders from hubby - "did you go get the fence?" - I couldn't take it anymore. I got the fence and we promptly fixed it. Our new neighbour moved in but we never saw them and it was business as usual. As luck would have it, the building was getting painted and the fences had to come down! And we (read hubby) started worrying again.
One evening when we arrived home, Polka came running, wagging her tail, smiling and dragging us to the patio. There was a small cute dog next door - Curio! Polka had already made friends with the neighbour, who turned out to be a friendly lady who actively volunteers at the local shelter and fosters dogs. She had fostered Curio, a rescue dog, for two months and then convinced her friend to adopt it. Both ladies were gushing all over Polka and feeding her avocados, asparagus and other healthy stuff. I could not have asked for more! Soon Polka was dispatched to their side of the patio and beer cans made their way to our side. The dogs were playing and having a blast while we were drinking and chatting. A wonderful Friday evening indeed and a great start for many more!
Polka Talk
Taking Polka out for a walk in the central business district is always an adventure. It garners interest from the tourists as well as locals. She is a big dog for Singapore.
Overheard in Singapore:
Overheard in Singapore:
- She looks like a cartoon character. Funny looking thing.
- So tall. She is a pencil
- What a fierce looking dog. Put a muzzle lah!
- Such a kind and gentle face
- Ma, look the thinnest dog ever! (My vet assures me she is the right weight. Singapore dogs in general are overweight)
- She looks like a dingo mate !
- She is so loong - like a sausage.
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