[rehomed!] Marky the Mighty JRT moves on!

Got a call from a stray feeder friend and learnt about the pride of this poor boy. According to owner, he was chained in toilet ever since her son was given the dog by a friend. Reason being, she don't want him to pee and poo when he's free to roam.

The dog was in the toilet chained when we reached the house. Water from the washing machine is still draining into the toilet and the poor boy can hardly stand cos the floor is wet and slippery. Obviously the toilet bowl is the only dry place the dog can lay and the chain is too short and heavy...

We are sure he's drinking from the basin with a tortoise in it cos the plastic water bowl is at a corner with no water. They feed him pedigree dry food and 'bones'. The lady owner still can tell us that his ribs are showing cos she feed him only once a day and don't is it long term tied in toilet so legs are weak...

Dog is human friendly and so excited when we brought him out for walk. So happy to roll on the 'dry' grassland...sigh. As we have other things on hand, we asked if we can bring the dog away tmr but the male owner dont want to released...saying a friend wanted to adopt blah blah and will call me tmr. He's in the bedroom and yet don't want to come out and talk to us...what heartless humans are they?

As the shelters are full, we need a foster home/adopter for this dog should we be able to save him out. Dog is estimated to be about 4 years old, not sterilised. Thank God, there's no noticeable skin problem and his teeth are still clean and is human friendly.

Please drop me a email at yee.alycia@gmail.com if u are able to help.

God bless.
Alycia

Update 9 Feb
Thanks to Alycia's efforts, the JRT has been rescued from his plight. He's urgently waiting for a fosterer, and better yet, someone who will take care of him for life. E-mail yee.alycia@gmail.com or SMS 96890777 if you're the one!

Update 16 Feb
View photos of Marky the Mighty JRT at his foster home at Madam Wong's Shelter.

He has been vaccinated and heartworm jab. His "deformed" leg is due to malnutrition. Despite that, he still can run fast and jump around. His ex-owner fed him cheap Pedigree kibbles and what can one expect?

Pls help to spread words around to your friends and forums about Marky. Let's find a home for him. Despite being chained for 3 years, he is still a friendly and good natured boy, except that he's very hyperactive and get excited easily.Suspect he was abused before coz he tend to become defensive when he sees human holding broom or stick walking near him.

If you've experience with dogs esp JRTs, and would like to adopt Marky, contact yee.alycia@gmail.com or SMS 96890777

Update 27 Feb
Marky has been adopted by an Eurasian family. He has been a very good boy today and he loves his new family. We also went together with his new papa to buy his dog food, leash, harness, dog treats and toys. Marky finally has toys of his own, for the first time in his life. He's no longer a toilet dog and finally has a family that loves him and treats him with dignity, unlike the ex-owner who treated him like a pest.

When we first entered his new home, it broke our heart coz the first place he ran to was the toilet. Somehow the layout of kitchen with toilet is similar to his old home so we reckoned he thought that's the place he should be. He even sat down in the toilet. But Marky is very smart: he learnt basic commands "down", "sit" and "No" from his new grandpa. He is so much calmer today and we are really proud of him. He doesn't show any aggression and somehow he seems to know that's his new home.

We wish him and his new family all the best and thank them who love and accept him despite his "flaws". Marky is free to roam the whole house and will sleep together with his new papa :)

[rehomed!] Adopt Puppy, a X-breed Tibetan Spaniel

Name: Puppy

Age: 7 - 8 years old

Gender: Female

Sterilised: Yes

Behaviour with children: Unknown

Behaviour with other animals: Unknown

Reason for adoption: Severe neglect by current owner

Current condition: She has been confined in a wet and cold bathroom, pee and poo in the same place where she sleeps and eats. Tied to a very short leash that only allows her to reach her food. Hardly enough space for her to walk around. She is given very little dry food with lots of leftover white rice, or sometimes no food if they forgot to replenish her dry food.

It is heard that the owner's mum will use the hose to spray on her and the floor to clear her poo and pee, and leave her to shiver until she is dry.

Urgent foster needed to get her out of the house ASAP. Contact eugeniateo@hotmail.com and I will refer you to the person who is liaising directly with the current owner. Please repost this on your profile and help this dog. Thanks!

Update 31 Jan 2010
Puppy is successfully off the owner's hands and currently being fostered at a nice place with a huge garden. She was overjoyed and had a great time running around with much-deserved freedom and fresh air.

A few families dropped by to visit Puppy and everyone loved her. The list of potential adopters have been narrowed down to a very nice and sincere family. They have a little girl whom Puppy immediately took a liking to, and ran to her to give her a kiss.

If everything goes well, Puppy should be rehomed to the loving family in a week. Keep everyone posted! :)

Update 26 Feb
It is confirmed: Puppy has been adopted!

[reunited!] Lost - Buddy the Maltese (Telok Blangah, Mon 8 Feb)

Owner's Name: Danny Wan
Contact Number: 96169264
Email: danny@cal.com.sg
Date The Dog Was Lost: Mon 08 Feb 2010
Where The Dog Was Lost: Wishart Road (Telok Blangah Road Area)

A 5-year-old white male Maltese. He is small, weighing around 5kg and is about 1.5 feet. He responds to the name “Buddy”.

Update 10 Feb
Dog found. Thanks to the kind soul out there who picked him up and hand over to SPCA.

[rehomed!] Way to go, Coco! A story of hope, miracles and second chances...

Female black and white border collie without collar and microchip found at tanah merah kechil road (near Anglican High School) around 9pm, Mon 22 Feb. If you're the owner or have any detail about the owner please call 82337656 or email shiyi91@hotmail.com. It'll be put to sleep if not claimed.

Update 23 Feb
As posted on http://www.doggiesite.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=66522

Hi, I've got this message from my friend. She found a black and white female collie and not knowing what to do, her sis sent her to SPCA. Please will the owner kindly claim your pet from SPCA as soon as possible! cos they will put her to sleep if no one claims her in 3-5 days. SPCA Shelter office: 62875355 ext 25

Pets Channel Update, 1330
Hi, My wife and i called SPCA and was told that the dog is 10 years old and is suffering from cancer.

Update from finder, Wed 24 Feb
Hi I just took a trip down to SPCA and they told me that the collie has a small lump at the side of the mouth and is probably cancerous. She also has some hip problems. So far there's no one claiming the dog and they believe she's abandoned. They are giving her till Friday. If no one claims it, she'll probably be put down over the weekend.

Any kind soul willing to accept her despite her condition?

There was - and more than one. Sg Dogslover launched an ad hoc Facebook campaign, appealing to those who could chip in for the collie's long-term boarding and medical fees. Within minutes, two people had responded, with more voicing their support soon after. Someone even offered to foster or adopt the collie. A decision was made to to go down to the SPCA the next day to assess the situation and possibly bail her out.

Update from the rescue team, Thu 25 Feb 1416h

Collie out of SPCA. On the way to vet.

SHARE THE COST TO SAVE HER LIFE: Add 'Sg Dogslover' as your Facebook friend, e-mail sgdogslover@hotmail.com or SMS 91027973. He's still trying to gather more people to help with her boarding and medical fees.

Update from the rescue team, Thu 25 Feb 2100h
According to the vet, she's 15-17 yrs old. Due to her old age, her health is in very bad condition. She has cancer and a hip problem, and she's not walking.

When we were about to leave the clinic after CoCo's checkup, the unbelievable happened: we received a call from the finder saying that someone had called, claiming to be CoCo's owner.

We then rushed down to the family's residence. Turns out that CoCo had been lost since 22 Feb. She was still clean and walking then. Unfortunately, CoCo's owner, an old lady, was not in the pink of health and could not walk. It was only today when her son came back from overseas that he checked with the SPCA and was told of the situation. The son and elderly mother couldn't believe CoCo's current condition. After verification and talks with the owner, we brought the elderly mom back to the vet to see CoCo.

It must have been heartbreaking for her to see her beloved dog's health deteriorating so badly within days. The old mom looked very helpless knowing full well that although she loves her, she can't afford to take good care of her anymore, as she herself is not in good health. Because of these circumstances, we all decided to put CoCo under special foster care of a kind lady.

We wish Coco and her owner the best of health. Thank you to everyone for the care, concern and help. There is no need for any donation at this point. Most important of all, thanks to the kind lady who's giving special care to Coco in her golden years.

See for yourself what happened today on Coco's Facebook album: http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=200528&id=592585589

Update from Alycia, 26 Feb
Good news! Coco can stand up this morning and walked out to pee. Her owners will be visiting her at the vet in the afternoon, after which she will go to her new home. The very kind lady will be taking over Coco from her owners and provide her with all the necessary care and treatment needed :) On behalf of Coco and her family, our heartfelt thanks! She's really a saviour to all these needy animals!

[claimed] Free donation to shelters: 6kg Solid Gold Holistic Kibbles

Hi,

I've 6kg (estimated, would double confirm asap) of repacked (by the pet shop itself) of Solid Gold Holistic Kibbles. Looking to donate to shelter. Any volunteers from Shelter that can help in collecting from me?

I live at Sembawang/Yishun area.

Email sandi.signup@gmail.com

[reunited!] Lost - Ice Cream the Maltese Cross (Pasir Ris, Wed 17 Feb)

Owner's Name: Michael
Contact Number: 8164061
Email: michaelsta@live.com

Date The Dog Was Lost: Wed 17 Feb 2010
Where The Dog Was Lost: Pasir Ris around Block 513

Name Of Dog: Ice-Cream
Breed: Maltese Cross
Colour Of The Dog: Cream
Gender: Female
Age: 2
Size: 1 ft

Update 24 Feb
Just to inform you, we have luckily found our dog :)

MISSING DOG! Have You Seen Xiao Wang? (bandaged brown mongrel)

Stray Brown Mongrel with left leg bandaged. Reported to have been captured by the SPCA on the night of Sunday 14th Feb 2010 at Thong Soon Rd, Upper Thomson Rd.

However, SPCA claims that XW has been claimed by an 'owner' on Thursday the 18th and refuses to reveal info on who the owner is. I find their statement hard to believe and fear that he has been put to sleep. If anyone has seen XW, or if you are the owner, please let us know if he is ok.

XW first appeared around our area after CNY last year 2009 and we have been taking care of him since. He got knocked down by a lorry a few months ago and we rushed him to the vet to get his fractured leg bandaged. The vet told us that his cast can be removed in another 2 weeks time.

XW has touched the lives of many of us and we miss him......and would like to see him again!

Please check out this link for more pictures.....

http://xiaowangtheprince.blogspot.com/

Please contact me ASAP if you have any info on XW.
Mark, 93673991. He is greatly missed by the residents here......

The Virtues of Older Dogs

By Valerie Macys
Founder/President
Cocker Spaniel Adoption Center Inc.

We at Cocker Spaniel Adoption Center are frequently called to rescue older dogs, and we often find ourselves with a large number of "senior citizens," some more senior than others. Many people tell us they are not interested in adopting senior dogs precisely because they are older. It is no accident that shelters consider animals virtually unadoptable if they are six years old or more. We find these attitudes senseless and unacceptable.

There are so many virtues in older dogs. They are typically calm, gentle and easy-going, and most of the time they cause no trouble in their homes. They are often so grateful to be alive, they would do anything for their humans. It makes their frequent abandonment all the more painful. Most rescuers I know prefer to have older dogs in their foster homes. I cannot tell you how often I have heard: "They are my favorites." I share this viewpoint entirely.

I often think that when the last of my permanent furbabies leaves me for Rainbow Bridge I am going to open my home completely to senior dog fostering. Those who are lucky enough to find love again with new families can go on their way, and make room for the next older dog. Those who do not move on will come to know a loving permanent home with me. Many rescuers at CSAC consistently express similar feelings. This may seem like an altruistic thing to do, but the truth is that we would be the lucky ones to have these dogs in our lives. Older dogs are so special and dear. To know them is to fall completely in love. If only more people would give them a chance.

Many "older" dogs have at least half of their lives ahead of them if they receive good care. These can be priceless, loving years, if human companions wish to make them so. You can't go wrong with the older dogs we have seen come through the doors of CSAC. We have been privileged to care for and know them. They have touched our lives in countless ways. It would take more than an essay to explain this experience. You have to go there to know what I mean. You will never regret it, however long you are blessed by your precious angel.

Please consider that most people want puppies and that puppies can easily find homes. This is not always a good thing for the puppies. In many cases, people don't realize what they are getting into when they get a puppy, and when they find out how much work a puppy takes, many wish they had adopted an older dog that knows the ropes and is comparatively easy to care for.

It is also no accident that so many Christmas puppies find themselves in shelters a few months after Christmas. Reality sets in, puppy cuteness wears off, and too many people abandon them. That is the primary reason we do not allow adoptions around the Christmas holidays, except in very special circumstances.

If you adopt an older dog, you would be giving him a precious chance to have the life he truly deserves. Please remember that these poor souls often need homes due to circumstances beyond their control. It is certainly not their fault that they have aged. It happens to everyone -- unless you consider the alternative.

It's true that some older dogs will need special care as they enter their golden years. So will we all -- one day. Some of us are there already. Think about how you would want -- and need -- to be treated when your step slows, your vision isn't as clear, your hearing not as keen, your memory not as sharp. If you fall sick, wouldn't you want loving hands to hold and hearts to care? Can we not do this for the most innocent of God's creatures?

In some cases, special care is not needed. You would be surprised how little age matters when you meet some of these wonderful dogs. In fact, if we didn't tell you how old some of them are, you would probably have a hard time guessing. You might consider that youth is no guarantee of health and longevity. I have held a 12-week-old puppy in my arms and watched him die from seizures that could not be controlled following their onset at nine weeks -- no matter how many specialists tried to save him. Yes, it was unnatural, and yes, it was horrifying. But it happened just the same.

I recall one family who was positively adamant that they would not -- could not -- adopt an "older dog." They wanted a young dog to grow up with their children. They did not want their children to risk the heartbreak of losing their dog too soon. I suggested Mac, a beautiful six-year-old black boy who loves children, loves to play, and is in general the greatest dog. No one told Mac that he is "older." He races around like a puppy. Nevertheless, the family refused him, and I placed him with an active single woman who lives in New York. She takes long walks in Central Park with Mac every day. He runs marathons with her and goes on hiking trips in the Adirondacks. He curls up with her every night on the couch and later in bed. They are the love of each other's lives.

The family who refused Mac was positively thrilled when we took in a beautiful three-year-old buff female named Shasta. She was just young enough, they said. Shasta was indeed a precious baby, and the connection between Shasta and her new family was something. I was pleased that things worked out for everyone. Imagine the shock and pain I felt when Shasta's heartbroken mother called me less than one year after her adoption to tell me that Shasta had just died quite suddenly.

"What on earth happened?" I asked in dismay.

"We thought she had a bad reaction to the new carpet we put down," her adopter sobbed. "You know, the chemicals and stuff? She started throwing up and couldn't stop. We ripped up the carpets, but it didn't help. Nothing seemed to help. We took her to a specialist, and he told us she had stomach cancer. It's rare in young dogs, but it does happen."

She was inconsolable.

"We couldn't do anything for her," she continued to cry. "She was in so much pain, and she was so sick, we couldn't even keep her with us for a little while. We had to let her go. It came on so suddenly. Who would have thought it?"

Who, indeed. What a horror. So young, so alive, gone far too soon, leaving a heartbroken family in her wake. That which they tried to avoid met them head-on, regardless of their efforts to control fate. There are no guarantees; life makes us no promises. It's a terribly painful lesson when it hits you between the eyes, and far worse when it pierces your heart.

Ironically, "old" Mac continues to thrive in his New York home -- many years after his adoption. He is now 15 years old, and though he doesn't run marathons anymore, he still takes his walks around the Park, and he still goes camping in the Adirondacks. He even hikes -- a little. You just never know.

Someone once asked me if I knew how to make God laugh.

I blinked at her and said no.

"Tell Him your plans," she replied.

Isn't that the truth?

No one knows how many breaths are left in any of our bodies, so we need to live for today, and let our animal companions do the same. Accept the gift of each day and each other -- loaned to us only for awhile. Cherish the good times, do your best to meet the bad with strength, courage and grace, and just be. Give an old dog a chance. You cannot imagine all they can teach you and share with you if you let them. And they need your love and understanding so much. Please think about these things, and . . .

Please. . .



Copyright Valerie Macys, all rights reserved
Originally published on http://www.cockeradoptions.org/RP_WebDoc.asp?ttid=23
Reproduced with permission.

"And no, I'm not crazy or emotionally damaged - that's a stereotype! I just belong to a total loser."

Check out the rest of The Shelter Pet Project's ad campaign: http://www.theshelterpetproject.org/#/?page=thecampaign.

"How Could You?"

When I was a puppy I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" - but then you'd relent and roll me over for a bellyrub.

My housetraining took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed, listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them, especially their touch - because your touch was now so infrequent - and I would have defended them with my life if need be.

I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams. Together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being your dog to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now you have a new career opportunity in another city and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog or cat, even one with "papers."

You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a goodbye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you - that you had changed your mind - that this was all a bad dream...or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table, rubbed my ears and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.

She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself - a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. With my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not meant for her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever.

May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

"How Could You?" Copyright © 2002 by Jim Willis
Republished with permission.
Cover, Pieces of My Heart, Copyright © 2002 by Doreen J. Sanfelici
Photograph, "How Could You?," Copyright © 2000 by Pat Crean
Website design Copyright © 2002 by Michelle Crean & The Tiergarten Sanctuary Trust
All Rights Reserved.
For all reprint or foreign-language rights, please contact tiergartenmedialtd@gmail.com.
[Source: http://www.crean.com/jimwillis/hcy.html]

Jim's book "PIECES OF MY HEART - Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature" benefits animal rescue efforts. For samples, info on fundraising and to download "HOW COULD YOU?": http://www.crean.com/jimwillis, or click here to order through Amazon.com: http://tinyurl.com/9s888j

Dog lovers! Volunteer!

Dear Friends, if you are able to volunteer at any time, and in any way (admin, walking the dogs, cleaning, transportation, and lots more...), please e-mail sgdogslover@hotmail.com and I'll get back to you.