When the Minister comes a-visiting...

 

The cheerful team of visitors making a surprise visit.

 

With Mr. Lui Tuck Yew.

I was playing the piano when someone came to the gate. He was a locksmith, and was persuading me to change the lock which could be attached onto the gate and which also could open the main door. I told him I was quite happy with my current lock.

Later, another two men came to my door. I told them I would not want to change the lock. They said, "We are from the Grassroots. The MP, Mr. Lui is visiting you soon".

"Can I have your identification please?" Just then Mr. Lui appeared!

"Oh! My gosh! I thought that ministers would only meet residents at Community Centres.

The group smiled. "Yes, I do make house calls", said Mr Lui, smiling. One of the team members asked how long I had been staying at my apartment. I told them it had been less than a year. "No wonder!"

"Can I take a photo of you all to show that you are going around the block visiting residents.? Wow, how many hours do you take?"

Later, Mr. Lui came in, and since he is the Minister of Education and Minister of Information, Communications and the Arts, I asked him about Ik See's scholarship at Curtis University. I shared that it would be great if the Ministry of Education could work hand in hand with MINDEF on special arrangements for rare talent.

Maybe it is because I am hardly at home all these years in Singapore. My evenings are often occupied with church meetings, toastmasters' meetings, property viewing and social gatherings. This was a rare opportunity that I happened to be at home. What a pleasant surprise! If I had known earlier, I would have prepared some drinks and made my home tidier! I appreciate Mr. Lui Tuck Yew and his grassroot leaders going around from flat to flat in this warm, humid weather. Even my tenant, Ashok and his friend, Jasmin, were quite excited about meeting the Minister. I have never once gone to the Community Centre because I hardly have complaints. Even if I do, I would prefer to address the issue directly with the department concerned. I feel that the Members of Parliament are already busy ....I do not have to trouble them with issues that irritate me.

May God bless our leaders and every resident in Singapore. May we be a nation of happy people who take things in our stride and who count our blessings and name them one by one.

Gan Chau

Please Save the Sumatran Forests .....Recyle! Recyle!

Recently, I was very happy when I went to my favourite supermarket, Sheng Siong. Someone asked for an extra plastic bag as he claimed that the things were somewhat heavy. The salesgirl pointed to the sign which read as, "Every Wednesday is BYOB - bring your own bag!" I thought it is a wonderful idea to do a little to help save the world. I smiled because when I was in Canada as a student, I learnt that BYOB meant, "Bring your own booze!"

I came across this video which is quite mind-boggling and touching. Let us not take the world for granted. Let us help save the animals and the trees. By doing so, we are also doing ourselves a big favour. I am filled with heartache whenever I see people wasting like as if there is no tomorrow. Lights and airconditioners are left turned on even when no one is around. Lovely buildings get demolished just to make way for higher rise buildings! Tons of papers get thrown away instead of being recycled. The cleaners had complained they often found stacks of newspapers thrown down the rubbish chute! Why can't these people leave them outside their homes for the cleaners to take away for recycling?

If all of us unite together to play our little part, much can be achieved cohesively. Hence, before you throw away that piece of paper, plastic utensil, wooden furniture, etc. think of the 3R.....reuse, recreate and recycle!

Tosca - An Amazing and Faithful Dog

 

The regal looking Tosca. A huge dog with a gentle and loving heart.

One of the volunteers, Lynda, shared with me about Tosca. Here I have taken a page from the website of http://noahsarkcares.blogspot.com the story of Tosca to share with my readers.

"Tosca came to Noah’s Ark in a most unusual way.

Remember the little dirt track outside Noah's Ark? Along that track, past the huge plantation on both sides; at the very end, lies a Chinese cemetery. One night in the Hungry Ghost month of 2006, Raymund heard a dog howling its heart out. It sounded so heart breaking that Raymund was moved to unravel the mystery dog behind it.

There, he saw a bull mastiff guarding a newly setup grave. The dog was keeping vigil at his deceased master's grave. Every night, Raymund would hear the dog’s howl, breaking the peaceful silence surrounding the Sanctuary of Noah’s Ark.

Raymund half wondered if the bull mastiff was a ghost. The dog refused to leave the grave, so Raymund went to feed it daily.

Each night, the dog would howl without fail and subsequently, the howling got softer & softer and finally reduced to whimpering. After several nights, the dog followed Raymund home to Noah’s Ark.

That was how Tosca came to be a resident in Noah's Ark.

He was named “Tosca” after a character in a Puccini opera of a lover who was faithful to his lover even in death.

Tosca was an imposing beast – big in size and affection. Many visitors were wary of this huge dog with a menacing look. Those who overcame their fear grew attached to him, and give this gentle giant a scratch between the ears each time they visited which Tosca loved.

Tosca would amble over to meet visitors and stand still while people patted him. He loved to bask in their attention. He was great with children after juniors overcame their initial fear of the big dog and they would scramble to take a photo with him to show off to their friends.

Tosca loved having visitors and would follow them around the sanctuary. You could see it in his eyes that his heart leaped with joy in the company of visitors, especially older men. These men probably reminded Tosca of his beloved deceased master.

In early 2006, a growth appeared on his right front leg. The growth grew quickly and Raymund sent Tosca to the vet. Blood tests revealed osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer commonly found in big dogs. It was also discovered that the cancerous cells had also spread to his lungs.

The diagnosis was bleak. The advice was for Tosca be euthanized to avoid pain and suffering. The tumor grew larger and soon Tosca had to limp. Despite the pain, Tosca remained his lively self and enjoyed a healthy appetite.

Quality of life, living and dying in dignity and love is what Noah's Ark is all about. Raymund decided to postpone putting him down and set forth to research alternative and traditional methods for a cure or treatment to stop or slow down the spread of the cancerous cells.

Research & persistence finally paid off when he learnt of a traditional Jamu herb of reputable anti-carcinogenic properties which was only available in Batu Pahat. Raymund made several trips to Batu Pahat in search of this herb and finally, after numerous enquiries and footwork, found it in a tonic form. He bought 10 bottles and started Tosca on this herbal tonic and homeopathy.

After two months, Raymund took Tosca back to the vet for more tests; X-rays revealed the cancerous cells in the lungs had cleared! Amazing!!

Encouraged by the results, Raymund persevered with the treatment. Another two months later, Tosca's third x-ray showed that his lungs continued to remain clear and the cancerous cells were contained in the original spot on the leg. Tosca was coping well and everyone was jubilant.

In the wee hours of 19 January 2007, Tosca woke Raymund up with loud barking. When Raymund went downstairs, Tosca crawled onto his own mattress.

Raymund sat there beside him, knowing that it was time to part. Fifteen minutes later, Tosca heeded the call to another sanctuary higher up in the sky.

Tosca's departure left a huge empty space in the hearts of those who knew him; of a dog who was a shining example of enduring love and faith.

Could we as Homo Sapiens, a breed far more intelligent than mammals, fare better?

Rest in Peace my dear Tosca. You are indeed a man's best friend in life and death."

If any of my readers have a little money to spare, do donate to Noah's Ark to help support the animals in its wonderful sanctuary. The extent that the group goes to help rescue injured and abused animals is touching and inspiring.

Frankly, after my visit to the Ark, I often think of the aniamls and the dedication of Raymund and his staff. I decided that I would not indulge in chocolates or expensive food. I decided to make a constant effort to walk home after work from my office. The fare saved would be donated to Noah's Ark. I reckon I would be able to donate at least $70 a month. In the past it was difficult for me to resist temptation to buy chocolates and nuts. I have already lost another 4 kilos since I started walking regularly.! I feel happy to be able to lose weight as well as do my little part to help Noah's Ark. I do not wish to offer lip service - if I can, I prefer to walk my talk!

Gan Chau