our babies

Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers

joel - the first year

Showing posts with label terry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label terry. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

a reason season or lifetime

Got this in an email... thought i wanna share it here...

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person..

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life,
whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

Terry was a reason, a season and a lifetime - almost.
2 March 2009

I always remembered this from an SPCA poster Sandra had
"To you he's a dog. To him you're his everything."

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

for jo and terry

A friend drew this and put up in her blog

Thanks! ;)

the end

This email was from my sis, Audrey:

"I just got back to see Terry one last time. He is like sleeping. Said a little prayer to him and also read the note that Jo wrote the other time. Vet said he died peacefully in his sleep between 11 - 12 noon on 2 March. He ate some food and was a little restless in the morning.

Vet said this is the best way to see him off as it is of his own will and he did not go thru the op or put to sleep. The Vet Robin and assistant Nicole have been very nice and said Terry is a very good dog and they said sorry to me several times that Terry is gone. Nicole cried...

Terry will be cremated at the Pet Hotel this afternoon. Think he is a happy auto roaming dog in Heaven now.

Bye Terry.

We will remember you always.

THE END."

And everyone says, Amen.

My younger Sandra & my mom just left for Israel on the morning of 2 March. Hence, they do not know about Terry's death - yet. Nor does my other sis Audrey intend to inform them anytime soon. Also, since my dad is alone at home, they will keep the news from him too - least he gets depressed. Audrey intends to wait till Sandra & mom get back on 11 March. I'll also be back in Singapore a few hours after them.

Monday, March 2, 2009

terry is in heaven

My sis Audrey just called to tell me that Terry died peacefully in his sleep this afternoon. He is in heaven where there's no sickness and no pain. AMEN.
Terry on 30 June 2006, Our wedding.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

more updates on terry

My sis said they didn't do the surgery today becoz blood test showed that Terry's liver is a little weak so he must take nutrients for 2 weeks and check again.
*Liver is the organ for breaking down the anesthesia. As Terry is very old, he might run the risk of not waking up from the surgery. Hence it is not advisable to do the surgery when his liver is not in good condition.

In the meantime, they will need to bring Terry to the vet every other day to release his bladder. Other than that, his blood results are okay. Not diabetic. They also need to run some tests for his kidneys... If it's not that good, might have to perform the surgery earlier than planned. That's all i have for now.

God is watching over us. Amen!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

updates from vet 2

My sis called me from Vet #2. After the x-ray, there's indeed stones in Terry's bladder. Vet #2 advise is to go ahead with the operation to remove the stones coz he saw that Terry is still so active (dont look sick)...so he also dont have the heart to put him to sleep. The doc even said that if we decide to put Terry to sleep, we should go somewhere else coz he thinks Terry has a chance at survival. The doc also said that some 17-year old dogs also can survive the op. At least that gave us more hope! So...my family has arranged to do the op tomorrow 9am.

As with all operations, there will be risks involved...but i'm sure God is looking after Terry...and Terry does seem stronger now...so let's keep our fingers crossed and pray hard that all goes well.

By the time i wake up and start my day tomorrow, i would have known the outcome.

CAST ALL YOUR CARES UPON HIM
Amen!
(I dont know where is this verse from...but it's in my head now and it's from the Bible)

to God be the glory

Hi everyone,
Good news! Looks like Terry can be saved after all! His test results came back today and it seems there's no stones in his bladder!
Initial Diagnosis:
- stones in his bladder
- prostate cancer
1. what the vet did (on Sunday) was to push the kidney stones away (temporarily) from his bladder so that he can continue to pee. But it would not last for more than 3 days due to the force of gravity.
2. given that he wont be able to pee again soon, he would have to be put to sleep this week.
3. and considering Terry's advanced age and health, he might not survive the operation on anesthesia to remove the stones.

*Prostate Cancer - that forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum)
* Prostate cancer usually occurs in older man
** FYI, Terry has only 1 testicle which might also be the cause of the cancer

Terry lived a very long healthy life, 17 x 7 = 119 going 120, as long as Moses who lived till 120!

My sis Audrey was also planning to bring him to another vet to get a second opinion on the stones in bladder and the prostate cancer.

Vet #2 suggests an X-ray before we decide to put Terry down. He says urinary blockage could be due to stones or infection. He also mentioned that enlarged prostate does not mean it's cancerous. At times, some medication can cure the swell. Besides, Terry seems happy now, he can eat, walk, pee and poo.

So...they will bring him to Vet #2 tonight.

I was also trying to get my air tickets (to Singapore-Bali) changed this morning...so that i can go back to Singapore tomorrow with Joel to see Terry before we put him to sleep on Fri/Sat. The ticket is not under the 2-to-go promo, but it seems our tickets cannot be changed - even if i'm willing to top-up money. I needed to buy another ticket (full fare for adult & infant), and the current ticket will be deemed invalid.

Whatever the outcome, the most praise goes to GOD our Abba Father who is watching over Terry. There is NO spot in you.

To God Be The Glory! AMEN! ;D

P.S. A lot of this info (above) is copied/paste from my sis' emails...but the last 2 sentences are from me! Haha! I dont remember if Terry's been with us for 14 years or was it 17 years...indeed he's been blessed in God's family! I know some of you (or ALL of you) are laughing at me now for being so holy all of a sudden. Keke... But i know this has to be GOD'S WORK! God is sooo good! ;)

Sunday, February 22, 2009

terry koh

My dog is sick...and has to be put to sleep this week. :_(

He's been with us for 14 years. He's like our little brother and our baby - Terry Koh. So this is a really tough decision to make...

Terry just after his haircut.

I've just added a new category - TERRY. I'm sorry i only have so much on him. But he's going to live in our hearts forever. Maybe we will see him in heaven someday.

I love you, Terry, but i have to let you go. Thank you for being with us for these 14 years (and the 2 years that i'm gone). I'm sooo sorry i cannot be there with you now. And i'm soooooooo sorry i've neglected you after i have Baby Joel. But i still love you. I will always remember you. Goodbye, my baby. Goodbye...

Love, Hugs & Kisses,
Mommy Jo. :_(

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

our singapore diary

Friday: Shanghai PVG to Singapore
Shanghai Terminal 2 has a cool playground while waiting to board the aircraft. (The first picture shows a charging station at the waiting area. Good for laptops! T2 is really built for Expo 2010.)

Saturday
Rise & Shine! This is what Joel does every morning. Bang his head against the wall...

A visit to GongGong, PorPor & Terry before dinner...

Our reunion dinner at House of Peranakan Cuisine...
(Yes, we're Nonya)


...and coffee break afterwards. That's cousins Xan & Xavier. Xan bought Joel the Teddy (named Teddy) on the left, and they also bought Joel the LeapPad system (which Joel already has...so we let Aunty Sandra give it to her friend's kid). Anyway, THANKS SO MUCH!

Sunday
We went down to Orchard Road to shop for a while before our reunion dinner...but most of the shops were already closed by the time we got there! That's cousins GuanLin, YuHang, YuXing & baby YiChen (in the background). Joel's dearest BearBear's nose is also used as dental floss. ;p

Lunar New Year - Chu 1
Visiting to GongGong/PorPor, then to Elvis' brother's new house. (Everywhere Joel went, we took off his pants coz he was too HOT!)

Joel well-rested after his beauty sleep...

Lunar New Year - Chu 2
Went out with Daddy's friends Uncle WeiYang & Aunty Janice to Serangoon Gardens then "Chun Dao He Pan" 春到河畔 at Marina (which was super boring we left almost immediately). They're expecting their first baby boy in June. ;)

Dinner at Ben & Sharon's home... Joel has sooo much fun rocking in Claudia's sarong! HAHA!
3 toddlers - Riya (19mths), Claudia (25mths) & Joel.

Lunar New Year - Chu 3
(Forgot to bring camera out...so these are from my lousy camera phone) Brought Joel for his Chickenpox vaccination...followed by shopping...met GongGong, PorPor & Aunty Audrey at Suntec for lunch...and finally dinner with Mommy's ex-colleagues at Tambuah Mas at Paragon.
3 toddlers - Daniel (18mths), Kaede (11mths) & Joel.

Lunar New Year - Chu 4
Lunch at Ricciotti with Elvis' ex-colleagues who came from everywhere...

Then we went shopping at Ann Siang. Daddy shopping again at his friend's shop Asylum. Discovered this cool brand - Surface To Air. Bought shoes & clothes - all within 15 mins! (Mommy faint)

followed by Haji Lane...

Tea break at Shokudo & dinner at Cedele

Then we went to Aunty Yali's house... (Elvis sister who looks exactly like him & mother of that sweet little boy, YuHang)
Joel counting his angpao money before bedtime. Not bad! Haha! ;)

Lunar New Year - Chu 5
Mommy slept & slept...

Lunar New Year - Chu 6.
Visiting Elvis' secondary school friends & our Nafa friends... followed by dinner with family...
Baby Amelia (9mths), Amanda (4yrs) & Lele (6yrs).

Uncle Ryan, Aunties Stella & Jessica playing rolling Mandarin oranges with Joel...which he can never catch. So you can see from the last picture Joel is pretty pissed. Haha! ;p

Lunar New Year - Chu 7
Changi Airport T3. Everyone wants a piece of our little pig...

Uncle Elvis & Joel makes (15mths) baby cousin YiChen unhappy. Terrible! ;p

That's Joel's baby meal which is quite yummy - mashed sweet potato, chicken (which tasted a bit like Campbell...and Mommy ate all of it coz Joel doesnt want it), some mashed "food" (on the right), some caramel-tasting pudding as dessert, a bun and fresh milk. And that's Joel kaypo-ing on board...


Most "memorable" about my trip back to Singapore:
#1 "Ah Mi To Fo" chanting at my in-law's house for 7 days & 7 nights! It was rather disturbing with its glowing cum rotating lights at the altar - totally hypnotizing with the audio AND visual! (Faint)
#2 I was also down with stomach flu from Chu 3 which caused me to vomit and had diarrhoea for the next 3 days! I also lost my (good) appetite coz i felt nauseous every time i ate. So...i actually didnt get much of the CNY goodies and delicacies! :(
#3 Everywhere we went, there were kids! (Faint)
#4 Joel was super "sticky" to Daddy and clings onto him very tightly! Sometimes, he doesnt even want Mommy! I'm not complaining - although it does makes me look quite "helpless" and useless. Haha! ;p

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

my dear terry

We're leaving in 3 days. But before i leave, i really wanna write something about my dear Terry. Since Joel's arrival, he's become the new baby of the family. Even as i'm thinking of what to write about him (Terry), tears well up in my eyes. I just took 3 photos of him which i'll upload later.

I still remember how our whole family went berserk when Terry was lost July last year. When he was found 2 days later, it was so touching. Sob sob...

Terry's been sleeping at the back of the kitchen (washing area) for a few months now. Initially, he still roamed around the house as usual, and Joel is not scared of his barking too. What made us isolate Terry to the metal shelf is becoz he has ticks & fleas...and it's VERY BAD. He was "infected" after his visit to the groomer's. In fact, it has infested the whole house! We find them crawling on the floor, walls, beds, tables - even on our clothes! It's quite gross actually. And when my father scolds Terry, he'll hide inside a small corner (eg. underneath Joel's bed, or at the lowest rack of clothes) and wont come out. So, we've got no choice but to leash and confine him.

I'm on my feet literally for 24 hours/day looking after Joel that i dont have time for Terry - not even look at him or pet him. So, bathing him is left to my sis (who calls him BABY). At the most, i'll just call his name when i'm doing the laundry or washing plates (like in the picture). As you can see, he spotted me taking his photo from afar and even ignored me. =(

Actually, I'm more afraid of the ticks than fleas. The ticks are crushed easily and a lot of blood will splatter. They look very gross too. But the good news is that they have kinda disappeared from our house. Maybe the fleas have longer lifespan, and sometimes, we still see them around the house. They are kinda retarded now...crawling more slowly or curled up (their legs)...maybe coz no more blood for them to suck on. Most of the time, they look like a round brown dirt...so it's hard to spot on the wooden floor. But when you pick them up, they will run for their lives!

I guess we'll still continue to cage Terry up for a few more months coz we dont want the surviving ticks and fleas to host on Terry again.

When i went to Shanghai, Terry is the thing i miss most about Singapore. I hope he'll be happier when i see him again in October.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

bad sleeping habits


Here's what Terry did when his pillow is in the wash. He found his way to sleep conveniently in a plastic bag with a pair of slippers inside. And the slippers was his pillow! Heehee... ;p

And here's what Terry does when i'm using the computer. ;)


P.S. He's sooo cute that whenever i think of him (in Shanghai), i'll cry...sob sob :_(

Friday, August 31, 2007

baby terry

Maybe it's time i write about baby Terry again. After he was lost-&-found, he went through a rough patch. We sent him for grooming, and days after he came back, we realised there's ticks and fleas on him! (We are really terrified of the big fat juicy fleas - feeding on poor Terry!) I was wondering if he had gotten them while he was at the SPCA. But my sis said it's from the groomers.

We bathe and applied medication for him, and it's much better now. Here's a picture of him all cuddled up (just like my baby) & sleeping very soundly on his doggy-faced pillow. He has a bed too, but we think he likes this pillow much more! ;)

Sunday, July 22, 2007

the lost & found terry

For those who are concerned about Terry, he's been home for a week now, but he's been acting weird. On the 1st day that we shifted here, Sandra "communicated to him" that he's supposed to pee and shit on the newspapers at the balcony...and he did just that (how clever)!

However, since his return, he's been urinating/shitting all over the house, and even likes to topple the dustbin to see what leftovers he can find! He even has the cheek to bring a whole drumstick (bone of course) up to our room to show us what he's got! What is most weird is that he seemed to have lost his bark - esp on the 1st day. Now, he's slowly barking louder, but sometimes it's out-of-tune.

Hmm...i hope he'll be back to the old Terry again soon - however naughty he might be.

Here's some pictures of our cute "terry baby":


Also read:
http://blabberingjo.blogspot.com/2007/03/against-all-odds.html

Sunday, July 15, 2007

the big move, and a lost dog...and God's grace

Warning: Damn long story (only for those with heart)

My family shifted from Simei to Pasir Ris barely 2 days ago (on Friday), and the turn of events afterwards was totally unexpected...

On the 1st night, I had the chance to sleep with Terry again in my new room too. He was very obedient until 6+am (coz he sometimes wanna go in/out of the room a few times in the night). As always, we wouldnt know if it was to pee or what... But it always makes us very pissed. Haha... ;/

Anyway, back to the move, we realised on the 1st day that the grills at the main door was too wide, and Terry could squeeze through it. We wanted to go buy something to block it to keep him safe. BUT, we were too late. =(

On the 2nd day, my sisters went back to the old house TWICE to pick up some of the remaining stuff. The 1st time they came back, Terry barked at them as usual (his usual 'Welcome Home'). But the 2nd time, they realised he was not around. It was only then that we realised he had gone out of the house!

Prior to that, I wanted to take a nap in Sandra's room and my 2 nephews were playing games on her computer. At 1st, I had Terry leashed to the window coz I was afraid that he'll roam around as the other adults were busy unpacking downstairs. Then, he started to bark and I asked Xan to close the room door, so that I can release him. I remembered vividly that the 1st time my sisters came back (from Simei), I heard my mom said that she had blocked the gate. So, we opened the room door.

BUT, when they came back the 2nd time, who whould have known that Terry had already left the house!!! I jumped up from bed immediately and saw the gate was not blocked at all!!! We quickly went searching for Terry in the area, but realised it was TOO HUGE and so-very-open!!! White Sands was just across, and there's also the MRT, a fishing pond, and a park!!! It was about 2.30pm. By early evening, we were armed with flyers which Xan & Xavier helped to print from their house. It even showed Terry's photo, and a reward. On the other hand, Sandra & i - the helpless ones - only had hand-written notes. I wanted to find Terry asap before night falls.

Everyone in the family helped to search for Terry and put up the posters at the neighbouring blocks, fishing pond/park and bus-stops. We also tried to call out Terry's name so that IF someone had brought him home, Terry might have heard our shouts and responded by barking (Sandra & i can recognize his barking). My little nephew Xavier who was usually afraid of Terry (and called him Terry-yaki) suddenly told me that he kinda missed Terry...I was touched. I left a message at SPCA that my dog was missing, and hoped that they'll contact me soon (tomorrow). But there was only so much we could do on Sat night. We went home with a heavy heart. I was sure it was impossible to see him again. I read some articles online about missing dogs, and i left his dog bowl & water at the doorstep (hoping that he could smell it and lead him home). Elvis comforted me and was sorry he couldnt be here with me. He tried to make me more hopeful, but i was so pessimistic i knew it was 'the end'. I cried my heart out that night.

On Sun, I was hesitating if i should go to church with my family least Terry should find his way home in the morning. Then i thought that maybe i should just leave it to God, and maybe (who knows), by the time we're back from church, Terry would be sitting at our doorstep! At the service, whenever i thought of Terry, i just sob helplessly. It was just impossible to see him again.

Then in the afternoon, we got a call from someone who said that he found Terry roaming nearby on Sat afternoon (but) brought it to his friend's house to bathe and feed him. Then they left him at the blocks again. We were somewhat "angry" becoz we had the posters well-covered in "our area", but he had left Terry in "another area". This would mean all our efforts the previous day was useless! Anyway, we rushed to those blocks where he had left Terry and shouted our lungs out. My nephews Xan & Xavier also went home to print more posters, then helped us in the search. I realised that there was a connector in that area, a bridge and a highway...so if Terry had gone either way, it'll be totally hopeless. The teenagers (who left him there) also told us that they would help to look for Terry. What bugged me was also coz they said that when they brought Terry home, he didnt have his collar on him anymore.

As we were about to give up and go for dinner, we got another call saying that Terry was spotted in "our area" 30 mins ago, and we went to search for him again. By evening, we somewhat gave up hope again and went to my sister's house for dinner. As we sat down eating (seemingly happily), everyone knew we've done all we could (to no avail) and it was all left to God now.

As we ate, we got a few SMS/calls from some people that Terry was spotted on Sat at some blocks (which we had already covered). Finally, 1 guy called and said that he had brought Terry to the SPCA on Sat evening! His description matched our only-2-teeth & cataract Terry! We were so relieved that Terry didnt have to roam the streets and learn to fend for himself in the dark and cold. He was safe and under shelter both nights. WOW! It was so amazing!

It must have been God's grace that brought Terry home.
Thank You, Almighty Father.

Monday, March 19, 2007

against all odds

This is Terry! I love him white, beige, brown, furry, entangled, hairless, apple-scented or stinky...


He's looks very small, but he's an old old Bishon Frise who's still so bubbly & very naughty. We even suspect he might be a little senile coz he sometimes urine on the floormats (okay, many times for DAYS in a row), knowing that my dad will get VERY ANGRY. ;p

Some of his other names:
- terry baby, baby, DOG, 6th aunty's son...

P.S. He's so old that almost all his teeth have fallen off. So, please dont laugh at him. ;p