Well-Known S’pore Guide Dog Esme Has Died at the Age of 10

Last Updated on 2020-09-10 , 9:15 am

People in Singapore would be familiar with Esme, the guide dog.

Cassandra Chiu, her owner, took to Facebook to announce the passing of Esme on 21 Aug 2020.

Passed Away Due To Cancer

Esme was the guide dog for Chiu throughout her earlier years advocating for guide dogs in Singapore.

Unfortunately, Chiu had to let Esme retire at the end of 2018 after realising that she could not find a bus stop near her workplace and get easily tired.

On 12 Aug 2020, Chiu received a call from Esme’s adopted family, telling her that Esme seems to have problems walking.

After checking with various vets from different countries, it was found that Esme has neoplasia which is believed to be metastatic.

Chiu explained that it means Esme has cancer and it has spread.

After agonising for days, Chiu and Esme’s adopted family came to a decision and put Esme to sleep because they couldn’t bear the pain she was going through.

A Loyal Companion

Esme was born on 1 Jan 2010 at Guide Dogs Victoria in Melbourne, Australia.

Describing her as a heartbreaker, Chiu said that even as a puppy, Esme was always stealing the limelight.

They first met on 6 Nov 2011 when Chiu was at Guide Dogs Victoria for a month of training and the pair made their way back to Singapore.

With Esme, Chiu was able to travel to other countries like Myanmar, China, Japan, Australia, Europe or the United States.

Throughout her earlier years of going to schools, organisations and government agencies to advocate for guide dogs in Singapore, Esme was her constant companion.

While Chiu is saddened by Esme’s death, she is also glad that Esme has gone on to a better place where she no longer feels pain.

A New Initiative

Chiu added that she, together with some friends, have started an organisation for assistance dogs.

Pointing out that while Esme and she have helped to advocate (successfully) for guide dogs for the visually-impaired, she realised that assistance dogs trained to help other types of disabilities still do not get the same level of understanding and acceptance from the public.

She urges people to check out their website to find out more about what they’re doing.

You can read her Facebook post in full below: