This morning, Roselin was so happy, she texted me to say Koo and his wife had successfully helped her (and friend, Masumi) to catch the last of the puppy from the Section 17 colony. "Koo and his wife are an amazing team", texted Roselin.
Yes, don't we know? Koo has volunteered to help catch so many dogs now.
The puppy, Jazz, was sent to our vet this morning, and has already been spayed under our sponsorship. Jazz is back with Roselin now.
Here's an account from Koo of what happened during the rescue mission:
Dear Dr Chan,
On Tuesday, 12 July 2011, I was asked by Masumi & Roselin to help to capture a pup in Section 17 as they first contacted Wani who referred them to me. The pup was the last of a canine family who was 'evicted' from their previous home on a vacant land which was taken over by construction activities. They have been feeding and caring for this family for some time before deciding to take action to give this family a better future after their displacement. Although the other canine family members were swayed by their gentle persuasion to follow them home, this particular pup refused to fall for their charms.
Although I'm still recovering from my bruised hand from that Ara Damansara mother dog rescue, I agree to a meet-up on Thursday, 14 July at 9.30pm onwards to avoid the daytime crowd at the shoplots where the pup is located.
We went to the shoplot area opposite the Section 19 community hall and I saw that the drain was so small that I can't even fit my head into it. In addition, the top of the drain was cemented over and there is no access except from the end openings.
Then, I saw the pup and it was an adolescent-sized and she was spooked by the unfamiliar sight of me. I was completely amazed when I saw her squeeze into the drain and crawling to the middle where no one can get to her! How could she fit in there?
While we were figuring out what to do, we encountered many passerbys who didn't bothered to help. There was even a shopowner who forgot his keys which were left at the door and was grateful that we 'jaga' his shop. But he just thanked us and went off.
So, that lies the actual challenge was: How to get the pup out? They tried calling/reassuring/begging her and coaxing her with treats but nothing was working. We also waited for her to come out but as time passed by, not even a peep and it looks as if she was not claustrophobic at all.
(Note: I attached the full-size photo so that you can zoom in and see that the pup is actually sleeping comfortably despite all that drain filth and creepy crawlies!) It is so very sad that this is the one place where the pup felt safe and secure: in a small, tight, dark, dirty, damp, fungus-grown covered drain infested with cockroaches and other creepy crawlies.
So, we decided to literally flush her out. I got a container from my car, filled it up with water from a nearby pasar toilet and tsunami-ed into one end with Masumi using a stick to push the water towards the pup. It sort of worked because she immediately came out but we didn't grab her fast enough and a foot chase ensued. We chased after her for a while but in the end, she ran back into the drain hole unbothered by the stagnant water.
So, after a quick discussion, we tried again and this time, we were better prepared.
We managed to coax her to an opening after another water tsunami and prevent her from going back deep inside the drain by barracading the opening with a wooden plank and trapping her under a concrete slab. Despite her warning barks, I pulled her out by grabbing her front legs and covering her face with a cloth. Although she yelped and struggled, I quickly moved her into a nearby cage brought by Masumi and Roselin.
She was wet and unhappy but safe in custody.
I still can't believe that this doggy can actually fit inside the small drain opening.
Roselin took her to an AnimalCare panel vet for spaying scheduled on the very next day (she was so confident that we'll get the pup that very night although I had doubts initially) and reunite her with her family after that.
I would like to highlight that my role in this rescue is only one very small part which is to catch hold of this pup which took about 2 hours and even that was with their help. Roselin and Masumi has done everything else and spent so much time for this canine family such as planning, feeding, monitoring, worrying, catching, transporting, spaying/neutering, fostering, caring, re-homing, and many more! Thus, I would like to thank them for giving me the honor to help them.
Thank you and best regards,
Koo Jazz, recuperating at Roselin's.
More Articles By AnimalCare
|
|
Member Login
