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!
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.
We recently did up a few toys for Pets Magazine. Here’s a more detailed post with step by step instructions on how we constructed toys for our dogs (and cat) out of scrap materials found at home.
Octopus squeaky tug toy
You’ll need:
Red cloth for the octopus’s body and christmas cloth for its bandana
That’s how much we’ll need
2. Cut away approximately 5″x 5″ square from each corner of the cloth. This does not have to be perfect.
Cut 6 snips along each edge, leaving fringe that will be the legs of the octopus.
6 strips along each edge
3. Place the ball back in the centre of the cloth and wrap it. Tie it tightly in the neck with some string.
4. To make each leg, braid three fringes together. Tie off the ends with a ribbon.Continue until you have eight legs.
5. Trim the ends of the legs so they’re nice and even.
6. Cut circles from white and black felt for the eyes. Stitch or hot glue it on.
7. Optional: Hem a square of fabric for a bandana.
Our octopus!
Lucy is not very happy she’s been told she can’t play with it
Squid bottle toy
You’ll need:
Stitching the sides
3. Insert your bottle and tie it tightly at the neck with ribbon. Cut the bottom bit of the cloth into strips. (We made an extra skirt for the squid and tied it to it’s neck but this is optional)
Squid looking cute with skirt and eyes
4. To make each leg, braid 3 fringes together.
5. Cut out circles from black and white felt and hot glue it on. If you have extra fabric, you can make a bandana for it out of a square piece of cloth.
Squid with no mouth
Can I mom? Can I?
None of us have cats, but we know lots of friends who do. These cute mice make fantastic christmas presents and are so easy to make.
Catnip Mouse Cat Toy
You’ll need:
Sock and catnip
We stuffed the sock with the scraps that we cut off
3. Stuff the sock with the bits of sock that you cut off. Hide a little bit of catnip in it.
4. Tie the end of the sock with yarn, which will also act as the mouse’s tail.
5. Cut circles from white and black felt, and a triangle from red felt. Stitch it onto the sock for its eyes and mouth.
6. Fold in the back part of the mouse and stitch it so that it looks neat. (This is optional)
7. Thread in some yellow yarn and knot it for the whiskers.
8. Give the mouse some cheese!
Hi Mouse!
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).
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!
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?
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?
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?
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?
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
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
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?
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!!
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
The Furry Tales visited Paw Pet-radize a few months ago on a quiet evening. It was not our first time there, but it was our first since it had been renovated.
Our dogs appreciated the fact that there was more space than before. More space to run about and play, and more space to pose for pictures.
Do we get some treats?? (L to R: Junior, Hyper, Olive, Kafka, Lulu, Lucy.)
We also loved the newly revamped menu. The kimchi bowl and cheese fries were quite yummy. Kafka stared at us while we ate and Olive gave us her signature poor sad puppy eyes from under the table. She may or may not have gotten some cheese fries.
I’m head of the table. Shouldn’t I get food first?
I…need….fries…
Kimchi bowl.
Cheese fries.
We bumped into Instagram friends @somewhitecookie and @mangothesheltie. Lucy and Cookie were forced to pose together, but Cookie didn’t seem very happy about sitting beside strange girls so he turned his back on her.
Cookie prefers to speak to familiar friends instead of Lucy. Poor girl.
As much as we love cafes that allow our dogs to be by our sides, it is also fun to dine at an actual pet cafe where you can enjoy your meal knowing your dog is also having a good time offleash.
Paw Pet-radise Cafe is located at 530 Balestier Road, Monville Mansion #01-07, Singapore 329857. Parking is available at HDB flats nearby. Closed on Tuesdays (open Mon, Wed, Thu 5pm-11pm, Fri 5pm-1am, Sat 12pm-1am, Sun 12pm-11pm). Cash only.
L to R: Hyper, Lucy, Olive, Kafka and Lulu.
The Furry Tales and some friends were interviewed recently for an article in TODAY newspaper on social media for dogs. Here’s what we had to say. Yes, we are more than happy to talk to our dogs, have them take the place of kids (while we are still waiting for our biological children) and meet new friends just to talk about our fur babies non-stop!
The Furry Tales gang recently had breakfast at a new cafe along our home ground, Robertson Quay. Another dog-friendly cafe to add to our list!
L to R: Kafka, Lulu, Muddy, Twinkle, Lucy and Olive.
Ten by Japanese restaurant Marusaya recently opened and they serve up a great breakfast set. A little pricey but at S$20 nett, you get two slices of either cheese toast or croissant with a salad, sausages/ham, eggs with truffle oil (mmmm), a Japanese-style vegetable side with corn and bacon, and a side of fruit. You also get a choice of yoghurt or Yakult plus a cup of tea/coffee. It was quite yummy. If you just want something lighter, there is also a S$10 breakfast toast with coffee/tea set.
Breakfast set with cheese toast.
Breakfast set with croissants and jam.
This part of Robertson Quay is sheltered so it is a good option for us to hang out at with our dogs away from the sun. It is spacious enough for the six dogs and we don’t have to worry about too many people walking by and disturbing our dogs. It is also very quiet in the mornings as the cafes next to Ten are closed. Sometimes we use the area to train our dogs.
Twinkle and Lucy chilling by our feet
Muddy wanting some alone time
The Furry Tales mamas
Ten turns into a (sake) bar at night, and we haven’t been happening enough to check it out then! Everything is at S$10 nett.
Ten is located at 60 Robertson Quay #01-09. Tel: 6735 0383.
Mon-Thu: 7:00am – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 2:00am. Fri: 7:00am – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 3:00am. Sat: 7:00am – 3:00am. Sun: 7:00am – 12:00am
2015 has flown by in a wag of a dog’s tail. The Furry Tales have had another fulfilling year making new friends, maintaining old ones, discovering new hobbies, developing new skills and most of all, learning to be more like our dogs and living in the moment.
Our dogs explored Singapore’s Little Guilin with us earlier this year on a photoshoot for Tiny Krew, and were rewarded with a super fun romp along the water.
This is how we go camping!
Picnic time.
Lucy and Muddy also won a day trip on a Pet Cruise and were very happy to meet The Wong Dogs for the first time.
The Wong Dogs with Lucy and Muddy
Loving the cruise life!
One of our highlights was hosting a cozy Zen Your Pups doga session for about 15 humans and their dogs. Muddy was a great helper for instructor Tanya. Tanya was also invited to conduct doga at Purina’s ONEDOGA event.
ZenYourPups instructor and TFT member, Tanya with Muddy
Spot TFT’s logo!
Muddy, Lucy, Olive and Lulu at the ONEDOGA event.
We’ve also enjoyed countless walks along the river and parks where we do our obedience training. It’s not always work! They also get to run off leash and go crazy.
Lulu, Lucy, Kafka and Olive
Happy SG50!
We also organized Walk Your Pups, a pack walk to celebrate SG50.
This is how we go camping!
For Halloween, we threw a huge Hawaiian-themed party at Tanjong Beach which was featured in Pets Magazine.
This is how we go camping!
Maggie serenading Cotton at our party.
We’ve celebrated birthdays and it goes without saying that our dogs were included.
Happy Birthday Vivien!
Happy Birthday Vicky!
And finally, our favorite time of the year, Christmas. Our dogs missed out on our annual Orchard Road Christmas Pack Walk this year due to the heavy rain almost every day but we made up for it with lots of mini-Christmas celebrations indoors and outdoors.
TFT extended family Christmas party!
Partying at Happenstance Cafe.
Family portrait.
It’s been an eventful year for us. We’ve grown in our dog ownership as well as as a group. We are excited for the year to come and hope it will be even better. Happy New Year to you and may 2016 be a great one!
The Furry Tales doggies have had a very busy Christmas this year. They’ve put up decorations on Christmas trees…
Any space for this sock?
Still no space…zz
Left alone to do all the work again. The life of Santa’s helpers.
Gotten blamed for it falling…
The tree fainted! It wasn’t me!
Waited for Santa with milk and cookies…
I’m waiting to keep Santa company. And to see what he brought me!
I just want some cookies…
And pulled a sleigh to deliver presents!
Kafka is now off to do some of Santa’s work!
In the midst of all that, they still remembered to sit nicely in front of a Christmas tree to take a nice picture to wish all of you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
For the Christmas issue of Pets Magazine, The Furry Tales contributed an article on Do-It-Yourself toys for your pooch and kitty. They are earth-friendly, easy to make and fun for the fur kids!
The Furry Tales 