Well done!

Thursday August 12, 2010

Well done!

UPM’s Dogathon 2010 brought cheer all around.

MY chums and I had a terrific time last Sunday. We were at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in Serdang, Selangor, to take part in what was expected to be the largest gathering of canines in the country. The ancient Egyptian scroll is unveiled, declaring Dogathon 2010 open

Called Dogathon 2010, the event was organised by students of UPM’s veterinary faculty with the support of their lecturers. They were hoping to draw as many as 800 dogs this year and outdo their last score of 600 canines in 2008. That record managed to sail comfortably into the Malaysia Book Of Records.

Petpositive, among the VIPs

Last Sunday’s turnout was even more astounding. An incredible 1,100 canines turned up, accompanied by nearly five times that number of animal-loving owners.

Armed with walking sticks, a white cane and half a dozen wheelchairs, we made our way through a maze of tail-wagging participants. One or two tiny dogs jumped out of our way and into the arms of their owners, but the rest of the canines were not too bothered by our wheelchairs. Many seemed more interested in checking out the pretty pooches that were there.

Those that walked directly to us were the larger breed canines. Several golden retrievers (a breed reputed to be excellent assistance dogs for the disabled) literally pulled their owners towards our wheelchairs.

One lady whose dog bumped into me confessed that she had never spoken to someone in a wheelchair before. She said she had many misconceptions about people in wheelchairs until after our chat – thanks to her dog!

ILTC President Francis Siva checks out his new pals

My wheelchair, of course, was a hot item for many of the dogs. That’s because unknown to their owners, it carries the scent of four of my trusty four-footed companions back home.

A 45-year-old first-time visitor who experiences a total freeze over his body several times a day because of Parkinson’s disease, said he felt like jumping for joy after seeing so many dogs in one place. “The morning encounter helped me to put aside my struggles with Parkinson’s for over 10 years, and think positively about the future,” he said.

Handsome fellas

Another young man in a wheelchair, S. Sekar, who became paralysed following a motorcycle accident five years ago, made it a point to play with as many canines as possible.

“I managed to touch only 30 dogs,” he said, sounding rather disappointed. “Many pet owners were surprised when I asked them if I could touch their pets but they were obliging, Some even carried their dogs and placed them on my lap so that I could take a picture with my mobile phone,” he beamed.

And they're off!

One blind gentleman had the opportunity to meet several furry visitors who came up to him when he was sitting in the animal-assisted therapy stall put up by Petpositive, a national society to encourage the disabled and elderly to have pets.

He told us inspiring stories of how his three canines helped him cope when he suddenly lost his sight two years ago. “In a world of complete darkness, it’s a great encouragement to have seeing-eye dogs by your side,” he explained.

Special arrangements were made for the disabled and the elderly to participate at the Dogathon. Car parks were reserved for the disabled and a portable disabled-friendly toilet was available.

This is the third time that UPM has actively involved the disabled community in its dogathons. For me, it was marvellous to see the disabled at a major dog event. I have never witnessed any canine event in which so much effort was made to accommodate the disabled.

I’m sure that if all the 1,100 dogs were reading this now, they would give a loud woof in support of the way the UPM folk treated the disabled and the elderly that day.