I often see James lingering around the coffeeshop in the area of some
factories where I feed strays. He is a big-headed friendly boy who will be
one of the first to come forth for food, unlike the girls there who are more shy.
Being a territorial alpha male, James often got into fights and ended up with
injuries, but for the past few times he recovered with medication. I
heard from a few stallholders at the coffeeshop that James used to belong to
someone. The “owner” would still visit him in the past but he has not been seen
for a long while. Perhaps this “owner” was a factory worker whose premises
relocated or that he returned to his country? If only James could tell me more
about him.
One of James' previous wounds
I was heading home one weekend evening and happened to go by
the coffeeshop area when I saw James strolling slowly along the provision
shops. I stopped my car wanting to give him some food but got a rude shock when
he turned. There he was with a huge gaping bite wound on his neck that was
still dripping with blood. The wound was certainly not a fresh one for it
already smelled infected. Come to think of it, I had not seen him for close to
two weeks and merely thought he was elsewhere.
After feeding him some food which he feebly gobbled down, I
went off to get a carrier and equipment. I also brought along a friend to
help and was back at the coffeeshop after night fell. This time James was
walking in between tables at the coffeeshop where patrons were dining. The
stench from the wound was strong. How could anyone just turn a blind eye to his
pain and agony?
It was a tough struggle attempting to loop James’ neck and
force him into the carrier. As usual, the scene attracted a crowd of curious
onlookers (which happens pretty often when we attempt to catch dogs). I guess
they do not know what we are trying to do and some would even ask if we are the authorities. We would always try to explain to them that we are bringing
the dog to the vet either for sterilization or to seek medical attention.
Luck was on our side and we managed to successfully nab him.
The lower part of his neck and our leash were all wet with pus from the wound.
The side of the carrier that James’ wound had leaned on was as well. Once
inside the carrier, James seemed to know that it was futile putting on a
struggle further. He actually laid down
and he seemed much more exhausted than we were. Tired, hungry, weak and
helpless. We could not be more thankful that we successfully accomplished our
mission, for without proper medical treatment this time, James would not have
survived for long.
The very next day, James was brought to the vet. The vet
took a long time to clean his wound – one huge hole plus three smaller holes at
the side. His wound was stitched up and a tube was inserted to drain out the
pus. He had to go back to the vet in two weeks’ time for the removal of
stitches and tube but could meanwhile be discharged.
We thought that was all and that he would slowly be on the
road to recovery. It was apparently not so. As James was sedated at the vet earlier, the
fosterer thought he would sleep soundly through the night and thus left him
only on a leash. However, in the wee hours of the night, he broke the leash and
scaled the wall out! We embarked on a dog-hunt over the next few days and even
went back to the coffeeshop area to ask around.
James was by chance sighted at the next lane a few days
after and we gave chase both on a bicycle and a car. He finally went weak on
his legs and we forcefully surrounded and caught him again. Thinking back now,
it must have been a hilarious sight but at the point of time, we were just
desperate to do anything to get him back.
Back to the vet James went as his wound got further infected
from the unhygienic surroundings he was roaming in for the past few days. This
time round, he has to be confined till he fully recovers for we might not be so
lucky to get him back again.
James is actually a goofy boy who loves attention. Though he
might look a bit intimidating, a rub on his head will have him asking for more,
a sight which melts your heart. We urge any interested party looking for a
family companion to come forth for adoption. We also hope to get your help to
cover his medical expenses so that we can help more dogs like him. Please email
us at noahsarkcares@gmail.com. Thank you.
