The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.112)

TZU CHI 112 11 Our furry bundle of joy Many pet owners shower love and affection on their pets as they would their own children. However, not all are prepared to care for a pet stricken with a debilitating illness that requires round-the-clock attention. Teng Swee Ueng and his wife, Ng Boon Ngoh initially belonged to the latter, but embracing vegetarianism has taught them the value of life – including that of animals. By Julie Yen Yu Chu Translated by Lee Hui Yieng A fter experiencing two consecutive break- ins, volunteer Teng Swee Ueng decided to raise a dog to guard the household. However, this decision unsettled his wife, Ng Boon Ngoh, who was traumatized bymemories of being bitten by a dog in her childhood. She was also apprehensive towards the idea of having a dog roam the house, as she is a stickler for cleanliness. Defenceless against her family’s insistence, Boon Ngoh relented on the condition that she would not be responsible for bathing and cleaning up after the dog, and that the dog be prohibited from entering the house. In 2008, the family welcomed a Dobermann into the household and named it “Rocky”, with the hope that it would grow to be as strong as its namesake, the legendary American professional boxer Rocky Marciano. Swee Ueng even signed Rocky up for dog training lessons. Embracing vegetarianism A massive earthquake hit Sichuan, China Following Rocky’s demise, Ng Boon Ngoh and Teng Swee Ueng would stop by its burial site often to leave heartfelt messages. [Photograph by Lee Kin Chee] OneStepataTime SavingtheEnvironment