Mister Chester

Recently, i received an email from one of my blogders (read: blog reader), which came as a surprise for me because i never realise how many people actually read my blog. According to her (i'm assuming the gender), she's been visiting my blog "since your uni days in Australia, then back, working as a vet, and now you are in a new stage of life (it does sound a little like a quarter life crisis to me)."

Oh man......*gasps*. Thank you, shin. Chester says hi and offers his paw for a big hi-five in appreciation of the kind words you've showered on him. Perhaps i should start blogging about Chester again since he's been a l'il neglected in my blog these days. Heh.

3 questions from shin that i'll attempt to answer here (expect long answers 'cause we're talking about Chester here!):

How is Chester really like?

Chester's really like any other family dog. He eats, sleeps, plays and give the family unconditional love, loyalty and slobber. Because I've had Chester since he was only 5 weeks' old, i dare say the bond between me and him is really quite special. I'll always be the first he greets at the door, no matter how exciting the other family members or guests smell!

Apparently, he sat outside my bedroom and whined pretty often when i was away in London. The moment i got back, he went berserk with excitement. It was hilarious because as soon as i sat down on the bed, he went absolutely crazy and jumped up and down the bed continuously for at least a good whole 30 times! Tell me how can i not love him when he offers so much in his own doggy ways?

Chester's still a big baby at 2 years old. Very hyper, loves a good romp with the cats. Being a Border Collie, he never gets tired of playing fetch. If there's anything he loves more than a ball, it's kids. He loves a good long walk but pity there's not much open space in Singapore. Loves a good swim too.

Does he live up to the smartest sheep dog reputation?

Definitely (time for an ego trip!). He learnt the command "Sit" at 5 weeks old. By about 2 month's old, though fidgety, he'd already knew various different commands like sit, down, stay, heel, fetch etc. Chester would have been been a good candidate for obedience trials, if not for the fact that i'm so caught up with work.

Chester was the best puppy during graduation day from puppy class. While others had to be lured into obeying commands with food, he obeyed verbal commands and knew hand signals. And he was only barely 3 months old then!

Even now, he reads my every action so intently, he knows what is expected of him and what is not. I can be saying, "Chester, can you please....." and he would know what i want him to do. To sit, to stop, to come back, to stay etc.

From young, he's been trained to get my permission before doing most things. It's our special little thing. and i pride him as a good dog who looks up to his alpha. If i'm the one feeding him, he'll never start eating unless i say "ok". With anyone else who feeds him, he'll just wolf down his food without a care. He has access to everywhere in the house but before entering my room, he always sit outside and waits for the approving nod before he steps into the room. Cool, huh?

He's not a dog that has been taught to obey through aggression and force, which is the amazing thing. It's simply by earning his respect and trust. That's why i say, Chester and i really do share a special bond.

How did u keep him and your cat from fighting?

Cocoa (my black cat) was brought up with Bonnie (my previous dog) so she's got no problems with dogs unless she's bored. She does play fight with Chester but it's never anything malicious. Sophie is 17 years old, street wise, seen the world and doesn't give a hoot about the youngsters, so she's cool with Chester and Cocoa.

As for Chester, i made it a point to socialise him with cats while he was a puppy, so he loves the cats to bits!