today i joined my singapore vegetarian society friends on a day trip to visit 2 animal shelters in JB. i have heard of these two places from fangqi long time ago and had always wanted to go there so i was really looking forward to this trip.

first we had lunch at 3O restaurant before going to the shelters. and guess who we saw - Xie Shaoguang! actually, it was not really a surprise to see him there since we knew that he opened this veg restaurant and an animal shelter in jb, but i was pretty delighted. he was washing dishes and we asked if we could take a pic wif him but he declined politely..saying that since he had retired, he didnt want to be 'exposed'. he had put on some weight and grown some white hair but i thought he still looked good and much happier than before.

rachel & me at 3O restaurant

after lunch we went to Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary(NANAS). Just a short history about NANAS, it was originally located in singapore, but during the SARS period, their licence was not renewed so all the animals had to move to jb within 3 working days. it was a very tough period for the owner and volunteers but they managed to complete this feat with lots of $$$$ and support so that all the animals can continue to have a chance to live. i've heard of this place long time ago but was not prepared with the sight that welcomed me. 

there were just lots and lots and lots of dogs! i guess there are about few hundreds of them free roaming and just super happy to see the human beings and get a pat or an affectionate rub from us. i could spot many pure breeds among them - huskies, beagles, even a very affectionate pitbull who was rescued from spca kl. it was supposed to be put to sleep because it was a retired fighting dog and they didnt believe that fighting dogs could get along with other dogs. but the owner of noah's ark told spca 'let the dogs decide if they could get along, the human beings need not make the decision for them', and so he proved that he could make peace with other dogs and was spared. i am very touched by the owner and the volunteers. it is really not easy to keep the shelter running. just a month alone, they need 30,000RM to buy animal food. 

and they keep all sorts of animals - dogs, cats, guinea pigs, monkeys, horses...etc. i also spotted a number of 3 legged dogs who were happily running around. i wish i never had to leave. i think i can rub dogs, enjoy their affection forever. it truly is a sanctuary for the animals. 

*a friendly dog who likes to place tennis balls in his mouth and shake paws at same time*

*i'm swarmed by hungry dogs! hungry for a pat, a rub or a hug*

next, we went to animal paradise which is taken care of by the buddhist association of jb. also an animal shelter, i was overwhelmed by sadness over here. this is also like a mini zoo, even with snakes, turtles, goats, cows, turkeys..but the dogs were kept in small enclosures. as with other dogs, they were hungry for affection too. they barked frantically, jumped as high as they could to catch our attention over the high walls that surrounded them. some dogs had a few companions but unlike NANAS, they didnt have a chance to roam everywhere. all they had was the cold concrete floors and a few pats from stretched hands. i left that place with a heavy heart.

*a lovely retriever wh had to stand and stretch just for a little pat :(*

i know that there is only so much i can do for them. perhaps only donate some money. at the very least, they were given a chance to live, right?

that place made me missed my dogs a lot.

how is my westy and hiro now?

are they happy? are they healthy? do they think of me and miss me?

i think throughout my whole life, i will live with the regret and guilt that i didnt try hard enough to keep them. i could have moved out, rent a place, maybe i will be few hundred dollars poorer every month, but at least i wont hv a pricking conscience. i could have done so many things but i didnt. what difference do i hv with the people who abandon their pets at nanas or animal paradise? :( i'm so sad and upset with myself :(:(:(