Summer is a cutie with a heart of gold.
Sweet white furred Summer found a happy home with Liew Pei Yi, a music teacher in Subang Jaya, Selangor, when she was just two months old. Regular readers may remember that the little fluffball rescue pup was so timid, that she hid from her new family, trembling with terror at being near humans.
Time and gentle care from Liew and her family brought the little dog out of her shell, building her confidence and helping her bond.
When Summer turned five, Liew was diagnosed with cancer. The dog stepped up, and provided her mum with endless emotional support.
Thankfully, Liew’s health is stable. When we caught up with the two old friends, it was with the realisation that Summer is now turning eight, the equivalent of 48 in human years.
“I still think of her as a big puppy!” Liew exclaims. “Summer is very healthy and lively but she is slowing down a little.
“When Summer was a pup, she used to waken me at 4am to play. I used to secretly wish she’d grow up a bit faster. She stopped doing that when she turned three or four, and now I kind of miss it.
“In fact, she now wakes up later than me. When I wake up, usually around 9am, I have to wake her up with a 'Good morning' and a pat. But when I start my morning stretching exercises, Summer is right there with me, as she stretches away. It’s so cute!”
Summer is a sweetheart who gives emotional support to her mum.
Pups tend to eat everything and lots of it. As dogs age, they slow down a little. Some become picky, others eat less, and some develop sensitive tummies.
“Summer has always been picky,” Liew shares. “She’s become a little less picky over the years. For example, when she was younger, she would reject any offer of fruit. Today, she will eat a little papaya. She might eat a slice of apple, but that’s hit and miss. She’ll munch it down for a day, maybe two days, and then she’ll say no thanks. She won’t touch bananas. I don’t push it. It’s her way.”
As diet is a cornerstone for health, Liew pays a lot of attention to Summer’s food, managing the picky dog’s tastes.
“She has her kibble but I also cook for Summer. Her favourite meal is cooked pork. I sneak in some veggies like bok choi and spinach, but she’s really not very fond of it. Broccoli is a definite no-no. We mix it up, and she also eats some BARF, the biologically appropriate raw food.”
Living in Malaysia, heat can be a problem for Summer. She lives indoors, a true member of the family, and when she and Liew go for walks, her mum takes special care of her.
“We walk after the sun goes down as it’s too hot in direct sun,” Liew shares. “If we’re on an outing, I take a water spray to help her cool down. I spray her whole body, top and bottom. I also use wet wipes for her paws and tummy. The damp helps her keep cool.”
When it's hot, Liew keeps Summer cool by spraying her body with water. Photos: Liew Pei Yi
Liew also manages Summer’s mental health, not because she was once a nervous and traumatised rescue pup, but because Liew’s first dog, Snowy, developed dementia.
“I got Snowy when I was a teenager, in school, and it may be that the breeder wasn’t the best,” she says. “Whatever it was, Snowy went from fine to having dementia very quickly when she turned 14.
“She would lose track of things, get a bit lost in her mind, and stare at walls. Often, she lost track of where she was. We looked after her, and she passed away when she was 16.”
Following this experience, Liew does preventative mental health work with Summer.
“I help her to eat healthily, and keep her mind active. With my illness, my energy levels fluctuate. I walk her when I can and play with her on days when we can’t. Play keeps her busy thinking.”
Summer and Liew are a team, and from the warm beam of love in Summer’s brown eyes, the love flows deep.
Adopt Us
Mocha and Fifi are about eight or nine years old. These two Shih Tzu ladies were abandoned separately just this month. They are generally healthy and adoptable. However, like many older Shih Tzus, the ladies have cataracts.
Fifi’s vision is still all right as she hasn’t knocked into anything. She is very alert and barks when there is movement, proving she’s a keen guard dog. She also loves to dip her furry face in the water bowl which makes her look untidy and scruffy.
Fifi. Photos: SPCA Penang/Lily Leng
Mocha is slimmer and has pretty brown patches – which is why the SPCA gave her the coffee name. Mocha has a severe cataract on her right eye. Otherwise, she sees fine.
Mocha
Shih Tzus are sociable, loving, clever and good fun to live with. As these are small dogs and mature, they don’t need long walks. They do love company, though. If you have a sofa and like to chat, check out Fifi and Mocha.
Interested adopters, please contact SPCA Penang, Jalan Jeti Jelutong, 11600 Jelutong, Penang. Phone: 04-281 6559. Website https://spca-penang.net
