Care centre for ageing dogs

Opened in January, it has taken in 25 dogs with age-related conditions, but fees are not cheap

Heartcave Senior Paws Retreat & Rehab co-owner Fiona Foo with 14-year-old Oreo (lying down) and 13-year-old mini pomeranian Ketchup in the daycare centre. Oreo is on a subcutaneous drip and has severe dementia, which causes her to get more confused a
Heartcave Senior Paws Retreat & Rehab co-owner Fiona Foo with 14-year-old Oreo (lying down) and 13-year-old mini pomeranian Ketchup in the daycare centre. Oreo is on a subcutaneous drip and has severe dementia, which causes her to get more confused and active as the day turns into night. Ketchup has four slipped discs, spondylosis, heart murmur and arthritis. ST PHOTO: JASMINE CHOONG
Heartcave Senior Paws Retreat & Rehab co-owner Fiona Foo with 14-year-old Oreo (lying down) and 13-year-old mini pomeranian Ketchup in the daycare centre. Oreo is on a subcutaneous drip and has severe dementia, which causes her to get more confused a
Ms Foo taking Oreo (in a wheelchair) and Ketchup (wearing a back brace) for a walk in the garden inside the centre, located in a house in Yio Chu Kang. ST PHOTO: JASMINE CHOONG
Heartcave Senior Paws Retreat & Rehab co-owner Fiona Foo with 14-year-old Oreo (lying down) and 13-year-old mini pomeranian Ketchup in the daycare centre. Oreo is on a subcutaneous drip and has severe dementia, which causes her to get more confused a
Oreo being hand-fed with home-cooked food which consists of a blend of mutton cubes, spinach and eggs. ST PHOTO: JASMINE CHOONG
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At 8.30am every day, Ms Tay Chiew Guat sends her ageing family member off to daycare.

There, the family member goes around the garden in her wheelchair and gets her diapers changed. She is put on a drip to prevent dehydration and later gets a massage.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on November 18, 2018, with the headline Care centre for ageing dogs. Subscribe