LET BUDDY STAY

Under the Housing and Development Board (HDB) Animals Rules 1989, HDB apartments are allowed only one dog of a toy breed or its cross that stands at 40cm at the shoulders and weighs 10kg or less.

If you have three dogs and live in a private home, you can now consider adopting a fourth dog — at a much lower licensing fee — announced Minister of State for National Development, Mr Desmond Lee, (June 28 2014 ). No restriction on size.

Why the discrimination against those who stay in government's housing ? Are we less responsible or incapable? Do we lack the space needed or the abilities to manage more than one dog in our homes (in reality, most HDB flats are bigger or not on par with condominiums).

I adopted a Golden Retriever , Buddy about 13 years ago.He was abandoned at a groomer. We subsequently adopted another puppy's mill dog, a Shih Tzu.

These dogs brought me out of my darkness and are the best companion for my children, including an autistic son. Now at on old age with a tumour, Buddy had to be evicted because of his size and the type of housing being poor men's flats.

After giving us years of joy and happiness, Buddy is not just a dog, He is family. Can you dispose of your kin when they are old and big?