When Drew Harris and his wife bring their two rescue dogs, Ham and Pig, out for walks in the Gasing area of Petaling Jaya, they inevitably attract the attention of passersby.
Firstly, Drew is an artist from Canada – “being a foreigner with two dogs in and around PJ Newtown, we surely get noticed” – and secondly, the adorable pups don bright yellow vests.
“We carefully designed and developed fitted neon vests that act similarly as those that protect road workers, cyclists and construction workers,” Drew told FMT.
The reflective garments help save lives – both canine and human – from oncoming traffic, but he revealed the real intent behind them was to help members of the public feel more relaxed and reassured around the animals.
“We are aware some people have a fear of dogs, so we wanted to be proactive and creative in the way we present Ham and Pig, and to integrate respectfully,” Drew, 62, explained.
“We want people to see Ham and Pig as slightly more approachable, and even though they aren’t ‘working dogs’ officially, the vests, to a degree, gently humanise them in the eyes of the public.”
It has worked: Drew and Sher, his Malaysian wife of 15 years who is a fellow artist and educator, have become the talk of the town – or at least, their part of it.
“Instantly we began noticing less trepidation, in both the general public and the dogs themselves. We are now regularly approached by individuals and families that might otherwise have kept a safe distance.
“They ask about Ham and Pig, often commenting on how wonderful their jackets are.”
As the four-legged family members of artists, Ham and Pig have been at the centre of Drew’s and his wife’s careers, often showing up in studio photographs and becoming the stars of the show.
“When we are introduced to others who follow us on social media, they often ask how Ham and Pig are doing before they ask of us,” Drew said with a laugh.
Rescuing two canines in the past 14 years has not only helped Drew and Sher spread an appreciation and acceptance among the local community for dogs, it has also helped the couple’s marriage.
After all, Ham and Pig demonstrate, every single day, what it means to love and respect each other.
“Ham, a ‘faux Whippet’, is from Penang. When she was rescued, she was a streetwise three-month-old,” Drew said of the elderly brown dog, calling her a “happy prankster and affectionate girl”.
“She used to have a feline sibling named Cheese, so Ham and Cheese were one,” he added. They were “inseparable” until Cheese tussled with a snake and, sadly, lost.
“Ham suffered excruciating loneliness without Cheese. But then we found Pig – cowering, sick, bloated, feral, helpless, scared, and separated from his pack in a field on the outskirts of Puchong.
“It was a rescue that saved Ham from isolation, and for Pig, it meant he’d found the much-needed care of a new pack.”
Ham and Cheese have been best buds for the past eight years and stick to each other like glue. “Not once have they growled at each other over a toy, food or treats,” Drew pointed out.
“They knew it was a good thing they found each other, and this helped our own marriage find something special again – that respect for and understanding of each other.”
Ham is nearly 14 now and Pig remains steadfast by her side. “It’s a ‘marriage’ we all enjoy,” Drew said fondly. “Our only concern is that once Ham leaves us, Pig will need another companion.
“When that time comes, we’d most likely consider another rescue because saving a life is what humanity is all about.”
Follow Drew on Instagram and check out his website.
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.