Meet Oreo and Charcoal, two of the smartest, cutest and cheekiest miniature schnauzers, who are celebrities in their own right, with their personal Instagram accounts.
Speaking to FMT, Chin Yee Yap says she had been pining for a miniature schnauzer for as long as she could remember so when Oreo came into her life six years ago, she was in seventh heaven.
“Oreo was my first pet. He taught me patience and perseverance especially during his potty-training phase. I still remember how happy I was when he finally pee-ed and pooped in the right spot,” she says, laughing.
She describes Oreo as “handsome, charming, friendly, loving, always smiling but self-conscious”.
Charcoal is Oreo’s daughter and is four and a half years old. “She is the mischievous, cheeky and confident one and the real dramas started when she joined the family.”
First, she “opened-up” the Chinese New Year red packets by herself and chewed up the money in it. “The video of me scolding her went viral – more than two million views on Facebook,” Chin Yee says.
So much for the telling-off as Charcoal didn’t learn a thing from it and happily chewed up Chin’s Tod’s and LV handbags soon after.
“Even though she is naughty, I still love her to the moon and back. You could say Charcoal taught me an expensive lesson – never leave my valuable things where she can find them.”
Chin Yee says that despite how naughty she is, Charcoal is surprisingly a certified Dr Dog, an achievement the little one should be proud of.
Dr Dog Malaysia is an animal assisted therapy (AAT) programme that provides people in need – the elderly, physically handicapped, mentally impaired, and orphans – with the company of a best friend.
Oreo is the exact opposite of Charcoal – well-behaved, mature and rather charming with his “OPPA” demeanour.
A picture of calm and composure, it’s no surprise that Oreo was named winner of a model search for Momoji, a high-end, pet fashion brand from Hong Kong.
But Charcoal has her charms too and the father-daughter team are brand ambassadors for New Zealand’s WOOF Freeze-dried Dog Food.
“Their wagging tails, happy barking and excited howling are their way to welcome me home after my long day at work and that’s how they brighten up my day,” Chin Yee says.
The trio are great travel buddies too and have holidayed in many tourist spots all over Malaysia.
“I love travelling with Oreo and Charcoal. I’ve taken them to Penang, Ipoh, Bentong, Bukit Tinggi, Genting, Melaka, Seremban, Johor, Pulau Sibu, and Cherating,” Chin Yee says, even though she has to spend a lot of time researching beforehand where the pet friendly Airbnbs and resorts are, also their pet policies, the duration of the drive there and other such details.
“I enjoy doing it. Their happiness makes all the hard work worth the effort.”
Take a peek into the lives of Oreo and Charcoal on their Instagram accounts which Chin Yee diligently updates to capture their every moment together.
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.