By Lynley Capon
CHIANG MAI, Thailand -- Anyone spending much time here begins to notice the dogs. Many healthy ones live happily with families or by the roadsides with humans looking out for them.
But many more dogs endure neglect or abuse. Some develop diseases, but never receive treatment and suffer from horrible sores. Those hurt in accidents may have untended wounds or disabilities. But some help is available.
Three years ago, Karin Hawelka from Germany and Amandine Lescesne from France established Care For Dogs, an organization with 120 dogs at its shelter intended for 80. There, the resident canines receive excellent care from staff and volunteers.
Last year I reported about a dog named Hero. Alas, he died later, but another, Kazim, has survived and become strong and healthy, despite blindness.
Each shelter visit brings me to tears for some dogs. Not long ago, I met two Shihtzu newcomers with such bad mange that they hardly resembled canines. Two weeks later, they looked much better with fur returning. Another newcomer, Hoy, has the same problem Hero and Kazim had, a sexually transmitted disease called transferable venereal tumor (TVT). The poor guy lost his eyes to the tumors and endured broken sores all over his body. Each dog has a heart-wrenching history.
For pet-lovers, the good news is the presence of healthy dogs needing homes. Recently, I met two families from New Zealand blessed with new pets adopted at Care For Dogs.
Last Valentine’s Day, a family out strolling rescued a puppy from a rubbish pile. They named her Evie. She grew into a lovely dog, but then was poisoned in the neighbourhood. Missing her, the family went to Care for Dogs and adopted Terry, another great addition.
A year ago, a couple arriving in Chiang Mai inherited Flecky, a Scottish terrier, with a house they rented. After Flecky inexplicably died, the couple filled the void with Pokey, a sweet terrier from Care For Dogs.
A few weeks ago, I took 18-month-old Poochi there. After starting life in a construction-workers’ slum at the end of our street, he’d encountered violence, once being slashed by a knife in two places. When growing up, he wandered a little. Sometimes he endured a foot infection from a minor deformity on a paw pad. Often, I cleaned his paw to keep him running on all fours.
But some residents disliked Poochi as he turned territorial and resented pedestrians. Fearful that he might be shot or poisoned, I delivered him to the shelter. Later, I learned that people had been throwing things at him, which explained his aggression. He’s a playful guy who likes to interact with everyone, sometimes nipping for attention. He isn’t aggressive by nature, despite some nasty treatment from humans. I hope he soon joins a loving family.
Everyone should visit animal shelters instead of buying pets in shops. So many beautiful dogs need loving homes.
Poochi relaxes with Lynley Capon.
Now part of a loving family,
Terry's laughing out loud.
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