My Tarantula has survived

I brought this one from the Philippines. I managed to put it inside my luggage. They were two but unfortunately I can't find the other one inside my luggage

At three months from the date it arrived.

First molt in Saudi Arabia.

My tarantula has survived. But it's not growing anymore. Nabansot.

My new pet here in Saudi (Africa Spurred Tortoise)

This is an african spurred tortoise. commonly known as sulcata.

Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_spurred_tortoise

This was given to me by Kuya Olan, a friend of mine i met in an online forum.

Good people we met in Yanbu, KSA

Our frineds from the West KSA

Kuya Olan of sulit.com.ph's Pet Lovers' Corner and his co-workers. Kuya Olan gave me a pair of sulcata tortoise as a token.

Royal Commission House in Yanbu, KSA. Parang nasa Pinas ka lang.

With Jay-ar, my ex-officemate from Fluor Philippines.

With some Yanbu chicks! hehe

Our friends from Yanbu. They didn't hesitate to invite us on their dinner party even if that was only the first time we met each other.

Good people are worth keeping.

Eid Holiday trip to Western KSA

Here are some of the pictures taken during our trip to western ksa. I only posted my favorites, so few because most of the sceneries here in the desert are pretty much the same. sand..sand..and more sand.. hehehe

A Plateau (i'm not sure about it) somewhere in the middle of KSA.

A typical Saudi Villa. This was in Yanbu. We had a great time there! I'll share to you more about it on my next entry. =)

Rock Hills in Madinnah. This was during our trip back to Dammam,

On the top of a hill in Taif overlooking Makkah. I really like this place, the hill and Taif. So peaceful and calm.

A bridge in Riyadh, below is a big community. If I were to make a movie scene here, there would be some huge flash floods etc. I don't want to elaborate it further. Baka may mga Saudi's na makabasa.. hehehe

Another one from Riyadh. Breathtaking!

Going down the sliced hill. This was in Riyadh.

Some Camels in Makkah.

My first close encounter with a Baboon. 'Twas a really nice experience!

Thanks! Hope you enjoyed.

Welcome to sunny Philippines!

My niece welcomed me home with her drawing. Sweet! =)

I was so excited during the trip that i wasn't able to sleep the night before my flight and during the 9-hour journey. So excited to go home! Now finally, I'm home! =)

Maki, Moti and Yumi

Moti, Maki, Yumi

Yumi


Moti

Maki

Maven's Pups are now with their new owners.

At 2 1/2 months old, these are their last pictures before they went to their new homes.

They are now 8 days old

Maven's puppies are now 8 days old. They had their tail docked last thursday. My sister cleaned their wound first before she sent the pictures. They also had their dewclaw removed.

Docking in dogs is the cutting or removal of a certain body part. Tail docking is a term commonly used in cutting the tail of a dog. Cropping is the term used in cutting a portion of the ear. There are two ways of tail docking. The first one is by using a rubber. The rubber will constrict the blood supply until the tail falls of after several days. The other one is by surgical process using a surgical scissor or a scalpel. This process is said to be more hygienic and safe. Docking has always been an issue in many countries. Animal rights groups like PAWS are against this practice. As a member of PAWS and who also happens to be very fascinated in dog shows, I am not against nor in favor of this practice hehehe. Nowadays, docking is done only for show purposes.

Maven with her newly docked puppies

Dewclaw is located on inner sides of a dog's front legs. Like tail docking and ear cropping, there are also some issues and debate wheter is it neccessary or not to remove dewclaws. Same as to tail docking and ear cropping, removing of dewclaw is done for show purposes only.

Letter 'D' shows the dewclaw on the front leg of a dog

(picture taken from wikipedia)

Bowling after dinner

Finally! I won in our bowling game last night! I must say I have improved! =) Our next game will be on thursday or friday. We invited some friends from Jubail. We will have a tournament.. hehe

Here was our score in the said game where finally, I won. =)

Later after office hours we will go to Corniche again for a jogging. And also, I'm waiting for my sister to send me the updated pictures of Maven's puppies. They are now a week old and they have been tail docked already. I am excited to see them with those tiny short tails. =)

Jogging

June 18, I woke up at 6 am. With my housemates, we agreed to go to Corniche for an hour jogging. It was my first time to jog there. I was quite excited because it has been so long since I last jogged. This is my first jogging in Saudi Arabia and I really need an exercise anyway. In my 8 1/2 months of stay here in the Kingdom, I already gained almost 8 kilos. I now weighed 69 kilograms, eight kilos more than my previous weight, it sucks! I need to get back to that number.

It wasn't my first time to go to Corniche. But it was my first time to go to the jogging area. It was nice. There's really an area for joggers, a 2 kilometer road beside the sea. It wasn't that stunning but it was a nice place. At 6:30 am, the air is already hot, well it's Saudi and it's summer season.

Here are just some of the views in Corniche, Al-Khobar

We finished at around 8 am. Tired but accomplished. Later after dinner we will have our bowling game at Al-Gosaibi sports complex. Melvin, our housemate will treat us because he won 7,000 SAR (more than 80,000Php) in the lottery here. I am so excited, libre kasi. =)

Kiara and Keona (part2)

When I noticed that Bindi's tummy had shrunken and there were greenish discharge from her vulva, I knew that she was in trouble. I immediately asked my sister to go with me and Bindi to the veterinary clinic. I told the veterinarian everything. He examined Bindi, had her x-rayed. There were only two puppies in the x-ray. The doctor was also surprised why she can't deliver them. Her pelvic were not that small for her puppies to not to be delivered. But Bindi was not in a good condition. She needed to undergo a cesarian section to get the puppies inside. The puppies were stucked inside. Nobody knows if they're still alive. There were no other way to get the puppies out. Bindi was no longer contracting. The greenish discharge are toxins. Bindi could have died if we weren't able to rush her to the clinic that afternoon. I only have 6 thousand pesos in my pocket. I was unemployed that time, that was for six months. I have no other source of income, No more savings. But I need to save Bindi. Her vet. told me that I could pay the bills for the surgery in installment. I was suddenly flodded with relief when I heard that. The doctor and his staff prepared all the things needed for the surgery. While they were preparing. I was trying to pet Bindi. I was looking at her and she gave back a very sad look. She stared at me as I stroked her neck down to her back and tummy. I couldn't hold my tears anymore, I cried. I cried like a child. My sister was laughing at me. I still couldn't help it. I cried more, but it was not because she was laughing at me. I cried more because Bindi was still staring at me. I can't feel it but I know she was still in pain. After a few minutes, a staff came and took Bindi.

We sat at the waiting area. We are not allowed to see the operation. We were hoping and praying that atleast one of the puppies is alive and be saved. In less than an hour, the doctor approached us, she gave us a sad look and said "sir, hindi po na-isave mga puppies." We were sadden when we heard that. But there was nothing we can do. The doctor said that the birth canal (I forgot the right term, but it's where the puppies will pass going to her vulvs and to the way out) has raptured. The puppies were big that's why it raptured. The doctors were surprised when they got to see Bindi's puppies. They were asking who sired Bindi. I said my other dachsund scooch. They were surprised how big the puppies were. They said that the size of the puppies are as big as a Rotweiller's puppy. One of the puppies was already bloated. Maybe it has stucked inside for a couple of days already. Indeed, the puppies were big. The vet also asked me if I want to neuter Bindi. If I will not neuter her, she will never have a normal delivery since the canal has raptured already. I agreed to have her neutered. Though I felt sad about the fact that she will no longer have puppies anymore, I still think that that would be the best for her. I don't want her to experience the pain anymore. I don't want to put her life at risk anymore.

Bindi recovered immediately. She is now very healthy and very hyper.

Kiara and Keona (part 1)

I asked my sister to send me some pictures of the dead puppy, if they haven't burried it yet. I said I am going to post it here and perhaps it will also serve as a souvenir. As I was looking at the picture, I remember Kiara and Keona. They were Bindi's puppies. They could have been Bindi's first litter, first angels but unfortunately Bindi's labor turned into a tragic. She lost them both. Her puppies wasn't even able to make it to the outside world.

It happened 9 months ago before I left the Philippines. I was so excited during Bindi's gestation. I gave her all the attention. I pampered her a lot. She was so healthy during those period so I wasn't expecting any trouble to come. Before her due date, I completed all the necessary things needed for her labor. From the rags and boxes up to the nasal suctions and other medical kits. My sister helped me to complete all those things. On her 59th day, that was in the evening, she started to bleed. Her temperature dropped and it seems that anytime she's ready to give birth. So I kept an eye on her. I stayed with her most of the time, constantly checking her situation. I slept late and set the alarm every two hours just to check if she has whelped already. Morning came and still she haven't whelped. She was still calm that morning. I let her roam all over our house for her to look for the best spot where she can give birth. She choose my brother's bedroom, at the back of the door. She started to scratch the floor and lay down. I put some rags and newspapers. She liked it and she scratched more. I knew that time she's going to whelped. She doesn't want to be alone that time. Maybe she's looking for some human comfort. She's having too much pain perphaps. Whenever I was trying to leave her, she would also stand up and follow. So I stayed beside her. The rugs and the newspapers started to get wet, so I prepared myself for the puppies. I knew any moment puppies will come out. I opened the whelping kit beside me. Bindi stood up and went outside. I followed her. She seemed to be very agitated and in pain. She walk all over our house whining and looked like she doesn't even know where she was going. She was in so much pain that time. I don't know what help I can do. I asked for some help from my breeder friends and to Bindi's veterinarian. I told them everything that was happening to Bindi and they all said that it's normal and adviced me to just keep an eye.

So I still waited, five hours have passed and still no puppies. I started to get worried and nervous. I also noticed that Bindi's tummy has lowered and shrunken and there were also greenish fluids spilling out from her vulva. I was shocked because I new that Bindi was in trouble.

to be continued...

Bindi's agony

Lost

7:30 am (ksa time) of june 15 I received a call from my sister. She said that they've lost one puppy. They were suspecting that the puppy was stucked under maven when she lay down to nurse her pups. My mother noticed that one puppy is no longer moving, she took it and immediately brought it to a nearest veterinary clinic. But the pupy has no more heart beat when they arrived at the clinic. We are so saddened about what happened.

They've decided to separate the remaining puppies to maven to avoid what just happened. They will just put the puppies to maven during feeding time an I told them to keep an eye for them all the time.

Around 6:00 pm (ksa time), while I was chatting with my sister on skype, she told me that the puppies cannot get any milk from her anymore. Maven has no longer milk! I was shocked and panicked a bit. I told my sister to help me search the internet for possible milk substitutes for puppies. There are plenty but we're afraid that vet. clinics and stores are already closed by that time. So we continued searching and found an article saying that an evaporated milk can be a substitute, you just need to add water on it and the rest, there are some instruction on how ti mix it and give it. A friend from sulit.com.ph, who happens to be a dog breeder, suggested a brand name 'Puppy Love' or 'Esbilac' milk. They're quite pricey but he told me that those are good substitute. I told my sister about the brand and tomorrow, they will search for it. For now, they need to bottle feed the pups atleast every 2 hours. I don't know how would they do that but they're very willing to do it. I'm so lucky and happy to have them at this moment. We hope and pray for the good.

Thai Ridgeback Dog

I was browsing the internet, looking for an article about the Thai Rdigeback Dog. A unique and ancient beed of dog from Thailand. I searched it on on wikipedia and here's what I got.

From wikipedia -

The Thai Ridgeback is an ancient breed of dog. The breed was formerly unknown outside of Thailand, but is gaining notice in the western world. The Thai Ridgeback is one of only three breeds that has a ridge of hair that runs along its back in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat (The others are Rhodesian Ridgeback and Phu Quoc Ridgeback). They are also known as a Mah Thai Lang Ahn. The Thai Ridgeback is a muscular, medium-sized pariah-type dog with a wedge-shaped head, triangular-shaped prick ears, and a very short, smooth coat. It has a pronounced ridge on its back formed by hair growing in the opposite direction that extends from behind the withers to the hips. Puppies are occasionally born ridgeless. Thai Ridgebacks have a muscular and streamlined body, making them extremely agile. The tail is carried upward called a sickle or sword tail. Its forehead wrinkles with enormous expression. Like many eastern breeds, the Thai Ridgeback has retained a 'scissor jaw' where upper and lower teeth interlock when the jaw bones clamp down. The tongue can be black or have black marks. Eyes are almond-shaped and brown but may be amber in blue dogs. The ears are set low and point slightly outward. The ears stand up progressively during the puppy growth period, they are not cropped. The back is straight and level. The coat is short, hard, and straight. Due to the length and density of the coat shedding is minimal, occurring once or twice yearly. Because this breed does not have an undercoat the hair does not usually bother people allergic to other breeds of dogs. Coat must be solid colors of blue, black, red or fawn witha black mask being acceptable on reds. However, brindle and white are also found but are not acceptable colors. For international show and competition, shoulder height should be 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) in males and 20-22 inches (51-56 cm) in females. The weight averages 35–55lbs in females and 40-60lbs in males. Eight distinctive ridge patterns have been identified: needle, feather, arrow, lute, violin, bowling pin, leaf,and saddleback. All patterns are acceptable, but must be clearly defined and symmetrical. The broader the ridge, the more highly it is prized.

See more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Ridgeback

I even talked to a TRD breeder on skype. I asked him some questions about the breed and of course took the opportunity to asked for the price of each coat color. The price of a 4 month old puppy would range from $400-$500, that is around 23,ooo Php. Pricey! Shipping and quarantine are also not yet included.

I'm planning to go to Bangkok on my vacation to check some Thai Ridgeback there. If I cannot afford to buy one, at least I'll get to see a TRD in actual. =)

TRD picture from wikipedia

Finally!

Finally! Maven gave birth to four puppies!

June 12 at around 12 midnight (5 am in the Philippines) my sister texted me saying that Maven has whelped already and that there were already 3 puppies with her. I was so excited! I made a phone call and asked how she was, if she's still in labor. They said she's fine and they were also hoping that another puppy will come. I couldn't sleep, I was very excited and happy. I've waited for this moment. =)

After 30 minutes, I received another text saying that another puppy came out. They said it was different from the others. It's light brown and it's the only male in the litter. The others are black and tan, same color as Maven. I still could'nt sleep, I've waited for another 30 minutes, maybe another puppy will come. As I was waiting, I realized that it was June 12, Philippine Independence day. We have Independence day puppies! =). Since it's Independence day, I've got Filipino names for them - Mayumi, Marikit, Mutya and Makisig. All names are starting with the same letter because they will be registered soon and it's a requirement to have the same starting letter if the puppies are in the same litter. I still couldn't sleep. It's been an hour and a half since their last text. I made a call again. I asked if she gave another one, and they said no. The x-ray was pretty accurate. Four puppies in the x-ray, four puppies nursing on maven. Still excited and happy, I took my sleeping pill so that I could sleep already. It was already 1am, I need to sleep. I just hope that Maven's puppies will grow healthy. =)

Waiting

June 9, 2010. I was chatting with my sister on skype at around 2pm (KSA time). We were talking about Maven because I was very worried. Still no puppies yet. Today is Maven's 60th day. I was very worried because last year, on Bindi's 60th day, I already saw signs of labor on her. But unfortunately, Bindi's labor turned to a tragic. She wasn't able to release her puppies. Maven is also a small breed, that's why I was very worried on Maven.

This is Maven on her 60th. Still very active and hyper. You cannot notice any signs of whelping.

9:45 pm, still waiting. I will make a call later at 12:30 am, that is around 5:30 am in the Philippines. Hoping that she had whelped already.

Bindi

I couldn't sleep last night because I was thinking of maven. I even made a call to my sister at around 4 am (Philippine time) just to check how's she doing. Maven is a small breed so I was thinking that she might give birth earlier than her due date, I don't know. Maybe I was just really excited. I will call again later to check her.

This is my female dapple dachshund, Bindi. I bought her from a pet shop in Cartimar. She was 4 months old when I got her, she's now 2 years old. I bought her a month after I got Scooch.

On a friday afternoon of July, that was after office hours, me and my friend Charmaine went to Cartimar in Pasay City - Cartimar is pet market, there you can find different pets and pet accessories. That day she just asked me if I wanted to accompany her to Cartimar because she needed to buy a cage for her shih tzu Koko. I already had Scooch that time and since I needed to buy some stuff too, I said yes to her. We searched each stall in Cartimar for the cage. We also checked some dogs and asked for their prices eventhough we're not really going to buy . On the dog section, I saw two dapple dachshunds in one of the stores there. That was my first time to see a dapple coat dachs. I've seen a black and tan and red dachs a hundred times but seeing a dapple dachs right in front of me was my first time. I asked for the price of each dachs. I asked for some tawad and after we agreed for the price, without hecitations and even if I really have no plan on buying because of lack of budget, I said yes to the sales lady. I said yes I will get one. But deciding which dog I will get took me sometime. I looked at their coat pattern and had the answer.

A day after I bought her, I noticed that there are some discharge on her nose. I immediately rushed her to a veterinary clinic. Her vet. diagnosed it as a kennel cough and warned me not to buy puppies again on pet stores. He told me to look for responsible breeders when I want to have a dog. Her vet gave me the list of medicines I need to buy and give her. Thank God, Bindi immediately recovered and became really healthy.

Scooch

June 7, three days more my minipin maven will give birth to 4 puppies (according to her x-ray but I wish she will give birth to more than 4 pups), I am so excited! =). But Maven is not our topic for today. This time it's my dachshunds Scooch (next post will be Bindi).

This is Scooch, my brindle dachshund. He's my first pure breed dog. Two years ago, I was searching thru the internet finding a good puppy for me to buy. Since it's my first time to a have a pure breed dog, i was just looking for a cheap and low maintenance dog. And I landed on having a dachshund.

I got Scooch from Splendid Forest Cafe and pet shop in Filinvest, Alabang. My friend Charmaine told me about this place. She told me that there were dogs on sale on the said shop and she saw one dachshund. I asked her questions regarding the dachs, its color, how old it was, how much, etc. but she couldn't answer any of those questions. She said she just passed by and she was in a hurry. So after office hour, I went to that shop. That shop is just a few minutes away from our office (walking distance). There were atleast 4 breed of dogs on sale when I got there. There were boston terrier, shih-tzu, chihuahua and scooch-dachshund. There were no puppies, all are young adult to adult. I looked at scooch. He seemed to be very friendly and easy to take care of. Though I really wanted a puppy, I still bought scooch without hesitations. He's not that cudly type of dog that anyone would want to pet when they got to see it, but I don't know what made me say yes, I want this dog. Maybe because he was the cheapest, hahaha.

Scooch is now 2 years with me. I posted his pictures all over the internet for stud service (hehehe). I also used him for my female dachs but it ended in tragic (tell you on my next post). When I was still in the Philippines, I used to take him out for jogging. It always looked like he was very happy everytime I take him out for a jog. I miss those days..