Saturday, 1 July 2023
Claudia and I are going through our routine this morning. Together, we feed the rice food that Claudia brought to various dogs in the house and the double-gate area. Afterwards, I distribute the medications, and together we feed the remaining dogs with dry food. Once Claudia has left, I prepare the rice food for the puppies' evening feeding.
Then, I go with Gop to Khun Dun. Khun Dun can get Bravecto at a good price in Chonburi. Jutta had agreed to finance thirteen packs. Back at the shelter, I feed the puppies and then clean all areas.
Sunday, 2 July 2023
This morning, Pat is going through her routine while I'm with Tessa at Dr. Oi clinic after distributing the morning medication. Tessa is undergoing laser treatment and being bandaged again. She's already putting some weight on her injured hind leg. However, I'm leaving her in the treatment room for now.
Roshi seems to be benefiting from the change in environment. Her fur condition has slightly improved. Tara has settled in the double gate area and gets along well with the other dogs there. Jake and Satya, who have known each other for years, mostly lie together in the back unit of the TVT station, while Dam is still on her own in the front unit. Dam is progressing well; she has already gained a considerable amount of weight.
While Pat is still feeding, I distribute Bravecto to half of the dogs in the house area. The dosage, ranging from a quarter to half a tablet, depends on each dog's weight. The medication's effects can be seen within a few hours. Tomorrow, I will examine all the house dogs again. It's noteworthy that ticks are only found on the dogs in the house area.
In the afternoon, I leave Pat alone with the dogs and drive to Michael. Michael feeds some dogs near the village where he lives. The dogs belong to Thai people who don't take proper care of them. Michael has already had one of these dogs sterilized, and now it's time for the second one. The owner of the dog helps me bring a female dog named Lai into the cage, and half an hour later, I'm at Dr. Oi's clinic. Lai is examined, and it's determined that she has TVT (transmissible venereal tumor). So, sterilization is off the table for now. First, the genital cancer needs to be treated, which can take up to eight weeks.
Lai will stay in the clinic for two days, and then I will bring her back to her spot. After a week, she will be taken back to the clinic for the second chemotherapy treatment. This procedure will be repeated several times until sterilization can be performed. I hope that Lai and her owner will continue to be cooperative.
Monday, 3 July 2023
Claudia has already started working when I arrive at the shelter in the morning. The dogs from the big Sala area have once again gained access to the newly created area. Claudia has temporarily covered the opening, and I am sealing it off for the time being. There don't seem to be any bite incidents. I hope that Chang Wai will find time this week to take care of some repairs.
In the morning, stone tables and benches arrive. It's Claudia and Jutta's idea to place these weatherproof seating groups in different areas. Jutta financed the new purchase. Since the stone furniture is exceptionally heavy, the suppliers initially placed them in the double gate area. Now we still need to find some strong men who are not afraid of dogs to distribute the tables and benches across different areas.
After we distribute the medication, feed the dogs, refresh the water, and clean the areas, Claudia leaves, and I am with Gop at Khun Dun's. Since some dogs are experiencing fur problems again, I have decided to try a new type of food that Khun Dun can provide.
Back at the shelter, I store the food bags and clean all the areas once again. Then I distribute fish oil and Ferric to different dogs. Tessa, Maggie Song, Kylie, and Roshi continue to stay in the treatment room or the rest area. Aldo has joined them and refuses to go back to the house area.
Tuesday, 4 July 2023
Pat is already feeding when I arrive at the shelter. While I distribute the morning medications, Chang Wai shows up. I explain to him what needs to be done. He will probably be able to start the repair work over the weekend. Then, I visit Dr. Oi to inquire about Lai's condition. Lai has already received the first Vincristine injection. Tomorrow, I will be able to bring her back to her place temporarily.
In the afternoon, I return to the shelter. Pat has taken good care of the dogs. I clean all areas, dispose of feces and fallen palm fronds, and then distribute the evening medications.
Wednesday, 5 July 2023
Claudia brought a large pot of rice food, from which she distributes the majority to different dogs in the morning. Claudia starts with the routine while I pick up Lai from the clinic. Together, we place Lai in one of the house kennels. Then, I distribute the morning medications and fill the water containers.
In the afternoon, I notice that Lai is not comfortable inside the house and is howling continuously. She refuses to eat and take the medications. For this reason, I will bring her back to her place tomorrow and pick her up again for the second chemo injection at the beginning of next week.
Claudia has already fed the dogs in the back area, so in the afternoon, I only need to take care of the dogs inside the house and in the double-gate area. Then, I feed the remaining rice food and distribute the evening medications.
Thursday, 6 July 2023
This morning, Claudia takes over the work at the shelter. I return Lai to her spot and ask Michael to inform Lai's owner that she is back. On my way to Lai's spot, I notice a dog with a nasty paw injury as I drive by. After taking care of Lai, Michael and I start searching for the dog and eventually find him in a property where several dogs are kept. The residents explain to me that the dog wandered into their place and that they had him treated a month ago. I make arrangements with the helpful people to take the dog to Dr. Oi for an examination tomorrow morning.
Back at the shelter, Claudia has already done some of the main tasks. I distribute the morning medications and then go to Dr. Oi with Tessa. Thankfully, Tessa is pain-free and able to walk a bit better. The infection has subsided. Tessa receives another laser treatment and is released without a new bandage. However, she will have to continue staying in the treatment room for now.
I notice that Roshi's fur condition has further improved. The change in environment, rice-based diet, and administration of fish oil seem to be working. Since Claudia has already fed the dogs in the back areas, I only need to clean the areas, dispose of the feces, and feed the dogs in the house area. Afterward, I distribute the evening medications.
Friday, 7 July 2023
Khun U, who takes care of Dang, the male dog with the injured paw, helped me bring Dang into the cage this morning. Dang is relatively easy to handle, so there were no difficulties in transferring him to the clinic. Dr. Beam examined Dang and determined that the quality of his red blood cells does not currently allow for a procedure. Dang will need to be medicated for two weeks before a possible intervention can be considered. I'm leaving Dang overnight at the clinic and will discuss with Khun U tomorrow morning how we can proceed.
Claudia has already completed several of the main tasks. While I distribute the morning medications and clean the areas, Claudia takes care of feeding and refilling the water. In the afternoon, I return to the shelter, feed the dogs in the house area, and distribute the evening medications. I then visit the clinic to inquire about Dang's condition. I arrange with Dr. Beam to return Dang to Khun U for the next two weeks.
Saturday, 8 July 2023
Today, for the first time in a long time, I am working completely on my own. Jutta is in Germany for a few weeks, Pat has taken two weeks off, and Claudia can't help me every day. I'm trying to systematically and calmly tackle the necessary tasks.
To start off, I go through all the areas to check if all the dogs are healthy and lively. Fortunately, Lizzy is back to normal after not using her left front paw for two days. Dang is now moving quite well on her three legs. I clean the house, the area around the house, and the double gate area using the TVT station, and then distribute the morning medication. After that, I prepare the rice food and feed the dogs in the front areas first, and then the dogs in the rear areas. I only need to refill water in the house area. Afterwards, I clean all the areas, dispose of the waste and several palm fronds. Finally, I distribute the evening medication. I save the rice food for tomorrow, as the dogs are still being fed dry food.
Then I go to Dr. Oi's clinic to check on Dang. I arrange with Dr. Beam to keep Dang in the clinic for one more night. Tomorrow afternoon, I will bring her back to Khun U and instruct her on which medications to administer at what times. Aside from saving costs, it is better for Dang to stay in her familiar place for the next two weeks.
Afterwards, I visit Klaus, who is taking care of a female dog with three puppies, approximately five months old. Klaus wants to have the dogs sterilized. It's still too early for the puppies, but the mother dog should be operated on soon. However, Klaus can't catch the dog or even bring her into the cage, so he needs to try reaching out to residents who can hopefully help him with that.
Sunday, 9 July 2023
Claudia is already at the shelter early and has started working when I arrive. Together, we distribute the rice food that I prepared yesterday, along with a large portion that Claudia brought. Afterwards, I administer the morning medications while Claudia begins feeding and refreshing the water in the back areas. Then, I clean the rear areas, disposing of the waste and several palm fronds that fell overnight.
In the late afternoon, I'm at the clinic to pick up Dang. Since no one is present at Khun U's house, I bring Dang with me for now. Dang quickly gains trust in me, allowing me to release him into the resort courtyard. After exploring the area, he obediently lies down under my desk while I work on the computer. Dang is an extremely lovable dog who deserves to be helped as much as possible. I will do everything within my power to restore joy and quality to his life.
In the early evening, I take Dang to Khun U and inform her about the administration of the various medications he should receive in the next two weeks. I will regularly check to ensure the medications are being reliably administered.
Monday, 10 July 2023
I'm already at the shelter early in the morning, starting with the cleanings. An hour later, Chang Wai arrives with materials to build two Salas. Claudia takes over, and Chang Wai begins constructing the Sala frames.
Then, I go into town and get fifteen metal sheets for the Sala covers and to replace several sheets that have rusted through. On the way back, I check on Lai and Dang. I find Lai on the street in front of Michaels Village, and Dang is lying on the terrace at the house of the people who take care of her. Both dogs are doing well. I will take Lai to the clinic tomorrow for the second Vincristine injection.
Back at the shelter, Claudia has already cleaned the rear areas and started feeding the dogs. I distribute the morning medications, and together we feed the dogs in the house area. Claudia leaves, and so does Chang Wai after completing the Sala frames. I dispose of the waste and additional palm fronds and then distribute the evening medications.
Tuesday, 11 July 2023Chang Wai is back at the shelter early in the morning, continuing the work. After Claudia arrives, I drive to Khun Kung's place to pick up Lai. It's time for Lai's second Vincristine injection. Once I've returned Lai to her spot, I distribute the morning medications at the shelter and work through the daily routine with Claudia.
During this time, I notice that Norbu has injured his front leg. There was probably a scuffle among the dogs while Chang Wai was working at the large sala area. I take Norbu to the clinic where Dr. Beam treats him. Norbu gets a pressure bandage and will be medicated with Tolfedine and Enrofloxacin. To help Norbu recover well, I place him in the treatment room with Tessa, Kylie, and Maggie Song.
While Chang Wai welds together the frames for the resting areas to be added to the large sala, I go through all the areas once again to clean them up. After Chang Wai leaves in the late afternoon, I then distribute the evening medications.
Wednesday, 12 July 2023
Chang Wai is back at the shelter early in the morning, continuing his work. I start with the clean-up and then distribute the morning medications. Claudia arrives, feeds the dogs, and refreshes the water supply while I gather more supplies. In the afternoon, I return to the shelter, clean all the areas, and then distribute the evening medications.
Thursday, 13 July 2023
In the morning, I buy wood with Chang Wai for the completion of the Sala and the resting areas. Chang Wai stores the materials and then leaves. He has other things to do today. I clean the house, the double gate area, and the front areas. After that, I distribute the medications. Claudia arrives and takes over.
Rene and Heidi have collected money for a food donation. We drive together to Khun Dun's place and pick up 260 kg of dry food there. 20 kg goes to Gop, and I store the rest in the treatment room. Claudia has already cleaned the remaining areas, refilled water, and fed all the dogs. That way, I can finish a bit earlier today.
Friday, 14 July 2023
Chang Wai arrives this morning with his helper. Claudia arrives shortly after, and Pat is back as well. While I distribute the morning medications, Chang Wai and his helper carry materials into the newly created area. A scuffle breaks out among the dogs, and Mona gets bitten. Mona is bleeding from multiple bite wounds, and Claudia accidentally injures her finger during the incident as well. I carry Mona into the treatment room and provide her with immediate care.
Once all the dogs are back in their respective areas, Chang Wai and his helper continue their work. Claudia cleans the areas, and Pat begins the feeding. Meanwhile, I'm at the clinic with Mona and Tessa. Tessa undergoes laser treatment again, and Mona's wounds are attended to. I can pick her up in the afternoon. Tessa's treatment is temporarily completed, and she now needs to relearn how to walk on all fours. Pat and Claudia stay at the shelter, while I drive home for lunch.
I return in the afternoon, and Pat has already left. I take over from Claudia. The two women have fed all the dogs, cleaned the areas, and refilled water. After Claudia leaves, I retrieve Mona from the clinic. Some of her wounds had to be stapled, and she is fully bandaged, but she's already recovering well. I move her to one of the indoor kennels, quickly clean the front areas, and distribute the evening medications.
In the early evening, with Nick's help, I bring Long to the clinic. Long is one of the dogs Nick cares for near the Pong parking lot. Long has injured his scrotum and needs to be neutered. The injury turns out to be minor during the examination. If the bloodwork is normal, Long can be neutered tomorrow.
Saturday, 15 July 2023
Chang Wai has completed four sala structures and is currently working on the benches to be added to the large sala. Two of the new salas will be set up in the newly created area, one in the large sala area, and the fourth one will go in the double gate area.
I distribute the morning medication, clean the areas, and then feed the dogs. In the meantime, Chang Wai and I fetch more plywood panels. Since this morning, we have had no water. The pump has run dry, and we discover that the tank is empty. The pump in the neighboring house, which draws water from the well, is also not working anymore. After a thorough inspection, Chang Wai manages to get that pump running again, allowing us to refill the water tank at the house.
In the afternoon, Chang Wai finishes the work. I go through all the areas again, cleaning up the feces and some fallen palm fronds. Afterwards, I distribute the evening medication.
Dr. Oi informs me that Long has been neutered. Chris, who is covering the costs, agrees that Long can stay in the clinic for another two to three days. Mona is still in one of the house kennels. She will have to wait there for a few more days until I can take her to the clinic for further examination. Dam is getting closer to me day by day. Today, I was able to stroke her extensively. Tara's hind leg injury has healed. However, her fur condition needs to improve before I can take her back to the temple.
Sunday, 16 July 2023
I'm at the shelter early in the morning, starting with the cleaning. After a short time, Chang Wai, his helper, and Claudia arrive. Claudia brings two large pots of rice food. After distributing the morning medications, Claudia takes over. Chang Wai starts working on completing a step for the house area. Concrete slabs that used to provide access to the house had to be removed as they had become brittle.
I take two sacks of dry food on board and head to the temple. There, I buy rice for the next two weeks and prepare a sack of dry food for Ba Bät. I give the second sack to the beach people. Some of the beach dogs accompany me on my walk along the shore. However, I can't find Kofi or Toto. So, I approach the man who takes care of them. He assures me that both of them are doing well. I promise to give him 40 kg of dry food for his dogs, as well as Kofi and Toto, in a week.
On the way back to the shelter, I pick up fifteen more metal sheets. Back at the shelter, Chang Wai and his helper have laid a water line from the house to the rear areas. Claudia has fed all the dogs and replaced the water where necessary.
After she leaves, I go through all the areas cleaning and then distribute the evening medications. I then go to the clinic to check on Long. He is recovering and will be able to return to his spot in a few days.
Monday, 17 July 2023
I'm back at the shelter early in the morning and start cleaning. Chang Wai and his helper arrive and continue with the repairs. I distribute the morning medications and then clean other areas. Pat arrives and begins feeding.
By late afternoon, Chang Wai and his helper have repaired the large sala and installed Eet-Blocks along the damaged metal sheets. I go through all areas once again for cleaning and dispose of the feces and some palm fronds. Afterwards, I distribute the evening medications. Early in the evening, I order more Eet-Blocks and check on Long on the way. Dr. Oi recommends keeping him for about three more days.
Tuesday, 18 July 2023
I'm back at the shelter early in the morning and start cleaning. Chang Wai and his helper arrive and continue with the repairs. Claudia comes and begins feeding. I distribute the morning medications and continue cleaning. Pat arrives and takes Maggie Song with her. Louise has agreed to temporarily take in Maggie. I also bring Tessa back to her siblings. Playing with them and the other dogs is the best way for her to rebuild the muscles in her injured hind leg. The treatment room and the resting area now only have Kylie, Roshi, and Mona.
While Chang Wai and his helper replace damaged metal sheets and repair doors, I sit with the dogs in the areas where work is being done. The dogs in the front areas are now familiar with the workers, but I occasionally have to calm down the dogs in the back areas during the repair work. By late afternoon, the new resting platforms are also completed. I go through all the areas once again for cleaning and then distribute the evening medications.
Wednesday, 19 July 2023
It was agreed for this morning that the new staff, Khun O, would start working at the shelter. However, it rained until early morning, so we had to postpone her commencement of work to tomorrow. Pat informed me that she'll be at the shelter as soon as the rain subsides.
Once the rain stopped, I went to pick up Lai from Khun Kung. Lai received her third Vincristine injection at the Dr. Oi Clinic. Long isn't particularly happy being confined to his cage, but due to the unpredictable weather, he'll have to endure two more days until the surgical wound is fully healed.
With Lai on board, I head to the shelter. Pat had already started working. I attempt to release Dam in the double-gate area. It was going well until she got into a scuffle with Billy, who sustained a few superficial wounds. Dam remained unharmed. Her amputation clearly hasn't affected her fighting spirit, so I must be cautious about introducing her to other dogs.
While Pat feeds the dogs, I distribute the morning medications and then return Lai to her place. In the afternoon, I am back to the shelter and proceed to clean all the areas. In the large Sala area, I noticed that Cookie, who had been developing positively since Dina's passing, is now being singled out as the target. After being attacked by the puppies, she hides under the Sala, and I have to pull her out. I relocate her to Toya and Zola, hoping that the three of them will get along. They have enough space and a large Sala at their disposal.
After completing the clean-up, I administer the evening medications. Mona and Roshi prefer staying inside the house and are accepted there by the dogs. However, I still lock them in the resting area overnight.
Thursday, 20 July 2023
I am at the shelter early in the morning, welcoming Khun O and her companion, Khun Pok. After introducing them to the dogs in the double gate area, we begin cleaning the indoor space and then proceed to clean all the other areas from dog waste. Claudia arrives and takes over.
I drive with Mona to the clinic, where her bandage is changed. I am informed that Long will need to stay in the clinic for two more days. Back at the shelter, Claudia informs me that Khun O and Khun Pok have already left. I distribute the morning medications, and Claudia starts the feeding.
In the early afternoon, I visit Lai's owner and provide her with Samarine for the next few days. Lai has successfully gone through her third chemo injection. I also check on Dang. The front gate is locked, but she comes to the gate when I call her. Her injured hind leg has been treated.
Later, I am in town and get 240 kg of dry food from Khun Apisit. Back at the shelter, I store the bags, clean all the areas, dispose of the waste and several palm fronds, and finally distribute the evening medications.
Friday, 21 July 2023
It has been raining heavily all night and, though it's tapering off, it continues into the early afternoon. My first morning glance is directed at Tessa and Cookie. I wasn't sure if Tessa could jump into one of the Salas, and I am curious if Cookie would have been able to share the big Sala with Zola and Toya. However, I'm relieved to see Tessa sitting in one of the Salas and I find Cookie also dry. Nevertheless, I decide to move Cookie to the quiet room for now.
Part of the treatment room and the quite room are flooded. It takes me an hour to dry both rooms. Pat arrives and starts feeding while I distribute the morning medications. Khun Pok and Khun O don't show up, so I clean the areas in the drizzling rain. All the dogs in the back areas have weathered the heavy rain well. They all have enough shelter thanks to the numerous Salas available to them.
In the early afternoon, I leave Pat in charge and return to the shelter later in the afternoon. Due to the rain, several palm fronds have fallen again, which I dispose of first. Then I clean the areas once more and distribute the evening medications.
For the past two days, I've been letting Dam spend some time under my supervision in the double gate area so that she gets used to the dogs there, and the dogs get used to her. It's going quite well now, and Dam is happy to have some exercise. Dealing with her is becoming easier. Today, she even let me pick her up, and she runs around agilely, seemingly forgetting she once had four legs.
Saturday, 22 July 2023
Early in the morning at the shelter, I start by cleaning the house, the TVT station, and all the areas. It rained again last night, but not as heavily and continuously as the day before. The house and TVT station stayed mostly dry. Once I finish the cleaning, I distribute the morning medications.
Around noon, I finally manage to attend a long-overdue dentist appointment. When I return home, it starts raining again. Despite the rain not letting up, I'm back at the shelter in the late afternoon to feed the dogs. They retreat to the Salas, and after administering the evening medications, I can also escape from the unpleasant rainy weather.
Sunday, 23 July 2023
In the morning, I pick up Dang and then head to the shelter where Pat is already working. I take Mona on board and drive to the clinic with her and Dang. Tomorrow, Dang's hind leg is scheduled for amputation, while Mona will have her stitches removed. Thankfully, she has recovered well from the scuffle. Since she has integrated well with the pack of dogs in the house area, I decide to leave her there. Dam is also adjusting better and better. Even without constant supervision, she now moves quite naturally among the dogs in the double gate area.
While Pat feeds the dogs, I clean the areas. In the early afternoon, Katyusha and David visit us. They live in Pattaya and found our facility through Google. I take them on a two-hour tour of the entire shelter. Upon saying goodbye, David generously donates to us and promises to come back. After Pat leaves, I go through all the areas once more for cleaning and then distribute the evening medications.
Monday, 24 July 2023
In persistent light rain, I start the morning chores at the shelter. Claudia arrives and brings two large pots of rice food. Since the rain is easing up, I decide to go ahead and have the grass mowed today. I pick up the worker in Pong, and he finishes the job in just three hours. While he mows, I clean the areas.
After returning the worker, I pick up Long from the clinic and bring him back to his spot. I entrust Claudia with the responsibility of feeding the dogs and later in the afternoon, I go to Jomtien to pick up Daniela.
Daniela regularly assists me, and she has been to the shelter before. Now, it's time for a visit to the temple dogs. Thankfully, the weather calms down, and I can show Daniela all the temple dogs. During our walk on the beach, we also encounter Toto and Kofi. We hand over a bag of dry food to the man taking care of them. Near the boats, we notice that Saddhu has injured his front paw. I try to get him into the cage, but he resists. Ba Bät and her son feed the dogs and inform me that the injury is probably minor. I'll check on that in the next few days.
After dropping Daniela back at the hotel, I return to the shelter in the early evening. Mona, who had been staying comfortably in the house area all day, goes back to the quiet room. Roshi, who seems to be accepted by the dogs in the house area and is visibly comfortable among them, I leave in one of the open cages. I quickly clean the house area and the double gate area, and then I distribute the evening medications.
Tuesday, 25 July 2023
When I arrive at the shelter in the morning, Claudia is already working. We go about our routine tasks, and afterwards, I install hoses on the water faucets in the back areas. There are plans to extend the water pipeline to additional areas, making it easier to provide fresh drinking water. Claudia takes care of feeding and refilling water containers, while I clean all the areas after feeding.
Today, Dam has mostly stayed in the double gate area. Claudia closed the door to the unit where she usually lies only during feeding time. Tara has retreated to Dam's unit, and it seems that Dam doesn't mind. However, Tara is not feeling well today. She's panting and barely moving, probably because she's overweight. Tomorrow, her treatment with Samarine will be temporarily finished, and in a few days, the fish oil treatment will also end. Then, Tara will return to Wat Amparahm, where we hope she will be more active than she is currently.
Wednesday, 26 July 2023
Today is the day for Lai's weekly Vincristine injection again. Together with Michael, we manage to get her into the cage without any problems. Lai receives her treatment, and Dr. Beam shows me how much the tumor has already shrunk. There are no visible signs externally, but the treatment needs to continue for at least two more weeks.
After returning Lai to her place, I go to see Wolfgang. He asked me to examine his two German Shepherds, Lilly and Mela. Lilly has developed a growth on her lower abdomen, and Mela is not doing well overall. Together, we drive to the clinic, where Dr. Beam examines both dogs. The growth on Lilly must be surgically removed, which will be done next Friday. Mela will stay at the clinic for observation.
Once I brought back Alex and Lilly, Pat and Claudia inform me that they have completed all the tasks at the shelter. All the dogs have been taken care of, and there were no incidents. Dam spent the whole day in the double-gate area and seems to be getting along well with the dogs there, and they are friendly towards her too. However, Tara doesn't seem to be doing well. I'll take her back to the temple tomorrow; she urgently needs some exercise.
Thursday, 27 July 2023
When I arrive at the shelter in the morning, Claudia is already at work. I pick up Tara and take her back to the temple. Hopefully, she'll feel better there soon. After letting her out, she's already trotting around again. I'll check on her and Saddhu in three days since I couldn't find Saddhu during the beach walk. Other than that, all the beach dogs are gathered, including Toto and Kofi.
After taking care of some important matters in Pattaya, I'm back at the shelter in the afternoon. Claudia has already finished all the tasks, so I just need to do a final cleaning of all the areas. Toya and Zola seem bored in their section, as they've partially opened a metal sheet leading to the neighboring area where Nuri, Ruby, and the black puppies are. However, they haven't entered the area, and I temporarily seal the opening with a pallet. Chang Wai will be back at the shelter on Saturday, and he'll replace this damaged metal sheet among other things.
The dogs are in a relatively peaceful mood, but I have to break up a fight between Dam and Billy. Despite her disability, Dam has fought her way up the hierarchy in the double gate area. Billy doesn't seem happy about it, so I offer him to return to the house area, but he declines. As darkness falls, I administer the evening medication.
Friday, 28 July 2023
Today, Pat takes over the work at the shelter in the morning. I'm with Alex to bring Lilly to the clinic. Lilly is scheduled for surgery later today. She takes a seat on the backseat, and we have no trouble getting her to Dr. Beam, who will perform the operation. Mella can be temporarily discharged and will receive medication from Alex for two weeks until she can also undergo surgery.
After dropping off Mella and Alex at home, I head to Thai Watsadu to get more metal sheets. Tomorrow, Chang Wai will be back at the shelter to replace some more metal sheets and build two more sleeping benches, along with an another sala for the double-gate area. Additionally, we plan to repair the entrance gate and install a door between the area where Zola and Toya are currently staying and the area for the black puppies. This will make the shelter more flexible and provide the dogs with more options for their stay. If needed, the door can be closed at any time. It's worth a try to bring the dogs together.
Chang Wai already has the measurements today to extend the water pipeline to the rear areas and will begin work tomorrow morning. After Pat leaves, I clean up all the areas, dispose of waste, and clear some palm fronds. Then, I distribute the evening medications. In the evening, Dr. Beam informs me that Lilly's surgery was successful. I will visit her and Dang at the clinic tomorrow.
Saturday, 29 July 2023
Chang Wai and his helper are back at the shelter early in the morning. Throughout the day, they extend the water pipeline, so now most areas have access to water taps. They are also constructing a second sala in the double-gate area, which will be completed tomorrow. In addition, they have carried out some repair work.
I spend the entire day at the shelter, only interrupted by a trip with Jake to the clinic. Jake is eating, but he's been losing more and more weight. Despite undergoing a five-week Doxy/Ferric treatment, he tested positive for Anaplasmosis and Erlichiosis. Both diseases are transmitted through tick bites. Since I didn't find any ticks on Jake at the shelter, I assume he must have gotten infected at the temple. That's also why I took him in due to his weight loss there.
Chang Wai and his assistant work until late afternoon. While they focus on the sala and gate repairs, I take care of feeding the dogs and cleaning the areas. After that, I administer the evening medications.
Sunday, 30 July 2023
I'm back at the shelter early in the morning and start cleaning. An hour later, Chang Wai and his helper arrive. They begin by crafting two resting benches for the quiet area, the new sala, and repairing the entrance gate and the gate to the house area.
While I clean the rear areas, Darla and Victor get into a scuffle as I enter the Dodger area. Unfortunately, Darla gets injured as a vein is hit, and blood starts to spray. I quickly pick up Darla and rush her to the clinic. She receives medical attention, and half an hour later, the wound is stitched up. Meanwhile, I clean the pickup truck, whose backseat and passenger seat are covered in blood. Darla will probably have to stay at the clinic for a few days. Of course, I also check on Lilly and Dang. According to Dr. Beam, both are on the path to recovery.
Back at the shelter, I discover that the power has gone out, causing work to be put on hold for two hours. Due to this delay, Chang Wai was unable to complete all the planned tasks. However, I use the time to feed the dogs and, once the power is back, renew the water supply. Then, I clean the areas again while Chang Wai installs a passageway door between the newly created area where Zola and Toya are currently staying and the puppy area. This gives me the option to introduce Zola and Toya to the puppies and provide more space for all the dogs, with the flexibility to close the door if the introduction poses any problems.
In the double-gate area, all the dogs are getting along pretty well now. Today, they weren't too happy because I had to confine them in the two TVT units while the workers were welding the frames for the beds and the door in the double-gate area. Billy now stays in the quiet area.
Monday, 31 July 2023
Chang Wai and his helper come over this morning for what seems to be the last round of work. However, Chang Wai informs me that the people he had arranged to help carry the tables and benches to different areas won't be coming because they're afraid of dogs. Nevertheless, we manage to bring one of the step benches inside the house, and we lift the other one that was outside onto the stage in the large Sala. I'll try to organize helpers over the weekend to distribute the tables and benches. Another door will be installed between two sections, and a water faucet will be set up in the area for Nina, Bum, and Beppe. This now provides a water source for all the rear sections.
In the morning, Pat arrives and tends to the dogs. After the workers leave, I drive to Baan Amphur, buy rice, leave a sack of dry food at the feeding store for Ba Bät, and give another sack to the people at the beach. The man who takes care of Toto and Kofi tells me he still has enough food. Except for Tara, I find all the dogs at the front hall and the beach. I search extensively for her, but she remains missing. I'm worried she might have passed away. Saddhu is still moving on three legs. So, his front leg injury needs to be treated. I hope Bua is available to dart Saddhu.
On my way back to the shelter, I pick up 240 kg of dry food from Khun Apisit and store the sacks in the treatment room. Pat has already tended to the dogs, so I just need to clean the areas. Jake receives his evening dose of Ferric. I leave the doors of the TVT Station open. The dogs now have enough space in the two units and can also retreat to the two Salas in the double gate area.