The big 5

I had not been updating my blog for such a long time. I wanted to resume my blog after reading my old blogs. So many memories being rekindled and it made me feel it's important to continue it as a journal which my family and I can look back. Not so much for achievement but for fond memories to cherish.

One of the memory is on 23 June 2019. And this is the story....

It felt like a tremendous efforts to drag my feet to complete my very first 5km mileage in a single run. I am that glad I did it. Not easy but satisfying. I know I just started running only recently. But I just wanted to try it out. 

I ran along a new route after studying it. This include climbing at hill to a nearby reservoir. 

Breaking into 6km

After running past 5km I was inspired to give it a go to clock in my very first 6km mileage in a single run. And yes boy I did it! Managed to finish at 55:21 minutes with an average pace of 9'08" per km. Well the speed and time is nothing to shout about but am very pleased. 

I wasn't tired nor exhausted after that. Am feeling good physically. That's a good sign indicating my body is getting pretty good shape. Giving myself a pad on the shoulder 😁. Already my mind is thinking the big 10km! 

Why puppy eat their own poop

It has been passed two weeks already since we first brought Jessie back. She has growth a bit. At least not losing any weight as she has developed quite a steady meal time. She can eat up to four times a day. That goes the same in her defecation frequency. She would call for attention in her certain parking tone to tell that she needs food or the urge to ease herself.

But something odd we notice. She would eat her own poops. That's pretty gross sight to see, and not normal. We would wash her mouth after that since we are not fast enough to stop it. At least it makes her hygienic.

According to PetMd.com it is a normal behaviour. The following are the some reason that leads to the weird habit:-

1. Curiousity

2. Poor digestion

3. Boredom

4. Stress

5. Hunger

To avoid the possible repeat of this habit, it is recommended to:-

1. Give enough of food

2. Clean immediately after puppy eliminates.

Pets does improve kids behaviour

After one week having Jessie in our midst does show some changes in our kids - Ivan and Reanne behaviour. Most noticeably is that our kids have demonstrate caring and empathy by showing concern over Jessie well being i.e whether she eats well, needs to play and needs to ease herself.

vetStreet.com write about the Five Ways Pets Are Great for Children, which include:-

Pets may prevent allergies

Pets may help prevent obesity

Pets may improve grades

Pets teach responsibility

Pets teach unconditional love

Another article by UK Pet Health Council - The benefits of pet ownership for children also echoed the benefit pets will give to kids. It said that research proving that pet ownership has considerable educational and therapeutic benefits for children. Studies demonstrate children who interact with animals have higher levels of self esteem, have greater empathy and better social skills. 

Hope to see more positive behaviour improvement from our kids. 

Is she a rottweiler or dachshund?

Finally we adopted a puppy into our family on 30th June. A friend of my parents whose adult dog just gave birth a month plus ago and we happen to be the last visitor to come and adopt the last puppy. We were told the puppy is a cross breed between golden retriever (male) and dachshund (female). At first it was purely a visit to see whether the puppy is suitable for us but somehow I guess it was love at the first sight especially for our kids, Ivan and Reanne who are super excited on the idea to have a puppy. At the same time, my parents' friend were eager to give the puppy away. So we end up adopting the cute puppy on the spot.

Poor puppy was covered with ticks when it was handed to us. We immediately brought it to our cousin who happen to operate a pet's grooming shop to see how to help the poor puppy. It was already well past 7pm in the evening. On the way, we brainstorm with the kids what name to be given to the cute puppy and we finally agreed on Jessie. Then it took almost 2 hours to painstakingly hand pick those parasites all over the puppy body. By the time we reach home, it was already 9pm. 

While settling down that night, we try to figure out Jessie's breed as her feature does look like a rottweiler and at the same a dachshund. 

Having pets can improve your health

(Photo taken by Elena Shumilova)

The dilemma to have a dog in our family is getting somewhat grabbing our attention to decide of late. I believe of lot of us are having the negative side of the idea to have a dog at home. Mainly the concern of cleanliness, hygiene and health concern knowing the fact that dogs can be a messy and dirty animal.

I for one is looking at the practical side of it; having a dog (at least one) can help to improve the security of our house from intruder compared to houses that have none. And the kids are also very keen to have a pet at home as playmate. But still in my mind picturing of smelly car porch, shedding dog's hair every where is kinda bothering me. But surprisingly research found out the otherwise and it might deduce some of the concerns you and me are struggling about. 

Abstracting from WebMD article, research has shown that living with pets provides certain health benefits. Pets help lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety. They boost our immunity. They can even help you get dates. Even more surprising is that studies have suggested that kids growing up in a home with "furred animals" -- whether it's a pet cat or dog, or on a farm and exposed to large animals -- will have less risk of allergies and asthma  It further said that if a dog lived in the home, infants were less likely to show evidence of pet allergies -- 19% vs. 33%. They also were less likely to have eczema, a common allergy skin condition that causes red patches and itching. In addition, they had higher levels of some immune system chemicals -- a sign of stronger immune system activation.

So how about that. And finally we are seriously considering the idea to become reality to have a dog in our family.

6th Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon

Yes dear parents the annual hot air balloon fiesta is back this coming school holiday. 

I would strongly recommend the following main event stretching from 27th to 30th March:

7.00am - 9.00am:   Hot Air Balloon Flying Show (Blue Zone)
7.30am - 10.30am:   Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides (Blue Zone)
6.00pm - 7.00pm:   Hot Air Balloon Flying Show (Blue Zone)
6.00pm - 9.00pm:   Tethered Hot Air Balloon Ride (Blue Zone)
9.00pm - 10.00pm:   Night Glow & Fireworks Display (Blue Zone) - Only on 29th March (Saturday)

The tethered hot air balloon rides is a must to try but only limited to children who are above 4 feet. Please bear in mind it is very popular among visitor as such tickets are sold out super fast. So be there early to purchase it. Ticket price at RM20 per person.

Counter open:
7.00am : Morning Flight
5.30pm : Evening Flight

*Subject to weather conditions. Limited to 180 tickets per session.

Look at the layout below to locate the Blue Zone area.

For more information, please go the this website and Facebook.

Worship Together

I stumbled upon this very useful site when I try to search certain worship song's chord and lyric. It also provide playable audio selection of your song choice. Really useful for personal worship reference as well as for those involve in worship ministry.

Check the site here