Noah’s Ark Garden Tea Party for Fur Kids!

LAST CALL FOR REGISTRATION! Hurry! Your dogs say they want to go!

Register for our Noah’s Ark Garden Tea Party and enjoy your tea for a good cause. Remember the date, Sunday, 6 December.

Proceeds from the tea party will go towards our sterilization work, Project Industrial Dogs, as well as the upkeep of our animals at the sanctuary in JB. Moreover, Nicholas Lee of Furry Photos will be at doggie tea party to take pics of the dogs as a door gift (See http://www.furry-photos.com/). Limited to 1 photo per dog.

We hope you will join us for some good tea and even better company!

Cost: $28 per head

$15 per dog

Date: Sunday, 6 December '09

Time: 4pm to 6 pm

Venue: Nyee Phoe Flower Garden
240 Neo Tiew Crescent
Singapore 718898

For map and directions, please scroll down.

To secure your place, please do the following:

1) Email us at info@noahsarkcares.com with the number of humans and dogs attending,

• owners name and contact details
• Please indicate “NA Garden Tea Party” on your subject heading
  

2) Send us a cheque written out to “Noah’s Ark CARES” and mail to 42 Cairnhill Road, #02-01 S(229661) or

3) For internet banking – bank details pls look at the right hand column of this page. Kindly indicate your full name and "tea party" on the transaction.

Closing date for registration has been EXTENDED.

Please book early to avoid disappointing your dog. :)

I look forward to seeing my fur friends at the Doggy Tea Party!

With licks and barks,
Mr Zeus Mongrel

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Location Map

Driving Directions
Route 1

From City – PIE/ BKE or SLE/ TPE/ CTE > Turn into Turf Club Ave > Kranji Road (Railway track) > Left turn to Kranji Loop (Chinese temple) > Kranji Way (Kranji dam) > Neo Tiew Road > Right turn at first junction to Neo Tiew Crescent

Route 2
From PIE/ KJE > Turn into Choa Chu Kang Way (Warren Golf Course) > Sungei Kadut Drive (Winter Funishing) > Left turn to Kranji Way (Kranji dam) > Neo Tiew Road > Right turn at first junction to Neo Tiew Crescent

Route 3
From Bukit Timah > Woodlands Road > Left turn to Sungei Kadut Ave > Right trun to Sungei Kadut St 1 > Right turn to Sungei Kadut Drive > Left turn to Kranji Way (Kranji dam) > Neo Tiew Road > Right turn at first junction to Neo Tiew Crescent

Route 4
From Jurong > Jalan Bahar > Right trun to Neo Tiew Road > Left turn to Neo Tiew Crescent

Nom Nom Nom...

September's Will to Live

Thank you everyone for your overwhelming response to little September’s plight. He has been discharged and has gone home. His siblings were delighted to have him back with them! They were jumping all over him and we had to be very careful not to have them play rough, lest he starts bleeding again – and he DOES bleed very easily.


September, weak after the blood transfusion


Still not feeling too good...


Sitting quietly in the hospital

Little September’s neck is still slightly swollen and the abscess still needs to be drained out but his tiny body seems to have accepted his new blood from Kiro and is recovering well. He had used up the two bags of blood donated by Kiro.


On the road to recovery!

Our initial plans were to test the other six dwarfs for the same blood disorder but we have been told that no Vets in Singapore carry out this test. The only option might be to have a vet take the puppies blood, then send it to a laboratory (for humans) and test the blood for this disorder, but that would mean needing connections and inside help to have this procedure carried out. We are still thinking of ways to go about this.


Healthy and loving life!

In the mean time, little September thanks EVERYBODY for their kind prayers, their generous donations, their overwhelming support and love. All his siblings have also received their second vaccination and are all healthy and well. Thank goodness for that!

Two of the seven dwarfs have already been adopted and will go to their new families this weekend. The other 5 dwarfs are available for adoption. However, should you wish to adopt them, please bear in mind that they should be checked for cuts and scratches regularly. Hopefully as they grow older, they will be stronger and tougher.

The seven dwarfs will not be able to live in Noah’s Ark because of the rough terrain and as we know, dogs will be dogs, rough play may hurt them and with no emergency facilities near Noah’s Ark, they may bleed to death.

Should you or your friends be keen to adopt any of the remaining 5 dwarfs, please do email us at info@noahsarkcares.com Know that for every dog you adopt, you are saving two lives - the dog you adopt and the dog you are making room for. Choose to adopt and save two lives at once!

Once again, thank you for your support and belief in the work we do. Please stay tuned to our next story on Kiro, our hero.

A Rare Blood Disorder

DISCLAIMER: THERE MAY BE CERTAIN PICTURES THAT MAY MAKE YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE. IF SUCH, WE WOULD ADVISE YOU NOT TO SCROLL DOWN. THANK YOU.

This story was written by Puppy September.


Hello! I am September, one of the 7 rescued puppies.

All seven of us have been treated like we’re the most precious creatures on this planet. We have been eating well and have never seen such delicious food in our lives. Real good food. All we do is eat, sleep and play – the life that puppies truly deserve We heard the humans saying that we were very sweet and adorable. For the first time in many weeks, we sleep without a care in the world, we play like little monsters in our foster home – our new safe and secure playground.


Puppies sleeping

Two of my siblings still have slight diarrhea and some blood in their stools but it seems to be gradually clearing up. One morning, all seven of us were packed into two large pet carriers and we heard our foster saying that they were taking us to the Vet to see if our blood levels were at a safer level, if our gums were more pink and we could then be microchipped and receive our first vaccination.

We arrived at Mt Pleasant (Sunset Way) and were seen by Dr Leslie Teo. We were all on our best behaviour while she checked our gums and said we were very sweet. With proper regular meals and nutrition, our gums were now a healthy pink and she vaccinated and microchipped all of us. It hurt a little but we didn’t mind. We now knew these humans meant us no harm as we had never felt so loved in our entire lives. We began to trust humans.

After I was microchipped and vaccinated, I heard Dr Leslie saying I was bleeding a little from my microchip wound. She put a bandage over the back of my neck and told the foster that all of us could go home. We were all of two months old.

By the time I got home, I was feeling slightly sleepy and drowsy. I heard the foster say that my bandage was soaked in blood and she changed a new bandage for me. I must have fallen asleep... When I awoke, my bandage was changed for the second time and I heard that I should be taken back to the vet. I was losing too much blood. It was evening by then.

By dinner time, my blood level was dangerously low. Dr Leslie had gone off duty and I was seen by Dr William Chan. He said I need an immediate blood transfusion or I would not make it through the night. It was at this moment that Dr Chan informed Aunty Lynda that I had a rare blood disorder. This means that my blood could not clot, (To read more about blood disorders for dogs, please click here: http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/7696.asp) which explained why I bled continuously all day.

They called Aunty Lynda and informed her to bring a dog down to donate some blood to me right away. Aunty Lynda rushed down to the vet with two dogs – who were waiting to be adopted; Shin, a husky and Junior, a cross breed. In order to donate blood, the dog donor must be between two to five years old, 25 kg and above, be on Heartguard and fully vaccinated.

Blood samples were taken from Junior but Shin refused to have his blood taken. He seemed afraid of the needle. I lay in the cage at the vet, blood slowly flowing out of my tiny wound and I was feeling more drowsy by the minute. After what seemed like eternity, the blood sample results were ready. Junior’s blood did not match mine. Aunty Lynda was extremely worried and I heard her on the telephone, desperately calling as many people as she could, asking them if they could please bring their dogs down to the vet immediately to see if their blood matched mine and if they could save my life.

It was 8.30pm and the clinic was closing. Dr William Chan advised Aunty Lynda to transfer me to Mt Pleasant (Stevens Road) as they would have a Vet on duty throughout the night, in case my condition deteriorated further. By this time, Aunty Fiona had arrived with Aunty Ruth.

The three Aunties made more desperate calls for help and it was agreed that Aunty Lynda would carry me to her car and drive me to the main hospital, while Aunty Fiona would bring Shin and Junior home, and bring Mei Mei (http://noahsarkcares.blogspot.com/2008/07/mei-mei-lovely-lady.html) and meet at the hospital. Aunty Ruth also rushed home to bring her dog, Kori, to see if she could donate blood to me. (http://noahsarkcares.blogspot.com/2009/03/koris-adoption.html) Aunty Ruth’s sister, Ester, would also come with her dog, Kiro and Aunty Rachel would bring Prince. (http://noahsarkcares.blogspot.com/2008/10/from-rags-to-riches-princes-update.html)


Mei Mei going through the blood test


Kori going through the blood test


Kiro going through the blood test


Prince going through the blood test

By the time everyone had rushed home to fetch their dogs and made it to the clinic, it was past 10pm and I was already in a deep sleep. The Vet on duty at the hospital, was Dr Cheryl Ho. Having lost too much blood, I was extremely weak, lying motionless in my cage, oblivious to all the commotion happening around me. It was heartwarming to see all these Aunties desperately fetching various dogs to the hospital to see if they could help. It was like a Noah’s Ark dog gathering of a different kind, with many of the dogs adopted from Noah’s Ark and most of these dogs had similar backgrounds to me, where all of us came from industrial estates or construction sites. In all, seven dogs arrived at the hospital to help me.

Blood samples were taken from all seven dogs, to find a match for me. Each blood sample taken, was a cost incurred to Noah’s Ark. It was not cheap, but I heard the Aunties saying they would do all they can to help raise funds to help me. The results would take half an hour. The Aunties were hungry and tired as many of them had rushed down straight from work to help me.

My fosterer arrived at the hospital and immediately rushed in to see me. She stroked and spoke to me while I lay sound asleep. Tears flowed down her cheeks and she told me that I would be alright and hoped I would make it through the night. Why was she so upset? I had a tough childhood and I had been saved from the grasp of death, why would I now give up on life just when things were looking brighter? My 6 siblings and I are all survivors, and I WILL make it through the night.


Weak and barely able to move

The blood results were out and the Dr DID find a match with Kiro’s blood. So it was decided that Kiro would donate his blood to save my life. Aunty Lynda and Aunty Fiona thanked all the volunteers as they wished me luck and kissed my limp body before they left. My body was extremely swollen and bloated as blood continued to slowly ooze out from my microchip wound. By now, my gums were extremely pale and my breathing laboured.

Aunty Lynda sent Mei Mei home, while Aunty Fiona and Aunty Ruth stayed at the hospital to be with me. Aunty Ester then took her dog, Kiro, into the consultation room to start the blood donation process. Kiro was a strong and brave dog, he stood firmly as blood was drawn from his neck. The process was painful and one full bag of blood was needed. There were times when Kiro looked weak, as if he would faint, as blood was drawn from him, but Aunty Ruth & Aunty Ester praised and encouraged him to be strong for my sake.


Kiro's blood being drawn

After a long painful process, a full bag of blood was drawn from Kiro. The blood was immediately brought over to my cage and the transfusion process begun, with Kiro’s blood slowly flowing into my limp body. I heard Dr Ho telling my fosterer that there was no guarantee that my body would accept the new blood. It would take up to 3 days to know if my body would accept or reject the new blood and to not get their hopes up just yet.


Kiro standing brave and strong as his blood was taken

After Kiro had rested for twenty minutes, it was again decided that another bag of blood would be taken from him, just to standby for me. Poor Kiro, already weak from the first blood transfusion and slightly scared by the experience, was again brought to the consultation room for blood to be drawn from the other side of his neck. As Kiro’s blood flowed into my tiny body, I heard the foster saying that my gums were less pale. I was still in a deep sleep, not having any energy to even open my eyes.


Blood transfusion being done...look at how small I am, and my body was extremely bloated.


Unaware of everything that was happening around me


Look at the swelling on the back of my neck, just from the tiny microchip. The abscess needed to be drained out.

Kiro’s second bag of blood was kept on standby for my use, after the first bag was done. Kiro was carried to his Mommy’s car as he was by now, weak and pretty scared of being in the hospital. He was bleeding slightly from his neck but all he wanted was for his mommy to take him home.

It was way past midnight when Aunty Ruth and Aunty Ester left with their dogs. Aunty Fiona and my fosterer kissed me good night before they left and said they would come and see me the next day. As I drifted off to sleep, I could feel my strength returning to me . . . .these humans are nice . . . . .

The 7 dwarfs

DISCLAIMER: THERE MAY BE CERTAIN PICTURES THAT MAY MAKE YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE. IF SUCH, WE WOULD ADVISE YOU NOT TO SCROLL DOWN. THANK YOU.


The seven little darlings were taken to the Vet for their vaccinations the following day. Dr Prakash from Mt Pleasant (Stevens Road) checked all the puppies and noted that apart from their extremely bloated tummies, all of them seemed unwell and had extremely pale gums. For their safety, they could not be vaccinated and had to go back to the vet for another review a few days later.


The puppies, by now, all had blood in their stools and were all having bad diarrhea. Volunteers had informed the Vet about the puppies’ living conditions and what they had been eating. Blood tests were ordered for all the puppies, including tests for Parvo Virus. With so many puppies being terribly unwell, the bill came up to quite a substantial amount.


Don’t worry, we’ll be alright.

Dr Prakash found that ALL the puppies had hook worms. (Please click on http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2090&aid=747 to read up more on Hook Worms) Hook worms generally live in the dog’s intestines and sucks blood from the dog’s intestinal walls – which explained why all the pups had extremely pale gums. Their blood counts were extremely low and they were all given dewormer pills and sent back to a foster.The puppy with her injured leg was fortunate that her tiny bones were not broken, although she did have a rather big wound on her leg and the skin around it was dead. She was given lots of antibiotics and her tiny leg was wrapped up.

That night, most of the puppies poo-ed out worms in their stools, which is common after being dewormed. The little girl that had an injured leg threw up a huge pile of live worms. It was an extremely gruesome and painful sight to see so many worms coming out from one tiny puppy, alive and wriggling. In rare and severe cases, puppies do actually vomit large quantities of live worms.

Vomit filled with worms

The puppies were monitored and we have had well-wishers donating puppy food and puppy milk to them. Also, the puppies have been eating well – they have 4 meals a day and they eat like there is no tomorrow. Living the way they previously did before rescue...we certainly don’t blame them.



The food was too good to resist and they ate it all up.


Looking so much better as compared to when they were first rescued,
In a few days time, the puppies would be going back to the vet for a check. Hopefully their gums would be more pinkish, they would no longer have hook worms in them, and they can be vaccinated and microchipped.




The 7 adorable puppies

Stay tuned for more updates and if you wish to help these little ones in any way, please do kindly send us an email. Thank you.

This is not our playground

DISCLAIMER: THERE MAY BE CERTAIN PICTURES THAT MAY MAKE YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE. IF SUCH, WE WOULD ADVISE YOU NOT TO SCROLL DOWN. THANK YOU.

Our mommy gave birth to 10 of us puppies at a construction site. The first thing our bodies touched when we came out to the world, was the cold soil on the ground, strewn with nails and metal scraps. Mommy chose to give birth to us deep behind some metal beams where no one would ever see or find us. Our mommy did not care for us nor give us milk – she spent her days roaming the streets for food, eating stale food left behind by workers and leaving us to fend for ourselves. Mommy went on for days without food. So did we.

The place we called home
We were barely a few weeks old, our eyes had hardly opened but we could smell the scent of leftover food in the distant garbage bins and the sourish smell made us very hungry. At that moment, the smell of stale food was the most delicious scent we had ever known.

Where mommy gave birth to us, there was little shelter from the sun and rain, but we liked the rain because that was the only time we had water to drink and rain water was the only meal we had. To us, it helped fill our little tummies, but it made us bloated too. We also looked forward to the rain soaking into the soil – as the soil was the only solid food we had. No one knew we existed, hidden behind the beams, so it wasn't surprising no one came to feed us.

That first one month of our lives was absolutely miserable, with our days being occupied with thoughts of extreme hunger while we lived in conditions of the extreme heat or wet rain. When it poured, we stuck close together to keep each other warm. Life was pure torture and we could not imagine another 10 years of living life this way.

Puppies eating the soil after the rain

Our nights were terrifying when the rats that scurried around us were twice our size and the noise they made sent shivers down our little spines. All this time, Mommy was nowhere to be seen. During the day, the heat was unbearable and we tried hiding under or inside the metal beams to seek shelter from the sweltering heat. That was how our first sibling was killed. He was trying to hide from the scorching sun and he didn’t see the workers using the forklift to lay down the metal pipes. In an intsant, he was crushed and died immediately. The painful cry he let out pierced the air and we remembered that sound for days.

Puppy crushed to death

Now, there were 9 of us left, and we were barely a month old. One night, we heard people talking beyond the metal beams were we lived. We saw flashes from their torch lights and we cried as loud as our weak little lungs could, in the hope that they would hear us, find us, feed us and save us. We heard them asking the workers where the puppies were, but most of the workers were either unaware we existed or said it was too dark and dangerous to find us. We also heard them saying that mommy was very skittish and wary of humans and thus could not be caught for sterilization. They spoke amongst themselves and we heard them say it was too dark and dangerous to search for us and that they would come back the next night with more light and more pet carriers.

We were hidden deep inside this rubble

After what seemed like eternity, the voices drifted off and our only hopes faded into the night . . . . .

In the evenings, when all the heavy machinery around us stopped working, my siblings and I, would play on the metal beams – it was the only home and it was our playground. Suddenly, without any warning, one beam shifted and instantly crushed two of my siblings. Immediately, they were flattened - gone forever. We cried loudly but no one seemed to hear us.

Another puppy crushed to death

Nightfall came again and we heard the sound of a van pulling up. We also heard the same familiar voices that said that they would come back search for us. Today, we saw who they were. The volunteers were three ladies holding torch lights. Again, we cried as loudly as we could, praying that they would hear and find us hidden behind all the metal beams.

We could hear them telling each other not to slip while standing on the beams. We also heard them commenting about the lingering stench that smelt horrible. While trying to get to where we were, they saw the source of the stench: lots of bloody stools on the surrounding soil. These stools were produced by our poor little bodies.

Bloody stools from the puppies

We tried running away when we first saw them as we were unsure of their intentions. Yet, their voices were soothing and reassuring, telling us they would take us to a much better place. The first to be saved was my brother. This was because he was stuck precariously on a metal beam as his left leg was wedged in between the beams. We could see blood from his leg that was still fresh and dripping.


Beams haphazardly put, resulting in the puppy's fall into a gap

Puppy unable to move as his leg was caught

Trying to extract the puppy without further hurting it

Puppy's leg was stuck and volunteer could not move too much as the wooden planks could shift and hurt the puppy further
They extracted him, washed his leg and placed him into a pet carrier. We heard him squealing, as he wanted to be with us.


Puppy with blood oozing out from his leg wound

Next, these nice people took another two of my siblings, whom they found eating soil that strewn with metal shavings. Soon, all three siblings were put safely in the pet carrier. The volunteers searched deeper and found another of our sibling's hidden inside a metal beam. She too, was taken to safety.

Puppy hiding inside the beam

I heard one of the volunteers shouting in despair when she saw my two siblings, crushed between the metal beams. They wanted to help but it was inaccessible to them and they would have put themselves in danger had they tried to shift the beams. The volunteers had wanted to remove my dead siblings as felt that my two dead siblings deserved a proper burial, bless their souls.

Lifeless bodies of the two crushed puppies

The rest of us were soon caught and brought to the van. At that time, all our bodies were covered with mud, blood and pooh. Eventually, all seven of us were soon in three pet carriers and were brought to a volunteers home. My brother with the bleeding leg was first to be taken out. His wound was a big gaping hole with blood oozing out and it needed immediate medical attention.

Injured puppy being taken out of the carrier

The volunteers washed the wound carefully, gave him a nice warm bath before wrapping him up in a soft towel. Then they applied medication on his leg, cleaned his tick infested ears and put him back into the newly cleaned carrier.

One by one we were taken for a nice warm bath, checked for injuries, had our ears cleaned and wrapped up in towels that felt nice and warm. We never smelt this good nor felt so clean. At this point, we were only 7 weeks old.

After all this, we were put back into the pet carriers and given CLEAN fresh water to drink. To us, it was the sweetest drink we had ever tasted. Altogether, the volunteers took all of four hours to rescue and get us cleaned up. It was past midnight by the time they were done.

They kissed each and everyone of us good night and gave us a cuddle before they left. They also told us they would take us to the vet the next day to have all of us checked out and vaccinated.

We were rescued by humans – nice humans for that matter, and that night, for the first time in 7 weeks, we slept like babies. Nice, clean and warm and not having to worry about a thing in the world. I never thought I would see the bright light at the end of the tunnel, but there it was, shining brightly for all of us.

All cleaned up and smelling goooooood
For all of you reading this story and moved by our plight, please know that we are not the only ones out there. There are MANY MANY more puppies, unsterilized mommies, living out there and no one knows they exist. They only appear during the night because during daylight, their safety and lives are often threatened by humans, heavy vehicles and machinery, due to the surroundings they live in.

Please help Noah’s Ark. Their kindness has helped give us a proper life, a life we all deserve. Help them. Donate to them. Not just to pay for our puppy food, our medical expenses, vaccinations, microchips, but donate generously to them and their Project Industrial Dogs http://noahsarkcares.blogspot.com/2008/09/project-industrial-dogs-importance-of.html so that they may sterilize more stray dogs, and prevent more unwanted and unnecessary births.

No one should live the way we did. No one.

Noah's Ark Tea Party - 6th Dec

LAST CALL FOR REGISTRATION!

Register for our Noah’s Ark Garden Tea Party and enjoy your tea for a good cause. Remember the date, Sunday, 6 December.

Proceeds from the tea party will go towards our sterilization work, Project Industrial Dogs, as well as the upkeep of our animals at the sanctuary in JB.

We hope you will join us for some good tea and even better company!

Cost: $28 per head

$15 per dog

Date: Sunday, 6 December '09

Time: 4pm to 6 pm

Venue: Nyee Phoe Flower Garden
240 Neo Tiew Crescent
Singapore 718898

For map and directions, please scroll down.

To secure your place, please do the following:

1) Email us at info@noahsarkcares.com with the number of humans and dogs attending,

• owners name and contact details


• Please indicate “NA Garden Tea Party” on your subject heading
  

2) Send us a cheque written out to “Noah’s Ark CARES” and mail to 42 Cairnhill Road, #02-01 S(229661) or

3) For internet banking – bank details pls look at the right hand column of this page. Kindly indicate your full name and "tea party" on the transaction.

Closing date for registration has been EXTENDED.

Please book early to avoid disappointing your dog. :)

I look forward to seeing my fur friends at the Doggy Tea Party!

With licks and barks,
Mr Zeus Mongrel

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Location Map

Driving Directions
Route 1

From City – PIE/ BKE or SLE/ TPE/ CTE > Turn into Turf Club Ave > Kranji Road (Railway track) > Left turn to Kranji Loop (Chinese temple) > Kranji Way (Kranji dam) > Neo Tiew Road > Right turn at first junction to Neo Tiew Crescent

Route 2
From PIE/ KJE > Turn into Choa Chu Kang Way (Warren Golf Course) > Sungei Kadut Drive (Winter Funishing) > Left turn to Kranji Way (Kranji dam) > Neo Tiew Road > Right turn at first junction to Neo Tiew Crescent

Route 3
From Bukit Timah > Woodlands Road > Left turn to Sungei Kadut Ave > Right trun to Sungei Kadut St 1 > Right turn to Sungei Kadut Drive > Left turn to Kranji Way (Kranji dam) > Neo Tiew Road > Right turn at first junction to Neo Tiew Crescent

Route 4
From Jurong > Jalan Bahar > Right trun to Neo Tiew Road > Left turn to Neo Tiew Crescent

Nom Nom Nom...

HOW COULD YOU? - By Jim Willis, 2001

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.

Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog ," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of...hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked, "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.

When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days.

As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured, "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said, "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

A Note from the Author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year in animal shelters. Please use this to help and educate. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals. This IS the reality of dogs given up to shelters!

Yuki at SPCA waiting for someone to save her

Yuki at SPCA

Yuki having been bailed out from SPCA and going to the Vet for a full medical check up.

This Chow Chow was abandoned by its owner. She is 10 yrs old and her name in Yuki. Her irresponsible owner opened the gates and let the dog out. When the dog was picked up by SPCA, the owner told someone to lie that he was out of town and to put the dog down. Fortunately we got wind of it in time and Yuki was bailed out from SPCA and is now living in a boarding facility, waiting for someone to love her again.

After some tender loving care in her foster home, this is how she looks like today. The next 3 pictures show Yuki cleaned & groomed. According to the Vet, she is in perfect health and is now with a fosterer.

Seeing her much improved condition, we believe this is how powerful love can be. Should you know of anyone who wouldn't mind welcoming her into their home and heart, please contact us @ info@noahsarkcares.com

Remember... They love you UNCONDITIONALLY, so don't be cruel to them.