Monday, December 21, 2009
Ainey and I made the trip up to Bentong again today. The SPCA team was coming up to vaccinate the males and give them anti-tick treatment.
The first thing we did when we arrived was to give the Vetri DMG (immune booster) to the dogs that did not look too good.
The first thing we did when we arrived was to give the Vetri DMG (immune booster) to the dogs that did not look too good.
This is one of the females who did not look too good yesterday.
We fed the Vetri DMG to a few dogs here, and then, quickly went up to see the one in isolation (she is the one tested positive for distemper). She was very pleased to see us and wagged her tail very happily. I still cannot believe she has distemper, though. She looks so good.
Here she is. I fed her some kibbles, and she ate it most heartily - a good sign. She did not eat any of the broth, but she loved the kibbles. Then I changed her water and I sat with her. I told her I would be feeding her lots of "good stuff" later (the whole package of medicines Wani had given me), and that she must take it so that she would feel better soon.
This is the package. It has garlic pills, Vitamin C pills, cough medicine, flu medicine, medicine for the lungs, antibiotics, vetri DMG liquid, appetite booster, etc.
I decided last night that I would call her Tara. I read somewhere that there are 21 Taras in the Tibetan heavenly realm, each one representing a good virtue.
Just as I was about to feed Tara the medicines, the SPCA team arrived. Ainey and I went down to meet Dr Lim, Dr Karen and their team. They had come in two vans with cages to help take the sick dogs back.
Dr Lim, Dr Karen and Mr Siva setting up their table.
Dr Lim said they would be vaccinating the male dogs, deworming where possible, giving a B-complex jab to the ones who need it, and doing tick treatment via an injection.
I told Dr Lim it would be very helpful if she could help me identify the sick ones so that we could bring them back for treatment. However, Dr Lim said the SPCA had no space to house them so I would have to look for alternative boarding. Otherwise, they might resort to putting down those that are sick. I said I would do my best to look for alternative boarding.
I then left them to do their job while I went back up to the cowshed to feed Tara her medicines.
No photos here as I was alone feeding Tara while Ainey helped out the SPCA team.
It was amazing how Tara took every single one of the medicines without even the slightest hint of complaint. The only one I had problem with was the garlic pill. The rest, she took ever so obediently. I could feel her desire to get well. I know she wants to get well. As I praised her for every pill or liquid medicine that she willingly and obediently swallowed, I told her she will get well very soon. And deep in the my heart, I prayed all these medicines will work, and Tara will be well again in no time.
Meanwhile, the SPCA wasted no time in doing the vaccination of the males.
Mr Siva holding one of the dogs for Dr Lim.
This is the Golden Retriever mix, whom Ainey calls Goldie.
Here's another handsome dog...
And this is everyone's favourite. Ainey calls him Shorty because of his short legs. He is extremely adorable.
Examining another one of the boys.
Open up, my boy...
Here's Ainey with one of the females who would be going home with us. Dr Khor said she did not look too good (but tested negative for distemper).
Meanwhile, I was busy calling vets and friends to ask for boarding for the sick dogs SPCA would be bringing back for us. I wasn't too successful.
Finally, PAWS offered four places, and Lisa helped me get two places for two black males.
These are the boys. The two black ones will go to Lisa's vet while the brown one will go to PAWS with three more girls.
A girl who is going back with us.
The other two girls. The small one is very skinny.
There was also another small black male puppy that was very sick since yesterday. He had two deep wounds in his legs. Today, he looked much worse. Dr Lim advised that he be euthanised because he was already in a bad shape. I told her we would like to give him a fighting chance, and bring him back for treatment, as long as he was still alive. We had already decided this much earlier when we saw him this morning. I even gave him a Vetri DMG as well.
His condition, however, deteriorated very quickly as the hours passed by. By the time the SPCA team was ready to leave, the poor thing was already lying very still, breathing softly. I decided we would take him back in our car, to our vet and give him a chance.
We thanked the SPCA team as they left.
The little black puppy's breath began to slow down, and I knew his end was near. I had been watching him from nearby. Before I could even go near, I saw his mouth open a little and I recognised that look. He was gone. I went to his cage and wished him a smooth journey to his next life, and stayed with him, offering prayers while the SPCA van drove by.
Sigh...
I know, this is reality. We cannot save everyone. But we have certainly tried our best. At least he was not euthanised at the pound, and not euthanised today. We gave him a fighting chance, and we let him live out his natural life as it ought to be. Ainey was very sad, and so was I. But I told her we had already made a difference in the last days of his puppy. We rescued him from the pound and brought him to safety, we gave him proper food, and treated his leg. We cared for him. He received our love before he passed away, and we did not allow him to be forcibly euthanised. I believe this made a difference to him. His death was very peaceful.
We both cried a little, and got ourselves together again as there was still work to be done. But before that, we were famished, so we went for lunch. In town, we bought two 50kg sacks of rice and ten trays of eggs for the dogs. According to Bro Sui yesterday, they were already almost out of rice. Our 100kg of rice would now last about 4 months, according to Mr Mariappan. I did wonder why their HQ has not been supplying them with rice, though.
After lunch, we cleaned the cages of the females, changed their newspapers and water. We also fed them the kibbles. We took the females for a walk so that they could stretch their legs. A few were eager to go out for a walk, while some preferred to stay where they were. Maybe some take longer to recover. Dante2 was up and about and ready to run 100m!
I took Selphie out for a walk, and she led me to the back of the farmhouse. I could almost feel as though she wanted to tell me a secret. Right from Day One, I had felt a connection with her. She always looked me in the eye, as though she was communicating with me. I'm sure she was, it's just that I'm not smart enough to read her mind. I'll bet she could read mine. Selphie was the one whom I promised I would take out of the pound. Despite being kept together with many sick dogs at the pound, including a dead one, the vets let me take her (after checking her temperature, which was normal). I was so happy I could rescue her that day.
So, Selphie took me to the back of the farmhouse. She stopped and looked down the valley. I told her this would be her new home now where she would be safe. I knew Selphie understood. Then, I slowly led her back to her cage. She appears to be a very discerning dog, to me. I continue to be amazed by her quiet, yet enigmatic ways.
Bro Sui came by and said he did not want the male dogs to be kept in the enclosure anymore. He said as long as they behaved themselves, he preferred them to be free. Being confined is no way to live, he said. Well, I agree.
Since the males have all been vaccinated now, I don't see why they should still be confined. So, Bro Sui gave the order to let them out.
We went near the enclosure and sure enough, the boys were clambering at the door and peeking out between the planks. Let us out, let us out, they yelped.
It was so nice to be able to help Bro Sui open the door, and..........Freedom, at last!
First to come out.........was Goldie!
Followed by this extremely handsome guy, whom we quickly called "Tai Kor" (big brother). He had a rope around his neck (and also had a collar - someone's pet), so I took out my scissors and cut the rope off. I took his collar off as well. You're free now, Tai Kor.
Shorty took his time in coming out. He seemed quite happy inside.
This tanned one looked very depressed yesterday, and we had planned to bring him back, but after coming out, he seemed quite active.
I was extremely touched when many of the dogs came up to me and seemed to be saying "thank you for saving my life". They would look at you in the eye, and that speaks volumes. I was very, very touched. And how I wished I could have done more for them, give them a good home, but this is all I can do for now.
We'll be bringing them food every month, and meanwhile, Bro Sui says he will ask Bentong folks to adopt them.
Almost every single dog is friendly, and you could easily call them to come to you.
And they seemed to have made friends with each other too. Perhaps, it was a sense of camaraderie..."we have made it this far, friends." The males even went to visit the females the moment they were let out of their enclosures - a happy reunion of sorts? The photo above shows a few males surrounding Perdita (the Dalmatian mix, the first to be spayed yesterday) as I took her for a walk.
Soon, it was time to go home...
The dogs came to say goodbye, and thank you.
But Tai Kor remained where he was, watching the world go by. I couldn't help feeling he was once upon a time, a much loved pet, who ruled all that he surveyed. Look at him, you can still see a majestic air about him. We told Tai Kor he must now look after everyone on the farm. We made him in charge. Well, he didn't need us to tell him that. I'll bet he already knew!
We had earlier already loaded Tara into the car. Tara would be going home with us.
Now it was time to say goodbye. The dogs escorted us all the way down the hill, and even escorted us as we drove out of the gate. I had to get down and carry one dog back. The poor thing had followed our car all the way, thinking he would be going home with us.
Halfway through the journey home, I received a call from Lisa who was at the vet's. When I saw Lisa's call on my phone, I knew it was either good news or very bad news. My worst fears were realised - the two black dogs that SPCA had brought back for us were tested positive for distemper. My heart sank immediately. Oh gosh, what are we going to do now? Where am I going to house them? We were already taking Tara back and she has distemper. Now, another two more?
Luckily Ainey was driving, so I could make the necessary phonecalls again... No one could take them.
Finally, Lisa managed to persuade her vet to board and treat them. I was so, so thankful. But this is only for now. Tomorrow...I do not know what would happen.
As I sit here now, writing up today's episode, I reflect on everything that had transpired in the last two weeks ever since I thought we should do something to help these poor dogs. As I was planning this rescue, very often, I stopped to ask myself if we should just keep to our mission of spaying-neutering stray animals and the occasional funding of medicals. Why are we doing rehoming and now, even bigtime rescue work? Have I bitten off more than I can chew? I don't know.
I just felt so sorry for the Klang dogs that had been captured, and when nobody responded to their plight, I did not want them to feel that nobody cared about them. And after our first visit to the pound, I couldn't just walk away from those faces that looked at you with so much hope in their eyes. We just had to do something for them, even though our plan was definitely less than perfect.
So, now it's done, and it is STILL less than perfect. We now have eight sick dogs back with us. One is boarding at the vet's for eye treatment, four are at PAWS, and three have distemper.
Immediately after we reached Subang Jaya this evening, we went straight to PAWS and gave the four their flu medication. The small female did not look too good. I hope it is just exhaustion and not deterioration. Edward had called me earlier to warn me that she might not pull through.
I know. But we still have to try to save her.
Tara is now boarding at one of our volunteer's house. My mother has offered to look after Tara, but I thought I'd try our volunteer first as my mum is 76 years old.
We would like to appeal for help in fostering the other two males with distemper. They are currently being treated and boarded at the vet's. If anyone of you can help us foster, we will provide all the medication - we just need your space and your tender loving care. It would save us a lot of money on boarding.
I am so, so tired now. Tomorrow, there are bills to settle for this rescue work, and I would be going to PAWS daily to nurse the four who are boarding there.
I hope tomorrow would be a totally uneventful day. Let it be a boring day, I don't mind. I've had enough excitement to last me for months!
But no, I've already received two emails asking for help.
Till tomorrow, then.
Tara, enjoying a good meal of chicken liver, this evening at the volunteer's house. Eat up, my dear. Please get well soon. We are all rooting for you. Go, Tara, go!
