Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Inconsiderate Pet's Owners

Though most pet's owners pick up their doggie shit, but unfortunate many let their pet spray urine all over HDB void deck.  It is very common sight in HDB estate to  see pet dog going from column to column to leave their mark.  If children are not allowed to urine all over HDB void deck, what makes these pet's owners think their dog can do so.  Lack of common sense or plain laziness ? Most likely the latter.

If not for the fine under littering, these owners would not bother to pick up their doggie shit. I suppose they do not think urine is considered  as litter, but it could be under vandalism.  Even if their are unable to get their dog to discharge at grass area, they could at least bring a bottle of water to pour over the column in the void deck where their dog has urinated.

Then there is the problem of abandon cats in HDB estate. I was shocked to see around 9 kittens at one of the HDB block on Monday. They are new strays.  They are likely siblings from the same batch or two tabby cats under the same owner. They are about the same age (similar size), colours and got along well. Irresponsible owners do not sterilized their cats and when they end up with more kitties than they can handle, they abandon them where they know there are strays care givers.

As I am a strays care giver myself and it is a headache when the strays population increase. Complain bound to arise and the strays will be rounded off to be terminated. Then there is the problem of catching them for sterilization.

Many strays are territorial and this add to the problem of feeding  and drinking point. Besides it increases the chance of complaint since their are likely to have noisy fight.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Stray dogs, cats, rabbits... being eaten

I read with disappointment the report that stray dogs are being eaten by foreign workers. I am not sure but I think this is the first time it is being reported 'officially' in the main stream media (MSM). This is nothing new as we care givers of strays have been suspecting it all along but lack proof.

The first time I encountered such issue was way back in the 1990s.  I was working in SingTel then, and at one of the telephone exchanges, the guard told me the stray rabbit was caught and eaten by the foreign workers.  There was a work site opposite the exchange.

I remembered this incident because I was very upset by it.  I used to look forward to any work in that exchange (I was not based there) as there were a stray cat and a rabbit that hang around the guard post. They were good friends as they licked and cleaned each other. It was a heart warming sight.  I had a cat and a rabbit a home, but unfortunately, they were not in the best of term.

Many of the strays care givers are wary whenever a construction site sprang up near our place. Since S'pore has become one big construction site in recent years, I suppose this problem the strays becoming a 'free' food source for foreign workers has become so common that it is picked up by MSM.

Not long after the MRT Downtown line construction site hit my area, a strays feeder told me that 2 of the cats she was feeding went missing one after another within weeks. She was very upset as she had been caring for them for a few years.  They were healthy and in their prime.  These 2 strays were friendly and approachable, which made them popular amongst residents, but also became their undoing.

Her block were the 2 strays hang around was just beside the construction site. 

Not sure if those foreign workers courses run by MOM touch on the topic that it is illegal to eat dogs, cats, rabbits.....etc in S'pore.  Their ignorance is certainly endangering our poor strays. Besides, it is not a bliss for them either.  They could be fined up to $10K and/or imprisoned under the law.  Paying $10K to put doggie, kitty or bunny meat into your mouth is very expensive indeed.  MOM, employers and employment agencies should ensure these workers are acquainted with local laws and customs.




Monday, July 15, 2013

Cook A Pot Of Curry

The local comedy play Cook A Pot Of Curry by Wild Rice is very good. It is now running at LaSalle College of the Arts. Tickets are sold at Sistic.

The play is based on local news and issues that touch our S'poreans' hearts. They are spiced up with comedy.  There are even some familiar songs rewritten with funny lyrics (one of them by Mr Brown).

There is a dance based on the song Stand Up for S'pore.  The dance will have you laughing hard as it is so funny when they integrated dance movement from various countries.

The play started with the scene related to the conflict between an Indian family and their PRC neighbour with the mediator seated in between the 2 families. Sound familiar, right ?  Many of the comical issues will ring a bell with the audiences as they are recent events, like the Population White Paper, crowded trains.....etc.

Do not miss it as it is very good way to de-stress.


Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Bloggers are Key Board Warriors ??

One of our ministers has called S'pore bloggers 'Key Board Warriors'.  Well it is to be expected since he came from the army.  We have so many cabinet ministers, top civil servants and top post in govt link companies going to ex- army personals.

Are they suitable and a good fit for these top posts is questionable.

Anyway just because bloggers questioned  illogical and badly conceived govt policies - they are perceived to be 'fighting' against the govt.  How infantile is such thinking.

If so, what does it make our minister(s) ?  Some possible suggestions :

-  Half Truth Generator

-  'Good News' Spinner

- Information Hidder

- Revenue Sucker