Hi Everyone, how have you been?
This year has been pretty turbulent for me, with lots of shake-ups to drastically change the world I live in. This is the result of all my choices made since last year, to take back all my powers & create the life I desire.
No more talking. No more “what-ifs” or “should-bes”. No more daydreaming coupled with inaction.
As with most changes that force me out of my comfort zone, the initial hurdle was the toughest. It was worsened by the fact that my mind likes to conjure up worst-case scenarios – of being jobless, saddled with loans, stuck with a burden that I later regret. Should I take a leap of faith & bear the associated risks? Or should I stay with the tried-and-tested and continue to feel miserable, stuck & disempowered each day?
Looking back, I had to thank the Covid experience for driving me to kickstart all these changes that were sitting on my mind’s backburner for the longest time. Stop thinking, start doing!
It started with my change of jobs from a full-time to freelance basis, followed by my change of home from living with my parents to staying on my own, and finally to my adoption of a Korean Jindo mix rescue dog, Woobin. After overcoming the first hurdle, it created a domino effect and made subsequent changes appear far less intimidating to my mind. Before I knew it, time has flown by, and I am here to share my story! 😂
Today, I would like to share my story with my Korean Jindo mix rescue dog, Woobin.
Prior to adopting him, I never had a close relationship with the Animal Kingdom. While I don’t dislike most animals, I was pretty neutral towards them. It was as if there was a great divide between me and them. I couldn’t really understand how people could form a deep loving relationship with their pets – be it dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, birds, and many more, to the extent of seeing them as part of the family.
Since young, I wasn’t close to dogs. I still remembered that I was chased across a three or four lane road by an overly friendly dog, who was persistently trying to lick my mum, sister and me. We were screaming as we dashed across the road, which motivated the dog to give chase to us. It felt like a close shave – my leg could have been bitten or chewed off by the dog if I hadn’t run as fast.
Perhaps due to this childhood memory, I always kept a safe distance from dogs that I come into contact with. I would never attempt to pat or touch them or interact much with them. Usually, I would sit at a safe distance and observe them from afar. I couldn’t really feel much love towards dogs, if at all.
Interestingly, after I returned from my meditation retreat to Bhutan, I came back with a newfound love of dogs. The dogs in Bhutan held such gentle, loving, pure & innocent energies that I end up falling in love with them. It was the first time I even fed a treat to a stray dog, who gratefully accepted it with so much grace, peace & love. There was no barking, struggling, dominance or fear. Everywhere I went, the dogs were lazing around, enjoying their quiet time napping or doing their own things. It made me realise that not all dogs are scary.
After I returned to Singapore, I started browsing the websites of local dog shelters. Initially, it was just to satisfy my curiosity of how a rescue dog looks & feels like in Singapore. As I read the write-up of each rescue dog – their name, gender, age and personality, I started compiling my own list of favourites. And I started wondering if I would ever adopt one of them and give them a new lease of life they deserve.
After several months of browsing these websites, I finally found the motivation to apply to two local dog shelters. I was even planning in my mind how I needed to adjust my lifestyle, in order to accommodate to my potential dog’s needs, and how to tackle each worst-case scenario. 😂 During this period, a colleague made an impromptu decision to own a beautiful puppy over a weekend, as he was the smallest & the last in the litter. At that moment, I felt that it was a sign – the Universe even brought me a person who was about to journey through the experience as a first-time dog owner or pawrent. 🤗
Unfortunately (or fortunately), things didn’t unfold as planned. My application to the first local dog shelter was hastily rejected by a lengthy email that felt presumptuous, abrasive and downright rude. Essentially, I had ticked off their list of reasons to reject a potential adopter – such as staying alone, holding a full-time job, having to work in office on certain days, not living in a landed property, managing without a helper or family member. It didn’t help that my limited understanding of dogs led to less-than-ideal answers provided by me, such as stating that the dog would sleep in the balcony, which I would be most willing to change if needed. I was taken aback by the strongly worded rejection email. There was no room for discussion, negotiation or appeal.
After I was scarred by the first local dog shelter, I went deeper within to heal the wounds that were triggered as a result of this experience, as well as to explore with my Akashic Masters if all is lost & gone. Was I not good enough or not meant to adopt a dog? Could I be a responsible pawrent to give the rescue dog the best life it truly deserves? How could I deal with each issue identified by the local dog shelter?
At the advice of my Akashic Masters, I stopped browsing through the websites of these local dog shelters. Instead, I took time to understand why I wanted to adopt a dog & whether I was committed for the long-term. I also went through several rounds of clearing to make peace with the earlier rejection.
A few days later, I chanced upon a Facebook advertisement by Paws for Cause, a Singapore organisation that assists to rehome rescue dogs from South Korea who were stray, abandoned or in the dog meat trade. Potential adopters would have to pay for all costs associated with rehoming the rescue dogs from South Korea to Singapore, including the cost of air tickets, vaccination, quarantine etc.
Initially, I was a little skeptical at the authenticity of this local organisation. I wasn’t sure if it was a legitimate rescue group, or perhaps could it be a scam? Out of curiosity, I browsed through the listing of rescue dogs in South Korea that were available for adoption. At the top of the list, Woobin’s name and face were there – he was due for euthanasia, and there was a 20% discount for his adoption fees (sponsored by a kind donor). I was immediately drawn to his soulful & innocent eyes, as I thought to myself, “he doesn’t deserve to die”.
Instinctively, I filled up an online form at the bottom of the website and provided my contact details. For the next few days, I did my own checks to verify the authenticity of this local organisation. Be it by carefully reading those success stories shared, tracking down the Instagram pages of Korean dogs adopted from this organisation, and taking time to feel into the truth of the information received. After a while, I was quietly convinced that everything shared was truthful, and this was indeed a legitimate organisation.
One day, a lady from the organisation contacted me and arranged for a virtual call. After the first scarred experience, I was almost prepared to be cross-examined by her on my eligibility to adopt a dog. 😂
During the call, I felt such good vibes emanating from her. Suzy was the lady managing this organisation on a voluntary basis and assisting with all rehoming applications of rescue dogs. She was patient and frank in clarifying my misconceptions, clearing any doubts, and assuring me that Woobin was a good fit for me. At that moment, I remembered this feeling of being in alignment – things flow with ease & grace. I didn’t have to argue with anyone, or to defend myself. All I need to do, is to trust & receive.
Suffice to say, the stars were aligned, to pave the way for Woobin to be successfully rehomed in Singapore.🤗
Thinking back, it was quite an experience for Woobin as well. Having to leave the country where he grew up in, and to join me in a foreign country which looks, smells and feels very different.
When Woobin first joined me at my new home, he was very fearful of almost everything – such as thunderstorms, vehicles, loud noises, humans, leash, touch, and many more. It was so difficult to get him to open up to me, let alone anybody else. It felt as if his personality was very different from what was described on the website, where he seemed like a friendly dog towards humans & other dogs. What happened?! 😂
When I was struggling to understand Woobin, I remembered the advice from a fellow pawrent & colleague, who had kindly created a whatsapp group to assist my other colleague and me as first-time pawrents.
“No dog is perfect. But the dog becomes perfect with your love and patience.”
After two months of caring for Woobin, I could finally understand the truth in her words. Perfection is a delusion of the mind; we are often imprisoning ourselves by striving for the elusive perfection that never exists and can hardly be satisfied. But as we cultivate the love & patience towards other beings, it softens our perspectives, to be able to hold space for, and witness, the beauty within each of them. And thereby reach the heartfelt realisation that they are infinitely beautiful, divine & perfect right where they are.
When we can truly hold the sacred space of non-judgement towards our dog, they will flourish one day and transform into a higher version of themselves. The same goes for any other person or animal that we care for.
Every day, it feels as if Woobin is a walking miracle of this amazing transformation. As of today, he feels like a totally different dog from when he first joined me. His fears have greatly reduced in intensity; he is now much more neutral towards thunderstorms, vehicles, loud noises, humans, leash and touch. Of course, this remains an ongoing commitment & work in-progress for both of us, but right where he is, it is perfect in my eyes. 💗
On this journey of caring for Woobin, my special & heartfelt thanks to all the kindness extended by everyone around us – from Suzy, his trainer, homeopathy doctor, colleagues, staff at his daycare facility, my family members, fellow pawrents, and many more. We wouldn’t have managed all of these so quickly alone.
Thank you, as always, to the Akashic Masters & Guides, who never once lost their faith & belief in me, that I have what it takes to care for Woobin. Even through the darkest times when his fears seemed insurmountable, they gave me a higher perspective to these issues, thereby allowing me to see them in context and keeping me going. I could always trust & count on them anytime, any day. Thank you for being this strong pillar of support in my life, my dear unseen friends! 🌞🙏🏻
It is through your unwavering belief in me that I take this responsibility seriously, to commit to my daily practice and to hold space for every person’s healing & growth. May I continue to strive my very best to practise non-judgement everywhere I go, with every person I meet. 🙏🏻
Much Love & Blessings to All,
Asha & Akashic Masters
Join us in the 8th series of the Akashic Records Meditation, co-creating with the Akashic Masters & Guides, mainly from the 5th dimension and above.
Akashic Records Meditation: Living in Inner & Outer Alignment (Online Event – register below)
28 Oct 2023 (Saturday) at 09:00AM (GMT+8, Singapore/Malaysia time)
