Thank you Uncle Khoe.

[A dedicated post from one of our volunteer to thank Uncle.]

First of all, I would like to thank Uncle Khoe and Auntie Linda for your warmth gesture of celebrating my birthday today, even thought its a simple one but it really warms my heart. :)

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I have been volunteering in several dog shelters ever since 2012,

The first shelter I set my foot in, was Uncle Khoe’s K9 shelter. Besides being a non-profitable shelter, I see that Uncle Khoe is a selfless individual because despite his age, when he could have retired and enjoy his golden years, he dedicated his daily routine in helping the less fortunate, the ''voice-less'' and defenceless.

Ever since I started volunteering with Uncle Khoe’s shelter, I felt happy, I felt belonged.

It was not an easy job to feed 26 dogs every single day at the shelter be it rain or shine more over a senior at the age of 73. Not only does uncle cooked and feed daily, after feeding shelter dogs, he would continue to travel to another part of Singapore to feed the strays that will no matter what will wait for him daily. He would only head home after all the dogs , homeless or in the kennel are fed and being taken care of.

Just like any other pedigrees, the dogs in Uncle Khoe’s K9 shelter are also playful, obedient, out-going as well as cute. To me, they need not be name of a certain breed, they are special individualy- with their own character as well as they are also as lovable as any other dogs.

Dogs like Max etc might look intimidating, but deep down inside they are gentle giants who absolutely love attention. They will sit and give their paw especially when you are holding any yummy treats.

They will be so food motivated to get the treats from you that they will try to do all kinds of tricks like sit, paw, some of them even know how to fetch.

If you are feeling down , you just have to sit down and they will shower you with kisses and love, just like Faith and Tommy, the inseparable couple.

I remember there was once I went stray feeding with Uncle Khoe after the shelter, upon reaching the dogs would recognize the car engine sound and they would run towards the car with their tail wagging vigorously, he would then make sure that all the dog’s bowl are washed, and wiped clean before putting the food in the bowl.

The dogs wait for Uncle Khoe at their regular spot every single night. Such sight is rare to see, as I do help other feeder to feed at times. I could really see that this dog love Uncle Khoe as much as uncle loves them. Because he will feed them be it rain or shine, be it public holiday or not, he will be there, because he cares for them whole- heartedly.

Uncle Khoe is a very quiet person, he usually will not ask for help. A few weeks ago, While I was at the shelter with my friend Melvin, he wanted to replaced the rubber/plastic roof board to metallic kind, as the rubber ones has expanded due to the years of wear and tear and cannot take the weight of the fallen leaves. We decided that we should do the climbing up of the ladder and changed it for him as we are afraid that he might trip and fall, which is really dangerous for someone his age. One by one we took down, one by one we replaced. A total of 12 pieces of metal roofs( uncle source the material and measure the dimension and deliver it all by himself.) was replaced - with Uncle's guidance. Even though Melvin and I were very tired, but the smile on Uncle Khoe’s face was worth it, because we know that his main worries is the dogs getting in the rain or sun, the leaves falling into their kennel that might end up in their water or food.

Today, it’s my 19th birthday. Uncle Khoe invited me and some of the volunteers to his house to eat the famous home-make popiah that all of the volunteer love that is prepared by Uncle's wife - Auntie Linda. Uncle Khoe is a very quiet person, but we know he always do his best in his actions to appreciate us volunteering with him and loving the dogs.

My journey with Uncle Khoe shelter has been 4 years now, I have learnt that no matter what happens, dogs are always here for me. I would continue Uncle's moto of "helping one at a time, till I cannot.' It had and alwasy been a fullfilling journey with uncle khoe shelter.

Before I sign off, here's Snowy, one of Uncle Khoe’s dog at home, who is really sweet and manja and he loves carrot! In fact, every Uncle Khoe’s dogs loves Carrot, they will all have one whole carrot to chew on - which i witness it today!