Bobby and his tumor..

“Bobby” – does this name ring a bell? Did you ever buy a cute little Jack Russell Terrier (JRT) puppy from a pet shop in north-eastern Singapore many years back, and had the word “dog offer” and “no return” scribbled on your receipt? The little one whom you once loved had his birthday on Valentine’s Day (14th February) and who went home with you when he was slightly over three months old? Even though this little life was only a monetary transaction to the pet shop, you who bought him, have a lifetime responsibility towards him. We do not know what circumstances led you to give him up shortly after, but to a wrong home.

A kind lady J sent us some photos one fateful morning, which did not make us think twice. The rusty cage showed a JRT with skin condition but what was most alarming was, he had a huge growth under his chin and in the background of the photo, we see.. leftover human food and pieces of bread with shredded up and wet newspapers strewn all over. It was by a stroke of luck that J overheard her mum on the phone with an elderly neighbour who lives on a different floor. J has always known that they had a dog but did not know that he lived in such dire conditions, until one day the elderly neighbour mentioned her granddaughter was going to get rid of the dog.

The initial photos sent to us 

J wanted to help to rehome the dog as she has pets herself too, and thus popped by the elderly neighbour’s place to check out the dog. Nothing could prepare her for what she saw and she was literally dumbfounded at the stage of neglect Bobby was in. No one knows for sure how long Bobby has been staying in that smelly and filthy cage as the elderly neighbour’s memory was failing her, but it has been years. There is no one physically capable to care for the dog, as the granddaughter who adopted this dog is frequently not home. J wanted Bobby to leave that place like immediately. After linking up with us, J helped to bring Bobby in to our regular vet.

Poor skin condition

Long and unkempt nails

Bobby is eight years old this year and is surprisingly not in that bad health as expected. He has skin issues – from poor diet and his horrendous living condition, and also from hypothyroidism. A fine needle aspirate was done on the huge growth under his chin but did not yield much result. The growth will be sent for testing after surgery which has been scheduled at the end of the month. The vet will like to let Bobby’s health stabilize first as the growth is not life threatening after all and he is not in pain.

After a shower at the vet (Photo from https://www.facebook.com/mountpleasantveterinarygroup/photos/a.347281052145271.1073741828.346781535528556/452288981644477/?type=3&theater)

We have been asked if we will lodge a report with the authorities but we have decided against it. It is not because we condone such irresponsible actions which we certainly have zero tolerance for but the elderly neighbour is a 90 year old granny. Her family is rather complicated but it is not for us to judge and comment. The granny is barely able to care for herself and the other occupant in her house who has special needs. And the granny was just too grateful that we could find Bobby another home, as no one else cared and she is too old to do anything.

Bobby is under foster care for now, and we are looking at finding a permanent home for him. He is a cheerful and active boy thankfully not affected by his few years of living in the cage. This is the festive season and we also have a couple of other dogs boarded locally with medical issues as well which we have been caring for. Will you help us with Bobby and friends this Christmas? Do email noahsarkcares@gmail.com if you can give Bobby a home or if you can help with his medical bills. Thank you!

Made himself at home within minutes!

 

Fosterer kept him within an enclosed area to let him settle in for the first night

 

Sleeping comfortably!

Little Mandy for Adoption!

We had friends and supporters writing in to us asking how is the little girl (http://noahsarkcares.blogspot.sg/2015/03/in-memory-of-small-seng-and-next-we.html). Well, our first response was: “Never been better!” Mandy is a fun-loving and playful little imp, pretty active for her age but very loving and attention seeking. On the greedy side but excellent temperament and her confidence is slowly building up!

As scheduled, we picked Mandy up from Madam C last week. We will say Madam C and family does love her but circumstances do not allow them to provide a suitable environment for Mandy. This is sadly their current living condition https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.805745629511598.1073741918.344636542289178&type=1 and the voluntary group “A Packet of Rice” who appealed for help to rehome Mandy is in the midst of gathering help to clean up their flat and let them move on with life thereafter. Madam C unwillingly bid farewell to Mandy as we took her away, and we gave Madam C our word that we will find a good home for Mandy.

Where Mandy stayed

Mandy getting excited on going out

 

Mandy’s poor skin condition due to improper diet and unsuitable living environment

We brought Mandy to a volunteer’s place to give her a groom and bath. She is a curious little girl and extremely responsive to her name. Her eyes are bright and soulful, and her little tail wags easily once excited. She is however, a thin and messy frame for now. She was no doubt scared but very co-operative throughout the entire grooming process.

Mandy looking around while we prepare to groom her

 

Nails that needed trimming

 

Badly matted fur

 

After grooming and a good bath

 

Extremely dirty ears

Mandy went to the vet a few days later and we did a medical checkup on her. She is not likely to be spayed but will need to put on some weight before undergoing the operation. The soft lump on her belly is an umbilical hernia which can easily be fixed during spaying. Her blood work is generally fine - though her kidney level is slightly above average but the vet advised there is no need to be alarmed for now. The vet prescribed some medication for her skin condition and Mandy is to return for a review in a month’s time.

Mandy at the vet

We need a permanent home for 8 year old Mandy now as this petite shih tzu is just being fostered at the moment. No doubt her fosterer loves her (from all the stuff she brought back for Mandy from the Pet Expo) but Mandy deserves a family of her own after all. She is certainly good with kids as Madam C has young children herself, and will certainly make a lovely addition to any family. To find out more about Mandy and adopting her, please email noahsarkcares@gmail.com. Thank you!

 

Mandy with lots of goodies!

Cycle & Carriage - Irish Red Setters

Hello hello!

My name is Cycle and and I am an Irish Red Setter.

I came to Noah's Ark 8 years ago in the big shift from Singapore to Pekan Nanas. I have a sister and her name is Carriage.

Word has it that a wealthy man paid a deposit for us to be imported from Australia. However, he was too busy to take care of us and left us at the pet shop to be rehomed.

Both of us were puppies then and were kept in the pet shop where we had many other puppy friends to play with. Eventually, our puppy friends went to their new owners one by one and we were left behind. Soon, we outgrew our cages.

The Pet shop owner was unable to rehome us into a landed property. Finally, he contacted Noah's Ark where Uncle Raymund agreed to take us in and gave us the free rein to run around the property.

As the former owner was spotted driving a Mercedes Benz, we were hence named Cycle & Carriage.

I am a boy and the bigger one. I like to play rough and tumble with the other boys and dive into the lily pond to chase each other.

Carriage, who look exactly the same is a sweet and demure gal who enjoys hanging outside the clinic, waiting for pat from anyone who passes by.

Once, she was given a whole chicken liver treat which she refused to eat. The volunteer who fed her has to break the treat into smaller pieces for her to relish.

Well, she's a prissy missy mah, gotta maintain an image right?? :D

Paws and Licks,
Cycle

Milo - JRT

Hello hello!

My name is Milo and I am a little JRT. I am here at Noah's Ark because my mummy went to work in Germany and left me with Uncle Raymund.

Please do not be mistaken that I am abandoned. In fact, my mummy loves me very much! Once, I fractured my leg and my mummy paid a lot of money to have a rod inserted into my leg so that it will heal better.

My mummy tried to rehome me to her friends initially. However, I disliked to be carried because if you carry me incorrectly my hind leg hurts and I will snap at anyone if that happens and only my dear Uncle Raymund can carry me.

My mummy was worried that if some one adopted me they might not know or understand the reason behind my bad temper and may send me away should I snap one day but she trusted Uncle Raymund and left me with him.

In Noah's Ark, I sleep in the clinic and I am a well behaved boy.
I don't chase or bite cats, I don't disturb the sick animals, I don't soil the clinic and I keep out of the way whenever there is a surgery.

I would like to tell my mummy in Germany:

Dear Mummy, please do not worry about me. I am very well here. There is Barnie the St Bernard whom I can sleep beside when the weather gets cold. Most of the time, I have tiffs with Susah, another JRT.

Usually, we quarrel with each other over who has the bed. So Uncle Raymund got an extra bed for us and we still fought over who gets the new bed. Then we fought over who has the bigger bed....

Other times, we fought over new piles of towels; who had a bigger pile of towels and we have a tug of war with towels etc....

We fought but in truth we never hurt each other and we made up with each other right away. Whenever we misbehave, Uncle Raymund would scold us and jokingly threaten to turn me into Ovaltine.

Nevertheless, I am still the same old Milo you left behind.

Mummy, wherever you are in Germany, please don't worry about me. I am well and safe in Noah's Ark. I miss you and I look forward to the day of your return and our reunion.


Love with Lots of Licks,
Milo

NA Rescue - Lala and Ah Boy

Lala - JRT Cross

Ah Boy - Mongrel

Lala, a JRT cross, and Ah Boy, a mongrel, lost their owner on 4th July, 2007.

Mr Song Kai Yong, a Singaporean in his fifties, was riding his motor bike from Johor to Singapore when he was killed by a drunk driver at Pelangi, JB.

We understand from Maggie, Mr Song's niece, that her uncle, who was single, loved his dogs very much. He treated the dogs like his children, and every evening he would take them for walks.

After the death of Mr Song, his dogs were left alone at home for over a week. Maggie wanted to help the dogs. She tried rehoming them but who would want to adopt a 8 year old JRT cross or a brown mongrel that was somewhat less then friendly towards strangers.

Maggie got to know about Noah's Ark through a friend. One Sunday morning she called us for assistance. Knowing that the chance of these dogs finding new homes were slim, so Noah's Ark offered the family a helping hand.

When volunteers from Noah's Ark arrived to pick the dogs up, the dogs were still waiting in the hall for their owner to return.

It was impossible to get hold of Ah Boy. He attempted to bite anyone who entered the house. It took us 2 days to catch and take him away.

Our volunteers helped to send these dogs for the necessary veterinary checks and process the paperwork needed to export them to Noah's Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary in Johore.

Since then, both Lala and Ah Boy have settled in comfortably.

Mr Song, if you can hear us, your dogs are in good hands.

Rest in Peace!