Teddy Bears

I don't particularly fancy teddy bears but a teddy never fails to warm my heart. It's funny how teddies are marketed as cute and lovable, when in reality a bear is ferocious when threatened. Similarly, a hippopotamus is by far the most 'dangerous' due to misconceived perception of being portrayed as an adorable creature! Puzzles aside, teddy bears tend to have a heartwarming effect on children and adults; I am one of those who love cuddlies, ie soft furry or fabric toys. I wonder if loving a cuddly means a person has a soft side? My boy, despite his love for soccer, knights, soldiers, lego, minecraft, etc has a soft spot for soft toys - at the age of 8, he was equally thrilled when given a cushy bunny for Xmas ;p

Some bears have an inherently cute look - my favourite is Polar Bear. White and snowy :-) 

Confession this Christmas..

As I made my confession this christmas, it greatly relieved me of my doing as being 'Santa' all these years!!!

It all began with an innocent intent - the joy of seeing my kids lit up genuinely as they received a surprise gift from Santa. However, I foolishly stepped up my game by dropping a little gift in their santa socks daily in the month of December till Christmas eve and this tradition stuck for many many years. They started off believing in Santa and would wake up eager and chirpy in the morning shoving their hands into the socks and retrieved their finds. It was easy to get them little gifts as toddlers as little items would delight them. As they grow, they develop their likes and tastes, it became increasingly difficult to find economic buys that would truly delight them. This is the reality of growing up - kids appreciate less of simple joys as they grow into pre-teens. I had the chance to break the myth years ago when they first had their initial doubts about Santa as their friends claimed that Santa was not real but I remarked that "If they believe it is real, then Santa is real". They chose to believe as they loved to receive gifts.

This year prior to putting up the Christmas socks, my boy being the more logical brained had questioned me on the existence of Santa again but my girl, being more sentimental chose to believe Santa is real, and I reiterated the same line. They thus chucked their doubt aside and continued to receive little gifts from Santa. However, my job was made tougher with age - I would forget to slip in the gifts and jolt up awake in the middle of the night to drop the gifts into their socks and returned to bed, sleep interrupted!!! Furthermore, I observed that the gratitude gained from Santa is diminishing, which reduces the spirit of the intent. Hence I decided to stop torturing myself and confess to my kids yesterday morning. Since they already understood the true meaning of Christmas, we will scrape away the myth of Santa ;p

Nonetheless, we had our fair share of 'Santa' stories and memories to live with. After Santa, they started to question me about tooth fairy….

Dogs Dogs Dogs

My love affair with dogs began with our 1st dog - Rusty the Jack Russell Terrier...

Caring for a dog is a lifetime responsibility. Prior to dogs, I have had cats which were half a world apart from dogs. Cats are very independent whereas dogs require loads of attention, affection and time. While providing for Rusty, I read more about dogs and over time learnt the characteristics of JRTs and various other breeds. As I get acquainted with dogs, I began to grow a love towards them, though I have a preference over large breeds, short coat or goofy dogs ;p however, I like many other breeds not falling into these categories. 

The saying goes " Dogs love you more than they love themselves" - undoubtedly true! Regardless of breeds, all dogs make wonderful companions. As long as you accord it time, patience and love, dogs will learn to behave obediently. Similarly, any dog that has been previously traumatised will certainly outgrow its insecurities and be normalised. All that is required is a chance for them to adapt to their new environment.

Here's to all the lovely dogs!

My girl's masterpieces

Both my kids are fans of mommy's needlefelt craft works but my girl, being more artistically inclined, took up the craft this year as I started to poke more. She is 9 going 10, about the right age to handle a sharp needle. I taught her simple shapes such as spheres, cubes and other basic techniques. Along the way she practiced and poked items that she fancies. However, she gets carried away when she does art, thus I have to lay down strict instructions that she can only indulge in craftwork during school vacation days, whereas mommy will be poking away while eyeing them to complete their tasks at home during school terms ;p

All local kids and parents love year end school vacations as it spells the end of mugging for students & nagging for parents! It's a season to relax and revel in our favourite activities. Needless to say, my girl started poking after her examinations and here's what she came up with :-)

Chi!!! The cutesie cat character in a Japanese comics that she loves. Pretty good job done for a 9-year old!!!

E.T.

Besides the movie Superman, the other film that left an indelible mark in my childhood memory is E.T. It was screened during my pre-teen years when I was hardly proficient in English, but I was still able to catch the gist of the story and was moved by the touching scenes - evidence of a great production capturing viewers' hearts. Perhaps it was also the fact that the creature E.T. was an ugly but adorable (aka cute) and innocent alien that impressed on me. Its doleful blue eyes, big head atop a long neck, long arms and creasy hide is unforgettable. Decades have passed and E.T. remains in my heart a heartwarming alien :-)

Rusty, our Jack Russell

A recent passing of a friend's cat, Dusty has ignited memories of my beloved pets who departed in my life. It is always heart wrenching whenever a pet companion leaves us :-( I have been through numerous heartaches - both mine, close friends' or family members' endearing pets. Many pet owners have gone through similar grief. After the passing of 4 of my own with 3 suffering from various forms of cancer and lengthy periods of medications and treatments, I thought I would have toughened up....

Thus when Rusty, our feisty Jack Russell at age 15 was degenerating in health due to old age - weakening heart which inevitably led to other organ failures, I had braved myself for the day when Rusty would eventually leave us. Rusty was on daily medications to boost his heart, lungs, stomach and kidneys. The prognosis for each check up was the same - the vet would affirm that his state had weakened further and his days would be numbered. Each visit served to prepare myself mentally... Despite a weak heart and overburdened lungs, Rusty appeared alert for an old ailing dog, still eager for food and treats; his fighting spirit was admirable.

There was once Rusty coughed laboriously and breathed abnormally fast, without delay I brought him to the vet. The vet advised him to be put on oxygen treatment as well as drawing out excess fluids from his body; however, the vet could not assure that he would survive even this treatment alone. Upon hearing it, my heart sank and I couldn't help tearing up. Then I knew that no matter how prepared I was mentally, I would never be prepared emotionally.

Thankfully Rusty survived the treatment and was home with us for another 2 good months. Then came the day that his body could not take it, he refused to eat nor drink and I knew it would be time (my eyes welled up with tears as I penned this part). He departed the next night, during the wee hours peacefully.

Kitty Cats

I am naturally attracted to all cats and had cats first as pets in my life. I find cats graceful, independent and cool - traits I admire, be it humans or animals. Moreover, cats have a softer and warmer side too, they will seek attention and cuddle up to you. The difference between them and dogs is that cats seek human company only when they are in the mood (attitude!!!), whereas dogs are always eager to please their human companions round the clock, rather tiresome at times as dogs are in constant need of attention. However, dogs provide unconditional love and unwavering loyalty that warms one's heart all the time.

My first cat was a stray which I adopted from the streets but didn't survive beyond a couple of months for reasons attributable to inexperience. Her passing was so devastating that I cried for days, so unbearable that I went looking for another kitten to heal the pain. That led to my 2nd cat, a blue Persian kitten, Nikki with an incredible personality. At that time, I was in 1st year of University and had to leave her alone at home while I head off to lectures and tutorials in campus which made me feel terribly guilty. Hence, a week later I went on to acquire a 2nd kitten, Bloomy - a chinchilla breed to keep Nikki company. Both of them grew up to be the best of friends grooming each other incessantly. Nikki displayed a more dominant character and would shield Bloomy from the annoying dogs that cut into their path. Like me, they were nomads moving with me as I put up in different abodes in my adult years but they proved to be adaptable as the unchanging factor was each other's company.

Years later, a Jack Russell and a Labrador were introduced to the pioneer pair of cats; they coexisted harmoniously under one roof, or rather, indifferently to one another. My ideal is raising a kitten and puppy up together so they will be playmates from young and be affectionate towards each other.