The writer must write what he has to say, not speak it.
            Ernest Hemmingway
It is a sobering thought that each of us gives his hearers and his readers a chance to look into the inner working of his mind when he speaks or writes.
J.M.Baker

ZOU CHAI (zoo-chay)

 


Zou Chai is a one-eyed, larger than normal, boofy but adorable, male Tibetan Spaniel, born in Singapore in 1998. To me he is the exemplum of how two distinctly different creatures can co-exist with all the emotions of a human relationship, without judgement and comparision, with unconditional love, trust and understanding.

Zou Chai has been my inspiration to write because of these characteristics, as through them he has shown me how I should live the rest of my life. Zou has touched many people in his nine years but none as much as myself. So this site and any inspiration that eminates from it, is dedicated to Zou Chai and to all those characteristics sadly missing in so many people.

My personal goal for Zouchai.com is to allow me to release many things from within my aging, but still complex, mind. As a sufferer of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder I have just gone through a personal hell in the last eight to ten years and despite all of the drugs and medication, hospitalisation and specialists, I know the only person capable of minimising the effects of PTSD in me, is ME! And writing and photography are my choice of therapy as they provide a means to accomplishment, self satisfaction, artistic release; it provides me with an avenue to show my thoughts in a safer and more sociably acceptable way. It will also be my way of helping others who have had the same problems by showing them that PTSD can be managed and the person can live a somewhat meaningful life again. It is achievable.

As for Zou-chai, he lives at my feet, he tries to escape as often as he can, he hates storms so much he needs Valium to stop him from digging through the walls and he loves his food and his family. Officially he has been with us longer than any other owner now and this is where he will stay.

There is so much to learn from the hearts and souls of animals.

LEARN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . please.

(Updated 26 March 2007)