Will You Take Me Home?

6000 – that is the number of stray dogs that have been put to sleep each year, statistics from the ministry of national development.
250 – that is the number of unwanted dogs that SPCA received and about half of them are abandoned
$500 to $2000 – that’s the cost of buying a dog
$0 – that’s the cost of adopting one
 
President, Toastmasters, and guests, these are the staggering statistics that we see today with regards to the Local stray dog scene. Due to the sheer number of stray dogs that we faced today, increasing efforts are needed to house them and sometimes, even to put them to sleep.
 
Non-profitable organizations have sprung up over the years by kind souls to help cope with the situation. Noah’s ark is one of them. It was set up by Raymund Wee in 1995 as an animal shelter for dogs, cats and even horses, to care for those that are sick, injured and abandoned. The Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD) was established in December 2000 to improve the welfare of stray and abandoned dogs in Singapore. And there is SPCA … These are the few prominent organizations that are working quietly but diligently to help with the situation.
 
Now the government and organizations are doing their parts to cope with the stray dogs situation, what can we as individuals do to help? I say- one dog at a time!  But how? Allow me to share with you my personal experience as an example. I have 2 dogs, one which I bought from a pet shop and another adopted. I bought my first dog because of love at first sight. This I shared during my P2 project, and of cos, out of ignorance for current issue that we faced in Singapore. After being more exposed to dogs, dog care and also the local dog-owner community, I came to realize the problem and that the right way is to adopt rather than buy. As such my second dog, that is adopted from an accidental litter of 8.
 
10 years have I lived and cared for my beloved dogs. Yes, to be a responsible dog owner is hard work - ensuring that they are well fed with lots of exercises so as to maintain good health. Every night I need to ensure I reach home in time to feed them, their one and only meal in a day. Each night, I diligently wash the toilet as they are house trained. Each night, I bring them out for a walk for fresh air and exercise. If I need to travel I need to find someone to replace me and my duties for each day. Isn’t it hard work? All these pain and toils, is it worth it? If I have another chance to choose, will I still choose to be a dog owner? The answer is YES! for all 3 questions.
 
Why am I still so convicted after 10 years of hard labour? Precisely because dogs are Man’s Best Friend. They are my best friend, they are my pride and joy, and I cannot live without them.  Every night I open the door to 2 smiley faces, crazy with joy of my return. Every night, I get the chance to cuddle 2 very obliging warm bodies, knowing that everything is alright with them around. Every time I feel sad for whatever reason, they are the ones that will come and console me.  Even time when I am upset with them for messing up the house, I can never stay angry for long when I stared into their pearly innocent eyes.  It looks as though my dogs are dependent on me for all their needs, but I know, deep down in my heart, I depended on them emotionally as much as they depended on me physically.
 
If dogs are so wonderful, why are there so many of them being abandoned? Ah… but we humans have souls that are dark and unpredictable… well, I believe that is just one of the reason. Most of the time owners buy dogs without thinking far ahead and understanding the full commitment.  Some buy them for birthday gifts, especially for their children, and yet others buy them purely for their cuteness. Needless to say, after a while the novelty wears off and the  once cute puppy became a naughty and destructible monster around the house. They became a burden to the whole family and are no longer wanted.
 
With  a little education, research and knowledge on how to correctly take care of the dogs and train them well, they will add immense joy into your life. They will be the only family member that remain loyal to you all their life, and certainly the only ones that would never talk back in any argument. Truly, till death do they part from you. Very soon your heart will be filled with love for this tiny ones and you will realise that having another small delicate animal in your life is a most wonderful thing!
 
Even then, why buy? Please – adopt! There are so many wonderful puppies, currently being housed in SPCA, Noah’s Ark and ASD. These dogs are no less perfect or cuter than those sold in the shops. They give you the same undivided love and attention and they promise a life time of devotion. What's most important is that it practically cost you nothing to adopt them, as compared to buying a so called pure bred from pet shops.
 
Are you convinced? Will you adopt a dog and share your life with it?  Let me give my plea a final push by sharing excerpts from this touching poem with you:
 
Will You Take Me Home – Credit - taken from a pet forum by a person named Laura.
 
I am a stray, out on the street,
Trying so hard not to get beat!
I often have to fight to stay alive,
It is a struggle, just to survive.
 
I am so alone out here, so tired and cold
This was not how, I was supposed to grow old!
No one comes to give me food,
It's not nice here, in my neighborhood.
 
I don't know what happened! Or why I am here!
What happened to my people that use to hold me so dear?
Now I am so alone and tired and cold,
Is this how I am going to grow old?
 
Could someone just stop from a busy day?
One kind word could someone say?
To a animal so scared and alone?
And perhaps find me a place in your home?
 
Ladies and gentlemen, tonight, if this poem touches you a wee bit, please say yes to adopting a dog.
 
Thank you. TME. 

This is delivered as a P9 speech in the Toastmaster's Exco Meeting. Was not in tip top condition when it was delivered, and it is the first time I did not rehearse and time my speech before the actual delivery, as a result, I missed the chance to recite the poem, thinking that I do not have enough time, when the whole speech lasted on 6 min 30 secs. This proved that rehearsing is absolutely important to ensure a good delivery!

PS: all information on the organisations are taken from the respective website. Special credit given to the especially moving poem written by Laura.