Sunday, November 7, 2010

Some Sad News

Dear Friends,
Thank you very much for all your Diwali Wishes. We would like you to know that we had a wonderful time. We were just readying our post-Diwali write-up when something else came up.

Remember our friend from the street we had written about earlier? The little handsome pup who decided to be our friend?
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We have named him ‘Woof’. Not a ‘proper-name’ sort of name but just an endearment we like to call him by.

Anyway, Woof came by for his dinner 3 days back looking a little forlorn. He comes by everyday for some snacks in the evening and for dinner at around 9 PM every night. In the mornings, Mummy gives him his breakfast on her way to work.
He seems to know exactly when Mummy and Daddy are back and would wait at our gate, if they are sometimes later than usual. He is usually his exuberant self, hopping up and down and trying to nibble at Mummy’s fingers and toes and is a bundle of energy.
That night, Mummy was instantly alerted when he came for dinner a little less active than usual. Daddy soon found a large wound, not looking very good at the base of his tail.
In all likelihood, it may have been a bad bite wound that was getting infected.
Poor thing! He must have been in pain.
Daddy dressed the wound,applied some medication and started an anti-biotic. Thankfully, it was out of reach for his very busy puppy teeth and paws.
We felt really very sad and worried. Not about the wound really. The wound would heal with medication.
It was Rabies we were worried about. He was un-vaccinated and definitely the dog that bit him was un-vaccinated too. But the only consolation was that there aren’t any rabid dogs running around. But there is always the danger of a carrier, though rare.
Mummy vaccinated him the next afternoon, all his shots, including against tetanus too. We think she should have done it earlier. We really don't know why she didn't. No point feeling sorry now.
Thankfully, he was fine the next morning, very active, hungry and very co-operative when he got the needles stuck into him too.
Such a sweet little guy!
We decided to watch him carefully for any change in behaviour, food habits or any signs of aggression or lethargy which may mean he is not well.
Mummy did not let us near him for fear of us catching something, even though we are fully vaccine protected. But we feel horrible watching him fight it out alone in the street.
Thankfully, he seemed fine. His wound was healing well and he had a healthy appetite too.
He was getting smart though, refusing to swallow his medicine! But Poor little Boy, Mummy would mix it with an irresistible sweet and he would just have to gulp it down!
He even came over for Diwali sweets yesterday and Mummy had given him a double dinner as a treat! He seemed totally un-affected by the sounds of crackers all around us.We were relieved. He was recovering.
And then tonight, he came for dinner limping horribly. He seemed in pain and looked forlorn.
Mummy checked him all over. His joints aren’t displaced, nor does he have any fracture. But his front, left paw hurts.
No bite marks this time. So probably it is a sprain. If it is just that, it will heal. But if he has some other infection, it will mean he will need constant care. Sometimes, a limp is the first sign in some viral infections. The only saving grace is that he has no fever as yet.

We are worried and feeling very horrible. If only he could tell. Was he hit by some vehicle, kicked at  by someone? We certainly hope not. We don’t want him to be disillusioned about humans yet. He is just a puppy and we want to find him  a loving home.
The Poor little boy came looking for us in spite of his painful paw. He still tried to jump up and down and play with Mummy.
It is always so touching…

We could understand how bad his pain was when he sat down flat on his tummy and had his dinner. And then just refused to get up, lying down looking very, very tired.
It is so heart-rending, the way he seems to trust her so totally. He let her turn him over and feel his joints without even a little snap. He even let her carry him over to a Is it because, inspite of being on the streets, he is still a puppy at heart or is it because he really understands that Mummy loves him very much and feels really very horrible that we can’t give him a proper home?
We wish there was some way out, somehow to be able to give him a loving home. The people he sleeps with at night aren’t really taking any care of him and it isn’t really a proper home.

We couldn’t send him out into the street tonight. He was looking just so sad and really needed a bed. Mummy made him a make-shift one with some old cushions and bed-covers.
He seems happy with his bed and is fast asleep now, in a corner of our garden. There is this little dog-kennel we never use except to keep Daddy’s gardening tools and fertilizers. It will protect him from the cold wind, we hope. Mummy didn’t have the heart to flash the camera on his face now, so we don’t have any recent pictures. But we will click some tomorrow, if Woof feels better.

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We feel rather upset and very guilty to think of Woof outside in the garden while we lie on our warm beds here. But, much as we want to bring him in, we have to consider that he might have some dangerous infection which can pass on to us.
We need to confirm. Tomorrow, Mummy & Daddy plan to take him to the local shelter. This shelter doubles as a vet-hospital and home for abandoned and maimed animals. It is no-kill, no cage. So there is absolutely no chance that they will ever take in a healthy street dog and give it a home.
Woof will get his treatment for now and if they agree to take him in as a permanent resident, he will have a better life than being on the streets.
It is difficult to let him go, but we have to be realistic. We can’t just get him accustomed to three square meals  a day and then, after a few months, just leave him to fend for himself.
YES! Leave. We are planning to shift away soon but that is another story for sometime later.
If we can’t bring him home, at least we can try find him a home. Woof is such a lovely, loving and brave boy, He deserves a good life.
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We just hope he forgives us for not adopting him.
But we know he will, he is a DOG, isn’t he?
That is what is so heart-rending…
GINGER & BUDDY


26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, Ginger and Buddy. My heart aches reading this postie cuz I can tell YOUR heart aches. You and your pawrents are doing a most wonderful, beautiful thing for Woof. You are all showing him kindness and luv. You are showing him that he can trust peoples and that there is gentleness in this hard world.

Please, please don't be sad. I am pawsonally very happy that Woof found you all. There are many doggies who aren't so lucky. We're reminded of that saying that goes, "Rescuing one dog may not change the world, but for that one dog, the world will be changed forever."

Thank you for trying to change Woof's world.

Wiggles & Wags,
mayzie

Zona said...

Mayzie, of course, has said it perfectly. You are changing Woof's world!! Please keep us posted on how he is doing and how you are all coping!

Wags,
Zona

Anonymous said...

Wow what a story. Woof is very fortunate that he ran into you'all. Wishin Woof the best. At least at the shelter you're takin him to he will get good care and not have to worry about the end of the road.

So, you're movin??? Someplace you like better I hope :)

Waggin at ya,
Roo

Molly the Airedale said...

You're doing your best and Woof loves you for it. We sure hope he finds a loving home.

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

♥ Sallie said...

Me too. I hope Woof finds a good home.

Hugs,

Lola and also Franklin, too said...

I never got a chance to wish you a wonderful holiday. I'm sorry and I'm so glad you had a good time. As far as Woof is concerned, I think your parents are wonderful angels to try so very hard to help him. My heart just aches for him anyway, though. I do hope that somehow a home is found for him.

lotsa licks, Lola

Granite State Pet Sitting said...

We sure hope Woof finds a forever home. He sounds like a super sweet boy.

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Your parents are so very good to try to care for Woof. We hope that he will be OK and that the shelter will take him in. So sad to read about poor Woof. And even sadder to think of how many more Woofs are out there:(

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

houndstooth said...

Is there something like Petfinder that you could use to help find Woof a home? Surely there has to be some way to help him get settled into a wonderful life before you have to move. We have our paws crossed for him!

Bunny

Mariodacat said...

Oh dear - dat poor doggie. It's so good your mom has such a good heart and is doing everything she can to help him. I do hope dat shelter takes him so he's not left on the street again. Big HUGS to your mom for doing everything she has done.

♥I am Holly♥ said...

We sure hope Woof will be okay. You are doing all you can for him and we know he loves you for doing it. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and you too for helping him. Lots of love, Holly and mom

The Daily Pip said...

Oh, my heart is breaking for Woof and for you. I can just picture him curled up in your garden. I hope the shelter takes him and he finds a wonderful home. Please keep us posted ...

Your pal, Pip

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Woof knows all of woo have done him so much good -

And probably kept him alive -

SO, fur a reason, he'll be okay - and live a good life -

Thanks fur sharing his tale and fur kharing!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

The Chair Speaks said...

Tons of purrs and headbutts to mom and dad for making Woof's life better.

Anonymous said...

We think that you all did the right things all around!

woo woos, Tessa

Unknown said...

We feel so sorry for Woof and hope he's okay and he gets to find a furever home. It's always sad to see those little stray puppies on the streets having nobody to care for them. They deserve a better life and Woof knows your mom and dad are good people who loves animals. He definitely knows that you two are his best friends. I'm glad he found you and your family.

Our thoughts are always with him and hope he has a speedy recovery.

the booker man said...

oh, miss gingin and buddy, you and your mama and your daddy have hearts of gold! i just know that woof is so so full of the thankies for everythingie that ya'll have done to make sure his tummy is full and to help him feel the betterment and to keep him from gettin' the sickies. i know you feel the sadness inside that you can't do more, but pretty please try not to feel bad like. you did the right thingie takin' woof to the shelter cuz it wouldn't be fair to him to stay with ya'll when you aren't able to give him the care 'n attentions that he needs. woof is a way sweet boy, and cuz your mama and daddy have been total angels to him, he is already learnin' to trust hoomans. he is gonna find a forevarrr home...don't give up hope!

*woof*
the booker man

Noah said...

To help Woof find a good home is what he will love you for. He sounds like a great boy and deserves a home like I have. Thank you for caring.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

You have helped Woof so much. We hope he gets well and at least you know, he'll be cared for in the future. It would be wonderful if he could find a home like yours.

XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

Punam said...

All the best of good wishes for a fast recovery for Woof. You all are such angels, helping him soo much.. he has to be fine!! He will be fine. :)

Lorenza said...

Sure is sad to see him in pain.
You are Woof's angels!
I hope the shelter will accept him and that he will find a lovely forever home soon!
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

KimT said...

Sometimes all we can do is our best, and hope for the rest. Woof's a lucky guy to have found you, he's in good hands!

Bella and Ollie said...

Dear Ginger and Buddy,
You and your Mum and Dad have done all your best to look after him - you really have saved him. Now we will all pray for him to find a good home.
Love from Bella And Ollie.

koko said...

You have done what's right for Woof, Bud and Gin... don't be too sad. Hope Woof will find a forever home soon.

Licks, hero

Golden Woofs! SUGAR said...

Woof! Woof! You did such a wonderful job ... hoping he;; find a forever loving home. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

snoopydogknits said...

Oh my goodness! What a sad, sad, heart-rending story. I have very large tears in my eyes. What a dear little boy he is. I do hope things look up for him. You have all been so kind. I can't get him out of my head. Ros .....and Oscar.

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