Activity report – April 2015

This month had a few dramas with a big threat by my neighbour who gave me one week to remove my dogs from the area I live in. He verbally threatened me and said, “he would take care of them and put them where they belong”. I can understand my neighbour’s anger a bit because fifteen dogs can bark loudly and are sometimes noisy at night. Thailand is a hierarchical and community based system and fortunately, I have the backing of the local village manager who is always helpful and cooperative. In addition, Thailand has laws in place to protect animals so his ignorant tirade will be in vain. 

A possible solution to this situation could be to move to a house outside town, about 30 minutes away from my current place. Derek Doyle, who used to run a shelter on that property, kindly offered to rent his house which sits on a large walled plot. That area will provide enough space for the dogs to stay comfortably. However, there are some reservations as it is also located in a residential area and I do not want to jump from the frying pan into a fire. My May activity report will have the latest news so please stay tuned.

Last month I went to Dr. Sam's clinic many times. Buffy who was hit by a vehicle with her hip dislocated had surgery and recovered in the clinic for almost two weeks. I took her back to her mother and sister and she is doing quite well. The good news is surgery for Nora’s broken leg was not necessary although she was diagnosed with TVT and is still receiving chemo therapy. Yaya developed some inflammatory swelling of his scrotum after neutering and is now back at Pattaya Bazaar, with Nacho and Jira. I took Jira from the temple to treat her skin problems at Dr. Sam’s clinic. She was treated for more than a week and received a shower every 3 or 4 days. Toby recovered quite well from his skin problems and is back to the beach after three weeks of good care. 

Of the seven puppies at the parking lot three have disappeared. The remaining four went to Dr. Sam’s, where they were treated, bathed and vaccinated. After one week only three of them were left. I took the smallest one in because he had mange. He is still with me. Unfortunately, both of his remaining siblings disappeared after a couple of days from the parking lot. 

Three of Bieow’s puppies and another puppy a tourist found and was given to Dr. Sam and who asked me to take him in were adopted. Of the four orphans one has already been adopted as well. All these puppies were vaccinated twice and are in good condition. Some of them were treated with VibraVet for blood parasites but their gums is showing a normal ‘rosy colour’ again and they are brimming with energy. Even Said, the little survivor from the parking lot, is now thriving after being treated against mange. 

Right now I have Lucy, Aya, Prana, Bieow, Lina, Nura, Nora, Darya, Juma, Maisha and Said, the only male, with me. The dogs at Wat Amparahm are doing well and are currently happily living by the sea. I drive out to see them twice a week. They are still being fed by the market woman who I support. I am also supporting a few dog carers elsewhere in Pattaya who are feeding local dogs in their area. Dried food and rice are provided to these kind people. If medical care is necessary I provide it as well.

It is heart warming to see ordinary people trying to make a difference in their local soi dogs’ life. When there are people like these the dogs will have a chance. Although I maybe live outside the town area next month, I'll go to Pattaya daily to do my job. The dog feeding on the streets will be done by local helpers which I support with dry food.