10 Ways to Celebrate Your Dog’s Birthday

Our four legged fur babies are family, so it is only natural we would want to celebrate their birthdays!

1. Pool Party

If you have a kiddie pool in your backyard, you can turn your dog’s party into a pool one. If you don’t, you can always head to the beach or a dog friendly pool. In our Singapore heat all year round, most of our dogs enjoy cooling off.

Not a birthday party but a beach party all the same!

It’s my birthday and I’ll drink if i want to

2. Dog Cafe Party 

When some of our dogs turned ONE, we had a joint birthday party at Paw Pet a few years ago (time flies! Sob). We ordered a big dog boned doggie cake for them to share, and made them party hats.

Happy Birthday doggies!

Meatballs and Cake

3. Cycling Party

Head to East Coast Park and rent some bikes. Dogs love to run and they can run beside you on your bicycle. Or if you’re like us and have your own bikes, you can make a day of it. We ride along the river and then stop for everyone to have drinks to cool off. Check out one of our cycling posts.

From L to R: Olive, Lucy, Kafka, Lulu and Muddy

From L to R: Vivien with Kafka and Lulu, Tanya with Muddy, Sisi with Lucy and Vicky with Olive

4. Pup-cation

If your dog doesn’t enjoy the company of other dogs, you can treat him to a staycation in one of the few pet friendly hotels in Singapore. Which dog won’t enjoy a bask in the tub and spending the day in a lush robe and bedroom slippers. =P

When’s my bath ready?

Finally away from the hustle and bustle of everyday dog life

5. Dog Park

Round up all your dog’s best pals and head to a park where we may or may not let ours off leash. End it off with doggie pupcakes for all! We love Mount Emily Park and Fort Canning Park. Lots of shade and big green spaces.

Having a ball at Mount Emily Park

Fort Canning Park

6. House Party

The Furry Tales do this a lot. We make use of any reason to celebrate with our dogs- dog birthdays, human birthdays, etc. We order cake, make hats and lets the dogs play (supervised). Here’s a peek into one of our house parties.

Pupcakes by Furrific

TFT and pals

7. Stand Up Paddling

SeaBreeze Water Sports at Siloso Beach in Sentosa is dog friendly and rent boards for $35 per hour. Stand Up Paddling is really fun. Even if you can’t stand up, you can sit or kneel and paddle.

L to R: Sisi with Lucy, Vivien with Kafka and Lulu, and Tanya

8. Pet Cruise

If you have a bigger budget and have a whole day to spare, you can organize a pet cruise for birthday pooch and his best pals. Boat owner, Joe, started this boat company in 2012 and is the only pet cruise company in Singapore. His motor catamaran carries a maximum of 10 pax (including dogs – 1 dog counts as 1 pax). A basic cruise lasts 2 hours and costs S$300. To book, please call 96375009 or email: petcruise88@gmail.com

Lucy and Muddy went on a pet cruise with The Wong Dogs

9. Picnic Party

Pack along a picnic for your pooch, bring some party hats and a mat and head to a secluded spot like Singapore’s Little Guilin in Bukit Batok. Hardly anybody is there during the weekday mornings and you can take pictures without having to crop anyone out. The dogs will enjoy the space and water.

Our dogs enjoying their romp

Pampered pooches get a tent

10. Doga Party

If you like Yoga and you have dogs, combine the two and have a Doga party! Head outdoors, bring your mats and stretch together. Here’s the link to some easy dogs poses with your pooch.

Muddy, Olive, Lucy and Kafka doing their best downward dog poses

 

Stand Up Paddling

Recently The Furry Tales took to SUP (stand up paddling) instead of the usual weekday morning activity. It was a lot of fun and we will definitely be doing it again soon. You can read about it in the latest issue of Pets Magazine’s ‘Outward Bound’ column where you will be seeing a little bit more of TFT!

Hidden Gem: Canterbury Road

The Furry Tales enjoy visiting Canterbury Road sometimes. There is a large green field on a down slope where we let our dogs play off leash. (Do make sure your dogs have good recall because although there aren’t many cars, it is still right beside a road.)

Some of our dogs especially love this place just after it rains because they will inevitably find huge muddy puddles to jump in. The dogs really get a good workout here because the space is so vast and they have to run uphill to come back to us.

Better than a spa – Olive, Lulu and Lucy having their mudbath! 

Lucy and Leto tired after playing ball.

Lucy playing fetch alone up the hill because Leto found herself a muddy hole!

It is also an amazing place to watch the sunset or plan a photo shoot. Recently, Sisi did a photoshoot of cute puppy Hugo and his parents there.

Family time: Hugo with his mom and dad.

I’m the king of the world!

More sunset pictures.

Lucy got her exercise, now its time for Sisi’s.

Pensive Lucy.

Our next trip there will be a sunrise one! Maybe have a picnic?

Canterbury Road is located right outside Hort Park, so a leashed walk along the paths of the Hort Park gardens is also a good option for those dogs with less recall.

Dog Smarts

We all think our dogs are clever. Just like all parents think that their kids are the cleverest kids on earth.

There ARE ways to check the intelligence of our dogs, and problem solving is one of the best ways to determine just how clever they are. We have compiled ten tests from various sources to see how bright our dogs are (don’t do all ten in the same day).

1. Towel Test

Take a large towel or cloth and quickly throw it over your dog’s head and shoulders. Observe:
5 points – if your dog frees himself within 15 seconds
4 points – 16-30 seconds
3 points – 31-60 seconds
2 points – 1-2 minutes
1 point – if he doesn’t get free at all

Guess who!

2. Bucket Test

Let your dog see you put a dog treat or a toy under one of three buckets or cups lined up (about one foot apart), then ask your dog get it.
5 points – if your dog goes straight to the bucket or cup with the treat
4 points – if your dog searches systematically and finds it
3 points – if your dog searches randomly and finds it in less than 45 seconds.
2 points – if your dog searches but fails to find it
1 point – if your dog shows no interest or forgets to find it

Where’s the treat?

3. Favourite spot

Rearrange your furniture when your dog is out. When he enters the room, score as follows:
5 points – if your dog goes directly to his favourite spot or bed
4 points – if he takes 30 seconds to find his favourite spot or bed
3 points – if he finds it in 31-60 seconds
2 points – if he finds it in 1-2 minutes
1 point – If he goes to a new area completely

Why’d you move my bed ma?

4. Chair Puzzle

Keep a dog treat under a chair or shelf low enough that your dog can only fit a paw under but not her head (under a shoe cabinet or sofa).
5 points – if your dog gets the treat within 1 minute
4 points – if your dog gets the treat in 1-3 minutes
3 points – if he uses paws and muzzle but fails to get the treat
2 points – if your dog uses only  muzzle a few times and gives up
1 point – if he doesn’t try to get the treat

*sniff sniff* Is there food in there?

5. Recognizing the smile

Pick a time when your dog is sitting about 2 meters away from you and has not been told to sit or stay. Stare into his face when he looks at you, count silently to 3 seconds and then smile broadly.
5 points – If your dog comes with tail wagging
4 points – If your dog comes slowly or with no tail wagging
3 points – If your dog stands or rises to a sitting position but does not move toward you
2 points – If your dog moves away from you
1 point – If your dog does not pay any attention to you

Why are you smiling at me?

6. Barrier Test

Take a piece of cardboard and construct a barrier 5 feet long and taller than your dog. Cut an opening in the middle of the barrier (about 2-3 inches wide). Have your dog on one side and you on the other, and show them the treat through the opening.
5 points – If he gets goes around the barrier within 30 seconds
4 points – If he takes 31-60 seconds
3 points – If he takes 1-2 minutes
2 points – If he only pokes his head though the opening
1 point – If he stands confused

Painting barrier

7. Ball test

Take a ball and show it to your dog. Let him play with it and sniff it. Then show it to him and hide it in an accessible cup.
5 points – If he gets the ball in 0-15 seconds
4 points – If he gets it in 16-30 seconds
3 points – If he gets it in 1-2 minutes
2 points – If your dog tries and fails to get it
1 point – If your dog shows no interest

Ball? What ball? I got you a flower

8. Food under towel

Show a tidbit of food to your dog and place it under a small towel.Encourage your dog to get it.
5 points – If your dog gets the food within 15 seconds.
4 points – If your dog gets the food within 16-30 seconds
3 points – If he gets it in 31-60 seconds
2 points – If he gets it in 1-2 minutes
1 point – If he tries to get it but doesn’t manage to
0 point – If he’s not interested

Where’s my bowl?

9. Language Comprehension

Leave your dog for a moment and in your normal speaking voice, call his name (without saying the word “Come”).
5 points – If your dog comes if you call his name
3 points – If your dog shows some response
1 point – If he fails to come

We’re coming!!

10. Go for a walk

Choose a time other than when you normally go take your dog on a walk. Without addressing your dog, quietly pick up your keys and his leash.
5 points – If he comes to you for the leash
4 points – If he gets excited
3 points – If you have to walk to the door
2 points – If he sits there confused
1 point – If he doesn’t react at all

WALK TIME!!

RESULTS:
40-50 = Genius (Einstein)
30-39 = Highly Intelligent (obedience school honors student)
20-29 = High Average
15-19 = Average (just an average Rex)
10-14 = Low Average (I’m a barker, not a thinker)
05-10 = Borderline
0-04 = Deficient (you may have just tested a mop)

Don’t take this I.Q. scale too seriously. A dog’s performance on these tests will no doubt be affected by many traits other than “intelligence,” such as confidence, greed, activity level, and previous experiences. It should be interesting, however, to see how different dogs react to these challenges.

Dr. Brian Hare, associate professor of evolutionary anthropology at Duke University and a member of the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, says, ‘In the animal world, we recognize there are lots of kinds of intelligence, and they vary widely. You can be a genius in one area but not in another.’ For example, you put down two overturned paper cups, allowing the dog to watch as you put a treat under one. You point to the empty cup and see where your pet goes. Both show a kind of genius: If Fido goes to the empty cup, he’s good at following orders and bonding. If he goes the other, he’s able to rely on his own devices — and gets the treat.

For some fun and also mental stimulation for your dog, go ahead and try these tests. Next week, we will post the results of The Furry Tales dogs so you can get an idea of how your dog responds to these challenges.

Sources: PositiveMed, Pets First

Travel with your Pet

TFT’s dream is to one day travel together with all five of our dogs. So far, only Muddy has had the privilege to travel to Switzerland. Tanya, Muddy’s mama, wrote an article for Pets Magazine about how you can do that.

 

Green and Tranquil at Hort Park

Hort Park is part of the Southern Ridges that comprises Mount Faber Park, Telook Blangah Hill Park, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Park. For humans, it is a gardening resource centre that allows for gardening-related activities in a park setting. For dogs, it is being back to nature with wide green spaces and nature paths.

                      Sunrise at Hort Park

We love Hort Park. It is not as heavily populated as Botanic Gardens yet you get to enjoy the greenery and tranquil environment. If you feel like a hike or a longer walk, it is also possible to explore Kent Ridge Park from Hort Park, which we did before, via elevated walkways and connecting bridges. The pathways are pretty shaded.

Olive, Lulu and Lucy practicing sit-stay on one of the canopy bridges leading to Kent Ridge Park.

                   So high up!

Hort Park is quite large and has many areas you can choose to go to. There is an event lawn overlooking the silver garden which is where we did our Pets Magazine Doga photoshoot. It is spacious but not shaded.

Yup, these dogs really got into the whole yoga thing! (L-R: Muddy, Olive, Lucy, Kafka)

Crazy dog ladies fooling around! Wonder what Lucy is thinking.

Hort Park is rather peaceful and quiet, especially on weekday mornings, so when there is no one around, we also let them play fetch offleash in a small grass field in the park. There are several benches you can sit on while your dog plays. There is a water cooler nearby so you don’t have to lug along a water bottle for your dog. Just the bowl. Be sure to apply mosquito repellent though! Lots around.

                           Lucy playing fetch

    And Kaffy loves watching his girlfriend play

The only thing missing here is a cafe that is dog-friendly. There is a charming French restaurant, Vineyard, at Hort Park but it is air-conditioned and no dogs are allowed, which is a shame because they have a beautiful patio. It sure would be nice to be able to sit somewhere for a nice cold drink after playing. If you are looking for coffee, there is also The Plant Story, which is part-cafe, part-gardening retail centre. The other option is to have your own picnic!

                      Perfect spot for a picnic

     Even our dogs like having their own picnic

Hort Park is located at 33 Hyderabad Road, off Alexandra Road. Park hours: 6am-10pm. Park lighting: 7pm-7am.

Like Kids at a Playground at Mount Emily Park!

The Furry Tales recently checked out Muddy’s ‘hood, Mount Emily Park. Mount Emily Park is like a peace haven from the hustle and bustle of the city below the hill and we love it.

         BFFs Olive, Lucy and Muddy!

Muddy was so happy to see us and he most graciously showed us around the park and neighborhood. First thing he did was show Lucy and Olive the big green bush to leap into and play peekaboo in. Lucy and Olive did just that. They hopped like deer in and out of the bush, having a ball of a time!

After that, Muddy brought them to the playground. He told them that children aren’t the only ones that can find joy in a playground. Olive got started on digging in the sand for possible buried treasure, and Lucy helped out when she got tired. Instead of looking for bones, Lucy was quite happy munching on sand, to the dismay of her mama.

Buried treasure!

The gang also played on the slide and swing. They had an amazing time. There was nobody around that weekday morning, and they had so much space to run freely. One of these days, we plan to go have a picnic there.

TOld you swings aren’t just for little kids

          Muddy has a go on the slide

    Playing tag is the best type of game

                   Running wild and free

          Lucy with her mama, Sisi

Mount Emily Park is situated along Upper Wilkie Road. There is public parking along the road, although take note that St. Margaret’s Primary School is nearly on Wilkie Road, so traffic can get congested at drop-off and pick-up times during the school term.

                   The three musketeers

Wild Wild Wet at East Coast Park Beach

Apart from bringing The Furry Tales to swim at Sentosa beach, we sometimes go to East Coast beach for some wild wild wet fun!

We’re ready to take on the sea! (L-R: Lulu, Kafka, Lucy, Olive, Muddy and Lady Mae)

Weekday mornings are great to head to East Coast – it is peaceful and there is no one else around. This is the time we may or may not let our dogs off leash and let them swim and play in the sea. We find weekends too crowded for off leash play.

Frolicking! (L-R: Muddy, Hyper and Lucy)

Having a ball of a time!

One time we were there, a few of the dogs ran up one of the break waters and went halfway down the other side. Good thing they came back up. Otherwise we weren’t prepared to go chasing them!

Olive running (away) on the break water.

Lucy the Seal

If you go with friends, you can do what we do and pack a picnic. If you’re lazy, you can pack some food from the East Coast Park Lagoon Food Village (opens around 10.30am). After the dogs have their fun and are washed and clean, we sit down at one of the stone tables to enjoy sandwiches and a hot thermos of coffee. By the time you are done, the dogs should be nice and dry and ready to go home.

That doesn’t happen for us though. The dogs seem to know when they are clean and don’t like to be. So just when we are ready to leave, some of them will jump right into the water again, followed by a roll in the sand.

Lucy rolling in the sand before going home.

Both Lady-Mae and Lucy showing off their sexy legs here.

One thing to take note of: beware of chicken bones when you do! Each time we’ve been here, our dogs inevitably find chicken bone scattered thoughtlessly on the sand. Because Lucy kept running away with a bone in her mouth each time she went to East Coast, Sisi was motivated to teach her the “Leave it” and “Drop it” commands. (Hopefully the next time she picks up a bone, the “drop it” command will leave her spitting it out automatically.)

Muddy, Olive and Lucy digging their way to more exotic places like South America. Or just looking for chicken bones!

Group shot!

Til we meet again, East Coast Beach!

Jumper Trial: Dogs Had Fun Despite Nerve-Racked Humans!

Contributed by Vicky Ti
Sisi and I tried out some basic jumper training with our dogs last year, but got lazy this year and took a 6-month break. However, we got off our butts and started again last month and challenged ourselves on Sunday with a pre-novice trial by Singapore Kennel Club (SKC)!

We arrived at West Coast Park dog run pretty stressed, thinking there would be about ten obstacles for our dogs to clear (to be fair, we had only been stringing four to six obstacles together up til our last practice, where we attempted ten obstacles, and that didn’t go very well)…and found out it was a challenging course of TWENTY OBSTACLES!!! Some hyperventilating may have happened, as well as some nausea and near-fainting.

Bunny Lucy and her floppy ears! (Photo by Mr Wong Seng Wai’s son)

While the humans were busy having a meltdown, our dogs had fun speeding around the park and making new friends. We were a little worried they would be too tired for the trial, but on the other hand, it was good for them to run off some excess energy.

I like to jump sideways, anything wrong with that?? (Photo by Mr Wong Seng Wai’s son)

The dogs did extremely well, considering the fact that they had never been in a tunnel this long and opaque before, they had never jumped through a life buoy hoop frame before, and that this was their longest course to date. The humans didn’t mess up as badly as we thought we would either, and all in all it was a great experience in retrospect.

Here’s Sisi and Lucy having fun.

Olive likes to clear her jumps with loads of margin to spare. I think she’s part antelope!

I know it looks pretty good…but here are the parts where we messed up! Haha.

Olive never completed going all the way through the long yellow tunnel and kept popping up behind me while I was on my hands and knees, making a fool of myself! Hey, anything for our dogs, right?

Thanks Alan from Pawsitive Mind for training us! We enjoyed it thoroughly and will be joining another trial this year!

More photos here: https://www.facebook.com/elsa.soo/posts/10206549875839661

Purina ONE DOGA x Causes for Animals = Fun and Cuteness!

Last Sunday, The Furry Tales stretched and strengthened our cores with our pooches at the Purina ONE DOGA event. Over 50 dogs and more than 60 people participated in setting Singapore’s record for the largest mass exercise with animals – yay! Tanya, instructor at InOm Yoga, and her calm assistant Muddy led the doga session in support for Causes for Animals. They did an awesome job!
Everyone enjoyed themselves on the mat, and there was a noticeable difference in the dogs’ energy levels from the beginning of the session to the end.

Even some really active puppies like this cutie managed to calm down and relax.

A nice back stretch for the humans.

Olive being a good prop for mama to stretch.

Lucy is completely relaxed like jello!

Participants that didn’t have their own dog were paired up with shelter or rescued pups (we love the concept of this!), which made for a whole lot of adorable! An adoption drive followed the doga session where we met plenty of cuties.

Awww, Heart Melt! (Photo Credit to Michiez Chua Photography)

Hope to see you at our next Zen Your Pups doga event, on 26 September! More details will follow closer to date, so keep a look out for that. In the meantime, The Furry Tales will be having a pack walk to celebrate Singapore’s National Day on 7 August – find out more here.

Check out The Furry Tales’ logo on the poster!

Our dogs look sooo good in their SG50 scarves!

Thank you Purina One for organizing this awesome event!

For more photos of Purina ONE DOGA, head here.