Meimei and Jiejie are happy pups. Photo: Jason Kang
Jason Kang, a sales and marketing executive from Muar, Johor, has always had a soft spot for desperate dogs.
Eleven years ago, he adopted Juliet, a little mixed breed stray from Puchong, Selangor. When she passed away in March, Jason and his mum were devastated."The house felt empty," he sighs. "I missed her and my mum said she missed Juliet too."
At first, the loss was too raw. However, conversations with friends reminded him of the other dogs out there with needs.
"My friends pointed out there are so many unfortunate dogs, and I wanted to help them out," Kang shares. "They introduced me to Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better."
As the Kangs live down south and the NGO lies two hours away, the first arrangements were made over phone and text. Kang talked about Juliet, and asked if there was a lookalike in the shelter, to remind him of his former pet.
"I was looking for that connection," he says. "And then I was thinking that one dog would be lonely. So I said I'd take two."
As mixing dogs is always tricky, it's best to do so with younger dogs. So the NGO arranged for Jason to have two young dogs, pups really, who were more likely to bond easily. One from Bentong, Pahang, and one from Klang, Selangor.
Kang drove up from Muar and took the two little dogs home. "They were in a new place, and a bit frightened," he remembers. "They were about two months old, and quite insecure. Also, being rescues, they were worried about food."
Rescue dogs live rough lives. On the street, they often fight for food. They have to be bold or they don't make it. Dogs fight other animals, and each other too.
Therefore, even young dogs learn fast that stealing is good and that snapping at another dog will ensure success.
"They were small but stealing from each other and snapping at each other," Kang says. "They were fighting, struggling to be boss, which is all very natural.
"I stayed with them, introducing them, teaching them where to poo-poo, where to sleep, and teaching them to be friends."
Kang was tireless, kind, patient and sensitive. It took a few days but with the pups being quite malleable, his message got through.
"It took about a week before they warmed up to each other but now they're partners in crime," he laughs.
In fact, they're so close that they're named Meimei and Jiejie, meaning younger and older sister in Mandarin.
Kang is humble about his nurturing. "When Juliet came to live with us, I had to learn to take care of her. I knew very little, but Juliet encouraged me. She was always happy to see me, always welcoming. I learned about dogs from her."
Today, the puppies Meimei and Jiejie cuddle and play together happily.
"They still quarrel over food, but I think that's because they're like sibs," Kang observes. "I think going to the vet helped them bond – they both went for their vaccinations together."
As they're still small, he continues to teach them.
"My mum says they're like two very big babies," he points out. "Dogs are family-minded, so they want to learn.
"When you introduce the system, they really want to know. As long as you're patient and explain what you want from them, they'll pick it up."
Kang is spending a lot of time with the pups so they learn good manners. He notes, though, that dogs don't really think the same way we do. This can be a barrier to communication and can make training frustrating.
Another consideration is that pets that have just been dropped at the shelter are more likely to have house manners. But those who have been in the shelter some time, or who were dumped on the street, may have learned habits that are considered a nuisance in a home.
For example, dogs living rough will be worried about food security, so they may steal or fight for their bowl. All of them are likely to be quite noisy.
With love and careful positive training, these habits can be soothed away in some months. However, if you're not used to dog training, a younger dog will be easier to train than an old one.
"Dogs have strong instincts, and sometimes it's things we don't really consider, like territory," he notes.
"To a dog, territory really matters. They will bark to announce it's there and to defend it. When we don't understand what it's about, we think it's just noise. It isn't. It's important communication to them.
"You can't change that, it's in their nature, so you need to work with it," he advises. "If you're not familiar with dogs, it's best to go for training or to volunteer in a shelter."
In addition, as dogs have their own ways of being, company may be a key factor to success.
"I think adopting two dogs is best," Kang observes. "One is lonely but two is just nice. They will spend their whole lives with you, and they need someone to play with when you're at work. They need their own kind."
Also, as always, adopting is a commitment.
"Dogs who are abandoned never forget their home," Kang points out. "Dumping is cruel. So think before you take one, and be sure you can take good care of them."
Adopt Me
Brienna is six months old, vaccinated, dewormed, and spayed. This smiling girl is an active pup, friendly to human and to doggos too. She loves to play, and is an active and happy girl. She also has a short, low-maintenance coat.
Photo: Brenda Chia
Interested adopters, please contact Brenda in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, at 012-231 6963.
