The Call of the Wild Part 2

Chloe, my dog is on heat again. Thank God this happens only twice a year. What it means is two weeks of disrupted sleep for us human beings. Her scent is so strong, the neighbourhood Romeos will be at our gate at all odd hours - more often than not in the early hours of the morning - when sleep is the sweetest and the call of the wild is strongest!

So there I am all bleary eyed at 2 in the morning letting my whinny little girl out, thinking she had to answer the call of nature only to see her dash to the gate, answering the call of big, brown Bobby! Bobby is a persistent, large, free-roaming, unsterilized mongrel who drools, whines and pees at our gate. Yep, he does this coincidentally twice a year! His whole intent is to get Chloe's attention and judging from my week-long pre-dawn wake up calls, he is succeeding rather well.

On mornings when he catches us on our walks, I have a hard time juggling between dragging Chloe (who is happy to walk backwards so she can eye Bobby), throwing small stones at Bobby, picking up her poo and fiercely encouraging her to ignore him ... all to no avail. The Call is too strong and obedience training is totally forgotten. In my last blog about this, I had thoughts of shooting the guy! Alternatively, I should sterilize Chloe if we are sure we will not be breeding her. I have mad a date with the vet for February.

Chloe has another two "boyfriends" in the neighbourhood - One Patch ( a mongrel/Dalmatian mix) and Rockey (a pure bred white Shitzu). They are all ignored at other times of the year, but become Chloe's objects of adoration when she is on heat. She will cleverly, during her morning and evening walks, carve her way to lead to their gates. Rocky's owner tells me that he will refuse his food and will be out waiting at the gate the whole night! One Patch's owner shared her worry over his sudden whining and howling habits usually occurring in the pre-dawn hours. I didn't say anything, but I try to avoid passing their gates too early in the mornings.

The Call of the Wild is an interesting phenomenon

Affects all animals but not us humans (I think!)

Hormones block out the brain

Drives these animals quite insane

When on these "dates"

They crave for a mate

And somehow just can't find one

Whether on a walk or a run

Their whining can drive one mad

Think about it, it's quite sad

To have these urges

That come in surges

And not be able to meet them

Have to suppress or pretend

Well, all these are natural

But do they have to be nocturnal?

The Prayer of St. Patrick

Magonus Sucatus Patricius was the son of a prosperous Roman official who lived on a little farm on the western coast of the Roman Empire, today known as Britain. He was just a boy living a life of ease when he was captured by pirates and made a slave in Ireland.

For six long years, he tended the flocks of a rich, proud land owner named Milchu. Alone and away from the comforts of home, Patricius learnt to pray. He prayed day and night to a God he knew would never abandon him.

One night he heard a voice telling him that it was time to get ready to go home. Patricius made a miraculous escape and made the 200 mile journey to the sea where he managed to find safe passage home. His return was greeted by his family with much joy - as someone who had returned from the dead.

Although Patricius was glad to be home, he soon found himself feeling restless and unsettled. One night he dreamt of an Irishman handing him many letters with heading "The Voice of the Irish". When he woke up, he knew God was calling him back to Ireland.

In 432 AD, Patricius sailed back to Ireland and started the most amazing work of spreading the gospel, calling for social reform, educating his converts and ultimately changing the culture of an entire people. He constantly faced the danger of being killed by the Druid priests who held great power at that time.

Remarkable prayers came from this missionary, known today as St. Patrick. They are prayers for protection against the foes of the gospel, prayed in earnest in times of violent opposition and danger. Aptly called the 'breastplate prayers', it was St. Patrick's efforts to put on the armor of God.

This is one of his prayers:

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity
Through belief in the threeness
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation ... I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me
God's might to uphold me
God's wisdom to guide me
God's eye to look before me
God's ear to hear me
God's word to speak to me
God's hand to guard me
God's way to lie before me
God's shield to protect me
God's host to save me
From snares from the devils
From temptation of vices
From everyone who shall wish me ill
Afar and anear
Alone and in multitude.

(from the Prayer Devotional Bible)

Do you have on the Armour of God?

Old Habits Die Hard

I just returned from taking my dogs for their daily morning walks. Chloe who is 3, bounces along and is curious about everything she sees or smells. Thankfully, some of the obedience training WE went for has made it more pleasant walking her. She trots along and will stop to sniff and mark only when I allow her to.

Jordan who is 11, has some health problems and can't see too well, ambles along slowly. I have become his "Seeing Eye Human". I make sure he does not step on other dogs' unpicked poo! He is still alert enough not to get run over by passing cars and does not walk into lamp posts.

He still enjoys a short walk on level ground and although he is unsteady on 4 legs, he will still insist on putting up his hind leg to pee. He has toppled over and slipped a few times, but it has not stopped his leg-lifting habit. Cleverly, he has learnt to lean against the object of his intended showering, but sometimes the bushes or tiny plant won't hold. As much as I have encouraged him to pee on grass ... he still wants that tree or post or fire hydrant.

He reminds me so much of my dad ... not that dad lifted his leg to pee ... but in that stubborn streak to want to continue with what has always been. When dad's legs got weaker and his gait became very unsteady, he would still walk round the side of the house to make sure everything was closed up for the night. This he did every night risking a fall into the shallow drain by the side of the house. No amount of nagging could change this habit. We all resist change and habits make us feel comfortable. I think they help reaffirm who we are.

A habit is defined as "a thing done often and hence, usually done easily; an act that is acquired and has become automatic".

So, better consciously help children develop good habits because whatever habits they develop - it will be hard to break, change or discard to develop new ones. I use to suck my thumb ... not any more! There are so many bad habits I can list, but I won't. Instead, I want to encourage you to pause and think of 3 good habits you have and think of 1 "bad" habit you would like to get rid of.

My 3 good habits:

1. I thank God before each meal and talk to Him at the beginning and end of each day.

2. I exercise at least 3 times a week.

3. I read the papers/a book everyday.

My 1 bad habit to break:

1. I complete people's sentences for them instead of patiently allowing them to finish what they have to say.

Indeed, old habits die hard.

Christmas@National Cancer Centre

Some of us have been volunteering as Companions at the chemo unit of the National Cancer Centre. We realize that it is not the cheeriest place to be but well, that is why we are there. We hope to bring some cheer to the patients there by just being there to chat or run small favours like get a drink, a queue number or buy lunch.

Often, patients are upset, agitated and angry at having to wait so long for their session to begin. The day usually begins with a blood test in the morning, waiting an hour or two for the results. Then off to see the oncologist which requires more waiting who will then send them to the ATU for chemotherapy. After names are scanned, there is more waiting to register as the patients' blood test results have to be screened and the ability to go for chemo confirmed. This takes another hour or two and sometimes by the time the patient sits in the chair for chemotherapy, it would be 4 - 6 hours into the day that started at 9am. According to the chemo regime, the drip may take another hour or two or three. So, really it is a whole day affair. I know because I have been there myself.

The ATU is trying out a new system so this upsets patients further. The Volunteer Companions try to cool anger, calm nerves and help patients pass the long waiting hours. Many rather not talk, but a few have found chatting with us one way to pass the time there. If you have 3 hours a week (Mon - Fri either from 9am - 12 noon or 12 - 3pm.) you can spare, come join us. Otherwise, come help us decorate the place for Christmas. We are planning to do that on Saturday, 3 December in the morning. More details when the date is confirmed.

We are also hoping to give small bundles of cookies to patients during the 2 weeks leading up to 25 December. If you know of a generous owner of a bakery or bread shop willing to donate cookies, do let me know. Sorry, due to health concerns, we can't bake them ourselves!

See you!

Thieves of Time!

Welcome back! Me that is!!! I have been off blogging for long enough and decided in church today that I will commit myself to my blog at least once a week. So, welcome back Liz!

I remember the initial reluctance to start a blog. Then, I gave it a try and got hooked. I was blogging non stop and grew quite a few new and regular visitors to my blog site. Nothing sensational like a million hits, but a steady and consistent flow of people who enjoyed my ramblings and random thoughts and shared makan places and travel destinations.

Then, I went off on holiday and returned so relaxed, I could not get back to that excited state of "I have something to say and must share it"! So, my blogging juice stopped flowing. It was easy to let it be. Things would strike me on a walk and I would think about blogging about it. By the time I got back, took my drink and shower, other activities took precedence and my lap top remained off my lap. Sad!

A little nagging from house mate and a few enquiries about my "dead blog" did little to move me back to blogging. I had other ways to spend my time.

I now realise I had thieves in my home. Thieves that stole something more precious than silver or gold. These thieves stole my time! Precious minutes and hours would go without me realizing that they were gone. Before I knew it, the day was up and then the week ... then the month ... It is time to stop these thieves and take back my time.

These chaps are not big time mobsters or gangsters. They are not the Ah Loongs or Ah Bengs from dis reputed lone-shark gangs. They are well dressed gentlemen called Mr. Television and Mr. iPad Games. They creep into your life slowly and get you hooked on what they have to offer - entertainment. It was not hard to sit back and relax slouched on the couch munching on snacks watching one series after another from AXN, Fox Crime, Hallmark, Warner etc. Then, when the repeats become too often and I could remember every plot and murder, there was always the iPad Games to turn to! Games that made me want to improve my score, or buy more land, have more animals or build more rooms ...

Suddenly, I was addicted. So - my name is Elizabeth and I am a TV and computer games addict! Like with all addiction, one has to go through cold turkey before recovery. And like all addictions, there is always that risk of falling back into that hole you have crawled out from. But like everything else, a step at a time will get you there ... eventually. I am taking that first step.

Thank you for your patience and for not being too hard on me. Thank you for your support through your visits.

Welcome back!