How to Swallow a Pill

I have sensitive skin ... that sounds much nicer, right? and if the rash becomes very ugly I have to eat medication tablets prescribed by my Vet. I really dread swallowing the yucky tablets. When Coolboy puts one tablet into my mouth I always spit it OUT (ptui!) as far as possible. I'll keep a distance or shut my mouth real tight. Or, I won't eat my pills until Coolboy feeds me together with creamy peanut butter , ... even then I can be stubborn and it's a good whole 5 minutes before I swallow my first pill! If Nicejellybean mixes my pill together with Dinner, I am able to sniff it out and throw the pill away. It's so bitter that's why I really dislike eating those tablets.

Rumah Rehat Adeline

Coolboy, Nicejellybean and ME went for a back-to-nature weekend getaway to Adeline's Rest House near Perak town of Gopeng, a place that Nicejellybean had read about from another Blog. Coolboy was happy when he asked the Owner, Adeline Kuo, whether Pets are allowed and she actually enthusiastically said YES! (Note: Pets are allowed on non-peak days and be sure to confirm with her first via email/sms ) Anyways, we left Kuala Lumpur early in the morning and along the way stopped by the Sungai Buloh rest area on the North South highway. Kids who are enjoying their school holidays were so curious when they saw me in my carrier and wanted to play with me.

After 2 hours we reached the Gopeng interchange which is the exit before Ipoh. We drove by Malay villages and the tar road narrowed to only one lane, so cars have to stop at one side to give way to vehicles coming from the opposite direction.

Beyond the villages, the road will pass through a forested area and round a series of bends. From Gopeng town, there were very clear signboards to guide us all the way and after 20 minutes later, we saw our destination on the left.

In Malay language, 'Selamat Datang ke Rumah Rehat Adeline' means 'Welcome to Adeline's Rest House '

Across this bridge is the entrance into our lodgings and a 'pets' adventureland. See that tiny shadow ... it's a baby monkey !

0ops ... I was too short and needed some help getting up the steps there.

Our Hut from a distance

What we like is that it is a tranquil spot set amidst the lush forest. You can hear birds chirping, trees whispering and crickets 'singing' into the night. The accommodation here has several traditional aboriginal bamboo huts offering minimal amenities, no private bathrooms, no TV ... sort of homestay style but comfy enough. Toilets and showers are adjacent to the accommodation and camping ground.

Another bigger hut which can fit up to 20 people

There were plenty of space for me to runabout and sniff around. I wanted to explore the streams which flowed beside our hut and slipped down the steep slope trying to drink from the flowing stream. Then I could not climb back up. Yikes !

I did caused a panic moment when I was off leash. I became excited, ran off and hid behind some low bushes so nobody could see me.

Where is Mimi ???

The grounds is spacious surounded with trees and greenery. I guess because of the natural shade, the weather here was not very hot. In fact, it can get quite chilly at night and early morning.

I see durian trees, rubber trees and rambutan trees

Oooh ... sniff,sniff ... I smell a baby durian

Mimi breathing-in fresh air

Behind me are actually sections of a century-old 14.5km pipeline running from the Ulu Geroh water catchment area to Gopeng town. It is however disheartening to know that this historical longest and oldest pipeline in Malaysia is going to be dismantled soon.

I tried to make friends with resident baby monkey (below) and could see that the monkey was quite afraid cos it tried to keep a distance away from me. The monkey became hysterical and screeched alot.

After a long and tiring afternoon , I went to sleep in my Hut. Mattresses are provided with blankets for Hoomans, and everyone slept on the bamboo floor , including Me. At night time, there was a nice cool breeze which kept the mosquitoes away. (Surprisingly, we caught horrid mozzies in the daytime)

This place is also special not only for the authentic 'orang asli' (aboriginal) type of accommodation but for its home-cooked local food prepared by Owner, Adeline. And for all meals, the Hoomans were served different variety of dishes in buffet style. For late Supper, Auntie Adeline prepared yummy fried banana fritters and sweet potato dessert. You know what, the Hoomans have to wash up their own plates and cups after each meal.

Auntie Adeline, who owns and operates the resort also does the cooking and prepares all the meals too.

The dishes Auntie Adeline cooked for Hoomans was so tempting and looked delicious but due to my strict diet, all I got was tiny bits of BBQ chicken bones and lamb. Early next morning, I went for a morning walk before I was left behind in the Hut ... whilst Coolboy and Nicejellybean joined a group of people for white-water rafting activity.

Later, I went along a short trip to the waterfalls, which was just one of the many waterfalls in this area and it was a first time I saw huge gush of water coming down from high up. I was kinda overwhelmed but was not scared at all.

Some photos taken during our stay:

Overall, this is a charming place to escape the hustle and bustle of City life with plenty of empty spaces for pets like me to roam everywhere. It was quite an unique experience, I tell you.

Happy Barkday Mimi

You are One year old today ! Wishing you many more healthy and happy years to come !

Election Day

Today, all Malaysians go to the polls to cast their votes for the 12th General Election 2008. Nicejellybean woke us all up early in the morning because she wanted to be the first in-line at the Polling Station. Lucky me .. I tagged along. We arrived at 8 am but the queue was already very, very long. Apparently everybody is early and excited to vote this time round. Before March 8, the Public was informed not to wear red which is the colour of the opposition party (Democratic Action Party) but they did not say that doggies, kitties or hammies can't. So, this morning I wore my red dress to show our support. Luckily the police on stationed there did not make a big deal when they saw me. It took around half hour for Nicejellybean to cast her vote and then we all went back.

The results will be coming in after 7pm and we are monitoring the progress over the internet as there seem to be some news blackout on TV and radio. No doubt the ruling Coalition Party (Barisan National) will sure win majority votes but whether the win is the same as in previous election where they had won an unprecedented 90% of all seats in Parliament ??? Click here for latest Malaysian election results.

Where is Mimi ?

... I am NOT missing or runaway from home. It's a game I play where I will hide myself and wait for Coolboy to find me. When I want a snooze, have no one to play with or everyone ignores me, then I go into one of my secret hideaways where no one can find me. I do this so very quietly that no one actually realises that I am missing ! It can certainly cause a panic and everyone would frantically search for me. This sounds like fun to me but not to Hoomans, I guess.

In this photo, I have crawled into a small space of the TV console. As you can see, I have camouflaged myself and become completely invisible even more so in the night when it is dark and black.

This is my newest hiding place. Coolboy never realised I have curled up in that small space so he went looking for me in other places where I used to hide before - under the bed, behind the curtains, behind potted plants in the corner and in bookcases beside the books. So funny.

Screwball Dog Toy

Now that Chinese New Year celebrations has ended, it's back to a busy schedule for Coolboy and Nicejellybean which means they have less playtime with me ! Anyhow, I try to find things to occupy my own time and with my large collection of toys I can be spoilt for choice.

I got this new strange toy at the Big Dogs pawty a while ago. It has a funny shape unlike my other toys which are either rounded or soft stuffies.

This toy is made of elastic rubber in the shape of a cork screw. If I grab its twirly tail with my small tiny teeth, it swings left and right when I drag it across the floor. You should see me in action ... ha, ha I really look like a goofball !

The best part of having this new toy is the screwball is chewylicious too. I likey !