No News But Puppy News!

This past 10/10 (Taiwan's Birthday) I dogsat the puppy, Toby and one of the volunteer's dog.

Toby is doing very well! He is newspaper trained, got medicine for his skin, should be getting his vaccinations soon and is getting used to living inside. I think he enjoys it :)

He loves to play and loves cuddling!

We are going to take him to Jinguo park one of these Sundays and try to get him adopted!!



As for me, I've been reading "The Secret" I need to make some attitude changes in mylife as well as other changes.

I really like the book! although it does get a bit "infomercial"on ya, but you just take what you can out of it and apply it!

Hino and I went to this second-hand store on Min Sheng Rd. 150...they help Taichung PAWS and even the name of the store is something to do with loving animals :)

I bought the English version of Herman Hesse's "Sddhartha" for only NT$50(€1,13) and a travel Chinese Chess set for only NT$10(€0,23) which I will be bringing to Holland so that we can play iton the way to German Christmas Markets :)

I plan on donating a bunch of stuff and if you have stuff to donate, that'd be great!!

I love second-hand stores!!! I wish there were more here :(

Wow...I'm so boring...I know nothing...

I hope my next blog entry will be better :)

In Need of Some Positivity

Most people don't read quotes and they think that the people who use quotes to help lift their spirits are silly or ridiculous.

I am one of those silly or ridiculous people. I can't help it! When I read a positive quote, it motivates me to be a better person! Where's the wrong in that?

Soooo, here are some of my favorite quotes:

"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass. " -Maya Angelou

"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows will only fall behind you" -Asian Proverb

"Keep your thoughts positive, because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive, because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny." -Gandhi

"The lotus flower blooms most beautifully from the deepest and thickest mud." - Taro Gold

"Everyone fails sometimes, but no one is a failure." -Taro Gold

These are only a couple! I have tons more!! When I feel ready to give up, I sit in bed before I go to sleep and read these, to remind me that I am here to become a better person and to help!!

What good does giving up do?! NO GOOD!

So, right now I need positivity more than anything right now as last week I wanted to give up. I can't give up on anything! I just need to keep researching, fighting and helping!! Everyone has rough patches...nothing is perfect and right now I am in one, but everything will work out as it always does!

I just have to say this one more time. I am so grateful for my fambly...I love them so much!! And I'm so grateful for da Hino...he has been so patient with me(kind of-haha!) and has helped me with so much!

And I am grateful for everyone at Taichung PAWS!

Now I have to stay positive and start helping!

Thank you



P.S. Caroline's blog "An Animal Lover's Diary in Taiwan"
http://dragon-abroad.livejournal.com/

The Puppy Update:

Some good news on the puppy!

One of the volunteers is fostering the puppy temporarily until we can either find another foster home or better yet, a permanent LOVING home!

The puppy will not be called Toetje because it is too hard to pronounce (will have to save that when I can actually HAVE a dog) but my volunteer friend will think of a good English name for him!

So she took him to the vet and he has had so far:
A de-heartworming pill
a drop on his back of the anti-tick and flea stuff
medicine because he does have a slight skin condition-When I held him though I didn't really notice it so it doesn't seem to be serious.
and something else but I can't remember

He will be getting his vaccinations soon!

I have decided to foot the bill for the puppy because I feel it is my need. I want to keep that puppy and since I am not allowed and my schedule won't allow it either, I want to do what I can to give this puppy a chance to have a loving home!! A loving family to cuddle with just like Bogart!!

Obviously, I am an English teacher in Taiwan so I am absolutely NOT rolling in dough, but in my eyes, this puppy is worth it! If I were a millionaire, I'd probably adopt so many doggies!!!! :)


As for his age: he is about 3 and a half months old! He is playful and shows his love!

As for me, I need to do more research on helping this lil guy get adopted ASAP!

Laundry is calling me and so is my vanilla tea. I have such a headache. I have also dedicated myself to an hour of studying Chinese every night so that I won't be the stupid one in class anymore! I honestly have no confidence in anything right now.

A Clash of Culture; The Conclusion

So, we had a meeting yesterday about Tsaotun.

It was intense at first! We were emotional (especially me since my "Aunt Flo" is visiting) and they were were emotional. We have our beliefs and they have theirs.

They told us that in one shelter they help, people will throw puppies and dogs over the fence at night. They always see dead puppies in the shelter yard or dead dogs because they were thrown over.

There are even some people who put poison in dog and feed it to street dogs

People are horrible creatures and you wonder why I am so emotional about this. Other animals don't kill each other for fun or a "rush"! Dogs don't torture other animals simply because it is "bored"! Dogs have basic needs and instincts and only kill out of self defense for themselves, for food or whatever. Dogs give people love. loyalty and care. If they are mean it is because you are doing something that is making them scared or nervous or probably because some asshole treated them badly. They are just protecting their best interests is all.

For a while it seemed like we were going in circles. And I couldn't understand half of it because my Chinese is so limited (am considering Chinese classes every day for the extra exposure) and this was making me even more upset (I'm sure everyone else,too) because I was so afraid we wouldn't come to a positive decision...

But in the end we did!

So we will keep going to Tsaotun and helping them as long as they give the dogs the medical treatment they need and if there are problems they contact us. That's why we are here!! To help!!

I think this purely a clash of culture. They think one way. We think another. We just need to find a way to mesh so that we have the best interest for the dogs and so far I think it was successful!

Sooooo....
My friends, the other volunteers, said they would help me find foster homes for the puppy"Toetje" as long as I take him to the dog park on Sunday and keep finding ways to get him adopted!! Since it is IMPOSSIBLE during the week, I have committed to the weekend because this puppy NEEDS to get out of the cage and start living in homes! I can't wait to walk him in the park..in a way he kind of reminds me of Bogart when he is happy so it will be good!

I am also going to walk Dai Dai on Saturdays still as planned! It is not only for the dogs, but for me. I think it is good for me because I can get out, get some fresh air and it is good therapy because Dai Dai always makes me laugh and I'm sure Toetje will too and laughter is the best medicine. Plus, this is motivation for me to get them into a LOVING home!!

I am so grateful for that, really, because I joined this group not only to make friends with people who I have something in common with, but to also help these dogs!! And if I didn't/don't save the puppy then I'm a failure (in my opinion)!! I am afraid of failure.

After the meeting, we went to a nearby pub and had a couple drinks. I had an Erdinger because it's Oktoberfest in Germany and a Weissbier sounded so damn good and it was!! I actually don't drink in Taiwan much so one beer and I was drunk. But it was nice to talk to everyone! Learn where they are from, who they are (besides dog and cat lovers), their family and all that. It was what we needed and they have become my friends (and I hope I have become theirs).

I really feel positive about the future. It's going to take extra hard work (since this isn't our job-we all have day jobs), sweat, tears and a LOT of research(on MY part) to make it better but I know we can do it!

It was quite obvious last night that we ALL care deeply and caring is one step toward a great and positive future!

I will leave you with a quote:
"One who works with you is equal to ten who work for you."
-Taro Gold "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life"

"Ten Promises to My Dog"

http://www.petshealth.com/dr_library/10-commandments.html

		Ten Commandments From a Dog's Point of View Author: Stan Rawlinson Dip MTCBPT.PAACT Copyright © 1989-2006. All Rights Reserved Used with Author's permission My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Regular separation from you will be painful and can even cause depression. Think before you buy me. Give me time to understand what you want from me don't be impatient, short-tempered or irritable. Place your trust in me and I will always trust you back, respect is earned not given as some sort of inalienable right. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. I am not capable of understanding why I am being locked up. I only know I have been rejected. You have your work, entertainment and friends. I only have you. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your tone. "You only have to look at my tail" to know that. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget, if that treatment is unjust or bad, it may spoil the special bond between us. Please do not hit me. I cannot hit back, but I can bite and scratch and I don't ever want to feel the need to do that. Before you tell me off me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself if something might be wrong with me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food or I've been out in the sun too long, maybe my heart is getting old and weak, or maybe I'm just dog-tired. Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old and will also want care, love, and affection. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, Irrespective of what you do I will always love you.

"Ten Promises to My Dog" trailer


No news yet on the shelter. Meeting this Saturday.

As for the stuff above. These are the "Ten Commandments from a Dog's Point of View" and the movie from Japan that I'm pretty sure it was based on.

Just watching the trailer makes me sob hysterically! I think it's gonna be like "The Notebook" I could NOT stop sobbing!!!

I can't wait to see it!


Here is another version of them(from the movie) from a little handout booklet from the vet where Dai Dai is:

1. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
2. Place your trust in me. It's crucial to my well-being.
3. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
4. Before you scold me for being lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me.
5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when it is speaking to me.
6. Remember before you hit me, I have teeth that could hurt you, but choose not to bite you.
7. Take care of me when I get old.
8. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you will be painful for me.
9. You have your work, your entertainment, and your friends. I only have you.
10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember I love you.

Shelter Update

OK...

We are all going to have a meeting this Saturday and talk about it. It's silly to put the blame on anyone until we get this all straightened out and it's obvious, since I am new to this, that I need to do more research and listen to all sides of the story before I start getting opinions.


Personally, All I want is for the dogs to have a better life and want to work towards that-period.


As for me, PMS is here again so I am overemotional. I really need to tell my bosses that this 3 school thing has decreased my confidence as well as my teaching and patience. But truth is, I am afraid that the relationship between them will get worse. My one colleague got excellent teacher award and she is at one school. I don't want excellent teacher award, but just want respect and to show them that I perform better when I am at one school.


OK I'm done...

More updates on the shelter later

More updates on the shelter later.