Driftwood

“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” - Jack Kerouac

Friday, 4th September 2009: Climb Every Mountain

My buddy Mun Yee celebrated her 30th birthday on Thursday, and we made plans to meet up for dinner on Friday. It was to be my buddy's Saturn Return, and I wanted it to be special. Mun Yee was going to climb Mount Kinabalu, the highest point in Southeast Asia, the following week. I think that is a most meaningful way of stepping into one's third decade, and I told her so. I prepared a survival kit as a birthday gift for her, consisting of a brew kit, safety blanket, emergency light and whistle, poncho, oral rehydration salts and a number of other things I felt were necessary to make her trip safer and more enjoyable.

As luck would have it, she called me on Friday evening to inform me that she wasn't able to make it to dinner as she still had too much work to do. (She is still at the understaffed firm that I quit in June, where everyone is overworked and treated poorly). I swung by the Gardens mall, picked up two individual cakes from Breadstory, glazed doughnuts from Krispy Kreme, and some drinks and munchies and drove on over to Mun Yee's office.

Mun Yee was glad to see me and relieved to see food. We ate the cakes and snacks and she checked out the presents. Then we sat down to resume work. I tried to help her locate the drafts and minutes of meetings that she required, while she worked on the correspondence and cause papers that she needed to draft. We were finally done by midnight. There was to be no sleep for Mun Yee tonight, as she had yet to pack for her trip and her cab would be arriving at 0300h. She was so tired and sleepy that she could hardly drive, so I suggested going to Old Town White Coffee across the street for coffee and grub. We chatted over coffee and a hot meal, and I wished her all the best on her mountain-climbing adventure.

As I drove home that night, I found myself wishing that a better job opportunity would come along for my friend -- a job where she could get at least 6 hours of sleep a night, where she wouldn't have to forfeit her annual leave and where she doesn't have to come in to work while on sick leave. I wish that she would find a job that she could look forward to in the mornings. But most of all, I wish that she would be always be happy, healthy and have wonderful adventures.

Mun Yee and I horsing around in Fort Canning, Singapore, in 2005

Saturday, 5th September 2009: Brainstorming Sessions, SPCA and another Soiree

Woke up unreasonably early for a Saturday morning to attend the Malaysian Nature Society Branch Strategy Workshop at the Rimba Ilmu Auditorium. I picked up refreshments on the way, and James C. picked me up from the station. It was a productive session, facilitated by Bushcraft Ashleigh, and its purpose was to determine the priorities of the Society and the direction we should take to remain relevant to our members and those outside the Society. I was surprised to see quite a good turnout of 'ordinary' members and new recruits. Things got pretty heated during the discussions as everyone seemed to have a different view of the measures the Society should take. It was officially over by 1300h. I got a ride back to the station from May.

I went to the SPCA after the Strategy Workshop. Dr. Pushpa had more good news for me. Rafferty had been adopted on Friday. Only Tabitha was left, but she looked robust and was in good spirits. She shared a large 3-tiered enclosure with 5 other cats and was busy climbing up and down the different tiers with her new friends. She allowed me to pick her up and hold her but did not show any signs of especial recognition, which is for the best. I kissed her and told her how much I loved her and promised to take her home if she were not adopted by the end of the month.

Rose and several college-age volunteers had been washing the dogs and I joined them at the kennels to give the dogs their baths and tickwashes. I cleaned ears and treated small wounds as well.

Rose and I discussed what could be done for Chanel, a little mongrel who became antisocial and despondent after her puppy died. Chanel was a young mother and had loved her only child, Coco, to distraction. Coco died of distemper before she was old enough to be vaccinated. Chanel’s personality changed after Coco’s death and she became withdrawn and mistrustful of humans. For some reason, she thought we had been the cause of her baby’s death. I wish a good volunteer could bring her home to rehabilitate her so she could be rehomed. I would foster her myself if not for all the cats I have, who would not take to the introduction of a sullen dog very well. Roli (previously referred to in my blog as The Kindest Man In The World) was around on Saturday. I should have thought of asking him if he could do something for Chanel. It breaks my heart to see her so hurt and unhappy.

Rose and the other volunteers left around 1630h, and we shut the gate after their departure. Sugen and I stayed behind to clean the shelter. I made a big bucket of soap and disinfectant and cleaned the Front Office/Admin/Reception area, Cattery, Maternity Kennels and Puppy Kennels. Sugen and Mazni cleaned the kennels and cattery at the back of the shelter. Some visitors dropped by with inquiries, and I managed to persuade them to bring their pets for neutering at our Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic instead of surrendering their pets to the shelter. I finished my share of the work, took out the trash, cleaned myself up and left the SPCA by 1930h.

Went back to the BOQ to feed the Rowdies, tidy up and get ready to go out to our friendly neighbourhood pub for Corinne's farewell party. Corinne was leaving to join her fiancé in Melbourne, and close to 100 friends turned up for her farewell party. The pub was bursting at its seams. Jake, Jess and I were delighted to meet all our old friends again. Brian L, Mahes, Patrick and everyone else were similarly surprised to see me turn up like a bad penny. “Welcome home!” shouted the Balachandran brothers as they hugged me.

There were members of the legal fraternity at the soiree as well, much to my chagrin. The Bar Council office bearers actually came in office wear and one even had a surgical mask on. Hell, mate, if you’re that afraid of contracting Influenza A, you should have just stayed home! It served them right that nobody wanted to dance with them that night. Stupid lawyers!

Speaking of dancing, there was a man on the dance floor, who I am sure is a very nice man, who had dance moves that boggled the mind. “He dances like someone’s Dad,” I chuckled to Jess while we observed his hip-rolls and hand-rolls. When he got around to doing the Pulp Fiction, I almost died laughing. “Beyonce, Shakira, take notes!” I sputtered and wheezed, while the patrons around me giggled into their drinks. I wasn’t in the mood to be charitable with my comments that night, and it was a good thing that the King of Dance was out of earshot and the music was so loud.

Later in the evening, we viewed a little video tribute to Corinne, proposed toasts and wrote messages for her on cards taped to the wall. While we were happy for her leaving for greener pastures, we were also sorry to see her go. Now there'll be no one left at the pub to make us behave ourselves. I discovered later that Corinne had already paid for my vodka shots, and so I thanked her and informed her that I will spend the money I saved on drinks on groceries and provisions for Brian L's welfare homes instead. Corinne thought that it was a capital idea and a nice thing to do as a parting gift for her. (Note: As of Tuesday, I had delivered antiseptic solution and bath soap, as requested on the Homes’ lists, to Brian L.)

Jake, Jess and I went back to the BOQ, none-too-sober but in good cheer, around 0200h. It has been an exhausting Saturday but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Sunday, 6th September 2009: Driftwood

I spent Sunday back at the parental home, cleaning the house and tending to Amber and Chocky's needs.

RJ texted me on Sunday to see what I was doing. I knew he was still nursing a broken heart, and needed someone to talk to.

I informed RJ that there was a much-ignored mongrel at the SPCA that I had washed, groomed and tick-washed last Monday (31 Aug), and he was adopted on Saturday (5 Sept). Miracles do happen, I averred. We just have to create the right conditions.

"What I'm trying to say," I explained to RJ, "is that I am still praying that everything works out for the best for you, against all odds, and I'll be here whenever you need me, whenever you need anything done."

RJ told me that my blood is worth bottling. I am not sure what that means but I hope it is something good. It sounds rather kinky, in an Angelina Jolie - Billy Bob Thornton sort of way.

I was in the middle of cleaning the glass cabinets when I received a call from an unknown number. It was my best buddy in law school, Sumita, who decided to take a chance and call my 'old' number to see if it were the same. It is, of course. I was thrilled and touched to hear from her.

How had we managed to drift so far apart? We were thick as thieves in college, and always getting into all kinds of trouble together. We spent our weekends and festive breaks at each other's homes. When I took on summer jobs during the college holidays and she returned to her parental home in Ipoh, we would send each other letters in code (not everyone had internet access and e-mail accounts back then). We tormented our classmates and lecturers, cut classes together, copied each other's assignments (if we bothered to do them at all), and attended political rallies, art exhibitions and every event that came to town, as long as it meant not having to go for lectures. We spent all our money (I was receiving payment for the articles I wrote for the newspapers back then) on alcohol, tattoos and body piercings. We attended every party within a radius of 50 km.

In retrospect, perhaps it was just as well that we drifted apart in 2005. We were both too daring, too adventurous and too foolhardy. If we had remained partners-in-crime past graduation, neither of us would have survived past the age of 28. We were always getting into crazy scrapes together. Being together imbued us with a kind of insane courage and stubborn pride. We were like the Dukes of Hazzard.

The last time we spoke to each other was in 2005, when she had come to spend the week at the condominium I was renting then. She was doing her pupillage and had to attend the Ethics Course. I was already an advocate of the High Court of Malaya, and was encumbered with files, deadlines and unattainable billing and collection targets all the time.

Our different circumstances and responsibilities tore us apart. We lost contact soon after. She was called to the Bar in Ipoh and commenced legal practice with a firm that does mainly personal injury cases. I remained in the City and practiced with mostly banking and civil litigation firms. In the meantime, my responsibilities grew, and I became less reckless, less impetuous and less spontaneous in my adventures. I heard less and less from my dear friend, but did not treat our fading friendship with concern.

I am so glad that Sumita had taken the initiative to contact me after 4 long years, and I promised myself that I would never again let a good friendship die. It is true that we were both growing very different in personality, and that we occasionally had differences in values, but essentially, that is what a friendship is about: Friends give each other room and time to grow, and let each other make mistakes. And friends let friends be @$$holes.

Thank you for coming back into my life, Sumita, and I promise you, next month we will paint the town red, like we used to do!

"Home is where the heart is
But your heart had to roam
Drifting over bridges
Never to return
Watching bridges burn"

- Driftwood, by Travis

National Day Weekend

Friday, 29th Aug 2009: Reflections on our 52nd Independence Day

My buddy Mahendran swung by my office of a Thursday evening when I was working late and we went out to dinner in Brickfields. Over the course of thosai and ginger tea, we discussed the countries we have visited and whether emigration was an option for either of us.

I told him unequivocally that I love Malaysia too much to even consider emigration. Mahendran felt the same way. The response to the question of why I love this country so much, however, was far from straightforward.

Why do I love my country? Because we have a better environmental record than China and a better human rights record than Myanmar? Because I am too afraid to leave my comfort zone? Because I have been conditioned to be complacent?

This brings me back to a conversation I had with Covert Mum, during which she asked if I were now an expert on the geography and political history of all countries, due to the nature of my work.

"No," I was quick to qualify. "I am only an expert in the most rundown, beat-up countries with the highest level of human rights violations. I can tell you everything about Somalia, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, and next to nothing about, say, Norway, Finland or Switzerland". Although my statement was intended jocosely, it did make me wonder if the reason for my patriotism and love of this country is due to the fact that I measure it against the lowest common denominators -- the least developed and least peaceful nations, with the greatest transgressions of civil liberties.

Talking it over with Mahendran helped me realise that this was not so. We know that our country and its people could not just be conveniently reduced to 3 major races and 'other minority races'. We know that we are so much more, and so much better, than the definitions and limitations that the politicians have encumbered us with. We won't play their game anymore, and we won't get fooled again.

What do I love about this country, apart from its natural history, its ancient rainforests, its climate, its abundance of resources and its flora and fauna both indigenous and introduced? What would impel me to put my neck on the line to protect and defend this country?

I love this country for the fact that for every village headman who thinks that it is a good idea to abandon stray dogs on uninhabited islands, there are thousands of Malaysians who would speak up and protest against such cruelty, engage the local council to develop better solutions, assist in or fund the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of the dogs (indeed, put themselves to inconvenience by offering to foster and feed the dogs in their homes until adopters could be found!) and assist in the Pulau Ketam spay and neuter project.

I love this country for the fact that for every bigoted Member of Parliament who proposes measures to subjugate women and restrict women's freedom and leadership, there are thousands of Malaysians who would protest, write letters to the Press, call up radio stations, take action to do the exact opposite of his recommendations and create opportunities for women leaders instead, and provide aid and assistance to women in need.

I love this country for the fact that for every timber company that decides to log an area and displace an indigenous community, there will be thousands of Malaysians who would lobby for environmental protection, protest against social injustice, provide physical and material assistance to the displaced peoples and carry out environmental surveys and data collection, even if amateur, of the area in question.

I love this country for the truck driver and other road users who stopped at a busy Shah Alam intersection, alighted from their cars and helped me in trying to extricate a stray kitten from under a car in 2007.

I love this country for the young people of different faiths and social backgrounds who volunteer with Food Not Bombs to serve vegetarian food to the less fortunate every week, come rain or shine.

I love this country for the Legal Aid volunteer lawyers who had inspired me to follow in their footsteps and had sacrificed so much of their time and resources to provide legal assistance to the most marginalised and disenfranchised groups in our society, despite the constant threat of arbitrary arrest by the police who work to protect the interests of the Federal Government.

I love this country for the people who adopt from shelters, clean up rivers and beaches, volunteer at welfare homes, speak up against injustice and soldier on to make this country the best that She could be.

For we are a young country, and many of our failings are signs of underdevelopment. But the fact that so many of us chose to stay put and strive to help the country overcome its shortcomings, protect its institutions of democracy and civil society and raise its environmental, animal welfare and human rights standards, among others, is what makes this country great.

I know my great-grandparents came to Malaysia from China a hundred years ago for a reason. They saw this country as a land of opportunity for those willing to work hard. They saw this country as a safe place to start a family and raise their young.

I share their vision and I will be part of the mechanism to make it come true. I know that my fellow Malaysians and I will work together to bring inclusiveness, progress, justice and economic, political and environmental stability to this country.

There is a line in our national anthem that goes: Tanah tumpahnya darahku. Loosely translated, it means "The land onto which my blood will spill". It may sound militant, but what it really means is that "this is the country where I will die".

Those words ring true for me. I know this is the country I wish to serve, and this is the country where I will draw my final breath.

Happy 52nd Birthday, Malaysia.

Monday, 31st August 2009: SPCA on Moody Monday



We had a long weekend this week, thanks to the National Day celebrations. I chilled out with my buddies on Friday evening before going back to the parental home the same night so I could wake up early on Saturday and take the Battletank to the workshop to have her resprayed and made buff.

Saturday and Sunday were spent at the parental home with Amber and Chocky. I spring-cleaned the kitchen cabinets, tidied the rest of the house, polished the furniture, gave Amber a bath, washed the cars, cleaned the fountain in the porch, washed the rugs and finally managed to fill in the remaining Scrabble tiles.

It was a productive two days but I was anxious and on the edge the whole time over whether the Whisketeers would get adopted and whether the Battletank would be fine. The workshop guy kept asking me how much gas I had left in the tank, and how far would it go on that much fuel. I had the niggling suspicion that he was going to take his family on a jaunt to Genting Casino before he decided to start work on my car.

I went to the SPCA after breakfast on Monday, driving Covert Mum's utterly femme, berry-coloured mini car. It couldn't possibly be any bigger than a Dodgem car. Being the big brute that I am, I hit my head against the door frame of her car while entering and exiting. Now I know what it feels like when cartoon characters brain themselves and have twittering birds and assorted stars and planets spin and hover above their noggins.

Imagine my relief and happiness when I arrived at the Front Area of the SPCA to find that Mitchell had already been adopted. However, Tabitha and Rafferty were still there, and both looked a bit lean. Dr. Pushpa explained that they had mild flu but were now recovering with medication. I was sad and worried and held my kittens for a while, praying that they would find new homes soon. If they are not adopted and not significantly better by next week, I will take them home and nurse them back to health and fitness. In the meantime, I will just have to put my faith in the SPCA and trust them to call me in the event the kittens are not recovering as they should.

I kissed the Whisketeers good luck and got to work washing the dogs in Kennels D, E, and F. I prepared a tub of Tacktik EC solution, grabbed the shampoo bottles, leashes, grooming scissors and flea comb, and started work on the six forgotten dogs in Kennel D.

I was in the middle of washing and grooming the dogs when I noticed a few visitors watching me. They stared, perhaps out of habit, but made no indication that they were remotely interested in what I was doing. There were no smiles and no greetings forthcoming.

There is nothing I hate more than when people stop to stare, as though I were a bad smell. The look on their faces says it all: "Thank God I don't have to do dirty work like the poor people here!" It makes me irritable and sarcastic.

"Hello," I called out to them, unnecessarily loud and unnecessarily brash, "Are you here for a visit or is there any resident dog or cat in particular that you would like to adopt?"

"Egads," their expressions seemed to say as they regarded me with surprise and suspicion, "It speaks English!"

"Just looking," they would then mumble, shifting uncomfortably.

"Well, if you're going to stand and stare, you might as well come in and lend me a hand", I press further.

The starers disperse to make themselves useless elsewhere. My strategy works every time. Nothing gets rid of people quicker than the idea of hard work. Sometimes, though, I am lucky enough to get visitors who actually chirp "Okay!" and dive right in. Such visitor-volunteers are overwhelmingly female, and overwhelmingly young. Still, it is a heartening trend that should be encouraged.

I finished washing and grooming about 15 dogs and wrote a note to let the vets know which dogs have been washed. The visitors and office staff have all left, and it was time to let the dogs out to play in the shelter compound. I put away my dog-washing kit and commenced cleaning the shelter. I put the donated newspapers away, cleaned out the litter trays and washed and disinfected the Front Office/Admin/Reception Area. Next, I soaped and disinfected the cages, kennels, Cattery, Maternity Kennels and washroom. Reve was still in Belgium and there were no other volunteers around, so it took me a fair bit of time to get everything shipshape and sanitised.

Hauled out the trash, had a shower in the shelter washroom, kissed Tabitha and Rafferty goodnight and left the SPCA premises around 1930h. Swung by the barbershop for a sensible haircut. Short-back-and-sides-and-trim-the-sideburns. This time, though, I made sure I didn't end up looking like a pudding basin on legs.

I was in the midst of feeding the Rowdies already when I received a text message from a good buddy, RJ, who was in need of some company. I drove over to RJ's house so he wouldn't have to nurse his broken heart alone. A heartache hurts as much at 50 as at 15. The only difference is that we learn to cope in different ways with the passage of time. We had a few beers and watched golf on the sports channel. I know RJ is trying very hard to be strong and to move on with life, and he is doing a good job so far, but perhaps we both need to get in touch with our emotions a smidgen more.

I am in the midst of compiling a CD of songs for my broken-hearted buddy. Although I know RJ's preferred genres are reggae and classic rock, music of the 60s and 70s should also speak to his soul as they do to mine. If you have any good songs to add to my list, please let me know!

My existing list:
1. Sharing the Night Together by Dr. Hook
2. Woman by John Lennon
3. I'd Really Like To See You Tonight by England Dan and John Ford Coley
4. Babe by Styx
5. Moment of Forgiveness by the Indigo Girls
6. Sometimes A Song by Dan Fogelberg
7. A Little Bit More by Dr. Hook
8. How Can I Tell Her About You by Lobo.
9. Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
10. Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
11. Against All Odds by Phil Collins
12. Look Away by Chicago

Weekend Duty

Saturday, 22nd August 2009: Weekend Duty

I had pledged to be on mobile registration duty on Saturday, and so I was up early to clean the cage and litter trays and get the kittens ready to go to the SPCA before I left for work.

Dr. Pushpa was already at the SPCA feeding the animals when I arrived before 0800h, and had been expecting the Whisketeers and me. She advised me to let the Whisketeers be put up for adoption at the Outreach Booth this weekend at the Tropicana City Mall, and I concurred because their chances of adoption would be better there. I kissed each kitten goodbye and good luck and left them in the care of the good doctor until Jacinta and Nicole arrived to collect them from the shelter.

Tropicana City Mall, just down the road from the BOQ

Arrived at the Office at 0815h and got to work straight away. It was a productive morning and everything ran smoothly. We were done for the day by noon, and our coordinator sent for pizza. It started to rain torrentially just as we were in the middle of our scrumptious pizza lunch. I finished my meal, thanked my colleagues and our coordinator, and drove back to the parental home for the rest of the weekend.

My heart was aching over having to part with my beloved Whisketeers, although I didn't let my sorrow show. I prayed that the Whisketeers would find good homes and that they would be happy and healthy always.


Sunday, 23rd August 2009: Another Soiree

I had spent much of Saturday and Sunday giving Amber a bath, cleaning the parental home, spring cleaning the parental kitchen cabinets, washing the cars and helping Covert Mum re-pot her chilli plants. Sunday was also Vinayagar Chatthurti, or Lord Ganesha's Birthday, and the parents and I went vegan for the entire day to prepare for our temple visit in the evening.

Made another futile attempt at filling in the rest of Covert Mum’s faded Scrabble tiles with the Sharpie I had used the week before. There wasn’t anything wrong with the Sharpie – it’s just that the original green paint from the tiles kept coming off and clogging up the nib of the Sharpie. I hit my head repeatedly against the side of the coffee table in my frustration. The glass felt cool against my forehead.

“Why are you hitting your head on the table?” Covert Mum wanted to know.
“Because if I were to hit someone else’s head, it would be assault and battery,” I sighed.

Covert Mum took away the Sharpie and applied heat to it but it didn’t help. Another good pen destined for the landfill. So long, pen.

Left the parental home at 1900h to attend my buddy Adeline's soiree. Adeline's baby, Meagan, turned two, and a gathering of family and friends was in order. I met some of my buddies at the party and made a few new friends.

Here I am, reading to Meagan.

It seemed like only yesterday that the football team attended Adeline and Philip's wedding at the church in Brickfields, and now their little one is already two. It won't be long before I am ready for reading glasses, Birkenstocks and a Zimmer frame. C'est la vie.

Many Happy Returns, Meagan.


Monday, 24th August 2009: SPCA on My Day Off

Weeded my unruly little yard in the BOQ in the morning before leaving for the SPCA. I was anxious, of course, to see if the Whisketeers had been adopted. They hadn't. They were still there, active and ambulant but otherwise missing me. They clambered up the side of the big cage they were currently housed in and cried plaintively at me to pick them up and bring them home. I spent a quiet moment with them, explaining why I had to give them up, but promising them that I would do all I can to ensure that they go to happy homes.

The weather was fair and I wasted no time getting to work washing the Pound Dogs. I hauled a pail of tickwash over to the Pound and started leashing the dogs. Many were skittish or displayed antisocial behaviour such as snapping and snarling. Thean came up to me and asked if I could let two volunteers assist me. I turned around and, lo and behold, it was the two gormless youngsters who had hindered my work 3 weeks ago.

I hadn't expected to see them again but I had hoped that they would have learned something about volunteering and the care of animals in their last couple of visits to the shelter. They hadn't. I let them handle the more good-natured dogs while I took on the snarling, biting ones. They stood there watching me with glazed eyes and their hands at their sides as I wrestled with a churlish Alsatian-cross. They provided me with an audience I never requested, watching me work while they stood there with the hose in their hands, water running down the drain, while the dog they were supposed to wash stood there shivering in a shampooey mess.

"Come on," I urged them, trying to sound friendly and encouraging. “The poor dog will catch his death of cold. Just give him a good wash and let me have the hose next.”

I thought I was going to die of old age watching the youngsters tickwash the dog. We finished washing all the Pound dogs and I cleaned the place up. The youngsters slouched off to do whatever inconsequential thing they had been doing before they came to ‘help’ me at the Pound. I commenced cleaning the Cattery and scrubbing and disinfecting all the cat baskets, litter trays and food and water bowls.




Beautiful cats for adoption at the SPCA. Won’t you give them a home?


Next, I cleaned the dog and puppy enclosures and Maternity Kennels. I washed and disinfected the Front Reception/Admin/Office area and took out the trash. I worked solidly for 2 more hours until the shelter was clean enough to meet my exacting standards. It was 1930h when I was done. I went up to the Bungalow to shower and change. Jacinta and Nicole were surprised to see me, as they were not aware that I was having a day off and had been at the shelter all day.

Stopped by the SS2 night market on my way home. I am convinced by now that you can purchase everything and the kitchen sink at the night market. I swear I even saw a stall selling Made-In-China sex toys (“Love Stick” and “Nipple Play”, anyone?) in between the stalls selling Korean kimchi and bubble tea. I stocked up on organic fruits and veggies to last me the week, polished off a chilled young coconut and headed home to the BOQ.

The coming workweek brings with it the promise of new adventures.

Letter to the Editor: Make Welfare of Zoo Animals A Priority

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
MAKE WELFARE OF ZOO ANIMALS A PRIORITY

I concur with SM Mohd Idris' view that Zoo Negara should place more emphasis on the welfare of its animals (Letters, 25 August 2009).

For years, complaints from disappointed visitors and outraged animal lovers were met with the official response that once funds have been received, Zoo Negara would be able to upgrade its facilities and improve the living conditions of the animals. Years have passed but the animals are still living in squalor. Very little effort is made to truly educate visitors on the animals' natural history or on animal welfare and wildlife conservation issues.

I am of the opinion that improving the quality of life of zoo animals need not be a costly exercise. The management of Zoo Negara could take basic steps such as the following:
1. All washable substrates should be cleaned and disinfected regularly and rotting food and animal waste must be removed from non-washable substrates as quickly as possible for health, safety and aesthetic purposes.
2.There should be proper drainage systems in the animal enclosures and there should not be standing water in the enclosures after a heavy rain. I have noticed algae-infested enclosures and food and water receptacles each time I visit Zoo Negara. This creates a risk of contamination of food and water, and of injury to animals and people due to slippery surfaces.
3. All animal enclosures must be of sufficient size and complexity to allow the animal to display species-typical behaviour such as dust-bathing, climbing or roosting, and must have sufficient variety in the substrate and topography to allow the animals to withdraw from social interaction with other animals and humans if the need arises.
4. Animal enclosures must not be overcrowded and must allow animals an opportunity for privacy. This is especially important in the petting zoo section, as most of the animals there did not appear to enjoy being handled by humans.
5. The animals at Zoo Negara appear to have been mostly grouped together according to taxonomy, i.e. all primates, or all birds, as opposed to being grouped in ersatz environments that attempt to resemble the animals' natural habitats and social groups.
6. I have read media reports that enrichment programmes were being carried out for the Zoo Negara animals but have not seen evidence of this in action. The animals at Zoo Negara looked invariably bored, listless and lethargic. Enrichment programmes such as food puzzles that help develop natural hunting or foraging skills, and auditory and olfactory simulations that resemble what an animal may hear and smell back in its habitat, do not cost much but will be able to provide animals in captivity with mental and physical stimulation.
7. Since the moats at Zoo Negara appear to be perpetually dirty, stagnant and foul-smelling, I would suggest filling up the moats where practicable and building solid walls with overhangs instead, to prevent escape and human-animal conflict. Viewing panels could be built into the walls, and some of these viewing panels should be of appropriate size and strength to safely allow for photo opportunities. This would eliminate the need for constant cleaning and filtration of the moats, create more land space in each enclosure and eliminate the problem of humans feeding junk to the animals or throwing things into animal enclosures. The walls could be constructed to appear more naturalistic, for example, to resemble a bamboo grove or tree trunks.

To be successful, Zoo Negara needs to do far more than just expand its collection of animal exhibits. Zoo Negara must be seen to practice and promote animal welfare. Zoo Negara's current strategy of adding animal exhibits without first attempting to reduce animal deaths simply defies science and common sense. A zoo that meets its purpose and acceptable standards is one that emphasises education and creates opportunity for scientific research and animal propagation to support wildlife conservation programmes.

WONG EE LYNN
PETALING JAYA

What a difference a month makes!

This is the true joy in life - being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
~George Bernard Shaw

It has been a month since I started working here, and things just get better every day. I believe I am growing as a person and progressing well in my training programme. I have registered to volunteer for hotline duty on weeknights and mobile registration duty on Saturday. Minor duties and assignments after official work hours aren’t inconveniences, and shouldn’t be treated as such. It is a privilege and a pleasure to be able to be of use and of help, and I hope I can be both to the people I work with.

Saturday, 15th August 2009: What A Difference A Month Makes

Saturday, 15th August 2009:

What a difference a month makes to young animals! 5 weeks ago, when I first brought Tabitha, Mitchell and Rafferty home, they were skinny, sick from eye infection and mild flu, and full of worms. I dosed them with deworming pills every 2 weeks, took them to our ever-patient and ever-competent Dr. Steven when they were unwell, and had them vaccinated on 8th August. I fed them at least 4 meals a day -- 2 of dry kibbles and 2 of canned food/boiled chicken mixed with Felavite vitamin paste, Liv .52, Vitapet vitamin oil and crushed chlorella and spirullina pills. I cleaned their 'room' frequently and supplied them with fresh water and stimulating toys. The kittens responded by doubling in size and weight, and growing into the sweetest, brightest little cats ever.

I wish I had the resources and capacity to keep Tabitha, Mitchell and Rafferty for myself, but alas, as with all animal rescuers and fosterers, the time must come when we have to put our animal babies up for adoption and pray that they find good and loving homes.

It was with a heavy heart that I cleaned out their room and loaded them into the carrier on Saturday morning. I put the Whisketeers in the large multi-tiered cage in the front area of the Shelter together with other kittens of the same age and size. Tabitha, Mitchell and Rafferty huddled together unhappily, fear and incomprehension written all over their tiny faces. I felt miserable when I gave them a good luck kiss each.

Reve cheered me up tremendously when she informed me that the kitten that Muniandy removed from the gap in the roof last week had been adopted the day after her dramatic rescue. I didn't think that the little one would find a home so soon, but I am definitely happy and grateful she did. Apparently, the kitten's new parents were taken in by her long whiskers and her fine but unruly hair. She looked quite a character, and I am glad someone else thought so too.

I went about my usual duties at the shelter, giving the pound dogs baths and tickwashes. I had to stop when the sky turned dark and overcast, so I put away the pail, shampoo and tickwash and started cleaning the kennels instead.

Dr. Lim advised me that the Whisketeers should be kept at home for another week for their immune systems to develop, as seven days after vaccination was a little too early for them to be exposed to other cats just yet. I wanted to bring the Whisketeers home straight away but Reve persuaded me to wait another day, just in case any of them get adopted on Sunday. Reluctantly, I agreed, but promised the kittens that I would come to pick them up on Monday after work.

I cleaned the Cattery and scrubbed out all the cat baskets and litter trays. Then I washed and disinfected the Maternity Kennels and the dog enclosures behind the office. Reve supervised the dogs at play in the compound while I cleaned and disinfected the Front Office/Admin/Reception area.

I finished cleaning the shelter around 1900h and went up to the Bungalow to shower and to meet Nicole and Cue for dinner. We discussed the new staff and volunteer guidelines that had outraged all of us. Of course, I had to suggest ways to circumvent the guidelines, but I added the proviso that all my great ideas have always gotten me (and occasionally, others too) into trouble. I paid for dinner and walked the short distance to the shelter in the rain to kiss the Whisketeers goodbye and assure them that I would come to pick them up on Monday.

Returned to the BOQ, tidied the place up, prepared food for the Rowdies (I was by then missing preparing food for the Whisketeers already) and drove back to the parental home for the rest of the weekend.
















Tabitha
















Mitchell
















Rafferty

Sunday, 16th August 2009:

On Sunday, I gave Amber a bath, cleaned the parental living and dining rooms and polished the furniture, prepared lunch, cleaned the kitchen, collected rainwater for reuse, sorted out the things for recycling, filled in the faded letters on Covert Mum's Scrabble tiles with a set of Sharpies and took Amber and Chocky for a car ride and walks. It has been a good and productive weekend, so why do I find my mind drifting to the Whisketeers so frequently?

Monday, 17th August 2009: Home again, for the time being

As per the arrangement, I went back to the SPCA on Monday evening after work to pick up Tabitha, Mitchell and Rafferty. Reve had been too optimistic: my beautiful babies had not been adopted. They were very happy to see me and climbed gratefully into the carrier without me having to put them in there myself.

The drive home was terrible, due to the heavy rains and flash floods. 52 years have passed since Independence and we still don't have a good stormwater management system in the capital city. What rum.

Thankfully, the Whisketeers slept through most of the drive home, their little bodies pressed against one another in the carrier for warmth, the bells on their smart little collars gleaming in the dim evening light filtered through the carrier opening. I felt such a pang of love for them then. "Dear God, please keep them safe. Please keep them healthy and happy, and find them good homes", I prayed fervently.

We reached home after over 2 wretched hours on the road in the migraine-inducing rain. Made a semi-hot meal for the Rowdies and Whisketeers, of canned food, cod liver oil and cat multivitamins. I will have to part again with the Whisketeers this coming Saturday, so I intend to make the most of the time I have with them.

Tabitha, Mitchell and Rafferty ~ Know that wherever you may go, there will always be a special place for you in my heart.
















Shadow trying to get chummy with Mitchell
















Pixie giving Tabitha a kiss

















Shadow chillin’ out
















Mini-Me hogging the wicker chair

Friday, 21st August 2009: ‘Healing Pets Animal Clinic’ Tribute Page Goes Live!

My Facebook Fan/Tribute Page to the wonderful vet and crew of Healing Pets Animal Clinic, Damansara Jaya, is up and running!
















The exterior of the Clinic

















The man himself, Dr. Steven Yoon!

Dr. Steven and his crew have never failed to impress me with their professionalism, competence, and most of all, compassion. This is definitely a vet who makes saving lives a priority!

I have utilised the services of at least 7 other vets before, but my search ended when I discovered this clinic and the wonderful service they provide. Not only do they treat human clients with respect and empathy, and animal patients with kindness and understanding, they also do their own rehabilitation and rehoming of strays and abandoned or rescued animals.

HEALING PETS ANIMAL CLINIC
DR. STEVEN YOON, DVM
16, (GROUND FLOOR),
JALAN SS 22/25, DAMANSARA JAYA,
47400 PETALING JAYA
TEL: 03- 77256254
H/P: 012-3132865

‘Science of Survival’ Exhibition and other news

Saturday, 8th August 2009: Science of Survival Exhibition at the National Science Centre

I have read many good things in environmental education forums on The Science of Survival, an award-winning travelling exhibition on scientific and technological solutions to environmental problems, and so when the exhibition was held at our National Science Centre, I persuaded my like-minded friends to visit, in the hope that we may get more ideas for our future nature and environmental outreach activities.

Our respective social, volunteer and work commitments made it impossible for us to settle on a date to visit until last Saturday, 8th August, and since many of us had prior weekend engagements, I decided it would be best for us to visit in the morning and be done by noon. We met up at the National Science Centre at 0900h, not expecting to find the whole place crawling with ankle-biters in surgical masks with similarly bemasked schoolteachers. We had expected the young’uns to stay home due to the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak. As with most other places of interest in Malaysia, the National Science Centre was rather rundown and many exhibits were missing vital pieces or were not functioning.

The The Science of Survival exhibition, however, made up for the mediocrity of the Science Centre. Although it was a rather small exhibition, its interactive nature and the information-packed displays and games made it worth the rather steep ticket prices.


















The exhibition hall looks like something out of an 80’s video game, doesn’t it?


















Eugene, Mohala, Cindy (Cerys in arms) and Lavanya at the concourse of the National Science Centre.


































Me checking out the virtual pool which bears the message:
"Of every 100 drops of water on earth
97 are too salty to drink
2 are locked in ice and snow
1 is fresh water"























The display on water purification, desalination, extraction and conservation innovations featured, inter alia, a toilet lid sink, a play pump, a rolling water drum (Q-Drum), a heavy-duty rainwater barrel, an emergency water desalination kit, and a fog net for water collection.


































Lavanya, Eugene, Mohala, Cindy and Cerys challenging each other in the water conservation video game.


















Food security and sustainability: Will there be enough food for everyone to meet the Millennium Development Goals? Can food be sustainably and safely produced, transported, prepared and preserved? The displays featured, among others, an Egloo portable chicken coop, a solar cooker unit, a pot-in-a-pot electricity-free cooler, fungus-based lab-cultured meat substitute and a kitchen composter.


















Playing the food distribution game. As you can see, Vegan Eugene and Lavanya had loaded their plates only with vegan food, those crazy grass-eating, treehugging, hippies!


















My turn! I have... broccoli, bananas and pizza. Whose idea is it to leave desserts out of my menu?!?!


















Designing our own vehicles for Future City.


















Fuel-saving innovations and alternatives to fossil fuels: A kite-powered ship which can reduce diesel consumption by as much as 20%, the Airbus A380, and hydrogen fuel cells, among others. Even if you are one of those who believe that climate change is not caused by human activity, when is it ever a bad idea to be able to run a vehicle on half the fuel it normally consumes?




















Alternative building materials and energy-saving fittings. I loved the tiles and bricks made of once-used plastic resin, aluminium and plastic/rubber foam. Now isn’t that a good way of putting to use plastic and other waste that would otherwise just take up landfill space?



















The little town I created was entered into the network so it could join all the other development projects in Future City, and we could see the environmental impact of the kind of lifestyle we chose to have.

My buddies chose to stay on a little longer to look at the other exhibits in the National Science Centre. I bade them goodbye and left the Science Centre by 1230h, as I was anxious to take the Whisketeers to the SPCA for vaccination, and didn’t want to leave it too late.

Although the games were much too easy for my gang, I did feel that it was money well-spent as the exhibition was informative as well as engaging, and ultimately, forward-looking. It wasn’t another all-doom-and-gloom exhibition about deforestation and global warming, although those are also important components of environmental consciousness. Instead, it was one that offers solutions and alternatives, and celebrates creativity and innovation. It showed us that humans can meet our own needs without having to destroy our natural environment, displace indigenous communities or deplete our resources. It showed us how everything we purchase, consume and utilise, from biofuels and organic produce to SUVs and ocean liners, have an environmental cost. And ultimately, it showed us that humans can be agents of positive change, and that the choice is in our hands.

Saturday, 8th August 2009: SPCA Saturday

I went back to the BOQ, cleaned up after the kitties and put Tabitha, Mitchell and Rafferty in the large carrier. So off we went to the SPCA for the kittens’ first vaccination. The kitties were rambunctious, as usual, but thankfully did not foul up the carrier. We arrived at the SPCA safely and Dr. Pushpa was very helpful in getting them vaccinated immediately so I could put them in a cage with food and water to rest until I was ready to take them home.

Cindy came by on her bike to discuss some of her concerns about her coordinatorship of Green Living. I thought her ideas very brave and ambitious but assured her of my support. Thean and Rose joined us for tea at the warong and I left after I finished my tea, as I wanted to get to work at the shelter.

Reve was busy with the potential adopters visiting the kennels, while Marianne was similarly occupied feeding the kittens and cats out in the Front Office/Admin/Reception area. I got to work cleaning and disinfecting the Cattery and cages.

Halfway through cleaning the Kennels, after the vets and staff had gone home, I spotted what I thought was a dead black kitten stuck in the space between the beam and zinc roof of the Cattery. I shouted for Reve to come help me remove the poor kitten, when the kitten suddenly gave a little squirm. It was alive, but weak! There was no way the kitten could extricate herself from that tight space. I tried stacking up the chairs and climbing up, but had a nasty fall. Then I thought of climbing up the shelter roof from the outside, since that particular part of the shelter was below street level. I ran out, briefed Muniandy (who was already off duty and was having a cigarette outside) and Reve, Muniandy and I got to work testing the roof (so we don’t fall through the broken bits and hurt the animals that we might fall on). Reve and I tried to lean far enough over the edge to catch the kitten but it was far tougher than it looked and I developed vertigo after my 3rd attempt. Muniandy approached the tiny kitten carefully so as not to spook her and cupped her swiftly in his hands. She was safe! Muniandy was a hero!

Reve put the tiny kitten in a cage with 2 other kittens that had just arrived and gave her a dose of deworming medicine. We will try to find her a home, failing which, Project Second Chance will take over and vaccinate, neuter and rehome her out of my own resources.

(Update as at date of blogpost: Reve managed to get find Ebony, the black kitten, a new home!)

I offered to buy Muniandy dinner but he was quite bashful, so I didn’t push it. I resumed cleaning the shelter and soaped and disinfected the floor and all the enclosures and fixtures while Reve hosed it off. The shelter looked and smelled a darn sight better when we were through.

I cleaned myself up, put the Whisketeers back in their carrier, and barrelled on home to the BOQ. After ensuring that all the kitties had food, water, litter and clean bedding, I hugged them goodbye and went back to the parental home to spend Sunday with the parents, Amber and Chocky. Sunday was spent cleaning the parental home, dismantling and cleaning the cookerhood and stove, giving Amber a bath, walking the dogs, and accompanying Covert Twin and his girlfriend to the official launch of the housing area in which they had bought a house.

It’s been another good weekend.

Tuesday, 11th August 2009: Animal Welfare Update

Animal Welfare Update: Remember the Letter to the Editor that Pat, Larnee, Charmaine, Christine and I submitted on the use of bullhooks on the elephants at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary? Well, the Sec-Gen of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment has responded, and they reported that they have done away with the use of bullhooks at the Centre! Read all about it here: No More Bullhooks. It sounds too good to be true, so the public and animal welfare groups will have to be vigilant in monitoring them and providing checks and balances. The official statement from the Ministry was, of course, highly appreciated. Hurray for a better quality of life for the elephants!

Charlie Mike, Commando!

'Hari Organik' Weekend and other news

My original plans for the weekend were to clean the BOQ on Friday night, attend CETDEM's 'Hari Organik' (i.e. Organic Day) event on Saturday morning and volunteer at the SPCA on Saturday afternoon. But things don't always work out exactly the way we want them to, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

As part of my ongoing waste reduction efforts, I found and acted on this great tip from the Recycle This website which prevented Jake's stale tortillas from being consigned to the compost pit. I made tortilla chips from the dry and otherwise unappetising tortillas in our fridge on Friday night. I have managed to salvage a sizeable and clean pizza box from the office after one of our pizza lunches, and will be transforming it into a solar oven, so the next batch of tortilla chips can be baked in my solar oven. (I sometimes wonder if I should be going out on Friday nights more.)

On Saturday morning, as planned, I borrowed Jake's bike and helmet (my T-Bolt is at the parental home) and cycled to the SS2 junction to meet Vegan Eugene after his tennis match. I had suggested cycling to CETDEM's Hari Organik event as it was less than 10km away, and I felt that putting another car on the road (even if carpooling) would defeat the purpose of Hari Organik.

The objectives of Hari Organik are to encourage consumers to purchase and consume local produce, to help new organic farmers/traders establish their market, to promote healthy and environmentally-conscious living, and inculcate community spirit. Visitors and consumers were encouraged to bring their own shopping bags and food containers to the event to minimise packaging and waste.

So, in the punishing and relentless heat we pedalled, dodging heavy traffic and potholes to get to the playground in Jalan 19/22. I am glad Vegan Eugene was with me, because I would never have been able to locate the event grounds on my own.

As we were pulling into the playground, we saw Anthony and Mr. Gurmit leave the event grounds (a bit of a blow to me, since I had wanted to talk to Anthony). We locked our bikes to a signpost and almost immediately began bumping into friends.

James C. came up to us with his friend Mr. Khoo and ribbed us about the bikes. Then we met Mohala, who had set up a booth to sell forest portraits. At the same booth, we met Vegan Eugene's friend Lavanya. Moseying around, I bumped into Sheela P., Chung Lu, Yao, Petri, Natasha and Edo. I find it remarkable that people from various diverse non-governmental organisations still move around in the same circles. Hundreds of people at an event and I know at least 10% of them.
















I forgot to bring my bike lock so Vegan Eugene had to lock my bike with his.


















Booths selling local organic produce having a busy morning. I bought trail mix and sugarcane juice for Eugene and myself, and fruit and vegetables for the parents.
















Mohala helping Noah J. sell his hauntingly beautiful forest portraits.
















Hello! What a pleasant surprise! It was good to see Chung Lu and Yao's friendly faces.
















Organic cookies for sale. I bought peanut and oatmeal cookies and apple crumble (which, true to its name, crumbled into a gooey (but still delish) apple mess in its container after being bounced about in my backpack) for Jake and Jess.
















Sheela is going to cook someone a yummy organic dinner tonight!
















Petri pretended to concentrate on a banner when I told him I was going to take a photo of him. Come on, give us a smile, Petri!

















The CETDEM organic garden across the road from the event grounds.
















May Leng from Green Meadow giving a demonstration on preparing vegan food. We learned how to make yummy vegan spring rolls, seaweed handrolls and tofu pockets. Drop me an email if you would like the recipes.























Eugene and I getting ready to go for lunch after the event, at 1600h.

I had wanted to leave before 1300h in order that I may still go to the SPCA to volunteer in the afternoon, but we ended up spending more time at the Hari Organik event than I had expected. In addition, Jake had advised me against going to the city centre due to the police crackdown against the anti-Internal Security Act protestors. I was informed that the roadblocks had caused traffic jams lasting up till an hour or more. Considering the impracticality of going to the SPCA that day, I decided to stay on at the Hari Organik event and help out.

Eugene and I helped our friends pack up and carry their goods to their vehicles and to the CETDEM community centre. Our friend Edo gave us some tapioca to take home, and another friend from CETDEM gave us glutinous rice rolls. We helped to tidy up the event grounds (which was really very clean as hardly any waste was generated) and chatted with our friends before finally leaving at 1600h for lunch.

We weaved in and out of traffic and through the back alleys, with our now very heavy and ungainly backpacks and the tapioca poking into our backs as we rode over bumps, until we reached Giant Bowl, our favourite restaurant at the moment. We had a late lunch of noodles and chilled out for a bit before we cycled back to Eugene's place.

I played with Eugene's cat, Pearl, and we watched some YouTube videos before I went home. As it was still warm outside, I gave the Rowdies a bath. Pixie practically deafened me with his wailing, but the other cats behaved really well.

I met up with fellow blogger Keats on Saturday night, to discuss the possibility of conducting a Green Living programme for the Sunshine Ladies, a team of amazing volunteers who carry out enriching activities at a welfare home for the disabled. Keats took me out to dinner at the Decanter. I got to see Keats' lovely home, meet her husband and daughter, and play with her handsome lab retriever, Robbie. (Thank you for having me, Keats. I really appreciate it.)

Sunday was spent back at the parental home. I cleaned the house, checked the cars' oil and radiator water levels, washed and walked Amber and Chocky, spring-cleaned my bedroom and cooked the tapioca I had been given.

I may have missed the opportunity to help out at the SPCA this weekend, but at least I had the pleasure of spending time with my friends.

CO78, Over.