"Hey! Wake Up My Friend.!"

Who said only humans know what is love?

Yes, animals are more deluded because of the capacity of their physical body, but occasionally some of them might be able show us the love that we have forgotten on our 'busy road'. Just like this story.

this is real touching…

Hey, wake up! wake up!

A dog was knocked down by a car and died on the middle of the road. Later, another dog is seen beside the corpse of the dog, he tried to wake his friend up using his leg.

Let's move to the safer side of the road...i will move you to the safer side!

When his attempts to wake his friend failed, he tried to push his friend to the side of the road. But the weight of his friend was proven too heavy for him.

Anyone help, tell me what to do.

Though the traffic is busy and dangerous, he just will not go away from his friend. Just stand beside his friend howling and crying.

A lot of people saw this incident and feel very touched. How even a dog can show his loyalty and love to his friend.

I wonder why some homo sapiens who used to own dogs, could just abandon their dogs on the highway, or just leave them to fend for themselves.

Once, a neighbour brought a dog she found abandoned in Clementi. It was a lovely white American Spitz. She had seen the dog running around on its own for the past week. There were hundreds of ticks which fell off as I bathed the poor little animal. I had a hard time, trying not to sob as I cut his very long nails. The nails were so long and curled up that they reminded me of the nails of the Empress Dowager, who was famed for her very long nails. I was thankful that the dog was not attacked by snakes or other wild dogs that were aplenty by the banks of the Ulu Pandan River.

Though at first frightened, the dog soon warmed up as it felt much more comfortable. I already had a mixed retriever and a rough collie. Hence I advertised in the Classified under "Lost and Found" section. A lady phoned me and told me that if no one claimed the dog, she would like to adopt it as her American Spitz had died recently.

When the lady came to pick up the dog, the lovely white furry animal kept looking at me from the window of the car. I had a hard time fighting my tears. The dog instinctively knew it was going away with a new owner, and if it could speak, it would surely say, "Thanks for saving me and giving me a new lease of life".

Frankly, I'd rather have one faithful dog, than ten lousy and unfaithful homo sapiens who abandon their dogs or abuse little children and elderly people.

Gan Chau

And I'll Be There....

When Winson Lim, a very active and dynamic toastmaster asked for help with judging at speech contests, I invited Jeffrey Williams, a responsible and helpful toastmaster.

Jeffrey immediately replied, "Thanks for the invitation and I'll be there."

How lovely and comforting to the ears when someone says, "I'll be there". This is especially so in Singapore where everyone is always so busy. I remember I used to teach English for Business in the Regional English Language Centre. I had just returned from Canada, and was not used to the lack of hospitality in this country. People are just too busy to cook and invite friends home for a meal. I shared with the class how hospitable the Canadians were. One of the students was so encouraged that he decided to open his home up for the class party when the course ended. 24 students promised to turn up. At the party, as the time was getting later and later, and there was only a turn out of half the class, the host became disheartened. His mother kept asking, "Any more coming?" We looked anxiously at the huge amount of food that had been prepared....sticks of delicious satay, lontong, salad, noodles, desserts, etc. 15 students turned up....the remaining 9 conveniently absented themselves with not even an apology!

It was the same for another class. The hostess wanted to throw away all the remaining food which I quickly collected to give to my neighbours! Papa had brought us up never to discard food unnecessarily!

Hence, whenever I cook for a party I would always discount a small number who somehow would not be able to turn up. Having realised how difficult it is for a hostess to prepare, cater or cook, I always make sure that once I promise I would turn up, I would race and heaven and earth just "to be there" for the gracious hostess.

The same thing applies to toastmasters' activities. Once I promise to take on an appointment, "I will be there", even if a buyer dangles a cheque before me to close a property! We must always prioritise a promise and a committment. I guess this is the reason why the Exco of Changi AIA Toastmasters' Club are quite stringent on their rules. If a speaker or an appointment holder could not turn up after having been given a slot, he/she will be barred for one year!

Let us always be there when we say we will be there. Let us not be too busy with our daily schedules that we are so encompassed with our own life. When we look inwards, our world is very small, but when we extend ourselves and look outwards, our life becomes more challenging and exciting! Let us say to at least one person/organisation, "I'll be there whenever you need me".

Gan Chau