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A lot of illegal home breeders, just be careful https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/couple-spent-over-60k-on-vet-bills-but-dog-died-anyway-and-they-had-to-sell-flat-to-settle-debt SINGAPORE – French bulldog Wangcai started life with a slew of chronic health issues. First-time dog owners Jackie See and Judyvein Cheng bought the male dog as a four-month-old puppy in 2018 for $4,800 from a local backyard breeder. Soon the married couple discovered Wangcai had mites, stomach issues, a yeast infection and rashes. “As first-time pet owners, we felt anxious and helpless. We kept going to the vet to find out what was wrong and constantly switched from premium kibbles to a hypoallergenic diet from the clinic. We spent between $2,000 and $3,000 (on the vet visits and food), but his condition did not improve,” Ms Cheng, an event organiser, told The Straits Times. Wangcai was also given cytopoint, an antibody used to treat atopic dermatitis, a chronic condition he was diagnosed with which causes dry, itchy and inflamed skin, but his condition worsened. “He was scratching more and that led to some open sores and bleeding every day. He also developed hives, redness in his groin, ‘armpit’ area and between his toes, rashes on his belly, fur loss and scabs and dandruff-like flakes,” Ms Cheng said. “We realised we were treating the symptoms, not going to the root of the skin issue. The medication was affecting his immune system, and realising what we had put our baby through, I cried,” she added. After the vet said that Wangcai had to go back once every two weeks for the cytopoint injection, which cost around $400 each, and would be on antihistamine for the next six months, she and her event emcee husband felt that Wangcai had had enough medication. They looked into changing his diet instead. After six months of trial and error, the couple settled on a diet that seemed to suit him. When Wangcai was around two years old, his health turned around – he stopped scratching incessantly and “became a normal dog”. And the couple was $10,000 poorer. “We went through 1½ years of craziness. It was a steep learning curve providing care to Wangcai. That was when we started researching and learning as much as we could about pet health, lifestyles, supplementation, nutrition and many other factors that would impact our pets’ quality of life,” Ms Cheng said, adding that it was also why the couple went on to open a holistic pet store. When Wangcai grew older, other health issues surfaced – he was found to have an enlarged prostate and joint issues. Animals like Wangcai that are sold by backyard breeders may cost less, but they often have birth or genetic defects and infectious diseases, according to experts. Animal welfare groups and the authorities have warned against buying pets from these breeders, as pet ownership here hit an all-time high and more illegal breeders are selling animals through online platforms such as Facebook groups and Telegram. According to a Euromonitor International report, the pet dog population in Singapore was around 114,000 in 2023, up by almost 3 per cent from 2019. The pet cat population hovers around 94,000 in 2024, a jump of almost 10 per cent from 2019. To deal with Wangcai’s enlarged prostate, Mr See and Ms Cheng tried herbal remedies instead of neutering him. Four to six months later, the prostate did not shrink, but it was not giving Wangcai any urinary problems, either. “To understand his joint issues, we sent him for an X-ray but the issues did not show up on the film. That was when we turned to chiropractic and swimming sessions for his joint problems. They provided relief but did not fix the problem,” Ms Cheng said. By then, Singapore was in the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown affected the entertainment industry. The couple were struggling financially but Wangcai’s health issues did not dissipate. “We had just started our holistic pet store... and were trying to make ends meet. (So) we held back on dealing with Wangcai’s health head-on. Till this day, I regret the decision,” Ms Cheng said, her voice breaking. “We could not keep doing MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to monitor his joints. Each MRI cost $5,000 and we were strapped for cash,” she said. A young, active dog, Wangcai loved to jump, dash and lunge. One day, the behaviour led to a tear in his cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), a common cause of hind limb lameness and pain. The CCL tear spiralled into intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) – a common source of back pain in dogs. The condition is more common in French bulldogs and can cause excruciating pain, incontinence and paralysis in serious cases. “It happened overnight. He was walking funnily when we woke up in the morning. Jackie suspected it was IVDD and the only thing that could correct it was surgery,” Ms Cheng said. At the veterinary hospital they were referred to, Ms Cheng was told that the CT scan would cost $9,000 and the surgery alone $25,000. “My mind went blank. I took Wangcai home and started calling other animal hospitals to see if their charges were lower, much lower,” Ms Cheng said. That same night in December 2022, Wangcai’s pain became unbearable and he was thrashing about and went into seizures, making the situation worse. Ms Cheng took him to another hospital. Unfortunately, the surgeon’s schedule was full. “I practically begged him before he agreed to free up his appointments to help. Then came the financial crisis. There was not enough credit on my cards to pay for the surgery and the surgeon would not start unless a deposit had been made. Fortunately, a friend had accompanied me there and she forked out the difference,” she said. Wangcai was discharged from the animal hospital after the surgery, relieved of pain but paralysed. Four days later, things went south and Wangcai was rushed back to the hospital. “The team managed to stabilise him, but I noticed he was having difficulty breathing. In front of me, he suffered a seizure, and I was immediately pushed out of the room before the nurses called ‘code blue’ (which means a patient has gone into cardiac or respiratory arrest). The vet and nurses tried to resuscitate him for two to three minutes but Wangcai died,” Ms Cheng recalled. “Did we kill him by wanting the best for him? He went through so much pain in his short four years of life,” Ms Cheng said, sobbing from the memory. For all the treatments, the couple emptied their savings. Not only that, they also sold their Housing Board flat in August 2023 to clear the credit card loans they took for Wangcai’s medical bills. Not wanting to give up on Wangcai’s memory, they used some of the proceeds from the sale of the flat to continue their holistic pet food business “as part of Wangcai’s legacy and hopefully to help the pet community using alternative solutions”. The tragic experience did not stop the couple from loving another dog. After a year of grieving, they adopted another French bulldog on Christmas 2023 – Bean Bean, a former breeding dog from animal welfare group Voices for Animals. “Having been through the experience with Wangcai, we believe we will be able to care for Bean Bean better,” Ms Cheng said.

Singapore authorities recall bottled water from Malaysia containing bacteria Authorities here have issued a recall of bottled mineral water imported from Malaysia after it was found to contain a common environmental bacterium that is found in faeces, soil, water and sewage. In a media statement on Wednesday (June 12), the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said that the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in Malaysia’s “Starfresh” bottled drinking water during a routine sampling of the product. It comes in 500ml and 1.5 litre bottles. The agency said it has directed the importer Radha Exports to recall all affected products, with the process ongoing. It pointed out that the bacterium can multiply in water environments and also on the surface of suitable organic materials in contact with water. “Use or consumption of products contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause a range of infections but rarely causes serious illness in healthy individuals,” said the agency. Consumers who have purchased the product are advised not to consume it. Those who might have done so and are concerned about their health should seek medical advice, said the agency. Affected consumers, it added, can contact Radha Exports at 6220 2777 for enquiries or exchange of product.

I read and felt disturbed. I read with great concern. Social media has its pros and cons. Humans do all sorts to get quick results and fix for one reason or the other. Bangkok clinic draws 100 men a month for penis-whitening service Health authorities disturbed as Thailand pioneers penis whitening laser service Thailand is probably the first country in the world where services are available to lighten the skin tone of male genitalia. Health authorities, however, have expressed worry and warned people about possible adverse impacts from such treatments. "The skin of the private parts is sensitive. Such laser services may cause irritation, allergies and inflammation," Health Service Support Department deputy director-general Dr Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn said yesterday. He added that such services would do more harm than good. "What if your skin becomes spotted?" he asked rhetorically. Thongchai said he had never heard of such services being available in other parts of the world. He also pledged to encourage the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to check if equipment used in such services had already been approved. "If not, the service provider will be liable for punishment," he said. Laser services for skin lightening are nothing new in Thailand. But a social media post about lightening male genitalia has become the talk of the town. A Facebook user, who goes by the name of "Atittayapa Photiya", posted a message about the services. She described herself as working for the Lelux Hospital. "New services. Reduce pigmentation. Make penis whiter. No pain. No recuperation needed. Let's tag people who should do it," the post said. The hospital has confirmed that the services are available and insisted that they are not dangerous. A patient who had used the service said he "loved" laser facial treatments and had been keen to try the service when he found out it was available. "And I am impressed with the results," he said on condition of anonymity. "I will complete the programme of five laser treatments." According to AFP, Lelux Hospital's genitalia whitening services have attracted about 100 men a month and they cost around $650 for five sessions. Urologist Dr Kampanat Pornyoskrai said laser treatments on genitalia might have different results depending on each particular person. "Usually, the male genitalia is darker than other parts of the body because of androgen," he said. "No other medicines can change that." He said lasers could be used to whiten faces and might work as well for genitalia for some people. "But before you go for it, study the bad points of laser treatments first," Kampanat said. http://www.asiaone.com/asia/social-media-aroused-health-authorities-disturbed-thailand-pioneers-penis-whitening-laser?xtor=EREC-16-4

Malaysians are getting fed up with their garment. From not trusting their Polis to catch a criminal, now they are doing their own road works. From this article, i liked the last line. "“Most people never act and that only adds to the long list of complaints.” Says alot of complainers but no action from them. We have alot in this forum..... https://sg.news.yahoo.com/fed-kl-pockmarked-roads-bikers-matters-own-hands-232900841.html KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 — They first started with a can of spray paint, marking around potholes on the roads of Kuala Lumpur to alert motorists of the hazard. The group of bikers also swept away sand and loose stones off busy highways to prevent motorcyclists from skidding. When their leader — actor Azlan Sani Zawawi, 40, or Lando as he prefers to be called — managed to save up some cash, they planted flowers in the pitted surfaces for a more obvious hazard sign. When his business grew, Lando and his biker friends took to road work themselves, patching up sinkholes and potholes left unattended by Kuala Lumpur City Hall. “We have been doing this since 2008,” Lando said at his latest patch-up operation in Wangsa Melawati called Jangan Gebang, Turap Lubang (Don’t Pose, Patch the Hole). “I’ve been blessed to get support from friends and members of the public, who joined in when they learned about what I have been doing. “Those who come out to help me are usually bikers like myself and so I named our group Ikatan Silaturrahim Brotherhood, comprising bikers from various biker associations. “The pothole (in Wangsa Melawati) has been there for over five months and is a hazard, especially for motorcyclists. “Despite numerous complaints, City Hall failed to fix the road, so our group decided to act ourselves.” After an hour’s work, they managed to level the road in Jalan 2/27a Lingkaran Tengah 2. The Kuala Lumpur-born businessman spent RM2,500 to hire a lorry and bought tools and materials for the repair work, including two tonnes of tar and gravel. He said katan Silaturrahim Brotherhood had carried out 30 road repairs around Wangsa Maju, Taman Seri Rampai, Taman Melawati and areas near the KL Convention Centre (KLCC) so far. Lando said he considered it a service to motorists, especially motorcyclists. “As a road user, I am concerned with the safety of motorists and motorcyclists driving or riding on roads filled with dangerous potholes,” he said. “The authorities are slow in their maintenance, often leaving the roads unlevelled and unpatched for months. “I find their lackadaisical attitude irresponsible, especially when road hazards are serious dangers that could result in fatalities.” Lando said he had lost two friends and an uncle after they crashed while avoiding road hazards. Over the years, he has spent close to RM20,000 to hire lorries and buy gravel and tar as well as tools for his initiatives. Despite rising costs, he said he had never accepted donations. “I prefer to use my own money. It took some time to save up but I managed to gather the funds by selling T-shirts and merchandises from my business,” he said. “Those who wish to help can donate their time and effort or hire a lorry with materials that we can use.” Asked the reason for his services, he said he considered it his personal civic duty. As a habit, Lando and his friends take note of the roads that require attention. He also posts pictures of potholes and other road hazards on his Facebook page, “Lando Zawawi DatokBandar KL”. “I post the pictures to warn people to be careful on those roads. Sometimes, people reach out and suggest places I can work on and they would volunteer to help,” he said. Lando said as a rule, he limited the number of people who joined him at each road work operation. “Safety is the No. 1 issue as it is risky patching up the road and relaying traffic at the same time,” he said. “That is why I carry out the work late at night when there are fewer vehicles.” Lando’s wife, Nurul Jannah Abdul Halim, 31, often joins him on his excursions that sometimes finish in the wee hours of the morning. “I am proud of his passion to help others in the way he feels truly beneficial,” she said. “I am concerned for his safety, that is why I like to tag along.” Road contractor Mohammad Fadzil Hashim, 22, volunteered after stumbling upon Lando’s Facebook page and hearing about his deeds from friends. He joined Lando for the first time last Thursday. “I do this for a living and when I heard about Lando, I was inspired to join him” he said. “Most people never act and that only adds to the long list of complaints.”

Sky-high certificate of entitlement (COE) prices for commercial vehicles have become a worry for businesses, motor traders and the authorities. Premiums for vans, trucks and buses have been setting record after record in recent months. Now at $76,001, it has more than doubled its price since 2011 - chalking the biggest rise among all COE categories in the two years. The motor industry attributes the climb to three factors. First, there has been a construction boom that is driving demand for heavy vehicles such as concrete carriers and dump trucks. According to Mr Ron Lim, general manager of Nissan agent Tan Chong Motor, heavy vehicles now make up more than 50 per cent of commercial vehicle sales - up from the usual 20 per cent. Second, motor dealers are clearing existing stock ahead of a new emission standard that kicks in on Jan 1. Third, speculators may be hoarding COEs in the hope of turning a profit by reselling them to motor dealers stuck with stock as the new year draws nearer. Said Mr Lim: "If there is speculation, the Government should step in quickly to address the situation. Or consider a three- to six-month extension to the emission deadline. This should quell all speculative activities." The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said it is hard to detect speculative activities. But it added that there are deterrents in place, such as a shorter three-month validity period for commercial COEs, half that of car certificates. Still, an LTA spokesman said it is looking at ways to improve the system, including putting light and heavy commercial vehicles in separate categories. Buyers of the latter are better able to tolerate high COE prices since heavy vehicles are far costlier. Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew told Parliament in March that the Government "will study carefully" if buyers of "light goods vehicles should pay the same COE premium as heavy and very heavy goods vehicles". Small and medium-sized businesses hope something will be done soon. Association of Small and Medium Enterprises president Chan Chong Beng said that the issue of high vehicle costs has overtaken labour shortage as the top concern raised by members. "For many small businesses, a vehicle is a must... And because of the new emission standard, prices will continue to rise next year, and that's very, very scary." Vehicle cost will account for a bigger cost component for businesses, Mr Chan added. "Many, like hawkers, will find it hard to pass it on to consumers." He said having separate COE categories for light and heavy vehicles would be "a good solution". Ms Ivy Tao, 54, who runs a fleet of buses ferrying workers, said she has no choice but to delay replacing her older vehicles. "COEs are high, fuel prices are high. We don't feel secure any more." LTA said businesses can consider extending their expiring COEs - by paying a prevailing quota premium - by five years, which they can do twice now since a restriction was lifted in February. Previously, these COEs could either be extended by five or 10 years. Owners who chose the former had to scrap their vehicles at the end of their extension. Since the policy change, LTA said about 96 per cent of commercial COE renewals have been for five years, up from 57. Source: http://www.stasiareport.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/businesses-motor-traders-authorities-worry-over-soaring-coe-cost-20131

My neighbour approachd me yesterday and was fuming mad with regards to some vehicles illegal parking along the road within HDB area causing inconvenient to other motorists. He specified to the authorities that he just want those vehicles owners to park at the 2 MSCP within walking distant and no need to issue any summons. He informed that, first he called '999' about the parking issue and was told that nowadays, police do not take action on illegal parking. Not even Traffic Police Department and the task was taken over by LTA. He was given a hotline number to call LTA. So he called LTA and informed of the illegal parking. Location and area was given to LTA officer on the other line. 10 minutes later, LTA officer called back and informed that, if its illegal parking within HDB area, HDB enforcement unit should take action. My neighbour then goes 'hur', why pushing from one department to another. He argued with LTA officer that the vehicles are parking on the road with a road name and what HDB got to do with it. So the officer agreed to send their warden to check. So my point is does we need to carry all SG departments telephone numbers to get thing done ? Why pushing around responsibilities by 3 authoritries or maybe 4 (if also include URA warden unit) over a location? What happen to our 'Service Industry'? No wonder we lack behind to so many countries in rendering 'Services'. Japan score the highest.

...doing??? SINGAPORE: In what is likely to be a landmark case for the charity sector, 26

Here's an interesting article taken from MSNBC...not sure if anyone had read this yet. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19339955/ Street racers