Jon & Amanda: Giving A Voice To The Voiceless

With their combined experience as paw-rents to two otherwise unwanted dogs, they offer expert advice on “Adopting a Rescue Dog: What You Should Know Beforehand”.

- Eileen Chan

Getting a dog for the first time is not an easy task, more so when they are rescued dogs – as they often come with their own baggage. Ask Jon and Amanda; they know all too well what it entails.

They are celebrities in their own right who just got married and are charting their path in life together as a couple. He is Jon Chua, 31, lead guitarist, vocalist and founding member of a local band, The Sam Willows. A local boy who made good in the entertainment world and is a sought-after brand ambassador for companies like Audi, Hugo, Adidas, etc.

She is Amanda Chaang, also 31, a tv presenter from Malaysia (formerly with Astro SuperSport TV), lively hostess for events and campaigns for brands like AIA and Tag Heuer. They were married in late June 2018 and their family unit presently includes two adopted long-haired Dachshunds: Chilli, 3 and Salsa, 21/2.

While they are busy with their own schedules, they have both devoted time and energy in giving a voice to the voiceless – bringing the plight of homeless dogs to the forefront. With their combined experiences as paw-rents to Chilli and Salsa, they basically can write a book on “Adopting a Rescue Dog: What You Should Know”.

Before You Get a Dog…

Making a decision to get a dog shouldn’t be an impulsive choice. Both Jon and Amanda knew the implications of committing to dog ownership before the ink dried on the adoption papers.

Amanda grew up surrounded by canines, felines and an accoutrement of other pets, it was an easy decision to make when it came to adopting a dog. “I grew up with dogs my whole life” says Amanda. Her family members back in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, all shared the same innate love for the less fortunate animals – even the household dog was retrieved from the pound.