Death of Leslie

20 May 2011 6:20am

I woke up as usual and realised that Leslie was looking in one direction. I went to check his breathing, heartbeat and even smacked his butt. There was no reaction at all...WORST he was stiff.I called dad to wake up and he went to check on Leslie. Dad then shook his head and told me that Leslie had indeed passed away..."Wa Wa Wa" I cried badly in front of his body.

20 May 2011 7am-9:40am

I bathed leslie for the last time with warm water, shampooing his body and made his body as clean as possible. I blew his fur dry with a hairdryer. Dad Prepared a cardboard coffin for him. After bathing, we put Leslie in his final resting place. Then off we went to "Pet Hotel" before 11am for leslie's cremation.

20 May 2011 10.45am-13.30pm

Leslie's body reached "Pet Hotel" at 10.45am. A guy called "Joe" introduced himself as dog undertaker and he explained the cremation procedures and fees. Then his partner and him took Leslie's cardboard coffin and to the crematorium. The lid opened and Leslie's cardboard coffin was inside. Then Joe's partner closely the crematorium slowly and i cried badly, wanting to see Leslie but i could not. Dad held me back and consoled me. At this time, alot of dogs were barking loudly as if they were mourning for ths loss of Leslie.

20 May 2011 13.30pm-14.00pm
Leslie's ashes were put in the urn and dad and i prayed for his soul. I whispered to him that we were going home.Leslie,我们回家了。。。回家了

One night before leslie's death

19 May 2011

Leslie was breathing his very last this night. Never did i expect that he will be gone. I wiped his eyes as he was crying before i went to bed.
Dad put a blanket to cover his lower part of body.

Leslie's last trip to kitchen

Two weeks ago, Leslie made his last trip to Kitchen...from there, he lied there eating and drinking and sleeping. He defecated in the Kitchen too, his urine was yellowish-brown and dad and i had to wipe his area often.

CNY 2011

CNY 2011

Things were not as it seemed as Leslie's legs were weaker. Leslie could walk a little bit but could not go to East Coast Park.

I bought calcium supplements from Pet Lovers Centre

Sep 2010

Dad had gone to AMK Hub's Pet Lovers Centre earlier and recommended me to buy some calcium supplements. Without hesitation, i bought for him and let him try the medicine.

Dec 2010

Leslie could walk abit with the help of the calcium supplements. I was relieved to see his legs improving.

Leslie's legs gave trouble to his walking

Leslie's legs started to give him trouble and he couldn't walk far...wobble abit and couldn't stand straight. He did not despair and give up. He was determined to recover. One day earlier, dad told him that we would take him to Animal Clinic to send him early death.The next day, So bro and i took him to Animal Clinic where he received Accupunture...he was reluntant to lie at the table to have his x-ray and accupunture as he thought he was going to die.

Leslie's final walk at East Coast Park

Leslie's final walk at East Coast Park was in Aug 2010...I remembered he came and jumped to me when i met him near the underpass leading to NTUC. I sensed he was not as strong as before. But he insisted to follow me to NTUC but i told he needed to accompany Dad home.He was rather afraid of Dad and at most times, he walked silently behind dad.

Leslie entered a fun race/walk with smaller dogs last yr

May 2010
I guess last year was the best year Leslie had ever have in his life. Leslie though not a participant but he entered a fun race/walk with smaller dogs along East Park. Though he didn't walk far (from Macdonalds to the overhead bridge leading to Marine Terrace), he was happy as he could meet smaller dogs and make newer friends. He was walking and smiling to himself.

Leslie meets Jack Russell friend, Blazer and a Eurasian slim lady

As Leslie is getting more popular in Marine Parade because of his friendliness, he met another new friend, Blazer. This is a Jack Russell and he can run very fast and a Eurasian Slim and tall Lady is the owner.

As days go by, whenever Leslie goes out with me, we will get to see this lady very often and Leslie will be excited.

Leslie was introduced to MPCB Colleagues

Leslie was doing his rounds around Marine Parade Vicinity and we decided to patrol the 24hr bkdrop one late morning. That time, we saw some MPCB colleagues.Some said Leslie was a huge and obedient dog. Mrs Kiang was rather scared of him and hiding behind her car.Ai Cheng saw him and said Leslie was well-behaved and well-mannered...as usual, Leslie showed his gentlemanness by lifting his paws to greet Ai Cheng...haha I am so proud of this dog, oh mine oh mine, Mr Labbie

Our first valentine

Feb 2009

Leslie and me went to East Coast Park to celebrate "our First Valentine"....I wanted to let Leslie have a feeling of "Love Atmosphere" in East Coast Park.We scouted around the area and decided to sit near the macdonalds there.

There i sat with legs spread straight and Leslie sat down BUT with cap on. As the place we sat had dim lightings and cool, both of us felt happy in each other's company. I showed him the ships.

When Leslie was sitting down with cap on, I overheard a guy beside us whispering "Wa...lovey-dovey couple..."I was smiling to myself and Leslie looked at me in amusement and he shook his head. The cap fell and that guy was shocked to see it was a dog beside me...haha,from then on, i began to call Leslie "Lao Gou".

Mooncake Festival

The moon was full and bright, hanging in the sky...Mooncake Festival was here. Leslie and i went to East Coast Park once again to celebrate Mooncake Festival. I hanged a small red lantern at leslie's neck and we strolled along the sandy beaches. Some children saw us and were laughing, guess they had never seen a dog celebrate Mooncake Festival before. We walked from Macdonalds to chalets. Leslie was uncomfortable with that red lantern, but i told him this was part of celebration.

Leslie won a prize for himself

Aug 2008

I went to Bishan Public Library to attend a SPCA talk on taking care of dogs. At the end of this talk, my lucky draw ticket entitled to win Leslie a big prize for himself- dog food and snacks and of course a story book for leslie. I brought home quickly and showed to him.

Running in the rain

Both Leslie and i were unaware that thunderstorm was approaching and kept on walking along east coast park. Suddenly, heavy downpour and raindrops fell on us. I quickly pulled Leslie by the neck...both of us started to run in the rain.."pant pant, my neck" Leslie was running as hard as i did.

Leslie fought with a Golden Retriever

Sep 2006

As Leslie had a friendly and outgoing personality, some dogs were jealous of him , particularly Golden Retrievers. The difference between Golden Retrievers and Leslie being Labrador Retriever is Golden Retrievers have longer fur and Labrador Retrievers have shorter fur and have otter tail.

This particular evening, i was having an evening stroll near Block 27 and Block 29. Leslie saw a Golden Retriever where it was led by a Fat Guy. With his friendly and outgoing personality, that Golden Retriever had wrong thinking and started to pick up a fight with Leslie. Both dogs fought with each other and yet that Fat Guy did not take any action. I was in the middle of this dog fight. In the end, i fell as one of them kicked my buttock. But i saw the Golden Retriever had some blood on his thigh's fur. Then i looked at Leslie's body. He was okay except that he looked frightened. I quickly took Leslie home.

Leslie nearly lost my previous dog's collar ID Tag

Sep 2004

It was around 4 or 5pm in the afternoon. Leslie accompanied me to go out. This time, we walked along block 47 , near the staircase. He was excited and eager to see how the upgrading progress was being done in our neighbourhood. Halfway walking, i realised my previous dog's(Brownie-Australian Silky Terrier) collar ID tag was missing. I was worried and started to search for it,but to no avail.I quickly brought Leslie back home and told dad about it. Dad scolded Leslie for being careless and commanded him to find back no matter what.From his looks in the eyes, Leslie knew he was wrong and he quickly pulled me from his leash and we left the house. Leslie began his frantic search, sniffed here and there. He tried to use his front hands/paws to dig the places he had gone to earlier. I knew he did his best and i told him the Labrador God will protect him and blessed him to find the previous dog's collar ID tag.
This time, Leslie gave his full strength and dug more soil and grass out.In the end, he found it near the staircase opposite zebra crossing.After that, He directed dad the place and hung his head downwards. I told him quietly, "See i told u...Labrador God will help you".He just gave a quiet smile.

Leslie became my buddy

Now that Bro went to KL to do his business, he had no time to accompany him for his daily walks. Leslie became my buddy and listened to my instructions more often.He and i became good friends where we shared same food such as grapes,apples, bread, biscuits. I still remembered that he nearly jumped out of the window just to get his bread. But most important is he listened to grumbling and complaints and paid attention to the stories i told him

Leslie became more daring

Leslie became more daring and made a bold move...now we went to East Coast Park and if i wanted to use toilet (further down the chalets), he will follow me to the toilet. I had no choice but to pull him into the cubicle, but certainly he enjoyed my accompany. After our bathroom and toilets were upgraded, Leslie would also purposely push his head from then onwards to "smell our faeces or see what we are doing inside the toilet". What a dirty-minded dog...

Leslie acompanied me to the temporary toilet

As our house was undergoing upgrading esp: toilet and bathroom(Changing and installation of pipes), I was scared of being alone in the temporary toilet which was in front of blk 44. Leslie accompanied me to the temporary toilet. While there wasn't anyone, he just waited patiently for me outside to finish bathing and washing clothes. Lucky dog.

Leslie met 2 friends at East Coast Park

There was one evening i was walking with leslie at East Coast Park . we saw an old lady with 2 dogs-golden retrievers. Leslie was excited and began his gentleman gestures by lifting his paws as if he was introducing himself.This old lady was happy to know leslie was so well-mannered and obedient. i am so fortunate to have leslie as my dog.

Heading to a newer location

After that incident, i told bro that i was considering to take Leslie to East Coast Park. Bro had no comments but told Leslie to behave himself if he wanted to go to East Coast Park with me. He gave a confident look and was sure that we would certainly enjoy ourselves. From the first visit to East Coast Park with me, i told him if he behaved himself, we will enjoy our special moments at East Coast Park, just only 2 of us...yes only 2 of us...hahaha

leslie was wrongly accused

Early 2004

Both Leslie and i went out in the afternoon.There was a guy who wrongly accused Leslie of defecating and dirtying opposite blocks. I protested to him and showed that i had newspapers and Leslie was responsible. i had to admit though he sometimes stubbornly liked to pull me away after he shitted on newspapers, but his concern was he knew "his business' was smelly, couldn't allow me to pick up. but i constantly reminded Leslie that he needed to set a good example to other dogs and we are respectable in the neighbourhood. He obediently and slowly allowed me to pick up his faeces from then onwards.See how responsible and accountable our Leslie is.

Leslie started potty training on newspapers

June 2003

Bro came back and Leslie started potty training on newspapers under me...he defecated on newspapers...Imagine, u put newspapers under his buttocks...what came out was his shit...wow..smelly sia. At least, he was responsible for his actions.We often went to opposite blocks, 31,32,33 to do so

Our block undergoing upgrading

June 2003

As our block was undergoing upgrading, it was a hassle as our lives were turned upside down.Leslie hated it too because of the "knocking" and "sand". He kept on scratching himself so much. Even the open space carpark was sealed to make way for Multi-Storey Carpark. He couldn't go there any further but it was a relief at least we don't see joseph and rotweillers. Leslie and i decided then from that day onwards, we shall go opposite blocks to find new places for his defecating.

Leslie missed bro alot

Mid May 2003

Leslie missed bro alot as he had left Hong Kong and kept wondering when he would be back. As i was still looking for jobs, I had more time to accompany him. I took him out but he was "lost" and did his "business" much longer than before.

Leslie caught a rat in his mouth and showed off to me

April 2003

After Bro left for Hong Kong for overseas work, Leslie caught a rat in his mouth at our block's void deck (at that time, our block was upgrading) and showed off to me. I screamed at him and told him to let it go. He just refused to let it go...i gotta wrestled with him all my might.In the end, he slowly let it go but there was blood in his mouth.

Leslie met new friends

December 2002

Bro's good friend, Jiazhu, brought two shih-tzu , "Happy and Mimi" over our house to stay for a few nights.Leslie was happy to meet them. He introduced himself by lifting his paws and soon they became good friends. Never did i expected Leslie will "gang up" with these good friends to wake me up extra early (about 6:45am)to go to East Coast Park with them on one of those few days. Dad and i had to struggle with 3 dogs but these good friends seemed to enjoy themselves...esp:Leslie who thought he was a big brother to them and needed to play his role well.

walking opposite our block

As months go by, Leslie was familar with the open space carpark blk 46 and blk 47, we decided to take him opposite our block. The place have much grass and we realised Leslie also like there too because they have big open space BUT our concern is still the police patrolling cars.
The lady who saw us that day told Joseph that now she felt at ease that Leslie was in safe hands and did not feel anything about Leslie any further.

Reaching the photo studio

This photo studio (Swan Lake) was near Great World City. Leslie was very unfamiliar and kept on urinating the area. Upon reaching the Photo Studio, Uncle Liang came out but he was scared that leslie would bite him.He kept on mumbling to himself.

Leslie was also unfamiliar and began his naughty tricks, pulling bro and me with his leash. Uncle Liang tried to give him some food and leslie finished up fast.Dad and uncle liang decided how the photo should be taken. In the end, we decided to squeeze Leslie in between bro and my legs but of coz leslie stood up. when the picture was released, it seemed that Leslie was sitting and showed him the photo. Leslie was very pleased with the photo.

Our way to the photo studio

Since we have decided take a family photo...we have to find a way to settle him down in the car. Oh my , Oh my...he cannot sit still in the car, jumping and moving around ...guess he's not used to the car as it's too heaty

Decision to take Family Photo

August/Sep 2002

Both bro and i graduated with degree and diploma respectively. Dad decided to take a family photo. I suggested to include Leslie too as i took him as a family member. Leslie took a glance and was wondering "Family Photo...mmm...but where?" Dad decided to take this Family photo at his friend's (uncle liang fook yong's) Swan Lake Photo Studio.

Hide and Seek

As Leslie was too big, both of us had to play Hide and Seek with police patrolling cars. Every now and then, we pretended that we did not know each other and walked slowly than usual.

Walks with Leslie

Days turned into weeks turned into month, Leslie and i became comfortable with each other. That same woman who saw leslie didn't say much any further was a relief to me...so now i can walk comfortably with him...But wait a minute....it's not over yet...Joseph, that uncle with two rotweillers plus police cars who frequently patrolled our marine crescent areas...i was worried that Joseph will inform the police to take him away as HDB doesn't approve big dogs.

First walk with leslie

I shall say my first walk with leslie was at the surroundings near blk 44 Residents Committee in the evening. A woman came out and saw me with leslie, asked me where i got this dog from. I told her i got it from my friend. Leslie recognised her voice and kept on wagging his tail. In my thoughts, stupid dog, why keep on wagging his tail..want me get into trouble? i take you out in evening because i do not want anyone in my neighbourhood know about you...the more i think about it, the more i dread it.

Leslie was a big headache

 Jan 2001

I didn't know why i suddenly dislike leslie at first. and find a big headache and even told bro to take him out ...leslie ate alot of food and drank alot of water. Both bro and i agreed that we take him out on alternate. Odd days, bro shall take leslie out and Even days , i take leslie out.

leslie's 1st xmas day

25 December 2000

leslie's 1st xmas day was a simple but meaningful...y? dad and i took turns to take photo of him...leslie got a present from lakshami, a bowl and i got him something which i cannot recall...his eyes were green

a new name for our new member

After that meeting with Joseph and Rotweillers, bro and i decide to give him a name...finally we came up with "Leslie"...Yeah Leslie, the labrador retriever...but we still have to get him familarise his surroundings...we ran around the open space carpark in blk 46 and 47. But still we bumped into joseph in the evening. He claimed Leslie is "Rocky" and it had been trained by him and he was very sure about it.  A few of the RC Members recognise Leslie too but they didn't say much.

first location

Mid December 2000

first location...blk 46 and blk 47 open space carpark cum playground

both bro and i  decided to take our new member to blk 46 and blk 47 open space carpark cum playground...there we saw an uncle named Joseph who has 2 rotweillers, Max and the other female rotweillers. Joseph recognised our new member and called him  "Rocky" . He claimed his friend had lost a labrador retriever abt one or two wks ago and it was same size, same breed, same color...and it might be him

finally taking a lift

Now, we have trained him to walk stairs up and down...i told bro that i want  to train him to take a lift and bro agreed...so we took him down the stairs to level 10, corner lift...oh my, he's really scared...gotta push him...and he's inside the lift with me and brother

get used to it

12 December 2000

One week passed, our member is used to the house...bro and i decide to take him out of house...he was at first afraid to leave...we  train him to walk down the stairs..step by step ....up and down...

new member in the house

6 December 2000 ....1st day and a new member in the house and welcome home
this is our new member and we began to think of names for him...ah...so hard to think of it...then bro and i decided to wait for a while....keep him at home for time being first as he's huge dog..let him get used to our house  first

a new life came into our hse

I could remember vividly...5 December 2000...

the phone rang...rang...dad called up from the carpark. He told me to look out from the window...guess what i had seen...a yellow dog...cute dog, from my kitchen window, i saw him and thought he was small and told dad to bring him up home so that i can have a good look at him.

It took some time for him to be brought to our house because he walked the stairs with dad as he did not dare to take any lift. When i opened the dog, he just wagged his tail with sparkling eyes. I liked his face alot and welcomed him.

leslie's resting place

after cremation, leslie's resting place is in the kitchen, his favourite place...
i wonder whether his soul will comeback and visit us

Leslie, our labrador retriever passed away early this morning

Early this morning , after i woke up and finished brushing my teeth, i went to take a look at  our labrador retriever passed away...i can't believe it...he 's just gone like that...his eyes still  open ley...y??? he misses food *didn't eat or drink* for these 2 days and he has been lying in the kitchen for almost a week.

yesterday, i could still recall that he still wee and his urine was brownish-yellow...i told him if he can't take it, just go. Now  he's gone, i realy cannot let go of him...he's my companion for 11 years.

today i shall start writing this blog in memory of him...his life story of how he accompanied us...he's loyal, playful, stubborn but very obedient dog..