Our New Lil Black Yuckie Pill

M had a package today. It was FULL of boxes that didn't smell too good, but we were still curious.

It turned out to be some little black pill that tasted yuckie! She forced Apollo and I to take one each, and even said that if it works well she'll be ordering again. I cant imagine how something that yuckie will work WELL. I mean, if its yuckie its not good for health isn't it?

Anyways, the label said Thera Neem Supercritical CO2 Extract of Neem. As usual, M ordered it from the land of far far away.

It is made with certified organic neem leaves and is known for its broad spectrum activity and antioxidant benefits. M gives us this to boost our immune system and clear up any skin problems as well. Neem is great, according to her. The only grouse is the smell.. BUT the neem capsules doesnt smell THAT bad.

Update:

M managed to trick Apollo into eating this yucky pill! I mean, i know we willingly eat our glucosamine supplements cause they are so tasty, but this is pushing the limit! It smells like well, neem. And it tastes like neem as well! (M: thats really cause its neem.)

Now Apollo eats the pills willingly everyday. Sheesh. Well, i'm sure M is NOT gonna trick me into doing it. (M: No eat, no treat)

M: Training Apollo to willingly eat supplements is great. Force feeding him is so tough because i have to stuff my entire hand into his mouth to get one pill down his throat. It doesnt help when he manages to spit them out all the time. I hope that Candy can pick this up soon too!

Save the Whale Sharks!

Credits to http://www.techdivethailand.com/wreck-diving-photos.htm

We are against Resorts World Sentosa importing whale sharks for their Marine Life Park, and would like to ask all of you to help!

To help the whale sharks please sign this petition: http://www.whalesharkpetition.com/

In a nutshell, whale sharks:

• are endangered and close to extinction.
• are known as the largest fish in the ocean and can grow up to 20m
  
• migrate over 13,000km and
  
• dive up to 980m deep
• cannot thrive in captivity due to their size and migratory patterns.

Here is M's interview with Animal Concerns Research & Education Society's (ACRES) executive director Louis Ng.

M: What is ACRES'S main concern of keeping the whale sharks in captivity?

Louis: Whale sharks are a species vulnerable to extinction and efforts must be undertaken to protect all remaining wild populations. There can be no merit from removing a whale shark from its natural environment for a life in captivity.

On top of this, whale sharks can dive up to 980 metres and migrate over 13 thousand kilometres. No man-made environment, no matter how large, could accomodate their needs.

Evidence has shown that whale sharks fare poorly in captivity. In fact, two whale sharks - Ralph and Norton - died within five months of each other at the Georgia aquarium, U.S.A.

M: Do you think that Resorts World Sentosa will be able to provide appropriate care for the whale sharks in the oceanarium? Are there any specific tips on whale shark husbandry ACRES recommends?

Louis: ACRES would like to stress that we are not against the keeping of certain species in captivity. It is, however, simply impossible to cater for the needs of whale sharks in captivity and they should thus never be captured and kept in captivity.

M: If these whale sharks were NOT to be imported, is there any other way people can appreciate the world's aquatic biodiversity and promote conservation action in Singapore?

Louis: There has been no scientific evidence to justify the positive educational aspects of captive facilities. ACRES strongly believes that people can learn about aquatic biodiversity through visiting nature reserves like Chek Jawa and also seeing these animals in the wild. In fact, we believe that these create a more educational experience, without compromising the welfare of the animals.

M: The whale sharks are endangered. What is considered good conservation strategy for them?

Louis: A good conservation strategy is to protect the sharks in the wild and protect their habitats. Awareness must be and can be raised in Singapore and other countries without having whale sharks in captivity.

M: Should the whale sharks ultimately be in the oceanarium, what is the best advice you can give guests and Resorts World Sentosa themselves.

Louis: If the whales sharks are housed in RWS, we will be urging people to boycott the facility.

**UPDATES**

* http://the5rascals.blogspot.com/2009/05/whale-sharks-may-not-be-brought-in-to.html

A new sister?

M has been missing Kola and Cocoa alot. I heard her say she misses the way they greet her. The way Kola steals food off the table. The way Cocoa demanded for food. Their abilities to fish out all the food they want with their nose and leave the rice behind, no matter how mixed in the meats are.

I even saw her searching for poodle breeders online. (M only buys from ethical breeders, otherwise she adopts. She knows of the suffering our pawpals go through in puppymills)

I cant wait for a new sister to bully!

RAWR! I'm ANGRY!

Every Wednesday for the past few weeks, M has been bringing Apollo out. Worst still, she doesn't bring ME along! Both of them will not tell me where they have been going or what they have been doing! I am ANGRY!

M: Its a surprise Apollo and I have been working on. Stay tuned! It'll be out in the next few weeks (or maybe a month or two.)

Apollo: Woof! I've been getting LOADS of yummies every week when M brings me out. Oh yes, have I mentioned, M is also clicker training me, not only Candy!

M: Initially I wasn't very fond of the idea of clicker training, but now that I've tried it, I can say i'm surprised how fast they learn with a clicker or a marker. Although i dont believe in a 100% positive non-confrontational training, this has been really working very well. I doubt i'll introduce corrections at this point unless they become too stubborn.

Apollo is a really soft dog, and even though marker training doesnt warrant corrections, I agree with Ed Frawley's stand that dogs who know the command but do not want to do what they are being told should be corrected. As for Candy, she learns pretty quick and is eager to please when there is a reward awaiting her, so we'll see. Updates to come soon!