Pei Pei, our maltese

Not many people would've realised that our family has gotten ourselves a maltese. She's called Pei Pei.

Her name was never ours to give as Pei Pei's had a former owner was from mainland China during which Pei Pei (still a puppy) was obtained from this petshop. When she was 9 months old, the owner had to return to China and the owner couldn't sleep for weeks (very attached to Pei Pei) knowing her dog would be given away to another family.

Our family had many pets before this such as tortoises, a talking mynah and fishes, but never a dog. My dad was first to object to even the thought of having a dog in the house, what more, a dog that doesn't guard (not a guard dog). He thought of the most ridiculous excuses to say (to the former owner) even just before the owner and dog arrives from Penang. My mum had to brave herself to receive this dog too but was more opened to receiving the dog than my sceptical dad.

But lo and behold, when Pei Pei arrive at our doorstep, my dad had this broad smile - cheek-to-cheek. He nodded with approval of the cute maltese running across the porch. First sentence from my 'reluctant' dad was: "Wahh, nice, nice, nice colour".  Her fur is whitish-gold. The owner left in sadness and dare not even turn back to look when Pei Pei entered our door. Pei Pei cried, scratched the main door, and went berserk when she soon realised that her owner was missing for the longest time. But after a few hours, she kinda understood that her former owner will never be coming back. *Sobs* I can feel how heartbreaking that would be to a loyal dog. Any dog.

At the beginning she was most attached to my younger brother. Pei Pei never left his side while my brother watches TV, washes his car, eats, etc. But when my brother left for KL, Pei Pei is more than ever closer to my mum 'til today. Pei Pei wants nobody (not even my dad) but my mum. She will quiver and show all sorts of (human) emotions when my mum plays or doesn't play with her. She takes orders very well - in both Mandarin and English! She doesn't poo poo or pee pee in various places in the house but one particular corner outside the house. My dad was delighted with Pei Pei's behaviour and decent toilet habits, and now she's inducted into the family as...Chai Pei Pei. :-P

Characteristic of Pei Pei: Brilliant round eyes as if lined with mascara. She has this seng-mouk demeanour and has this attentive look all the time (except sleeping or sad). Yes, she expresses sadness like any human by cupping her head lying on the floor. She hates visitors and barks and snarls at visitors, but if she realises the visitors are here to stay for a while she'll be all right. She is all out playful and love her stuff toys, but loves to play throw-catch at any time of the day, with anyone.

She is especially annoyed with 'UGLY' people or dogs (read: dirty). That's where our parents called her a China-doll (got this trait from previous owner?? :-P). Apparently she's hates all stray dogs, ignoring them, but lures our neighbour's handsome & sturdy poodle. Our new home in Tambun is still renovating and she doesn't like any of the workers or contractors touching her. Opps. She will knowingly bite them if they do. Though her bites are absolutely harmless, her teeth glimmers in evil as she snarls at 'ugly' people. Pei Pei barked at my hubby incessantly when he was drench in sweat after some carpentry work on our new house in Puchong. Pei Pei doesn't like dirty looks. She smells ugliness. Yes, call it racist.

She loves her weekly bath and my mum would dry her fur with hair-dryer. She wouldn't move an inch when my mum blow-dry and combs her long tangled fur. You can tell, this china-upbringing doggy doesn't mind the pain of being pretty! She is also very 'Chinese'  kiasu where she can play with you one minute and then bark at you when you don't let her win in the game. Say for instance - she wants to play catch, but you don't let her pick up the ball (after the throw), she will be super furious and hurl (read: bark) *dog profanities* at you and later ignore you...forever. She has to win in any game and throws.

Tricks: Pei Pei can stand up on her hind legs for 10 seconds(!) and at the same time doing "Gong-xi, Gong-xi" (think: Chinese New Year) with her body turning around 720 degrees! She knows the command: "Shake hands, left hand, right hand" (by right, legs actually). She also leads my mum to fetch her something by gnawing her finger and leading that finger to the unreachable toy. She once licked my mum's cooking wound daily until it healed!

Pei Pei pakai mascara

As for me, dogs are really smart, loyal and no doubt are really men's best friend. Since I had Pei Pei, I just cannot imagine now our lives, particularly my mum, without her. I finally have a sista! There's a recent case in the news of a Muslim dog trainer caught feeding and training dogs, and she was caught and brought to jail. Oh well, I don't really know what the Quran said about dogs (sorry, not ignorant, just not versed), but I generally think she's still not a CRIMINAL to the extend she had to be handcuffed. She may have broken an Islamic law or two, yes, but it ain't hard core criminal yah? Let's just say, she probably shouldn't show it openly and put a religious music as background, but on a personal note, I had veterinarian Malay friends that touches dogs every single day; saw her at the annual Dogathon checking 100++ dogs for fleas, and no qualms. She was her hands with clay after a days work. You know who should be handcuffed? - those who physically abuse dogs, cats and other cute pets and irresponsible pet owners who let their dogs out to bite joggers.

Ok, just my 2 cents.

Peace out. Woof-out!