Missing Mr. Chester

Well, here are some of the pictures Dan took of Chester when he went over to my place last Saturday. He's looking rather different from the last time i saw him (floppy ears have become more erect, possibly due to excitement and alertness in Dan's presence), but that familiar, ever-so-focussed look on his face is hard to miss. Just look as his eyes (bright and ready as if they were prompting you to issue the next command).

I miss him (I feel a bit weird in my throat already). I miss training him, teaching him new tricks (When i made Chester "roll over" in front of Dad, he frowned and asked me in a rather queer tone, "zhe4 ge4 shi4 lai2 zuo4 she2 me? - roughly translated "what's this for?" It's for FUN lah! Hehe), playing ball or "find" with him. I've trained him to look for treats that i've hidden, so whenever you say the word "find", you'll see his big nose sniffing furiously around the house. I miss walking him (no, i don't miss chasing after him when he's ran off with his poochy friends and left me all behind), bringing him for a swim at Piney Lakes, bringing him for a car ride while i drive through Macca's for a burger. I miss him sleeping by my side at night and peering at me under my comforter in an attempt to wake me up every morning (i usually respond by pretending i'm still fast asleep, and he'll usually disappear under my bed in disappointment). Although his deep, loud bark can be startling sometimes, i miss the feeling of being protected by him as well. *Sigh*

A little more about my son. Chester belongs to the working Border Collie line rather than the showdog line, which explains his sparser undercoat and tapered features. He's a really fast learner (as all herding breeds are) and it was relatively easy for me to train him and teach him tricks. At 6 weeks old, he could sit on command and i'm really proud of him till this day *smirks*. (ALRIGHT, so i cheated and held a liver treat in my hand! But being able to respond to commands at such a young age is amazing, isn't it?) When i first got him, i had the intention of putting him through rigorous obedience training in preparation for obedience trials when he's older. Throughout puppy classes and obedience training at Southern Rivers, he's always been the brightest student/fastest learner and the instructors were always amazed by what this puppy could do. (ALRIGHT, so i cheated again cos i already taught him the commands even before he went to obedience school, but hey, that's because he's really smart and i just have to keep up with him by teaching him new things everyday!).

Anyway, the plans that i conceptualised were pretty much shattered when i was hit with Hepatitis last year. I was coerced to bring him back to Singapore (there was a lot drama which happened prior to that as well as subsequently), and i had no choice but to put him under my parents' care while i continue my studies in Aussie. I'm sure we would have made an excellent pair in the obedience trials but i guess that isn't going to happen, at least not till i finish my studies here. I hope he won't be too difficult for me to handle then (since i've been away for so long and no one really has the time to have some sort of structured training with him), but i still bear hopes that one day he'll shine and make me proud in the obedience or agility trials.

Eugh. I'm such a typical Chinese parent with the "wang4 zi3 cheng2 long2" mentality.

I'm rather anal when it comes to disciplining Chester. I restrict his movements - he is only allowed to come into my room when i say okay but Dad spoils him now by letting him have free access everywhere *bleahs*, he's not allowed into the house after walks until i say okay, he's not allowed to eat until i free him from his "sit" command, he's not allowed to take his toy until i say okay. Dad reckons i'm abusing him, but i'm not! Considering how much i love him, why would i do anything against his welfare? I love him to death and the only way we can enjoy a good relationship is through good leadership on my part. Remember that dogs originate from wolves and these creatures are pack animals? Without the alpha, dogs may be misled into thinking that they have to shoulder the responsibility of being the leader and hence becoming more dominant, more assertive and unfortunately, more aggressive as well. Heard stories of dogs snapping at owners who try to move their toys or foodbowl? Or dogs that growl when they're being told to get off the couch or bed? That's what i'm talking about - dogs that see their owners as weaker members of the pack.

I'm not talking rots. Really.

If i ever get the chance, i'd really like to study more on canine psychology and perhaps become a certified dog behaviourist. Too many problems stem from owners not being able to understand why their dogs behave in a certain way and this misunderstanding usually leads to the death sentence of being abandoned in the streets or in SPCA.

Oh well. Please love your furries ok?

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