November. We dread feeding the strays in November as it is wet and rainy throughout the month. Do not get us wrong, we love dogs, especially street dogs. It is not the weather conditions that we mind, the reason being; it is simply heartbreaking to deny the street dogs a good meal, especially when it rains, when we can't even put food to feed as it would all be washed down by the rain. Worst if the weather decides to turn violent with thunder storm! We also see some dogs snuggling close to other dogs, all soaked wet from the rain, just to get some warmth from each other's body heat. Some are so thin with no fur and no fats to protect them, they just sit and tremble in the rain. Nothing could be more heartbreaking.
For the past many years, we feed every Saturday at a certain industrial area. We know our dogs well enough, the factories they are located at, where they hang out, the quiet streets where they rest and vacant lands where they seek refuge at.
 |
| All Mommy dog wants is someone to love her |
 |
| They will no longer need to live in this dump. No one deserves to live on the streets. |
Daisy. I couldn't help but notice her sagging breasts when I first saw her photos taken by fellow volunteers. The first thing that came to my mind was how sad a life for a female pregnant street dog to experience and endure. We can only imagine the hardship that Daisy and many other female street dogs have gone through. Not only are they "strays", they are also "female" and they get "impregnated" and "gang raped" by many male dogs when they come in heat, twice a year. What’s more tragic is for a female dog to give birth in NOVEMBER. Imagine drenched in the rain, the weather cold and wet, Daisy carrying 6 puppies in her tummy, all due in November, she can hardly find food for herself, let alone find food for her babies. She has to fend off unwanted attention from the industrial rats, who often feed on the newly born puppies when they are just born, alive but not moving. Mommy Daisy also has to live with the constant shoo-ing of the unkind humans and look on helplessly when humans came and took away her cute, light coloured puppies in front of her eyes. Perhaps, in her heart, she could only hope for the best for her children.
The team had a discussion about Daisy and her remaining 3 puppies (black, brown and cream). Keeping in mind we still owe a few vet clinics tens of thousands in vet bills, we bit the bullet and decided to rescue Daisy and her family. As they were residing in a dangerous industrial estate with heavy vehicles constantly moving about, the thought of witnessing one, two and three crushed and dead puppies worried the team. We understand that human nature is such that we are all suckers for cute little things, especially PUPPIES! Mommy dogs are rarely given a second look, or even rescued together with the entire family as there is cost to consider, such as boarding facilities, the prolonged boarding cost, food, medical check-ups and vet bills, shortage of manpower and the lack of knowledge in rehabilitating the dogs, and last but not least, to find a good permanent home for the entire family. But we promised Daisy, we would not leave her behind and we will do our best to help her family. We did not have the heart not to take Daisy, it was ALL or NOTHING. What a brave decision we have made.
 |
| Mommy Daisy in the car, looking worried and confused, on the way to the vet |
After some discussion and planning, the day came to rescue the family. We were mentally prepared that we may be greeted with less than 4 dogs in total or none at all.
 |
| At the vet |
 |
| Black pup tired out at the vet |
When we arrived at the place where they were temporarily putting up at, we knew Daisy was a good mother. When we approached Daisy, it took us a while to gain trust from her especially since she needed to do what a mother had to do, to protect her puppies. After much sniffing and sensing we had no ill intention, she allowed us to pat her, carry her puppies and Mommy and puppies had a delicious home cooked meal specially cooked for them by the volunteers. We spent some time holding on Daisy and the two remaining pups. After more than an hour of searching, we successfully gathered the 3 dogs and headed straight to the vet. It is HOPE’s regular protocol that all dogs we rescue head straight to the vet for a thorough medical check-up. At the vet, while volunteer Val was holding on to Mommy dog Daisy, she said to me: I think the Mommy wants to get close to her puppies. So off I went, carrying the brown puppy close to Daisy for her to lick and sniff. It was a touching sight that could make any grown adult cry. What Mommy Daisy did was to lick and kiss both her puppies and tell them good bye. She knew that they would be separated from her and one could hear Daisy saying: My dear child, Mommy knows and is happy that you will go to a good and safe home. We shall say our good byes here today, I am sorry that mommy can't be with you anymore, take care my child. I love you very much.
 |
| Mommy saying good bye to her pups |
 |
| What a sweet mommy dog |
As much as we hope to rehome the 3 dogs to ONE family, the truth is, even rehoming ONE LOCAL STREET DOG takes a year or years. If the dog is born under a lucky star, perhaps he / she will find a home within weeks. Puppies will eventually be adopted first. For the adult dogs, they would need a patient and kind person or family that would look beyond the breed type, colour type, age and sex of the dog and most importantly the temperament.
 |
| We're quite sure this wasn't her first litter of puppies |
 |
| Gorgeous Mommy Daisy (definitely has Sharpei blood in her, look at her snout) |
Mommy dog was named DAISY because daisies open at dawn as the day just begins. It symbolizes a NEW BEGINNING. To some, our plan to rescue the family may not be a practical thing to do, considering that we do not have a shelter, we owe hefty vet bills, we add on to the numbers of dogs on our rehoming list! To us and everyone at HOPE, it is the BEST thing we have ever done, the joy to save Daisy and her 2 remaining puppies is a priceless experience that money can't buy.
 |
| Too much excitement for the day, Mommy Daisy also knocked out at the vet |
 |
| Mommy and babies safe and sound . . . finally . . .. |
We hope everyone could give Daisy a chance to live the best life that she deserves, free from the never ending "gang rape", free from the harsh abuse of humans, free from the unpredictable life span of living on the streets. Best of all, a good way to celebrate the coming new year, a fresh start for a street dog.
If you are interested to foster or to adopt the lovely Daisy, please email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg. She is estimated to be about 2 years old, is very calm, sweet and affectionate. She will be going to the vet today for her first vaccination.
Written by Lisa Goh
