Sunny - A Little Ray Of Sunshine

Some weeks back, in the late afternoon, we received a call from a lady saying that there was a lonely, sick looking, dirty and matted Shihtzu walking the streets aimlessly around the industrial sites. She also mentioned he was coughing and panting badly. She then had to go for a meeting and managed to put him in a small corner, intending to wait for someone to help him later on. Unfortunately by the time the lady was able to find any help the dog was nowhere to be found.

Sunny when he was on the streets 

HOPE then shared a picture of this Shihtzu on our Facebook and a few days later, to our relief, someone by the name of Kinnam wrote to us saying he had found the dog wandering the streets and took it back to his factory. Without a moment to spare we asked this kind man to bring the dog to the vet and handover to HOPE as we felt the dog urgently needed medical attention.

Workers handing over the dog to volunteers, Wendy and Lisa

Volunteer, Wendy, carrying Sunny

Shortly after that, someone else had also written to us informing us that this dog had been seen in that vicinity for the past one year and they were very certain it was the same dog because of his signature cough. His cough sounds like a goose honk, which the workers said, sounded like an old man coughing.

Volunteers Wendy and Lisa were at the vet to meet this Shihtzu, who was sent there by Kinnam’s workers. Wendy decided to name him Sunny as that was what she hoped his new life would be. The workers had kindly given him a bath. Although he still looked scruffy with his matted and overgrown fur, he smelled nice. Its interesting how whenever we find dogs from industrial sites, they arrive in extremely complicated self-made rope harnesses that locals like us can never put back after removing!

Dry eyes with scarring

Rotten teeth

Badly infected ears

Decayed tooth almost falling out

X-ray shows an enlarged heart

Sunny was very exhausted at the vet. His legs were trembling from probably days of walking, he had a nasty cough and beneath his matted fur, we could feel his spine, he was skin and bones. His eyes were dry and dirty, making his vision very limited. We lifted his ears and found them wet, mushy, smelly and terribly infected. We asked the vet to carry out a thorough health check, including full blood works and an xray to find out the cause of his cough.

After some  waiting, the vet identified poor little Sunny’s condition. He had an entire host of health issues. Was that the reason he was abandoned? It’s so much easier to discard an old, sick dog and go out and buy a new one.

Sunny was found to have :

• A curved spine (could have been born that way)
• Scarring on both eyes and dry eyes, thus limited vision
• Enlarged heart
• Slow heart rate
• Rotten teeth, some of which are almost falling out
• Weak hind legs and arthritis
• Badly infected ears
• Underweight and malnourished
• The sweetest temperament you have ever known!

The vet then recommended that Sunny go for a heart ultrasound scan but for the moment, he was warded for observation.

During his stay at the vet, whenever the vet technicians tried cleaning his badly infected ears, poor Sunny would get very stressed from the cleaning and his tongue would turn blue. They would then have to stop everything and let him rest.

After a few days, we discharged Sunny and took him to another clinic to have a heart ultrasound scan. This time we found out more –  poor Sunny had a soft / collapsed trachea, common in smaller breed dogs. It could be a condition that he was born with. Sunny was again warded at this second clinic for a few days while we scrambled to find a foster. It wasn’t easy finding someone who would be home most of the time to watch and monitor Sunny.

Imagine abandoned in such poor health, a tiny dog having to fend for himself out in the industrial estates. The vet estimates Sunny to be about 6 to 7 years old only but because of his health issues and the rough life he has gone through, he looks way older than his actual age.

Sunny at foster home

Getting groomed at his foster home

Sunny is presently safe in a foster home and it seems he gets on with the cats as well. Perhaps he had met lots of stray cats when he lived on the streets. The foster has noticed that Sunny tends to regurgitate his water whenever he drinks. This is possibly due to his soft trachea and we will have this checked when Sunny goes for his next vet review in week's time. 

Sunny is a real sweetheart with such a nice, mellow temperament and anyone would be lucky to have him. If you can adopt Sunny, please let us know. Ideally he would need a home with people around, and not to be left alone for more that 3 or 4 hours at a time in case he has difficulty breathing.

Nicely groomed and all set to start a brand new SUNNY life

To be Sunny’s light at the end of a tunnel and love him forever, please email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg

Bentley, The Gentle Giant

A kind aunty who regularly feeds strays contacted HOPE informing us about a dog in desperate need of our help. She advised us that the dog was in a bad way with a gaping wound behind his right ear. She said she could see the inside of his ear and it smelt very bad. We immediately knew it was maggot infested. Poor dog.

Fiona was sent a picture of the poor dog with the deep wound. The minute she saw the photo, she mobilized us to go and rescue the dog and take it to the vet. I lived the closest so without a moment to spare, I grabbed a leash and rushed down to the site. Unfortunately with much despair, the dog could not be seen anywhere. After an hour of searching the rain dispersed upon us and we had to call it a night and try again the following day.

The photo we received

The following night it was pouring so heavily that all the dogs had found shelter. Whilst waiting for a few hours for the rain to pass, the feeder aunty informed me that the factory in which this dog grew up in had been forced to be locked up by the landlord as the tenant owed months of rent that he couldn’t pay. Fortunately, these street smart dogs and cats managed to find a way to escape out of the gate to look for food. Also thank God for feeders like this aunty who keeps a constant lookout for these precious babies and has fed them to the best of her abilities.

We managed to find a factory worker who was on his way back and we pleaded with him to help us by catching him if he sees him. We left the site with a heavy heart, wondering if the injured dog will ever appear again. Later that evening at 11pm, the feeder aunty suddenly called and said that the worker had found the injured dog so we quickly rushed down again. We finally managed to get the dog into the carrier after much struggling – he is a big dog trying to fit into a small borrowed carrier.

In pain and fear yet still having to worry about looking for food and survival

As he was loaded into the car, the stench of rotting flesh permeated the inside. Windows were wound down as we rushed to the vet. Having only been in contact with a dog that has been infested with maggots three times, the smell is unforgettable. The sight of seeing these dogs in distress and so pitiful is even worse. Upon arrival at the vet, Fiona was already there with registration done with the staff on emergency standby.

She had decided to name him Bentley.

At the vet, Fiona opened the carrier, leashed Bentley and encouraged him to come out. He emerged slowly with his head hanging low, in pain partnered with fear and resignation. He must have been extremely worried in this new environment, especially not knowing where he was and it probably being the first time he has visited the vets. Usually when we rescue strays we have to be on alert as we can never predict how they will react being in a strange environment and leashed up. Some strays don’t like the leash around their necks and will struggle or panic.

Bentley at the vet. His neck is swollen from an abscess 

Bentley on the other hand was extremely docile and allowed himself to be leashed and led out slowly from the carrier. The smell of maggots filled the consult room. He was a big dog, bigger than a Labrador but oh my, what a gentle giant he was – sweet, calm, docile, submissive and what a big baby.

As Fiona held Bentley by the leash, he gave a shake and all of the maggots and pus came splashing all over Fiona! That’s how bad it was. It was a sorry sight to see, but we knew Bentley was now in safe hands.

As we were waiting for the vet to prepare the drips and medicines, we noticed Bentley was drowsy and that meant that the infection and septicemia was setting in. Dogs can die from septicemia.

When the vet and vet technician got started with shaving and the flushing of the wound, we realized with horror that Bentley actually had many more bite wounds around his neck, ears and even on his legs which were initially covered by his fur. After shaving we saw almost 8 puncture wounds with deep teeth marks. It was probably a very bad fight and the poor boy was suffering in pain and going through this all alone. We knew why he was attacked – he is really sweet and submissive, easy prey for the stronger, alpha dogs to pick on.

Numerous puncture wounds on various parts of his body

A more visible wound after shaving off his fur

After cleaning of his wound and removal of the maggots

Bentley is now in safe hands with HOPE. But his future looks bleak as his ‘family’ is moving to another location. Hopefully they will bring these furry residents with them, otherwise they will become homeless soon.

Bentley is a very sweet, calm and goofy dog, and for anyone who would be lucky enough to adopt him we guarantee you won’t regret it, he is truly such a gentle giant. Fiona says Bentley reminds her of Harry, in size and temperament.

Email us at hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg and give Bentley the happy future that he deserves.

Theo And His New Family

Do you remember our sweet little cat, Theo? He was possibly a victim of a hit and run accident, and was badly injured because of an irresponsible person who just left a helpless animal in pain, in a multi-storey car park. He had to undergo a complicated surgery to remove his eyeball and get his eye socket stitched up.

Theo when he was first rescued

Theo was finally discharged after he showed signs of recovery. He took two weeks to adjust to living in a foster home with his foster, Adrianna, and her two teenage kids. The 2 teenage kids loved Theo a lot and he thrived under their care. Initially, he threw up when they fed him with the tube and was slightly uncomfortable in the new environment. But he soon became comfortable and his wounds began to heal well.

Theo happily settled with his new forever family

When the time came to rehome him, we were worried that we would not be able to find a family good enough for Theo. The great news came when Adrianna and the two kids decided to adopt Theo instead! This is the life that Theo had always wanted. He is currently living the life and enjoying every moment of it. What happened to him didn't bring him down, but made him stronger. He may be left with only one eye, but he can still see the colours of life, and feel the love that's showered on him. We believe that is all that matters.

A big thank you to everyone who had helped in Theo’s rescue and recovery. We cannot express enough gratitude to those who contributed to his medical bills and also took time just for Theo. With all your help, we saved yet another stray. We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you!

Written by Yun Lu

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Theo's adopted family's story:

The moment we chanced upon Theo on Facebook, we felt for him. Strangely, we strongly felt that we had to care for him, even if it was just fostering. So we contacted HOPE Dog Rescue. About a week later, Theo was resting in our house.

This is the life for Theo!

Initially, I was skeptical about whether we could handle the tube feed and all the nursing after his operation. But surprisingly, the children were so wonderful with him. When I was busy at work, they took over the tube feeding and care. He recovered in no time.

Theo watching TV with his new siblings

By then, my children had become so attached to Theo. They refused to let him go. Theo stole our hearts as well. He's an easy and gentle cat. He's very affectionate and very sweet. We know he needs a lot of love and care. He must have gone through a lot of trauma. We decided to keep him.

Today, he brings great joy to my little family. He is our wonderful one-eyed pirate, our darling at home.

Dreams are made of these

Barkbeque for HOPE (Happening this Saturday, 14 June)

Dear Friends,

Our precious rescued dogs are eagerly looking forward to meeting you this Saturday (14 June) at klapsons, The Boutique Hotel from 5pm to 8pm.

The response for our tickets sales has been lukewarm as many of our friends are away on holiday, but we’re hoping you will buy a ticket, come on down this Saturday and say Hi.

Our rescued dogs don’t often get to go out, let alone to hotels, so they are really looking forward to this event, the new friends and the doggy chow they will be getting!

Tickets are only at $68 for a human and one dog and part of the proceeds from ticket sales will be used to help us provide a better life for them. More importantly, it is their only chance to say Thank You for helping me and will you please give me a loving home?

Come meet our little star BRUNO, special ELMO, sweet MARNI, gorgeous WALTER, brave survivor SiDa and our new friend ELLIOT. All these dogs are available for ADOPTION.

BRUNO, our little star of the event. 4 mths old, for adoption (NOT HDB Approved)

ELMO (HDB Approved)

MARNI (HDB Approved)

WALTER (NOT HDB Approved)

SiDa (Special Needs dog / NOT HDB Approved)

ELLIOT (Silky Terrier / HDB Approved) (One of our new rescues)

Don’t take too long to think about it, the event is just a few days away. Please support this fun filled n meaningful event! Hope to see all of you there!

To purchase tickets for this Saturday’s event, Barkbeque for HOPE please email hopeforbruno@gmail.com  

Duchess. Stray No More

Duchess, now known as Dutch, with her new mommy, Anne

Our family fostered Duchess for 5 weeks during February and March this year (2014). Duchess’ stay was limited, as I had to return to the UK for a few weeks and she was picked up by the volunteers to be taken to her new fosterer. She refused to go with the volunteers so I had to physically place her in the car. Duchess was absolutely devastated. The distress on her face was upsetting and when I walked back into the house and looked at my son and daughter we all burst out crying. They kept repeating through tears how upset she was, it was then I realised that she had chosen us as her family and we had to adopt her. 

Four weeks later Duchess came bouncing through our gate all excited to be back. What a fantastic welcome we all got from her! Within a couple of hours after the initial excitement had worn off, I was flabbergasted at how fast she had settled back in. Duchess remembered the daily routine as if she had never been left.

Duchess is such a good natured girl and gets on well with my 16 year old dog, Rusty. She is very good with Rusty especially when he takes her chew, she will sit beside him and wait patiently until he is finished. Likewise, she is fascinated by our 2 year old rescued cat Lily and tries very hard to be friends but Lily will have none of it.

Duchess is such a sweetheart, very social, loves her daily walks – sniffing out new smells and greeting other dogs. After her evening walk she loves nothing better than to curl up on her big comfy bed and go to sleep and sleeps like a baby all night. She knows her routine and will wait patiently by the window until I return from my morning walk with Rusty, knowing her long walk is next. Duchess loves to fetch the ball in the garden with my son and has such a proud posture  when she sits and surveys her surroundings with her entertaining floppy ears which many people find very cute. Duchess has been very easy to train and I have been fortunate enough to spend a lot of my time with her so that she has never had a chance to develop any bad habits. Duchess is a fantastic addition to our family just like my two other rescued pets. If you have the time, patience and a lot of love to give, rescued pets are by far the best.

By Anne Brogan and family

Duchess was rescued from Jurong Island in January 2014 by a kind Muslim man, Mr Aziz. She was found with a broken leg and a long gash on her stomach. She was a mere puppy at 3 mths old. She survived the surgery to repair her broken leg and stitch up the long gash on her belly and in no time, was as good as new.

Duchess standing proud

She never let the accident affect her, always being in high spirits. After just a few short months, Duchess was fortunate to be adopted by Anne and her family. Because of the accident that shattered her bone in numerous places, Duchess has one hind limb shorter than the other but it is exactly this reason that the family love her. To them, she is a perfect dog, despite her imperfections.

We thank Anne and her family for adopting Duchess, now known as Dutch. We lost a good foster, but we found a permanent home for Dutch.

Thank you Mr Aziz for saving me