I am continually amazed by people who express disappointment that their employers are not 'supportive enough' of their volunteer / pro bono work, or are 'interested only in profits'. Of course a company is interested in making profits! Why else would a company be set up? Agencies and firms are not incorporated for the sole purpose of looking after their employees' welfare, or squandering all their capital 'giving back to society', or boosting the self-esteem of their ever-fickle employees. Any good company would of course wish to provide sufficient incentives to retain key staff and carry out corporate social responsibility projects both for tax reasons and to improve their corporate image. But to expect one's employer to consistently make concessions for one because one wishes to concentrate on one's community work is unreasonable and unrealistic. It is not fair to one's colleagues when one does pro bono work on company time, or complains about low morale when one is assessed poorly for work performance because one fails to demonstrate commitment and is lacking in focus and progress.
There are of course, exceptions to the rule. If your employer is disapproving of your involvement in a trade union or PeTA or GreenPeace because he alleges that these organizations are ‘militant’, or believes that any affiliation with a non-profit will brand the entire outfit as ‘leftist’ (i.e. bad for corporate image), then it’s probably time for you to go. However, if the complaint is about you spending ‘too much time’ on volunteer work, it probably means you are. So stop e-mailing or making phone calls on company time. If you believe in truth and justice, then it would have to start with you not running personal errands or doing non-work related things on company time.
To me, our volunteer and pro bono commitments should provide us with a sense of balance and meaning that carries over to our work. Being a volunteer should make us better able to focus on work and make us feel more rested and fulfilled by the time Monday comes around. My take is that if you're getting a lot of stick at work for your pro bono work, you probably have not been giving your job due importance. Our day job is a steady source of income, without which we would not have the resources to perform our volunteer duties or carry out community projects. Think about it. Being a volunteer makes me try harder at work, because I have a sense of purpose and the motivation to better myself in all respects. The more I earn, the more animals/ disadvantaged women and children/ community centres I am able to help. There's nothing complex or esoteric about it.
Saturday, 26 April 2008
Friday, 25 April 2008
One Big Happy…
On Thursday (24th April) night, I was in the middle of cleaning the Bachelor Officers’ Quarters and bagging up footballs and sports equipment that I no longer use for a Boys’ Home when I heard Keisha moaning. I scurried out to find her pacing her cage and making a nest out of the newspapers lining her cage. I gave her a towel to lie on, bit my lip, and waited. And waited. And waited.
At 0125 hours on Friday morning, while I was sorting paper for recycling, a little leg emerged from under Keisha. She gave me a warm, loving look with none of the aggression Halle displays whenever anyone as much as smiles at her precious kittens. Jessica and I crouched by Keisha, uttering words of encouragement.
“Attagirl, Keisha! One – two – Push!” we urged. Keisha gave us another benevolent look and made no attempt to hurry the delivery. She didn’t seem to be in any pain and was not hyperventilating the way we see women do in the delivery wards on TV.
A white kitten appeared and Keisha licked her baby clean. There was obviously more kittens on the way. I tried to make a bet with Jess on the final number of kittens but we had both guessed 4, so the bet was called off because we weren’t about to change our minds.
The second kitten, a dark tabby, plopped out 35 minutes later. Jess and I were still keeping up a running commentary and offering all sorts of advice to Keisha. Halle and Felicity stared in fascinated horror as the second and third kittens emerged. “You’ve gone through this before, Halle, say something! Don’t you have any words of comfort or advice for Keisha?” admonished Jess, while I rolled on the floor laughing.
The total kitten count at 0405 hours on Friday morning was 4, which means both Jess and I had been correct. We should advertise ourselves as feline experts or something. When I left the cats to go to work, both Keisha and Halle’s kittens were nursing peacefully. Halle has 6 and Keisha has 4, which brings the total number of cats in the Officers’ Quarters to 16.
As Reve said, it was meant to be that the cats came to me. Animals know instinctively if they are going to be safe with a person, and I believe all these cats came to me for a reason. Once again, Keisha, Halle and all the street animals under Project Second Chance would like to thank you for your help.
At 0125 hours on Friday morning, while I was sorting paper for recycling, a little leg emerged from under Keisha. She gave me a warm, loving look with none of the aggression Halle displays whenever anyone as much as smiles at her precious kittens. Jessica and I crouched by Keisha, uttering words of encouragement.
“Attagirl, Keisha! One – two – Push!” we urged. Keisha gave us another benevolent look and made no attempt to hurry the delivery. She didn’t seem to be in any pain and was not hyperventilating the way we see women do in the delivery wards on TV.
A white kitten appeared and Keisha licked her baby clean. There was obviously more kittens on the way. I tried to make a bet with Jess on the final number of kittens but we had both guessed 4, so the bet was called off because we weren’t about to change our minds.
The second kitten, a dark tabby, plopped out 35 minutes later. Jess and I were still keeping up a running commentary and offering all sorts of advice to Keisha. Halle and Felicity stared in fascinated horror as the second and third kittens emerged. “You’ve gone through this before, Halle, say something! Don’t you have any words of comfort or advice for Keisha?” admonished Jess, while I rolled on the floor laughing.
The total kitten count at 0405 hours on Friday morning was 4, which means both Jess and I had been correct. We should advertise ourselves as feline experts or something. When I left the cats to go to work, both Keisha and Halle’s kittens were nursing peacefully. Halle has 6 and Keisha has 4, which brings the total number of cats in the Officers’ Quarters to 16.
As Reve said, it was meant to be that the cats came to me. Animals know instinctively if they are going to be safe with a person, and I believe all these cats came to me for a reason. Once again, Keisha, Halle and all the street animals under Project Second Chance would like to thank you for your help.
Tuesday, 22 April 2008
Rescue Ops: Keisha
Was having breakfast at the Shah Alam court cafeteria when I noticed a heavily pregnant calico cat outside the cafeteria. I asked the cafeteria operators about her and was informed that she has been there for a few weeks. Occasionally the cat gets fed, but often she is robbed of her food scraps by the bigger, stronger tomcats in the area. Once they found her trying to get across the car park but she was almost hit by a car because she couldn’t move fast enough.
That’s all I needed to know. I scooped the cat up in my arms and deposited her in the pet carrier I always keep in the Battletank for emergencies like this. I brought her home, put up a cage for her, made her comfortable and gave her food and water and left for the office.
I have named my new calico cat Keisha. Like other beneficiaries under Project Second Chance, Keisha and her soon-to-be-born kitten will live with me until they are strong and healthy enough to be vaccinated, neutered and rehomed. Keisha probably wouldn’t have much of a chance of making it as a stray and I will make sure that she will never have to be a stray again. She is a lovely, affectionate cat and I will go to the ends of the Earth to find her a good home.
Project Second Chance would like to thank all its donors, sponsors and volunteers for their contributions, assistance and kind support:
1. Bernadette Chin
2. Lillian Danielle Khoo
3. Serina Rahman
4. Zawalan Razak
5. Jacobus Raj
6. Jessica Ng
Thank you – your generosity and compassion have permanently changed animal lives for the better!
That’s all I needed to know. I scooped the cat up in my arms and deposited her in the pet carrier I always keep in the Battletank for emergencies like this. I brought her home, put up a cage for her, made her comfortable and gave her food and water and left for the office.
I have named my new calico cat Keisha. Like other beneficiaries under Project Second Chance, Keisha and her soon-to-be-born kitten will live with me until they are strong and healthy enough to be vaccinated, neutered and rehomed. Keisha probably wouldn’t have much of a chance of making it as a stray and I will make sure that she will never have to be a stray again. She is a lovely, affectionate cat and I will go to the ends of the Earth to find her a good home.
Project Second Chance would like to thank all its donors, sponsors and volunteers for their contributions, assistance and kind support:
1. Bernadette Chin
2. Lillian Danielle Khoo
3. Serina Rahman
4. Zawalan Razak
5. Jacobus Raj
6. Jessica Ng
Thank you – your generosity and compassion have permanently changed animal lives for the better!
Monday, 21 April 2008
Mom’s birthday and SPCA news.
Saturday, 19th April 2008 - Sunday, 20th April 2008: Mom’s birthday and SPCA news.
Went back to the parental home on Friday night to spend some quality time with the folks on the occasion of Mom's birthday. Took the parents out to a buffet lunch at Nikko Hotel on Saturday afternoon. The variety wasn't as large as I had hoped it would be, but the quality of the food was high, and there was hardly anything we didn't like. I was more than satisfied with their chocolate fountain (really, I should get one installed in my bedroom) and dessert bar, and the parents and I left our plates clean as a whistle because of my vehement objections to food wastage.
Seeing as that I have given Mom almost everything she has ever hankered for, I gave her cash instead so she could buy herself a nice present. Spent the rest of Saturday cleaning the parental home, polishing the furniture, bathing Amber, washing the cars and tidying the garden.
Sunday was my SPCA day. I brought Felicity with me for her vaccination, as she has since been dewormed and declared free of infection. Felicity was vaccinated against feline panleukopenia and I left her to rest in the carrier while Rose, Reve and I took dogs out for walks and gave them baths. As usual, I doused the dogs with anti-tick solution and treated them for ear mites and any injuries.
Chelvy’s recovery from dengue had been quite remarkable considering the danger she was in of losing her life. She has since returned to active duty at the shelter, and no one was gladder to have her back than I was.
In the evening, after the staff and vets had gone home, Reve, Linda and I let the dogs out to play in the compound and cleaned the animals’ living quarters. We soaped and scrubbed all the enclosures, litter trays, bowls and baskets. Then I swabbed and cleaned the shelter floor, fed the semi-feral cats outside the shelter, unclogged the drains and removed all the leaves and twigs blocking the passages and disposed of the rubbish. Reve helped me rinse the shelter floor while I had a quick shower. Went home, reinstated Felicity in her cage, fed and cleaned up after all the kitties, fixed myself a pasta dinner, tidied the house and spent the rest of the night reading the latest issue of the Malaysian Naturalist.
Went back to the parental home on Friday night to spend some quality time with the folks on the occasion of Mom's birthday. Took the parents out to a buffet lunch at Nikko Hotel on Saturday afternoon. The variety wasn't as large as I had hoped it would be, but the quality of the food was high, and there was hardly anything we didn't like. I was more than satisfied with their chocolate fountain (really, I should get one installed in my bedroom) and dessert bar, and the parents and I left our plates clean as a whistle because of my vehement objections to food wastage.
Seeing as that I have given Mom almost everything she has ever hankered for, I gave her cash instead so she could buy herself a nice present. Spent the rest of Saturday cleaning the parental home, polishing the furniture, bathing Amber, washing the cars and tidying the garden.
Sunday was my SPCA day. I brought Felicity with me for her vaccination, as she has since been dewormed and declared free of infection. Felicity was vaccinated against feline panleukopenia and I left her to rest in the carrier while Rose, Reve and I took dogs out for walks and gave them baths. As usual, I doused the dogs with anti-tick solution and treated them for ear mites and any injuries.
Chelvy’s recovery from dengue had been quite remarkable considering the danger she was in of losing her life. She has since returned to active duty at the shelter, and no one was gladder to have her back than I was.
In the evening, after the staff and vets had gone home, Reve, Linda and I let the dogs out to play in the compound and cleaned the animals’ living quarters. We soaped and scrubbed all the enclosures, litter trays, bowls and baskets. Then I swabbed and cleaned the shelter floor, fed the semi-feral cats outside the shelter, unclogged the drains and removed all the leaves and twigs blocking the passages and disposed of the rubbish. Reve helped me rinse the shelter floor while I had a quick shower. Went home, reinstated Felicity in her cage, fed and cleaned up after all the kitties, fixed myself a pasta dinner, tidied the house and spent the rest of the night reading the latest issue of the Malaysian Naturalist.
Friday, 18 April 2008
Axis Shift
(Image reproduced from The Star, without permission, but in accordance with the principles of fair use.)
Occasionally I feel as though the Earth has shifted on its axis since the General Elections. I have never thought it possible to witness in my lifetime the current government making amends for its past transgressions. The ex-gratia payments to the judges who were affected by the 1988 Judicial Crisis may fall short of an official apology, but it does demonstrate a degree of humility and a willingness to put things right. 20 years is a long time to wait for an apology that is not forthcoming.
20 years ago, our judiciary was seen as a venerable institution. Our then Lord President, Tun Salleh Abas, was sacked by the then PM for attempting to uphold justice and the principles of separation of powers and an independent judiciary. Since then, the subsequent Chief Judges were largely political appointees who lacked the integrity and acuity of their predecessors and failed to inspire confidence in those who sought redress in the courts of law. Judges were seen as corrupt and corruptible flunkeys of the executive.
I do realise that this move by the current Prime Minister is an ingratiating attempt to win back some popular support, and to thumb his nose at the previous PM, but it is still a heartening gesture and being irreversible, sets a good precedent.
Our collective wish is to see a better, more honest civil service and an intelligent, impartial and honourable judiciary.
Occasionally I feel as though the Earth has shifted on its axis since the General Elections. I have never thought it possible to witness in my lifetime the current government making amends for its past transgressions. The ex-gratia payments to the judges who were affected by the 1988 Judicial Crisis may fall short of an official apology, but it does demonstrate a degree of humility and a willingness to put things right. 20 years is a long time to wait for an apology that is not forthcoming.
20 years ago, our judiciary was seen as a venerable institution. Our then Lord President, Tun Salleh Abas, was sacked by the then PM for attempting to uphold justice and the principles of separation of powers and an independent judiciary. Since then, the subsequent Chief Judges were largely political appointees who lacked the integrity and acuity of their predecessors and failed to inspire confidence in those who sought redress in the courts of law. Judges were seen as corrupt and corruptible flunkeys of the executive.
I do realise that this move by the current Prime Minister is an ingratiating attempt to win back some popular support, and to thumb his nose at the previous PM, but it is still a heartening gesture and being irreversible, sets a good precedent.
Our collective wish is to see a better, more honest civil service and an intelligent, impartial and honourable judiciary.
Wednesday, 16 April 2008
"Three" at the KL Performing Arts Centre
"THREE"
Photo reproduced from The Star, without permission, but in accordance with the principles of fair use.
Lynette's sister, Alicia, had very kindly extended an invitation to me to watch a play with her at the KL Performing Arts Centre ("KLPAC") after work on Tuesday.
Her invitation was graciously accepted and we had a dinner of tapas and beer (for me) and wine (for her) before adjourning to the theatre.
Much as I believe the developer of Sentul West, YTL Corporation, to be an environmental offender that is only marginally more mindful than the other property developers, I do think KLPAC is one of its biggest successes. It has managed to reclaim and preserve old heritage buildings and trees and incorporate the Performing Arts Centre into the design without destroying any of the existing flora or structures.
I wasn't terribly impressed by the dinner, and although the play wasn't exactly the Harold-Pinter -GB-Shaw-Tennessee-Williams fare that I am used to, I did rather find it not without its merits. This is my first experience with 'physical' theatre but had little difficulty in interpreting and appreciating it.
The play is loosely based on Mitch Albom's "Five People You Meet In Heaven". In the first scene, the female protagonist lies on the stage floor, palpably dead, while images of defining moments in her life and the fateful flight she last took are projected onto the stage floor. Enter a male angel-figure (Note: No pantomime-style costumes are employed here. The cast are all in white or black yoga-type outfits), who tries to help the protagonist come to terms with her death and her afterlife. It is important to note that the angel-figure does not play an active role in mediating the reunion of the protagonist with the other people she is to meet.
A femme fatale (Satan perhaps? Or just Sin, Lust or Temptation, personnified?) is the first person the protagonist encounters. Satan/Sin has the power to harm others and put them under her control. Our protagonist fights back and finally emerges victorious (or Satan/Sin lets her win, one couldn't tell for sure) but is angry with her angel for falling for the temptress and failing to protect the protagonist.
The next character the protagonist meets is her mother. The mother-figure mimes the actions of preparing food and drink for her child with benignant elegance, while the protagonist appears, through her actions, to have regressed to the age of a young child. There is a possibility here that the protagonist's mother had died when she was very young, and thus she never had the opportunity to say goodbye. Here in the afterlife, however, the protagonist finally gets to thank her mother and bid farewell, and move on, having resolved her feelings of guilt and abandonment.
The final person the protagonist meets is her lover. I cannot say for certain if there is an intimation of same-sex relationships here, because the cast of this play is, to me, asexual. The reunited couple moves in natural harmony with each other. Their movements are, in the beginning, synchronous, but the protagonist's moves soon become harsh and discordant, while the lover's remain tender. The lover grows agitated but the protagonist is hostile and unmoved. This rejection sends the lover running off in grief. It is not clear if the lovers had parted within the protagonist's lifetime, or if they had to part due to the protagonist's untimely demise, but we do know that both parties had to accept the separation and move on as individuals.
The protagonist realises that her experiences have made her the person that she is, and that she had taken the path of her own choosing. On her own again, the protagonist peels off her skin, signifying release from her corporeal self, and walks towards the light.
Not so much existential as formulaic -- I wonder what they will come up with next: Dale Carnegie's lectures in dance form? -- but still an effective, engaging and accessible play.
Photo reproduced from The Star, without permission, but in accordance with the principles of fair use.
Lynette's sister, Alicia, had very kindly extended an invitation to me to watch a play with her at the KL Performing Arts Centre ("KLPAC") after work on Tuesday.
Her invitation was graciously accepted and we had a dinner of tapas and beer (for me) and wine (for her) before adjourning to the theatre.
Much as I believe the developer of Sentul West, YTL Corporation, to be an environmental offender that is only marginally more mindful than the other property developers, I do think KLPAC is one of its biggest successes. It has managed to reclaim and preserve old heritage buildings and trees and incorporate the Performing Arts Centre into the design without destroying any of the existing flora or structures.
I wasn't terribly impressed by the dinner, and although the play wasn't exactly the Harold-Pinter -GB-Shaw-Tennessee-Williams fare that I am used to, I did rather find it not without its merits. This is my first experience with 'physical' theatre but had little difficulty in interpreting and appreciating it.
The play is loosely based on Mitch Albom's "Five People You Meet In Heaven". In the first scene, the female protagonist lies on the stage floor, palpably dead, while images of defining moments in her life and the fateful flight she last took are projected onto the stage floor. Enter a male angel-figure (Note: No pantomime-style costumes are employed here. The cast are all in white or black yoga-type outfits), who tries to help the protagonist come to terms with her death and her afterlife. It is important to note that the angel-figure does not play an active role in mediating the reunion of the protagonist with the other people she is to meet.
A femme fatale (Satan perhaps? Or just Sin, Lust or Temptation, personnified?) is the first person the protagonist encounters. Satan/Sin has the power to harm others and put them under her control. Our protagonist fights back and finally emerges victorious (or Satan/Sin lets her win, one couldn't tell for sure) but is angry with her angel for falling for the temptress and failing to protect the protagonist.
The next character the protagonist meets is her mother. The mother-figure mimes the actions of preparing food and drink for her child with benignant elegance, while the protagonist appears, through her actions, to have regressed to the age of a young child. There is a possibility here that the protagonist's mother had died when she was very young, and thus she never had the opportunity to say goodbye. Here in the afterlife, however, the protagonist finally gets to thank her mother and bid farewell, and move on, having resolved her feelings of guilt and abandonment.
The final person the protagonist meets is her lover. I cannot say for certain if there is an intimation of same-sex relationships here, because the cast of this play is, to me, asexual. The reunited couple moves in natural harmony with each other. Their movements are, in the beginning, synchronous, but the protagonist's moves soon become harsh and discordant, while the lover's remain tender. The lover grows agitated but the protagonist is hostile and unmoved. This rejection sends the lover running off in grief. It is not clear if the lovers had parted within the protagonist's lifetime, or if they had to part due to the protagonist's untimely demise, but we do know that both parties had to accept the separation and move on as individuals.
The protagonist realises that her experiences have made her the person that she is, and that she had taken the path of her own choosing. On her own again, the protagonist peels off her skin, signifying release from her corporeal self, and walks towards the light.
Not so much existential as formulaic -- I wonder what they will come up with next: Dale Carnegie's lectures in dance form? -- but still an effective, engaging and accessible play.
Monday, 14 April 2008
Project Second Chance
Saturday, 12th April 2008 - Sunday, 13th April 2008: Project Second Chance
Since the General Elections results were announced on 9th March, there has been a tangible power shift in many institutions that have previously benefitted from their 'connections' with people with political leverage. My firm has been able to weather the storm so far but we must step up our marketing efforts and productivity levels to remain competitive. Being in the legal profession is much like being Alice in Wonderland. Once you stop running, you don't end up standing still. You fall backwards.
Outside of work, the changes we have been experiencing are thus far highly positive ones. Non-governmental organisations and environmental groups are given due consideration by the authorities and there now seems to be greater tolerance for dissent and fair comment. My weeknights and weekends have not changed much, and I am still much occupied with animal care duties and volunteer commitments.
Woke up early on Saturday, 12th April, to go to the wet market. I now buy garlic and pumpkin to be cooked with the SPCA shelter animals' food to fortify their immune and digestive systems and to prevent tick, worm and flea infestation. I stopped by to ask the Charity Van man to come to my house later to pick up the couch Jake no longer needs, plus a few other bulky items. Weeded the lawn and gave Chloe, Daisy and Pixie their monthly baths. It took all three of us -- Jake, Jess and me -- to remove Pix from the bathroom window ledge. Who would have imagined that such a chunky cat could jump so high?
Made a stopover at the National Blood Bank to donate blood, as it has been over 3 months since my last donation. My haemoglobin count this week is 14.8, which is excellent for someone whose main source of iron is dried apricots and cranberries. It took me only 3 minutes and 11 seconds to fill up the bag. The nurses there are remarkably efficient and friendly, which is more than I can say for other members of the civil service. I was given nasi lemak, a slice of cake, an apple and coffee at the cafeteria, together with the customary iron and folic acid pills and yet another Blood Donor keychain. I now have a box full of Blood Donor pins and keychains that I don't do anything with.
Was at the SPCA by noon. Handed the garlic and pumpkin over to Mazni, who is in charge of food preparation. Rose and I started bathing and tick-washing the kennel dogs with the efficiency of a factory conveyor belt. I took a number of the dogs out for walks later to help them dry off faster.
I had just finished bathing another two dogs when a lady and her husband came in with a cage bearing a semi-Persian cat with 6 kittens. The cat and her offspring had been abandoned by their former owners/care providers, who had moved away and left her behind. The neighbours fed the cat for 2 weeks in the hope that the owners would return for her. They didn't, and so the unfortunate cat was captured and brought to the SPCA.
The vets were keen to save the cat and her babies but acknowledged that it would take months before the cat could be spayed and her kittens vaccinated and rehomed, and our animal shelter is often not the healthiest of environments. I offered to take her and her babies home and care for them until they could be safely innoculated and neutered. Dr. Pushpa and Dr. Lim were initially concerned that I may have too much on my plate already, but Reve had full confidence in my abilities and I made preparations to bring my cat family home.
It started to rain in the evening, but Reve, Linda and I locked up the gates and let the dogs out to play within the shelter compound anyway. I soaped, scrubbed and disinfected the Cattery, Maternity Kennel, adult dog kennels, Hospital, Reception/Admin area and Central Area. I cleaned the shelter, took out the trash and put away the donated newspapers before having a wash and driving on home with my 7 new cats.
Sometime during the drive home, I bestowed names on my new cats: the mother's name would be Halle, while her babies are Heath, Heidi, Henry, Hayden, Heather and Harriet. Bought a big new cage to accommodate the kitties. I am convinced by now that part of my life's work is to help and heal animals that would otherwise be euthanised, overlooked or abandoned. The priorities of Project Second Chance are to render medical treatment, rehabilitate, vaccinate, neuter and release or rehome the neediest of stray or shelter animals, namely:
1. Pregnant, injured, nursing, sick or vulnerable shelter animals that would otherwise have to be euthanised;
2. Pregnant, injured, nursing, sick or vulnerable stray animals that would otherwise not survive on the streets; and
3. Stray animals, healthy or otherwise, that would otherwise procreate and be treated as an environmental nuisance.
As time passes, my role as a protector of those without suffrage must evolve as well. It is no longer sufficient for me to care for my own companion animals, volunteer at the animal shelter for a mere 6 hours every weekend and write Letters to the Editor. Project Second Chance is my personal initiative to help at least 50 animals each year, to reduce the burden on our overcrowded animal shelters.
Once my animal charges were fed, groomed and cleaned up after, I made my way back to the parental home. Spent Sunday with Amber and the parents, mostly cleaning the house and yard and tending to Amber's needs before going back to the Bachelor Officers' Quarters at night.
Good Work, Commando!
Since the General Elections results were announced on 9th March, there has been a tangible power shift in many institutions that have previously benefitted from their 'connections' with people with political leverage. My firm has been able to weather the storm so far but we must step up our marketing efforts and productivity levels to remain competitive. Being in the legal profession is much like being Alice in Wonderland. Once you stop running, you don't end up standing still. You fall backwards.
Outside of work, the changes we have been experiencing are thus far highly positive ones. Non-governmental organisations and environmental groups are given due consideration by the authorities and there now seems to be greater tolerance for dissent and fair comment. My weeknights and weekends have not changed much, and I am still much occupied with animal care duties and volunteer commitments.
Woke up early on Saturday, 12th April, to go to the wet market. I now buy garlic and pumpkin to be cooked with the SPCA shelter animals' food to fortify their immune and digestive systems and to prevent tick, worm and flea infestation. I stopped by to ask the Charity Van man to come to my house later to pick up the couch Jake no longer needs, plus a few other bulky items. Weeded the lawn and gave Chloe, Daisy and Pixie their monthly baths. It took all three of us -- Jake, Jess and me -- to remove Pix from the bathroom window ledge. Who would have imagined that such a chunky cat could jump so high?
Made a stopover at the National Blood Bank to donate blood, as it has been over 3 months since my last donation. My haemoglobin count this week is 14.8, which is excellent for someone whose main source of iron is dried apricots and cranberries. It took me only 3 minutes and 11 seconds to fill up the bag. The nurses there are remarkably efficient and friendly, which is more than I can say for other members of the civil service. I was given nasi lemak, a slice of cake, an apple and coffee at the cafeteria, together with the customary iron and folic acid pills and yet another Blood Donor keychain. I now have a box full of Blood Donor pins and keychains that I don't do anything with.
Was at the SPCA by noon. Handed the garlic and pumpkin over to Mazni, who is in charge of food preparation. Rose and I started bathing and tick-washing the kennel dogs with the efficiency of a factory conveyor belt. I took a number of the dogs out for walks later to help them dry off faster.
I had just finished bathing another two dogs when a lady and her husband came in with a cage bearing a semi-Persian cat with 6 kittens. The cat and her offspring had been abandoned by their former owners/care providers, who had moved away and left her behind. The neighbours fed the cat for 2 weeks in the hope that the owners would return for her. They didn't, and so the unfortunate cat was captured and brought to the SPCA.
The vets were keen to save the cat and her babies but acknowledged that it would take months before the cat could be spayed and her kittens vaccinated and rehomed, and our animal shelter is often not the healthiest of environments. I offered to take her and her babies home and care for them until they could be safely innoculated and neutered. Dr. Pushpa and Dr. Lim were initially concerned that I may have too much on my plate already, but Reve had full confidence in my abilities and I made preparations to bring my cat family home.
It started to rain in the evening, but Reve, Linda and I locked up the gates and let the dogs out to play within the shelter compound anyway. I soaped, scrubbed and disinfected the Cattery, Maternity Kennel, adult dog kennels, Hospital, Reception/Admin area and Central Area. I cleaned the shelter, took out the trash and put away the donated newspapers before having a wash and driving on home with my 7 new cats.
Sometime during the drive home, I bestowed names on my new cats: the mother's name would be Halle, while her babies are Heath, Heidi, Henry, Hayden, Heather and Harriet. Bought a big new cage to accommodate the kitties. I am convinced by now that part of my life's work is to help and heal animals that would otherwise be euthanised, overlooked or abandoned. The priorities of Project Second Chance are to render medical treatment, rehabilitate, vaccinate, neuter and release or rehome the neediest of stray or shelter animals, namely:
1. Pregnant, injured, nursing, sick or vulnerable shelter animals that would otherwise have to be euthanised;
2. Pregnant, injured, nursing, sick or vulnerable stray animals that would otherwise not survive on the streets; and
3. Stray animals, healthy or otherwise, that would otherwise procreate and be treated as an environmental nuisance.
As time passes, my role as a protector of those without suffrage must evolve as well. It is no longer sufficient for me to care for my own companion animals, volunteer at the animal shelter for a mere 6 hours every weekend and write Letters to the Editor. Project Second Chance is my personal initiative to help at least 50 animals each year, to reduce the burden on our overcrowded animal shelters.
Once my animal charges were fed, groomed and cleaned up after, I made my way back to the parental home. Spent Sunday with Amber and the parents, mostly cleaning the house and yard and tending to Amber's needs before going back to the Bachelor Officers' Quarters at night.
Good Work, Commando!
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