Suspicion

It wasn't the norm for Kat’s father (Mr S) to be urgently contacting her over the phone. It must be something of great magnitude. Mr S had received an appeal from a friend to help circulate the pressing message for immediate adoption of 3 dogs as the owner would be flying off the very next day.

What would happen to these dogs if there were no takers within the next 24 hours?  

Would they be abandoned? Sent off to a shelter? If so, what would their fate be?

Just arriving back in Singapore from a trip, Kat had to do something. Firstly, she posted a Facebook status that 3 dogs were urgently up for adoption. Following, Kat messaged her friend, Fiona, who is the founder of Hope Dog Rescue. Despite knowing HOPE had already hit beyond their capacity to take in any more dogs under their wings, Kat still looked to Fiona for advice on what could be done to avert a possible untold destiny of the 3 dogs up for immediate adoption. Thankfully, Fiona replied swiftly and without further ado, she was willing to take in all the dogs and help re-home them. Another avid canine lover, Ivy, responded to Kat’s Facebook status and was ready to adopt one of the dogs.

This picture was sent to Kat

While trying to establish the background of the dogs, Kat got to know that there were 3 dogs for immediate adoption - 1 French bulldog (which had already been taken up by the time Kat responded) and a pair of poodles. Unexpectedly, the initial owners were in fact pressing to have the dogs sent away that very night, with less than 2 hours till the very next day when the owner will be flying off. They were ready to send the canines to any person’s doorstep, along with the cage.

More dogs were given away

In the nick of time, Kat contacted Ivy and is very grateful to Ivy and family as they were agreeable to welcome the male poodle at the eleventh hour.

The female poodle, on the other hand, had no certain place to be sent to in such short notice, as Fiona was out on a rescue mission and unable to arrange for an immediate destination for the dog to be sent to. Thus, Kat and family decided that they would house the female poodle overnight, so that Fiona could arrange for a pick up the next day.

Shortly passed 11pm, the female poodle arrived at Kat’s doorsteps. Her cries echoed through the tranquility of the quiet night. Kat witnessed the female poodle crying out a destitute and throbbing goodbye to BinBin (the male poodle to be sent to Ivy after this stop). After all, they had been kept together as a breeding pair for some years.

Within minutes of settling down at Kat’s place, the curious little poodle was peeking out of her cage. She is very good natured and a very loving dog.

At the Vet

The next morning, Fiona had the poodle sent to the vet for a thorough medical check-up. This sweet girl is estimated to be 4 years old, has undergone a full medical health check and is in perfect health. She has since been sterilized, had some teeth extracted and vaccinated.

We named her Blossom.

How much do you think they have made from her

It is questionable that these dogs were breeding canines. A total of 4 pure-bred dogs (a pair of French bull dogs and a pair of poodles) were initially up for immediate adoption. It is unclear why the previous owner wanted to dispose the dogs so urgently, together with unmarked kibbles in plastic bags, cages and all. If the previous owner was indeed a home breeder, how much tainted money did they make from these pitiable dogs?

To adopt Blossom, please email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg 

Hurray For Bobby

Bobby has been a particular favorite of mine. He is not the most handsome dog, neither was he the friendliest. Instead, he was a bag of bones who ignored us most of the time. However, his will to survive, never say die attitude and deep love for food endears him to me.

When I first met Bobby, we had just rescued him and he was lying motionlessly on the consult table, waiting to be seen by the vet. I only knew he was alive from his eyes, which were filled with pain. When the vet saw him, she threw her hands in the air exclaiming, ‘Why does Hope Dog Rescue always bring me such sad cases?’ She continued to sigh in pity, feeling so sorry for Bobby as she examined him. We never wanted to be known as the rescue group with the sad cases but many a times, we were asked why our rescues always seem to be in such bad shape. We do not have a shelter and thus, do not rescue healthy strays. Instead we feed them and if they have a regular caregiver, we provide food to them, to lighten their load. We can’t save them all and reserve our resources for the worst cases. Bobby is probably the worst this year.

Wound Cleaning

His surgical wound is so much better now, no longer red and raw

When I first saw him, Bobby was a dirty, dusty dog covered in ticks and fleas with a big maggot wound on the side of his body. The maggots were crawling out of his raw wound and we killed two as they crawled out from his rotting flesh. There were fleas everywhere crawling and jumping around, even fleas in his eyes and wound! It still gives me chills thinking about it. The diagnosis was bleak but not life threatening. He was warded at the vet and his maggot infested wound slowly recovered. However, throughout his entire stay at the vet, he remained expressionless. He hardly moved, stared into nothing or just slept his days away. Everyone who met him could feel his deep sense of sadness. What was he sad about?  His tick infestation? Did he miss someone terribly? We even asked his factory worker to visit him, just in case Bobby was pining for him, but he wasn’t the one Bobby longed for.

Dearest Bobby

Our kind volunteer, HK, who is also a groomer, shaved him down and gave him a good shower. His fur was so badly matted with flea dust that it took her two sessions of 2 hours each just to shave him down and give him a good shower. To our surprise, he is white and not grey as we first thought.

Still a Bag of Bones

One day, the vet noticed him whining and straining while trying to pee as she was examining him. His penis has been badly infected and he has been put on a course of antibiotics. He must be in extreme pain as dogs generally have a high threshold of pain and seldom whine unless it is unbearable. The vet recommended that we amputated his penis as it has grown so much more swollen and doesn’t seem to be recovering in the time that he was at the vet and she suspected it might be cancer. We were put in a dilemma; Bobby had a heart murmur and a general anesthesia will mean he might never wake up. After much deliberation, we decide to go ahead. What is the quality of life if it’s one filled with pain? We must give Bobby a chance to have another shot at life even though financially, we could hardly afford it.

An opening surgically created from his scrotum for Bobby to pee

Bobby proved to be a fighter when he woke up. We were ecstatic when we heard the news as we had feared the worst. The vet removed a mass which was almost 25cm long. It has been sent for testing and we still do not know if its cancerous as the results are not back yet. It took him another two weeks to get better as after the operation, his scrotum got infected and a catheter has to be inserted to keep the area dry and allow it to recover.

After 45 days at the vet, we are finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. A very kind foster has contacted us to offer to take care of Bobby. He can finally leave his tiny cage at the vet and recuperate in a home filled with love. Although Bobby’s penis is amputated, he has started using his new opening to pee and is finally off painkillers!He loves his food especially meat and salmon. This picky boy will actually pick the fish and meat to eat and leave the rice and vegetable in his meals that volunteers have painstakingly prepared for him. Last night when I visited with some meat balls for supper, he stood up in excitement with his tail wagging and gobbled up the meats balls in a jiffy. After he cleaned the bowl, he looked around expecting more and when that didn’t happen, he gave me a mournful look and went back to sleep. So much for gratitude…

Dear Bobby, thank you so much for recovering. There were times when we feared for the worse and wondered if it would be kinder to put you to sleep. There were times when bad things just kept happening to you and infection upon infection inflicted you and it seemed you might never get well again. There were times when we feared you might never leave the clinic alive, but apparently life has other plans for you. Good luck to you Bobby boy, enjoy your stay at your foster and perhaps, one day you will find your forever home.

If you can provide Bobby with a forever home and give him the love and care he deserves, please email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg

BOBBY WILL FINALLY BE DISCHARGED TONIGHT! YEAH!!!!

Written by Wendy Yeo

Milky’s Last Chance

Our last call for a home for Milky has been futile. Although we really cannot bear to let her go, we have no choice as we do not have a shelter, available fosters or funds to maintain all her life if she does not get adopted. We will be returning her back to the factory this Saturday after her final vet review.

When we first took on Milky, we were aware that we could not take in any more doggies. Saving a dog is a long term commitment, but looking at her condition, we could not say no to her, she could hardly open her eye from the pain. She is so young and her eye must be hurting her so  badly. If we had not stepped in, she would have turned blind eventually. For the past 3 weeks, she has had a roof, consistent food and a family albeit temporary. We are very concerned if Milky can fend for herself back at the factory and if her pack of dogs recognize and accept her back into their pack.

Therefore, we decide to cringe tentatively to hope and try one last time to appeal for a home for her. Milky is a young puppy who needs a pet parent who will guide her and teach her right from wrong. She is a big baby, playful, friendly and a joy to be around. Milky needs a home, welcome her into your home and she will fill it with joy and erm…poop?

Milky is actually very well-behaved and calm, unlike most puppies her age. We would highly recommend her!

On a serious note, an adopted dog is always different in the gratitude they feel. They do understand that you have saved them from a fate that is unknown and filled with dangers, rainy days and empty stomachs. Please change Baby Milky’s fate. Adopt, don’t buy. Save a life today. Email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg

She has till Saturday.

Name : Milky
Breed : Local Crossbreed
Age : 3+ mths old

*We can't be sure if she will be HDB approved as she is still young and growing. 

The Rubbish Cat

Hari Raya festivities were just winding down. The holiday spirit was still in the air. But amid the high spirits was one forlorn being. Along with post-celebration detritus like empty drink cartons, Max the cat had been thrown out like garbage.

  

Sitting at the steps near the rubbish dump waiting for someone to come back for her

Someone had taken Max to the rubbish collection area of an HDB estate and left him there. Of course he was anxious and confused. Where was his family? Why was he all alone in this strange, new environment? What was happening and when could he go home? Max started displaying symptoms of stress. He started licking himself compulsively, grooming himself so excessively that the fur on his lower body fell out and his skin was rubbed raw. What fur that was left turned from a soft white to a dirty brown.

Her new home, how sad

The lady that feeds cats in that area noticed this new cat. She saw how sad and scared he was. His pitiful mewing was heartbreaking. This cat was obviously used to living indoors.

One day, she saw a family pull up in a car to check up on Max. Then it happened again. The family came a few times in the next few weeks. The lady put two and two together and realised that these were the same people who had dumped Max at the rubbish collection area! It was perplexing and infuriating. Why did they visit Max after abandoning him? Did they miss him? Did they feel guilty? And why did they even abandon him in the first place?

Whatever the reason was, it was clear that Max was not doing too well out on his own. Their sporadic visits were only giving him false hope and confusing him further. That's not the way a young house cat should be living. Luckily for Max, he's one good-looking cat and will have no lack of admirers.

We took him to the vet, who gave him his vaccinations and told us that he was male and sterilized. Apart from the skin problems and an ear infection, all seemed normal with Max. He was declared healthy and discharged, sent to live with a foster.

One week later, the foster called. Max was lactating...? Our volunteer, Cherlyn, rushed Max to the vet. As it turns out, Max was actually Maxine! Haha, imagine everyone's surprise!

Obviously, Maxine was pregnant and not sterilized. We are so glad that we rescued her when we did. It would have been an incredibly traumatic and stressful experience for her to have carried her kittens to term and given birth in an unfamiliar and potentially dangerous environment. Now, she and her kittens can receive the care that a new mother and her babies should have. We look forward to welcoming some beautiful, healthy kittens soon!

Mommy Maxine and her future kittens will be up for adoption in 2 to 3 months. We're not sure what breed she is, but she looks like a cross (look at that bushy tail!). Maxine is fully vaccinated.

If you would like to take one (or more) of them home, please be advised that your home will need to be fully cat-proof and the usual house checks will be conducted. Interested? Please email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg and take a queue number.

Written by Elena Lin

Roughed Out

Some feeders had been feeding this old cat for the past few months. They knew that he wasn't in the best health. The cat's appearance was shabby, and it seemed like he was always having a tough time, every time they saw him. His face was pitted, red and raw. His skin was mangy and always scabby. He looked miserable. Although they were full of concern and good intentions, they didn't know what they could do to help him.

Picture received from the feeder

So they sought advice from one of our volunteers, who told them to bring the cat to the vet for an medical examination. HOPE would help with the vet bills. They just needed to be able to catch the cat when they saw him again.

A week later, we received a Whatsapp message from them. It was close to midnight, and they had finally managed to catch the cat. They had him in a carrier, and were ready to send him to the vet in the morning.

Such a sorry sight. On the way to the vet

The next morning, our volunteer met them at the vet to take charge of the case. We named him Hiraku.

What a sweet face he has. His facial wounds reminded us of Bruno

After the vet’s examination, we found out that the cat wasn't actually old at all! Even though he looked like he was almost 8 or 10, the vet estimated that he was only 5 or 6 years old. He had looked really old because his right eye was all white, occluded by a cataract. His left eye seemed alright although perhaps not perfect vision. Effectively, his vision might be limited to close range.

There were innumerable injuries and scars all over the cat's body. His face and head was covered with sores and wounds. His right leg had become terribly swollen from scores of puncture wounds. It looked like he had rolled around in porcupine quills. The skin on his face is all raw, red and patchy. The vet isn't sure why, but it could be an infection from a wound that became inflamed from excessive scratching.

Leg was swollen with many puncture holes

The vet guessed that his multiple wounds were due to frequent cat fights, because he wasn't sterilized. But because he had many more wounds than was normal, we feel that his poor vision made him even more susceptible to attacks. Because he can't see well, it's likely that he was searching for food and got attacked. He could also have wandered into the territory of other cats and gotten attacked. The poor cat can't even see well enough to escape or defend himself. The scruffy cat had been roughed up so many times that he looked old and tired beyond his years.

His gums were terribly pale

Poor cat, he must be so tired from the constant fighting. Trying to look for food must be difficult with his limited vision. Wandering around, stepping into others' territory, unwittingly getting into fights, trying to escape, running away to nurse his wounds, and doing everything again, even before his newest wounds have healed.

For now though, he can get some rest. He needs to stay warded at vet for 7 to 10 days, to have his wounds cleaned and treated. Because his vision might be impaired and quite helpless, we are also appealing for an adopter to take him home after his discharge. He's sweet and docile, and not fussy. Please rescue this cat from a life on the streets, where he obviously has difficulty fending for himself.

For contributions towards Hiraku’s vet bills or to adopt him, please email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg

Taz – Another One Left Behind

Recently, we received yet another call from one of the caregivers from the factories that a dog had been abandoned outside their factory. The owner simply and callously drove by and left the dog there to fend for itself; yet the dog never once suspected that he had been abandoned and waited for his owner’s return for two days, whining and barking in hope that his owner will soon come back for him.

He looked as is he had been crying for days

Eventually, the dog followed the caregiver into the factory. Other than being heartbroken, he was also malnourished and walked with a limp. He soon realized that his owner was not going to come back for him, and fell into a depression. Refusing food and water, all he could think of was his owner who had left him behind.

Photograph sent to us by the workers

We took him to the vet

He was sent to the vet and renamed Taz. Taz had a wound on his back, and both his front and rear left paws were swollen and bleeding. It felt as if he had walked for days in search of his owner. Taz was slightly dehydrated. A full blood test was done and fortunately, Taz was tested negative for parvo virus, distemper, heartworm and tick fever.

Heartbroken

Walked till his paws bled

It was heart-breaking to see Taz in such a state. Even though Taz’s injuries were not considered serious, it was a heartache to see a dog this depressed. Throughout the whole vet visit, Taz hung his head low, refusing to look up or make eye contact with anyone. He was calm and even allowed the volunteers (who were total strangers to him) to pat and hold him. However, no amount of patting and treats could cheer Taz up, nothing could erase his emotional pain and sadness. He pined for his owner. . . . . whom he would never see again.

Abandoned with his old collar on

Taz is truly an exemplar of a dog. Their loyalty and dedication to their owners are commendable despite having a heartless owner who discarded him like a used item. It is extremely disheartening to see that such irresponsible owners still exist and that they could simply just leave a dog to fend for itself after knowingly having domesticated them.

Taz had an old wound on his back

Taz is estimated to be 4-5 years old. He looks slightly like a Lab but could be a crossbreed or a local breed.

Over the past week, Taz has been staying at the vet where his wounds are being cleaned daily. The vet remarked that Taz was very scared and nervous when the vet tried to change his bandages and hence had to be sedated while changing the bandage for his paws. Taz also had 2 seizure episodes over the weekend but after taking oral anti-seizure medication, the seizures have stopped. The cause of the seizures are yet to be determined and the vet has recommended that we do a MRI scan to determine the cause of the seizures. At this point of time, this will be put on hold.

Shaved off to clean the wound on his back

Taz can be discharged anytime but his wounds would still require daily cleaning while it heals and it is estimated that the wound would take 10-14 days to completely heal. As it is, our resources are stretched to the limit due to the recent spate of cases, especially cases such as Bobby’s where complicated surgical procedures were involved. Fosters are also urgently needed for Bobby and Cassie. For these reasons, it is with deepest regrets that we would have to let Taz move back to the factory where he was found and to allow the caregivers there to take care of Taz. It is of course our wish to be able to rehabilitate and rehome every injured dog we meet, yet limited resources and a lack of fosters have led us to make difficult decisions such as letting Taz go back to the factory. Our primary concern is that Taz would be unable to adapt to life as a stray, especially since he used to live in a comfortable home without a worry in the world. We are also worried about infections and complications developing before Taz’s wound can completely heal due to less sanitary living conditions for Taz in the factory.

He must be the world's saddest doggy

Taz is also a reminder to all pet owners that owning a pet is not only a responsibility, but also a commitment. By bringing a pet home, you are not only pledging to take care of him and to give him a good home, but also making a promise that you will not forsake him, especially in times of need. Even if it is not possible for the owner to take care of his pet anymore, necessary arrangements should be made to find the pet a new and suitable home, instead of taking the easy way out and abandoning the pet.

Poor Taz

After all, our pets would not leave us when we are in need, so how could we?

If you wish to help out with Taz’s vet bills, foster or adopt him, or help in any way possible, please email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg. Every bit of help matters and is greatly appreciated by both dogs and humans alike from Hope Dog Rescue.

Thank you.

Written by Zhiyi

Along Milky’s Way

Over the years, we have been sterilizing dogs in the industrial estates, hundreds of them, to curb and lower the stray population. Therefore it is unusual for us to find a stray puppy in the area. However, on one of our usual feeding rounds, we saw a puppy with an injured right eye. The puppy could hardly open her right eye and it was tearing uncomfortably. Picture this : a puppy with one eye closed, tears flowing down from her injured eye and she was lying on the road chewing on a stick happily. That scene was so heartbreaking.

Going to the vet

Badly infected eye

We went around the factory to find out more about this abandoned puppy and was happy to know that the workers had been helping to take care of her, feeding her and apply their own eye drops. They said that the puppy just appeared outside their factory a couple of weeks ago. We believe that the puppy was left near the area believing that these factory workers would care for it, the factory workers certainly did not disappoint.

Following Saturday, we went back again to check on the puppy. We spotted her eating by the roadside and noticed that her eye condition has worsened. It was appalling as we realize that she could no longer keep her right eye open. We carried her up carefully and applied eye drops for her, hoping to relieve her of the pain. It allowed her to open her eye for a few seconds and then it got painful and uncomfortable again. We immediately spoke to the workers and informed them that we would take the puppy to the vet on Monday morning.

Eyes too painful to open. Milky is barely 3 months old

She was only about 2.5 months old and we named her Milky. We would like to thank our volunteers Michelle and Jozelle who took the day off on Monday to take Milky to the vet.

Right eye too painful to even open

When the vet saw Milky, she informed us that the puppy needed an immediate operation. It wasn’t just an eye infection as we had thought.  Poor Milky had a condition known as Entropion,  it is a genetic disorder that usually occurs in young puppies that are only a few months old. In some cases, it can also occur later in their lives. Entropion usually affects the lower eyelids more than the upper eyelids and it is commonly found in breeds like Chow Chow, Shar-Pei etc. In Milky’s case, it was her upper eyelid that had turned inwards, causing great pain and discomfort. She was also born with a slightly smaller right eye and with her eye condition left untreated, she would have eventually gone blind from the infection. Perhaps Milky has some Shar-Pei genes in her.

This poor cute little puppy will have to go back to the factory soon, when her eye is fully recovered. ADOPT HER?

The vet cleaned her eyes as it was so severely infected. The discharge was causing her eyes to be glued together. Subsequently, we applied eye drops to clean up the discharge so that her eyes could open.

The vet also checked her eye pupil's response to light and assured us her vision would not be affected after surgery and if it heals well. A scope was also used to check her eye cornea to ensure that it was not damaged. The puppy was also found with ticks and fleas so we wiped her clean and applied some Frontline on her.

Cleaning Milky

Milky will undergo the eye surgery the following day, basically a plastic surgery to cut a slit in her eyelid and flip it outwards. Because she is only 2.5 months old, she will not go under general anesthesia and instead be put on light sedation. The surgery will cost a total of $500, excluding the few days stay at the vet, and she would need to be in a clean environment for the coming two weeks.

Thankfully, we managed to find a foster for these two weeks. However if after two weeks, no one comes forth to adopt Milky, she will be returned to the factory and when she turns 5 months old, we will then contact the factory workers to catch her for sterilization. 

If you wish to adopt Milky, please do contact us at hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg. Milky will be more than happy to have a home. Please email us if you wish to help with her vet bills as well. Thank you.