Cats who teach me to fly…

Two of my community cats were killed by a pack of stray dogs last month. I have seen the dogs and tried to shoo them away each and everytime I saw them. However, I was unable to protect all my community cats 24/7. I wish I could.

About three weeks ago, I was informed by a resident I know at my feeding area that there was a black limping injured dog resting around my feeding area. He was harmless.

I got my friend who stays there to check on him. I was told that the dog was limping on two feet, has skin problem and maggots crawling over his wound. He was all skinny and hungry. After learning about his condition, I felt that there was a need to trap this dog and send him to the vet cos I didn’t want him to suffer and feel painful out in the streets.

I engaged three trappers. First, Demy. He claimed that he was busy and should he pass by, he would help to trap. He was out definitely. Second, Vincent. He asked me to call SPCA to trap but SPCA does not provide such services and he gave me the same crap – busy. Out! Next, Richard. He took a long time to reply my message and in the end, he told me he was sick and hadn’t got any strength to trap the dog. Crap! And lastly, I engaged the infamous Michael.

I didn’t know him and never heard about him. However, I do know he is an AVA trapper. He didn’t give me any excuses and was willing to help me. He sounded helpful.

Besides Mel and I, the dog’s feeder was involved too and a friend of mine too. Finally, in less than two weeks, the dog was trapped. I believe the feeder was hired by SOSD as she managed to get in touch with a SOSD volunteer. SOSD was willing to pay the dog’s medical bill provided that we visit their specified clinics.

On the day when the dog was trapped, SOSD wanted the dog to be sent to Animal Infirmary. It was such a disappointment that the doctor in Animal Infirmary refused to take the dog in due to his fleas and ticks. What a low graded vet clinic! I despise them!

We had no choice but to bring the dog to another clinic on another day. Luckily Michael was kind enough to temporarily keep him in his farm. SOSD had specified that we were only allowed to send him to a few clinics. The SOSD volunteer decided to send the dog to Monster Pet vet clinic but not on the next day. It was on the fourth day that the appointment had been made with Dr Song.

I reminded the feeder to be around at the clinic. However, the feeder did not turn up and did not even inform me. I was both angry and upset. How can a feeder who has been feeding the dog for so many years just leave the dog alone and not show her love and concern?

The feeder said Dr Song would call her and keep her updated on the dog’s condition. The advice from Dr Song was to put the dog to sleep. The feeder called me and even persuaded me to put the dog to sleep, telling me that it was too expensive to save the dog and the dog was suffering and he had kidney failure and etc. Upon hearing it, I too agreed to put the dog to sleep.

Michael called me to tell me the news. He told me when the dog was with him, he was able to eat and sleep and his maggot has even recovered. Immediately, I called the feeder to double check with her, still, the feeder insisted on putting the dog to sleep.

I was glad that Michael took matters in his own hand and drove the dog away. I asked Michael to give the dog a second opinion. Michael arranged an appointment at AMK United on the next day. This time it had nothing to do with SOSD anymore. Whatever the bill is, it will be from our own pocket.

This is the dog, he is named Blessed by his fosterer. Sometimes I call him Seer(舍). Dr Anu from AMK United was taking charge of Blessed. A blood test was done. Blessed’s liver and kidney were perfectly fine. His red blood cell count was slightly lower than normal. Dr Anu said his illness is treatable. Blessed eats and sleeps well.

His fosterer cooked him chicken soup and brown rice and visited him everyday. She is dedicated and Mel and I are glad and appreciate the way the fosterer is taking care of him.

I hope to see Blessed getting well and stronger each and everyday. After he is discharged from the hospital, he would neither have to live under the sun nor in the rain and there will be food for him every day.

Blessed’s feeder has not contacted me since, neither did the volunteer from SOSD show any concern…

There are many things that I have learnt from this rescue operation. Things that we are too blind to see or notice….