'He will always sit very close to me': Local fashion designer gives retired K-9 dog second home

Local fashion designer Max Tan is doing his part in taking care of police dogs that have helped maintain Singapore's security for years.

Tan was speaking with media on Friday (Nov 6) as part of a feature on Singapore Police Force's (SPF) K-9 dogs in conjunction with World Adoption Day, which falls on Nov 9.

They are part of the police's K-9 Unit, which consists of over 250 dogs which have been trained to detect narcotics and explosives, maintain public order, locate people and more.

Tan, 42, adopted Dodger, a retired police K-9 Belgian Shepherd, about four months ago.

"I think I've always had a deep soft spot for senior and rescue dogs, so I thought it would be really wonderful to give these these K-9 heroes a nice retirement home for them to spend the rest of their lives in," he said.

Dodger is his second adoption.

Talking about his first K-9 adoption, he recalled how he had been afraid of the dog, wondering if it might be aggressive.

He quickly overcame that fear, as he realised that dogs are "the most incredible gentle giants".

Even while deciding to adopt Dodger, Tan worried about whether it would be able to adapt to a more relaxed lifestyle.

After three weeks and a proper routine, Dodger seems to have settled in well, he added.

Adopting a K-9

Tan also explained how the adoption process works, with some basic groundwork and introduction between him and his would-be pet.

SPF also matched Tan to Dodger, working to facilitate their first exchange and improve the relationship between the two.

"This is just to make sure the K-9 unit screens through your lifestyle, your habits and your willingness to take on the responsibility of giving a K-9 dog a retirement home," he said.

Once the police gathered all relevant information of Tan, he was finally allowed to meet Dodger.

Speaking on his transition from police K-9 to domesticated pet, Tan commented that the biggest challenge was that it doesn't understand the concept of retirement.

The first day he was brought home, Tan was seen as the "bad guy" — Dodger was friendly towards his visiting friends, but would distance himself from Tan.

"Because I was a bad guy who took him [away], right?" he said. 

"It took about three weeks for him to realise that I was his new handler."

He gave Dodger his meals, took him for walks and gave belly rubs.

Even then, he would sniff at all of Tan's shopping parcels — a habit from his glory days as a narcotics detection dog.

"Whenever anything comes in, he needs to give them a good whiff first. Once it's all clear, he'll go back to his bed, and that's when I can open my parcels."

Adoption is commitment

Sharing advice for those who may be interested in adopting a dog, Tan also explained that proper planning is key to making a successful adoption.

Aside from planning for healthcare, adopting a dog is also a promise to routinely spend time with them, he said.

"These are things that you want to think about carefully — but that shouldn't stop you from giving one of these lovely K-9 heroes a loving retirement home."

On his job as a fashion designer, he admitted that Dodger hasn't yet been an inspiration for any of his works.

Tan revealed: "He gives me a sense of space and calm when I'm working. He will always sit very close to me, and I enjoy that kind of companionship when I'm working.

"I'm usually just working alone on my computer, and it's good to have a companion with me there."

Tan owns the contemporary womenswear label MAX.TAN and has designed costumes for National Day Parade 2024 and 2017.

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