Oh Danny Boy!

A Family Service Centre in Ang Mo Kio contacted us and asked if we could help them with a case. An elderly lady is no longer able to provide adequate care for her 7-year old Maltese, Danny, since she has been diagnosed with 4th stage breast cancer. She could have easily abandoned Danny to see to her own needs, as many dogs have been dumped for far more trivial reasons. However, her love for Danny prompted her to seek help from her social worker to re-home him as she felt that he deserved better than what she could offer and wanted to make sure that his new family could provide him with the care that she no longer could due to her illness.

Skin under Danny's neck is extremely crusty

Two volunteers took the afternoon off to meet with the social worker to go visit Mdm H and Danny. Expecting to see a sad, neglected dog, we were surprised to see a very happy, easy-going, and pleasant Danny. He was not even dirty or neglected as badly as in past cases that we have seen. His nails were a bit long, but not to the extent that they were curling in on themselves. While Danny had not left the home in his 7 years, not even for a walk or a trip to the vet, Danny’s happy demeanor showed us that Mdm H loved him a lot, and had cared for him to the best of her abilities.

His ears are also dry and crusty from long term skin issues 

Mdm H lives a very frugal lifestyle. Her diet consists mainly of rice and bread, and Danny’s too. He eats anything from 3 to 5 meals a day. Basically he eats whatever and whenever she eats. He is not obese, but a bit overweight from all the rice and bread. She cannot afford to send him to the groomer's. But she cuts his fur when she has the energy. She bathes him when she has the strength. For a person of her age and with her condition, it is obvious that she loves him very much to tend to him so. That she was adamantly insisting we take him away is also testament of how much she loves him as she worries for his welfare should anything happen to her. In fact, she had suffered a mild stroke a few months back and was warded in hospital for 2 days. During this time, poor Danny was home alone with no food or water as they only have each other. She has recently started to sleep in the living room so that should she collapse or pass on, people passing by can easily peep in from the corridor window and realise the situation and help Danny as soon as possible.

Imagine being this red, sore and itchy for most of your life. It's not a very pleasant feeling

Skin issues left untreated for a long time

Even the skin on his face and around his eyes are red and itchy

Although the original purpose of our visit was to take Danny away and try to re-home him, we hesitated to do so as it was very obvious that they love each other very much. It is well documented that dogs can bring joy to the sick and help take their minds off their discomfort. So instead, we offered to help with his care, so that they can still enjoy each others' company, while taking the stress of worrying about Danny's welfare off her so that she can focus on getting well.

Watch a video of how he spends his time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMnxEfXK43E

Paws were sore from constant licking 

He hardly has fur on his legs 

Danny has very bad skin problems, most likely as a result of his poor diet. His paws are raw with open sores from constant licking. His knees and under body are also red and sore. His neck and ears are dry and crusty. His skin condition makes him smell a bit "yeasty". We offered to take him to the vet to get treatment for his skin condition, as well as for a full medical checkup since he has never had one. He would also need to be vaccinated and sent for proper grooming. Once he has been vaccinated, our volunteers will visit a few times a week to take him for walks. Our volunteers will also deliver fresh home cooked food to Danny every 2 days so that Mdm H will not have to share her food with him anymore. Danny's food will be pre-packed to make it convenient for her to just heat up one container per day for his meal.

Danny's Home

Giving us a smile despite his hardships 

Mdm H and Danny need our help. By helping him, we are taking the stress off Mdm H so that she does not have to worry about him and can focus on getting better. Please help us help Mdm H and Danny. If you can contribute towards Danny's vet bills, please email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg Any little bit counts.

We hope to see you real soon, Danny Boy

Written by: Sam

ADOPT Horlicks (HDB Approved)

Horlicks is one of the sweetest boys you will ever meet. True to his name, he is super sweet, warm and endearing like the Horlicks drink! When you see him, you might think, hey he seems perfectly fine and healthy, why does he need to be rescued? Indeed, Horlicks is in the pink of health. He is also young, healthy, sterilised and microchipped. However, he is just not suited to living on the streets. We could not bear to leave him to his own devices. The poor boy used to live with his two best friends, Milo and Kopi, in the outer area of the factory that we rescued him from. When we went feeding, he would sit on the grass patch outside the factory, smile at us and wag his tail at us. He would retreat whenever we tried to go nearer to pat him though. That is how fearful he was of humans. He must have been the subject of lots of victimisation and bullying before. The poor boy…… As if being a stray was not tough enough, the factory owners vacated the premises and took Horlicks’ two best friends away with them to the new factory, leaving Horlicks behind to fend for himself (not because they did not like him but because they were unable to catch him). Although there were more than 10 other dogs and puppies belonging to another pack living on the inner premises of the factory, Horlicks could not join them. The other dogs would bark at him and bully him when he tried to get close to them. The poor boy was ostracised, sad and lonely. Our hearts broke to see Horlicks sitting on his own and looking lost and forlorn when we went to feed the dogs in the vacated factory.

Horlicks is now a changed boy. He is sweet, affectionate, playful and fun-loving. He is so adorable! He would entertain himself with his toys, throwing them into the air and attempting to catch them. It is almost impossible not to fall in love with him with his cute antics, sweet nature and Sharpei frown. Horlicks loves his food and is not a fussy eater. He also gets along fine with dogs and children and shows no sign of aggression at all. He is still timid and scared of being outdoors as he is a fresh rescue, but he is gradually beginning to enjoy walks outside. From having to spend up to an hour trying to coax Horlicks to walk, Horlicks can now play ball during his walks! So cute! We believe that with love and patience, Horlicks will soon blossom into a confident dog. Would you be the kind one to show Horlicks the love and patience he needs? Want to get your dose of Horlicks sweetness without having to buy a cup of Horlicks drink?

Email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg today to adopt our pawfect Horlicks!

*Horlicks shows you his revolver tail wags and gives you lots of sloppy licks*

**Horlicks is a male, local crossbreed, about 1 year old, healthy and HDB APPROVED.

Written by: Weiling

Makeshift Friends

What did you do on National Day?

8 of us spent the morning with 3 dogs. These 3 dogs are the friends of Kimmy , who are still left behind in the makeshift sheds.

Volunteers bathing the only male dog there, Marley

As we do each Sunday, we visit them, we split up the work among us so that we can get the most done in the 4 hours that we spend there. Some give the dogs their baths. The lucky ones get to walk and play with them. The rest were assigned to wash and scrub the sheds and clear the surrounding area of overgrown grass. While cleaning up poo, scrubbing slimy floors, and plucking at weeds do not sound very fun, we were more than happy to do whatever we could to make their lives in the sheds a bit more comfortable.

Our volunteer getting a good workout cleaning their makeshift sheds

Pails of water to last them the entire week till our next visit

The dogs are always very happy to see us. They can never wait to get out, and it was no different this particular day. Once they were out, they walked for hours and refused to stay still, as if making up for the rest of the days they were cooped up. It was adorable to watch them only stop for quick water breaks before starting up on their walks again, as if they would never tire!

Volunteer, Weiling, clowning around with Marilyn
*Marilyn is HDB Approved

Handsome Marley enjoying the attention

After the team was done cleaning the sheds, we placed the prepared food of cooked meat and liver down in the sheds. This is always the saddest part of the visit as once the food is placed inside, it is time to return the dogs to the sheds. These 3 have learnt that eating time signals the end of their time out in the open. It is always a struggle to get them into the sheds. They refuse to enter even with the lure of food and the volunteers always have to pull or carry them in. It was especially heartbreaking this particular Sunday, knowing that everyone else was out there celebrating the Nation’s birthday, while we had little choice but to cut short the joy in these dogs’ day and return them to confinement. Alas, they had to go back in, locked up in their makeshift sheds until the next Sunday, when they will be given another small taste of freedom. What a sad life!

Phoebe drying up after her bath

Marilyn loves her bath

Marley and volunteer, Peishang, enjoying the freedom for a few hours before going back to his lock-up

Marilyn and volunteer, Weiling (told you it was National Day!)

More information on these 3 dogs:

Marley – He is the cream colored, a Labrador lookalike and is estimated to be 5-6 years old. He is very sweet-natured and is always giving in to the other two girls. He is very obedient and walks well on leash.

Marilyn – She is the long-coated girl sharing the same shed as Marley. She is small like a Cocker Spaniel and HDB-approved. She is nice and affectionate to humans though she can be a bit bossy with the other dogs. She tries to bully Phoebe next door but is usually nice to her shedmate, Marley. She has been coughing quite a bit, and we suspect she may be suffering from heartworm, just like Kimmy.

This is how Marilyn drinks her water, with one paw in the bowl! 

Marilyn and her makeshift friends love humans. They're all very friendly and affectionate. 

Phoebe – The girl next door. Workers at the site warned us that she was very aggressive so no one had ever patted her. It turned out that she was just scared, not aggressive. It took us 2 weekends before we could finally pat or go near her. Now her sweet nature has started to shine through. When she sees us these days, she jumps on us in joy and is so affectionate and happy to be out of shed. Phoebe is estimated to be around 3-4 years old.

Gorgeous Phoebe. Don't her eyes mesmerize you?

Lunch time also means time to go back to their lock-ups, signalling end of their freedom

Kimmy being sick was a blessing in disguise as that was what prompted her rescue from the sheds. She is now in commercial boarding thanks to a very kind sponsor. Her 3 friends here are not as fortunate. Besides Marilyn who is starting to show signs of heartworm, the other 2 have no visible signs of illness. However, we cannot confirm this as they have yet to see a vet. At this time, seeing a vet would just be a waste of resources as their living conditions do not promote good health or recovery. Only if there are people who will step up to adopt them will we be able to send them to the vet for their much needed check up and treatment (especially in Marilyn’s case).

Getting another good workout, this time with Phoebe 

Marley contemplating if he should take a dip after his bath. Will the volunteers scream "Marley!!!"

If you would like to adopt them and give them the happy lives they deserve, please email hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg. Please make it so we won’t have to spend Sundays at the makeshift sheds again!

Sheds all clean and food is served . . . . . .

Back to their lock-ups . . . till we meet again.

Saved From A Makeshift Shed (Kimmy)

Sweet, Affectionate Kimmy!

Kimmy smiling and getting her first bath ever

Hi, my name is Kimmy and I am still looking for my forever home. If you bring me home, I guarantee that I will be the sweetest companion because I simply love humans! I will give you kisses and lots of hugs every day! I am about 5-6 years old, small enough to be HDB approved, they say I am almost the same size as a Cocker Spaniel, and have a giant heart full of love! I love home-cooked food and going for walks in the park. I will need some time adjusting to other dogs but cats, cats are the enemy! Just kidding, I think I can learn to love them too if you teach me how.

Kimmy is HDB approved! She is very small and 13kg only.

Finally getting to chill and enjoy the life she deserves. Kimmy walks very well on leash

I used to live on a golf course, and can remember feeling the grass on my paws as I ran happily up and down. One day, someone made a complaint because they didn’t like the sight of me and my freedom, so the management caught me and locked me up in a makeshift shed. Overnight, I lost my freedom and my life. I could no longer feel the grass under my paws, neither could I run and play. He told me that other heartless humans who played the silly game with a stick and a ball made him do it, and this was the better alternative to being sent to the place where we go to sleep forever. I looked at him with sad eyes but accepted my fate. I stayed in the small makeshift shed for a year, often going hungry, so hungry, for days because no one remembered to feed me. When they did remember, I only had scraps of bread and this caused me to have food intolerence which resulted in diarrhea and I was in a lot of pain as my anus was sticking out from the constant diarrhea! I was tick infested and my shed was filled with poo for months on end. . . imagine the stench and filth I lived in. I could only sniff the air outside and remember what it was like to be free.

All we could do was sniff the outside air

I started losing weight and my fur was so badly matted that I barely resembled a dog. I guess one of the workers must have felt very sorry for me and contacted Hope. Hope volunteers came to visit me and found that I had 3 other friends locked up with me too in separate sheds next door, but they took me first as my condition was the worst. I was sick, coughing, had a rectal prolapse from all that diarrhea, and had  severe heartworm. The workers agreed to release me to the volunteers, who rushed me to the vet where I was warded immediately.

Kimmy had a rectal prolapse - caused by long term diarrhea and  a food allergy to bread; the workers fed her plain bread as and when they remembered to feed her.

My friends I left behind

They continue to live in the makeshift shed

My third friend that I left behind - taken for her weekend walk by a Hope volunteer

Months have passed and I am all better now. Where most dogs only need one round of heartworm treatment, I needed two rounds of heartworm treatment as our makeshift sheds had tons of mosquitoes and I was bitten mercilessly everyday. A kind lady is sponsoring my stay at a commercial boarding house and I am truly grateful for that. I am happy that I am now out of the horrible makeshift shed. Sadly, three of my friends are still caged there and I had to leave them behind. Hope doesn’t have the capacity to take them out and I can only imagine how cold, wet, sick and hungry they must be as well.

Would you adopt me? I am small, sweet, human friendly, very affectionate and HDB Approved. Take me home so that the volunteers can save the rest of my friends left behind please.

Email the kind humans at hopedogrescue@singnet.com.sg if you want someone to love you forever!

Written By : Ingrid

Wang Wang Rejoices

*Note from HOPE : A picture paints a thousand words and this special article will feature lots of photographs, sharing the ups and downs of a street dog named Wang Wang. We would like to show you photographs of how Wang Wang was, when he was first found on the streets. Just looking at the sorry state he was in, brings tears to our eyes. To add to that, he was almost blind, in pain, suffering and dying.

Wang Wang (right) in the factory before he was rescued

Alone and long suffering

Look at his penis, tumour ridden, he was just leaking pee and yet all he cared about was food and survival

Finally, a bag of bones, at the vet

These are his stories :
http://hopedogrescue.blogspot.sg/2014/12/wang-wang.html
http://hopedogrescue.blogspot.sg/2014/12/i-know-im-dying-wang-wang.html
http://hopedogrescue.blogspot.sg/2014/12/wang-wangs-update-2nd.html

Today, 8 months later, Wang Wang is a much happier dog. Changed, if you could say so. Although he isn't cured from his cancer and pain, he at least has a family who loves him truly and is willing to go to the end of the world with him. Thus we will also be sharing lots of happy photographs.

Wang Wang's case has touched our hearts many a times, over and over again. His courage, his resilience, his never say die attitude, despite being in his darkest hours with no end in sight, he never gave up. Travis was touched by Wang Wang's genteel nature and despite Wang Wang being very sick, him and his family decided to adopt Wang Wang. They took Wang Wang in knowing that life may not be smooth sailing for them. All they wanted to do was to give Wang Wang a home and love. For that, we will forever be grateful to Travis for opening his home and heart to Wang Wang, to love him with all their hearts, making him the happiest doggy in the whole wide world.

Below, Wang Wang's rescuer, Hedy, shares her story.

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Having done volunteer work with stray dogs for some years, I have seen my fair share of injured and pitiful dogs. Wang Wang, however, holds a special place in my heart. He is not just another regular rescue with one of the usual injuries. He is Wang Wang, a wang-der-ful dog that has ‘wang-ed’ (brought prosperity to) many volunteers and his new family. I am so proud and happy to be one of the few people lucky enough to be a part of his furrytail (read fairytale!) and to witness his transformation. Since September 2014 to the time that Hope rescued Wang Wang, I had seen Wang Wang in the nights looking cagey, mucky and very dejected. What struck me then was how raw and bloody his penis was. There were several blood-filled holes in it and half the penis was missing! It was a sight. I shudder to think how painful it must have been for Wang Wang to pee or endure the months of having his bony frame battered by cancerous cells.

Wang Wang clowning around at home

Wang Wang looks so adorable with his Labrador-like innocent and blur face. I could not bear the thought of him having to go through any form of suffering at all. When you look at him, you immediately feel like pinching his cheeks, giving him a dozen (or more!) hugs and showering him with pats and kisses. His eyes seem to say ‘Thank you for loving me even when you know my days are numbered…… I am really grateful! I hope you can feel my love for you too.’ 

I tried seeking help for Wang Wang but to no avail. I really wished I could bring Wang Wang home but I had my hands full with another dog suffering from TVT  and five puppies who had survived parvovirus. I could only look on with despair to see Wang Wang's penis rotting away day by day. I was really up the wall. Thank goodness I found a saviour for Wang Wang in Hope Dog Rescue. In December 2014, I spoke to Hope Dog Rescue and brought them to see Wang Wang. They kindly stepped in to save Wang Wang despite a lack of funds. I cried tears of joy knowing that there is a chance that Wang Wang could finally be saved.

In order to help Wang Wang, we had to trap him first and send him to the vet. In the process of doing so, we realised how wary of humans Wang Wang was. There was no way to coax him to come near us at all. We tried to engage the help of the factory workers but poor Wang Wang was misunderstood even by these workers who lived with him. The workers claimed that it was well-nigh impossible to catch Wang Wang as he was aggressive and would bite. That cannot be further from the truth. How could Wang Wang be aggressive? He is one of the sweetest boys ever. The workers were dismissive of the concerns that we expressed over Wang Wang’s condition. They kept telling us his penis was fine since the rotten parts had already been bitten off in a scuffle over a female dog (there were three male dogs with the same condition in varying degrees of severity). The workers repeatedly told me not to worry as they would apply cincaoyou on him. I flinched. Cincaoyou??? What kind of remedy is that? Poor Wang Wang, what did this sweetheart do to deserve such smarting pain? Wang Wang’s stoic exterior belies his timid, shy, sweet and goofy nature. He looks like he can weather all storms but inside this old man is really just a tired and gentle soul waiting to be loved and protected. One of our volunteers lovingly calls him ‘baby ayam’ to denote how easily spooked this timid little boy is. He most certainly is not an aggressive dog as how the workers had depicted him. 

Once we managed to trap Wang Wang, we rushed him to the vet where the Hope team was already on standby. Everyone was horrified to see the extent of Wang Wang’s lifeless and bloody penis. It was dripping blood like a leaking water tap. Yet, poor Wang Wang had nowhere to go. He had to be warded in and out of four different hospitals due to a lack of cages. Even as a grown-up, I cannot imagine having to be shuttled between four different hospitals when I am already in so much pain. Poor Wang Wang… one can never imagine the pain that he has to go through.

After dealing Wang Wang a cruel hand, fate had worse things in store for him. The vet started Wang Wang on chemotherapy treatment for TVT and had more unpalatable news for us. He informed us that Wang Wang’s cancer cells had multiplied and spread. The pitiful boy now had tumours in his liver and spleen as well, not just his private parts. Wang Wang was too weak to undergo general anaesthesia, so it was not advisable for him to undergo an operation to remove his penis and spleen.

In the interim, we could only continue with the chemotherapy treatment for Wang Wang to keep his cancer cells in check. Before Wang Wang moved to a foster’s place where volunteers took turns to look after him, he stayed in the clinic. He only had four walls for company and had to be quarantined in a tiny, enclosed room. Besides having to endure the pain of chemotherapy, Wang Wang had to learn to deal with loneliness and boredom. With the chemotherapy, Wang Wang became very depressed and downcast. There was no sparkle in his eyes and he had a very poor appetite. We tried means and ways to coax him to eat but he was a stubborn old man (a very cute one though!). From a strong dog who could fight with other dogs for a female dog, he became reduced to skin and bones. Whether it was from a bird’s eye view, side or front view, Wang Wang was thin as a rail. It pained our hearts to see that. 

When Wang Wang could finally be discharged, volunteers took turns to look after him round the clock, showering him with endless tender loving care. They were eager to meet this cute boy whom they had read so much about and went to the foster’s place with great anticipation. When they finally met him, they melted. He was so sweet. Although he was withdrawn and shy, not particularly friendly, they could see that he was very easy to care for and just takes some time to warm up to others. He doesn’t stuff his face into your lap for pats or shower you with licks and kisses, but he is sweet in his own unique Wang style. You can really see the appreciation in his eyes when you pat his head. The volunteers got much gratification from stroking Wang Wang and seeing how it helps him feel loved and get used to human touch. Wang Wang gradually started wagging his tail and following the volunteers around the house. The volunteers were so touched and wanted to cry when they saw Wang Wang’s progress. Wang Wang was at the foster’s place for a really long time, almost 5 months if I am not wrong. The volunteers had grown really attached to Wang Wang during this period of time and were all proud mummies and daddies who looked upon him with great affection. They brought Wang Wang out for walks, fed him his medicine, brought him to the vet, cooked and fed him, played with him, talked to him, took selfies with him, kissed and hugged him and basically just kept him company. Soon, Wang Wang gained weight and confidence. From trying to escape the premises to hiding in a corner of the room, Wang Wang started walking around the house and posing for pictures. He is such a darling! All the volunteers who had the lucky opportunity to care for Wang Wang fell head over heels in love with him and commented on how easy it is to care for him. All Wang Wang needs is plenty of pats, hugs, kisses, a roof over his head, walks and nourishing home cooked meals. He is ok with being left alone to chill at times and does not demand much.

Wang Wang spending quality time with his new Papa Travis.

After several posts about Wang Wang and appeals for him to be fostered or adopted, no offers were forthcoming. The Hope team was getting very worried. Wang Wang also seemed to be wondering where his furever home was. Then came 4 May 2015, when a lovely family stepped forward to ask about Wang Wang. Somehow, this family felt different. From the start, it felt like this was it. Of course, we had our doubts too, but this family was very sincere and we decided to give this family and Wang Wang a chance. Boy, are we happy we made this decision. It was one of the best decisions Hope had made. Wang Wang had found the perfect missing piece in his life.

Gone Fishing!

Wang Wang's new siblings

When the volunteers sent Wang Wang to his new home, Wang Wang seemed to know he was going to leave the place he had gotten so used to for the past few months and refused to smile in any of the photographs that the volunteers took of him. His tail was tucked in and he did not seem his usual self. He refused to drink or eat when he first arrived at his new adopter’s place, but the Hope team taught Wang Wang’s adopter how to dab some water on his mouth and showed the family what to feed him, how to walk him and how to take care of him. Soon, Wang Wang got accustomed to his new family. The kind adopter and his family got on famously with Wang Wang. They loved each other and went on outings with each other. The adopter would brush Wang Wang’s fur after each walk, clean his paws, play with him and shower him with all their love. There was once they even dressed Wang Wang up as a fisherman! How adorable! They also put Wang Wang’s photos up on their wall. So sweet and cute! Wang Wang loves the family so much that when the Hope team went to visit him recently, he seemed so afraid that we would take him away to a foreign place again. Wang Wang has really blossomed into a happy smiley boy and we are all really happy for and proud of him. Bless you Wang Wang. You must have been an angel in your past life. You still are and will always be.

Photographs of Wang Wang take centrestage in his new home

On behalf of Wang Wang, THANK YOU TRAVIS and your two cute darlings for loving Wang Wang!!! With your love and warmth, Wang Wang has forgotten his suffering and the fact that he may not have long to live… he finally has a family of his own and can spend his final days in happiness. Wang Wang has left a huge paw print in all our Hope volunteers’ hearts. We are sure he has left many pawprints in your family too (both literally and non-literally) and will always be a part of your family. Wang Wang lives happy ever after! YAY!!!

Wang Wang enjoying a stroll in the park, no longer having to worry about being attacked by other strays

Written by Hedy (Wang Wang’s rescuer)