When most people decide to get a dog, the breeds that usually come to mind are popular ones such as golden retrievers, poodles, or labradors. But Annie Lim opted to go against the grain – her breed of choice was a miniature bull terrier.
“They are known for their super energetic and protective nature,” she told FMT recently. “But, unfortunately, they are often labelled ‘dangerous’ by the public, which makes them the last to be considered when it comes to adoption, especially if they are older.”
Nevertheless, her love for these canines led her to do an online search, which, in turn, introduced her to a lovely pair of miniature bull terriers named Tina and Sambo.
In November, Lim gladly opened her heart and her home to the rambunctious duo. Playful and affectionate, the doggos have been showering their human with love from the moment they arrived at their new home!
Their favourite activities include long walks at the dog park, which is when their mischievous streaks tend to emerge. There, they employ super speed to chase away any squirrels they spot, as well as bark boisterously at any monkeys they happen to set their sights on.
They also love to dig up the dirt in the garden, which is why Lim’s front yard now features artificial grass!
Despite this, Tina and Sambo know when to behave themselves when they meet with strangers. They are also non-confrontational, “so when other dogs bark at them, they just walk away without engaging, which is good”, Lim shared.
Tina, seven, is naturally the more mature of the two compared with Sambo, who’s just a little over a year and a half.
But the poor female pup has an enlarged canine heart condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy, which Lim only discovered in December when she collapsed while midway chasing after Sambo.
So nowadays, Lim makes sure Tina enjoys frequent water breaks when going for long walks so as not to overexert herself. While engaging in exercise or any other physical activity, Lim also keeps a constant eye on her pet to make sure she doesn’t get overexcited.
Sambo, of course, is stronger and more playful owing to his age, which often results in a trail of chewed-up stuff left behind him, which his long-suffering human has to pick up.
He’s also a less finicky eater – “he eats everything!” – while Tina is fussier and tends to turn her nose at strong-smelling foods or fruit. No durian for you, Tina!
Despite their age gap and mild differences in personality, the duo have a solid bond, one that sees them kissing and licking each other throughout the day to express their love.
Be extra cautious when they get too enthusiastic during their play, though, as their displays of affection can often devolve into quarrels!
Still, the furry pair put up a united front in showing Lim their disdain for disinfectant sprays and nail cutting. They also don’t care much for commands, apart from “sit” – because it’s usually followed by a snack, Lim revealed with a laugh.
Always glued to her side, Tina and Sambo often try to stop her from leaving the house, which makes leaving for work especially challenging and/or entertaining.
And when bedtime rolls around, they will climb onto Lim’s bed happily, and snuggle next to her until they fall asleep.
“Whenever I come home, they always jump up and lick me when I walk through door, which is the best welcome anyone could ask for,” Lim added happily.
This article was written by Toon Kit Yi. Read more pet stories here.
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 [email protected]. Don’t forget to include details like your pet’s name, age, breed and a short story about them.