When May Kuen returned to Malaysia from the United States in 2011, she found readjusting to life in Malaysia difficult. This affected her mental health and she struggled for ways to find her footing in both her career and personal life.
However, things changed after May Kuen’s serendipitous meeting with a tiny sleeping puppy quietly tucked in the corner of a building. She recalled picking up the snoozing furball to take a good look and was immediately smitten.
“I fell in love with her beautiful brown coat and eyes. She looked like a teddy bear when she was a puppy!” she told FMT.
Appearances aside, May Kuen said that moment felt like the perfect time to adopt a pet and so she decided to go for it … despite one very big problem.
“My parents didn’t know I was going to adopt Bella! I remember bringing her back in a box and took her up to my room,” she explained, before adding that Bella was only two weeks old then, which made smuggling her into May Kuen’s family home an easy job.
May Kuen’s parents eventually found out about Bella’s presence but after a couple of rounds of incessant nagging, their hearts warmed and they welcomed Bella into their family.
Being a very intelligent dog, Bella quickly picked up commands like “sit”, “up” and “down”. With her keen sense of smell, she successfully sniffed out treats that were hidden in May Kuen’s hands.
“The only trick I cannot seem to get her to do is to roll over and play dead, as she will be too busy focusing on the treats!” laughed May Kuen.
Fast forward to today, Bella is a beautiful nine-year-old pooch who has somehow shed her dark fur and currently sports a gorgeous cream coat. Although not overly fond of toys now that she is older, she still enjoys her hugs and absolutely loves having her rear scratched.
“She has this cute habit of shaking her bottom from side to side whenever I scratch her backside. She would also nudge me with her nose whenever she wants hugs and pets,” shared May Kuen.
Bella also retained some of her old puppy habits which reminded May Kuen of the day they met, as Bella still loves sleeping in tight corners, usually behind some flower pots.
When it comes to food, May Kuen says Bella is a true Asian dog. She gets her fill of rice, minced meat and carrots, but doesn’t seem fond of healthy treats and has a weakness for junk food.
All things considered, Bella is generally an easygoing dog. But if there are two things that she absolutely does not like, it’s having a bath and getting her claws cut.
“She instinctively knows when I am coming out to bathe her as she will run and hide under the car. I’d have to chase her out with a broom and put her on a leash!”
Sharing all these funny yet heartwarming experiences with Bella has made May Kuen’s journey to wellness a happier and smoother one, especially since Bella easily lifts May Kuen’s moods and emotions by just being around.
“A wise friend once said that we do not have the pets we want, but the pets we need. I definitely agree with that statement. Bella came into my life at a time when I needed her and I am forever grateful for that,” admitted May Kuen.
After sharing her wonderful adventures with Bella, May Kuen advises aspiring pet owners that this may be a good time to consider adopting a pet for life since depression and anxiety issues are on the rise due to the pandemic.
“It would be a win-win situation, as you could literally be saving each others’ lives! The best example of unconditional love can be seen in the eyes of a rescued dog or cat filled with gratitude and affection.”
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PET: FMT Lifestyle readers are invited to send in pictures (landscape format) and a short video (if any) of their furry, scaly or feathery friends to lifestyle@freemalaysiatoday.com. Don’t forget to include details like your pet’s name, age, breed and a short story about them.
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