MALAYSIA’S Responsible Dog Owner’s Day (MRDO) is an event which I always look forward to.

This year, things got bigger and better.

The event is also one of the largest gatherings of pure breed and mongrel owners in the country. It also showcases canine obedience and agility, and the pet industry, such as those selling pet food and accessories, and those involved in grooming.

For me, MRDO 2007 is an excuse to take my dogs Naughty-boy and Queenie to 1 Utama Mall’s Central Park (where the event is held annually) to socialise.
It is also where I met many dog owners, especially those who keep Siberian Huskies, and the result is an online network about the breed.

For my wife Michelle, setting out with the dogs is more than a mere outing. It’s a “family” get-together with dog owners of all breeds and sizes.

We take the opportunity to catch up and unwind with the Husky gang.

As usual, my wife and I left early from our home in Subang Jaya to the fair ground so that we could find a good spot to anchor our dogs.

What we love about MRDO are the services for dog lovers such as veterinary inspection, micro-chipping and animal shelter booths that promote neutering as a means to control the stray canine population. The booths also educate on caring for dogs.

Despite all the effort to promote responsible dog ownership, we saw dog poop along the way.

Deby Chor, owner of the Malaysian Siberian Husky club whom we met last year with her dog Kosmos, was also disgusted with irresponsible owners.

Chor and her fiance Andrew Fong brought two of her dogs including the year-old Chaos.

But two girls picked up after their dogs. One of the dogs, a yellowish-brown mongrel, wore a “Take me home” sign around its collar.

A veterinarian surgeon said that many dogs, especially strays or mongrels that were given away because their owners could not look after them, face a bleak future at shelters.

Many of these unwanted canines are put to sleep after they fail to find homes. The increasing number of abused, abandoned and neglected pooches is alarming.

“Dogs are not playthings. They need love and care. Many folks fail to understand this, resulting in unwanted pets. If they take the trouble to read up and learn more about the breed’s temperament, maintenance and sustenance, it will give them second thoughts because it takes commitment to be responsible dog owners,” said the veterinarian.

Serious stuff aside, there were plenty of fun activities for the day which started at 8am and ended at 2pm.

The highlight was a showcase of working dogs by the Police K-9 unit, Fire and Rescue Services Department’s tracker dogs and dogs for protection services offered by private companies.

Organiser puppy.com also held competitions for dogs and their owners.

The next doggy outing is just a click away. To find out more, log into www.puppy.com.my.

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