Sit Bubu Sit! Good Dog!

I have a very cute dog at home. It is a golden retriever and it is just so cute. Every time when I drive home, the first thing the dog will do is to lie flat on his belly and show me a sad neglected face. Yup, he is a smart dog as he wants me to pat him.

My family dog when he is only a few months old. Isn't he cute?

The other thing he wants me to do is to play with him and importantly, feed him. Once in awhile, after I pat him, he would lung forward to "bite" my hand. Why? Because he thinks there is a treat hidden there. Anyway, I don't blame him for that. Too often I have tempted him with treats and made him do all sort of actions. Like commanding him to sit and raise his left "hand" and also to stand up. He has learned that by obeying commands, he gets treats. I often pat him and tell him he is a good dog for being obedient. However, whenever I refuse to treat him after I pat him and/or asked him to do tricks, he barks a lot. Which is why I have a cane ready. Not so much to hit him but to make a loud whipping sound which he is very afraid of.

It is hard to break his bad habits we have inevitably taught him and not sending him to dog school doesn't help much with his discipline either. I guess this dog will always be a "baggage" of sort because of our own weaknesses. Personally, I know my dad wants a dog because he expects a dog to guard the house. The bad thing is, he chose the most friendly dog in the neighbourhood. He barks a lot only because he must show he is doing his work. But do not be fooled! A stranger need not be afraid of him. Just go near him and let him smell your hands. Eventually, he will turn around and let you pat his tummy. Don't smile of course as the sign of your teeth is deemed as aggression in the doggie world. But a treat is all he needs to hasten his support for you.

Talking about dogs, I find it interesting to read uncanny resemblance between my family dog and Lassies here in Malaysia. Anyway, today we read the annual doggie treats the Government so happily dish out every few years or so, especially around election time. Yup, if you read this article, "A great start to 2008 for Chinese schools", the Lassies proudly proclaim the benevolence of the caring Government where a MCA Special Chinese School Fund is created and funded by the Government focusing on the development of Chinese primary schools' infrastructure, educational facilities, emergency funds and other needs. One must wonder how much is the Government contributing to this special fund? Well, so far RM6.02 mil has been distributed to 32 schools. This however, differs slightly from the Malaysiakini report which reported RM6.32 million distributed to 33 schools. It would seem from the same Star Online article that Pay Fong Middle School and Kolej Selatan may be primary schools since this fund is meant to focus on Chinese primary schools. Thank goodness Malaysiakini clarified that the monies are distributed to 33 primary and secondary Chinese schools. Perhaps, the Star needs to be clearer like Malaysiakini.

Anyway, if you work out the contribution per school, it would be about RM188K (per the Star) or RM192K (per Malaysiakini). Apparently, the remainder will get allocations in 2 weeks time. It is touching isn't it considering how much this Government cared for minority groups' education needs (I wonder if the Tamil schools will also get the same bonus)?

Ok, so the Star did say this is not an annual contribution. The first time the Government ever contributed is of course, in 2004 which is about the same time as the 11th general election. Well, since 2004 till now, which is roughly 3 or so years, the Government has contributed to this fund for the 2nd time! Nevermind if the election is rumoured to be around the corner, the Government has the mandate till April 2009. I am quite sure this benevolent Government only has the minorities' interests in their hearts and minds.

So assuming the Government have contributed about the same sum as last time, it would have been about an annual contribution of about RM63K / RM64K per year. Surely that count for something right? It is afterall quite a hefty sum. Assuming each school has about 100 students, that will be an annual bonus of RM630 / RM640 per head contribution on top of the RM174 million 9th Malaysia Plan for the Chinese schools. I am not sure of course how much is this RM174 million earmarked for how many schools but using the RM630 / RM640 per head contribution, it works out to be RM1.72 / RM1.75 per day per student.

Yup, we must thank this caring Government for their continuous support. It sure supplements their fun-raising efforts substantially, especially those independent ones, where self reliance has been their mottoes since their respective inceptions. Admittedly, quite a number are in dilapidating conditions. Remember the deceased Mr Chan Boon Heng who died after falling through rotting termite-infested floorboards at the SJK (C) Keat Hwa near Alor Setar in 2005? I wonder if the Lassies have any comments about how these schools manage the Chinese Schools allocations under 8th Malaysia Plan and the usage of the first ever special bonus given in 2004 from this caring Government? Best if they monitor these schools to ensure that this once every 3 to 5 years bonus will not be wasted. Afterall, release and forget auto-piloting technique isn't foolproof in ensuring the desired effects will eventuate.

Coming back to my family dog, I strongly believe in his eyes, we can never do him wrong. We are not just his masters but friends and family. The cane is meant to keep him in his place and he willingly obey. Sometimes he barks a lot but often it is because he wants affection and importantly, yummy treats. Is it too much to ask in this dog eat dog world? However, when the time comes, when the family dog can no longer function as he should, he may need to be put to sleep. We will be very sad but it is best to do it to ensure less suffering and pain. I personally don't want another pet dog. But my dad will have none of that. We will grieve for awhile and then my dad will look for another dog to take my family dog's place. That's what happened to Murphy the Crocker Spaniel, the previous family dog, who had incurable ears infections (We had taken him to numerous veterinarians and tried all sorts of medicine but he howls a lot due to pain and suffering). I wonder if Lassie suffers the same fate when he is old and sickly. I doubt Malaysia has a retirement home for sickly and old dogs that can rest in peace till natural death.

I for one would rather be put to sleep if I have to be a prolonged pain to my family. I wonder if Lassie feels the same. Hmmm...