The resort
that LASSie was set up with the main aim of controlling the stray cat and dog population by sterilization.
Guests are often amused to meet the three wonder dogs of the resort- Buffy, Pipi and Berjaya who look like extras in Ben Hur with their ‘chariot wheels’ attached to their pelvic area to help with their mobility. Like all the other animals in the resort, they have a traumatic history. They were left to die on the road after being hit by cars and are paralysed for life. Narelle fitted two-wheel contraptions on their pelvic areas which act as wheelchairs to help them move about. They are quite a sight to behold when they wheel themselves around greeting the guests.
is located on the West of the island
sheltered by the mountain ranges of Gunung
Machincang and Gunung Raya ,which hold the
chi energy of the area.
Over a hundred cats are housed in a spacious fenced up area by the clinic at the top of the road leading to the resort. It is comfortable and they are well fed and very well looked after. Cats are normally territorial and do not tolerate other cats, but here they all live harmoniously, secure in the knowledge that there will always be food for everyone and most of all, they can feel the love given to them. A selected few are let out and become resident cats to keep guests company. They are a delight to be with, so gentle and affectionate. About 135 dogs are housed in a well-designed shelter by a rice field ten minutes’ drive from Bon Ton. Shane, Mocha and Milo are three lovely ambassador dogs in residence to meet and greet guests with their wagging tails.
HERITAGE & HISTORY While others see antique Malay or Chinese houses as dilapidated structures to be demolished to make way for modern concrete breeze blocks, Narelle sees heritage and history in every wall and beam of the houses. She rescued these houses in Langkawi and the mainland and hired skilled local carpenters to re-assemble them piece by piece and transformed them into stylish accommodations in this boutique resort in an old coconut plantation, nestled by a wetland. The resort is located on the west of the island sheltered
by the mountain ranges of Gunung Machincang and Gunung Raya which hold the energy of the area. The commodious compound dotted with eight beautifully restored village or ‘kampung’ houses for guests, are infused with vitalising yang energy as gentle breeze from the sea waft through the resort. It is constructed in harmony with the landscape resulting in a very laid-back and relaxing ambience, ideal for frazzled city folks to recharge their battery.
A wooden deck overlooking the wetland by the pool
and Jacuzzi is the perfect spot for observing the feathered denizens of the lagoon and enjoying the sunset while sipping cocktails which the bartender excels at mixing. Friendly resident cats would join in and laze about on the deck to keep you company. My kind of heaven! Animals
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are purveyors of positive chi and it brings life and vitality to the place. LASSie is funded by Bon Ton and its sister resort
Temple Tree and through donations from the public. Volunteers help to clean the kennels and cat shelter and walk the dogs. This is an ideal place for graduate vets to volunteer their service at the clinic. With the ever growing number of abused and neglected animals on the island, LASSie needs support. The public can adopt, sponsor the animals or volunteer their service and donate money online (see websites for detail). Staying at Bon Ton and Temple Tree as paying guests and patronise their restaurants would be appreciated as all proceeds help to care for the animals.
As I cuddle a fluffy white cat in my arms, its purr music to my ears, I remember the words of the Dalai Lama, “Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to man. Just as one wants happiness and fears pain, just as one wants to live and not die, so does the creature.” And surely showing compassion to animals will add an extra mileage on your good karma meter.
Helen Oon is the author of the Globetrotter Guide to Malaysia and the Wildlife Guide Malaysia (
www.newhollandpublishers.com).
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 | F ENGSHUIWORLD
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LASSie is home to over 100 cuddly cats.
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