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SINGAPORE: If you think the movie Beverly Hills Chihuahua was OTT in the pooch spoiling – time for reality check.
There are aristocats and aristopets, complete with fancy makeovers and movie-star photo shoots that go with the gourmet chow that don’t necessarily come from a bag or can.
Established in 2001 as the first dog boutique in Singapore, Urban Pooch boosts of a café, a playroom as well as a grooming area for dog-lovers and their furry companions.
The Balestier Road outlet lists a “yummilicious” shepherd’s pie as the most popular item on the menu of Urban Pooch.
But it’s not just canine meals that you’ll find here, but customised birthday cakes and party packages as well.
Raye Tan, owner of Urban Pooch, says every birthday party is a customised package with a birthday cake (costing around S$20 for a small-sized one) and bento sets (S$10 per doggy) during the two-hour event.
Fussy eaters and their owners don’t have to worry about the meals which are not only delicious-looking but also made with “human grade” ingredients.
“I researched on the ingredients, discussed them with vets before I prepare them. I try to use ingredients that contain natural vitamins, minerals -- ingredients that can add nutritional value for the doggies,” said Raye.
The brains behind Urban Pooch also prepare special meals for dogs with allergies or special needs.
No order seems beyond Raye who once had to create a birthday cake for a dog who couldn’t consume any form of dairy products.
“After discussing with (the dog owner), I persuaded her to let me prepare a meatloaf to be baked into a cake-like shape for the dog,” said Raye.
Every dog definitely has its day.
And for those who want to make that day last forever, how about a makeover and photo shoot with Munch Media.
The studio provides the photography, along with a host of backdrops, costumes, props and makeovers.
The choice is endless, with themes like fantasia and urban street grunge to even ancient city ruins!
“Some pet owners perceive their pets as angels, superheroes and other fantasy characters,” said Gregory Cheong, photographer and owner of Munch Media.
“We try to fit the photo shoot according to themes as well as to current festivities or pop culture trends.
“The most popular backdrop is the Lunar New Year setting, where the pets are dressed in traditional costumes, accompanied with drums, dragons and red packets.”
If you prefer having a more natural setting, the photo shoot can also be brought to the comfort of your home or the great outdoors.
Gregory understands the importance of being comfortable for a photo shoot – whether the subject is two-legged or four.
“We will not push a photo subject beyond a comfort threshold.
“Once a photo subject is beyond a comfort threshold, it will exhibit ‘strained’ expressions, which at times make an unpleasant photograph.”
But there must have been divas or wannabes?
“We once had a very large shih tzu (three times the normal size of a regular shih tzu) that was viciously biting everyone, including its owner,” recalled Munch Media’s project coordinator Eunice Lee.
“It also kept escaping from the photo set and showing its rear end.”
The session lasted three hours and everyone from pet groomer to pet owner gave up in the end.
Speaking of ends...
Gregory said: “The most challenging obstacle to photographing a pet is having one that seems to know when the camera is about to focus on it. The pet will turn away and show the camera its rear end.”
- CNA/yt
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