| :. The Pain of Rescue and Re-homing |
Contributed by Sylvia Jeanes
They are born in a filthy environment. Mother dog has found the only dry spot to give birth to her six babies. She didn't ask for them, nor plan for them. They just came in the course of nature. After being gang-raped for a week, exhausted and hungry from being pursued, in danger of a prolapsed womb, the day finally comes. Now there are six of them. But where is she to find the nourishment for her own body in order to produce the milk to feed the hungry suckling demanding mouths constantly looking for her painful breasts. There are no friends here, only people who yell, curse, throw rocks, sticks to scare her away. She becomes very fearful of all human beings. She is constantly looking for a safe place to rest and bring her offspring, but there is none. She scavenges what she can from the rubbish bins, leftovers in white styrofoam boxes and plastic bags, just a few grains here and there, all night long.
The puppies are growing now. More milk is needed. Also they are on the move. More space is needed, but all around, the soil is black from kitchen grime and oil. Little paws become stained black. Bodies are bloating from worms and malnutrition. But still she comes. Still she gives her milk, even though her own body is rail-thin and all ribs are on display. The babies are on the move, onto the road nearby. Here comes a car. An almighty deafening squeal marks the end of the first one, flattened under the wheels of the passing car. But the car passes by. The little one lies flat, all life gone.
More food is needed now beside mother's milk in short supply. The puppies move further out. Some are braver than others, moving up the street, sleeping under parked cars with or without mum. Others remain in the hope food will come, but their little bodies bloat more, and the hair drops off. The constant itch of mange and other parasites makes life even more miserable. One day, a brave one wanders into a house with other dogs. A bite from a big dog leaves more pain, more distrust.
But wait, here is someone! Will they add to the wounds with a beating? a kick? a rock? Strong arms reach for the little body. Developing teeth are ready to bite and bite. Blood flows, but not the puppy's blood. It is the blood of the hands of the one who reached out to pick it up. The puppy is then thrown into prison, waiting for what? The cooking pot maybe, food for the crocodiles? It is so lonely to be off the street away from mum who is crying for the little one to come away from its prison at the home of the strong hands.
A short time later, the little brothers and sisters join the prison. They are captured by the same strong hands, away from the grease and grime. But oh! They are so ugly. Now, all five are together. Food comes in abundance. The same strong hands bring the rice, the milk, and other nourishing food. Bodies are growing. The worms are expelled. The itch is less. Prison is not such a bad place after all. A mat to sleep on, fresh water to drink, a dry shelter out of the wind and rain. The blackened paws slowly return to their original tan. Mother is outside but she is happy her little ones are being so looked after. She no longer calls for them to come out. She herself receives nourishment from the same strong hands caring for her little ones.
Space is needed as healthy bodies grow, and play is enjoyed. Hey! This is not a prison after all. The doors open and there is space to play, and run after the owner of the strong loving hands, and under the feet. Run, run, run, play, play, play, happily all day long. The prison can't open anymore. It is time to move into wider fields, but not here.
Here is a car! Some good people get out and in a short time, the puppies are in the car, and moving away from the strong hands. But why are they not coming too?. Where are we going? In a short while we are there, at the home in the kampung. Wah! This is truly a wide place. A good place. We are happy, But oh! Look behind, the strong hands have a face. The face is crying. The pain of parting is too much.
Mother dog is there too, but it is too late for her to change. In a short while, the whole cycle is repeated. Who will care next time? Will she be so lucky next time round? Only time will tell.
SPCAKK is committed to bring about change. Spaying (neutering) will save the suffering of mother and father dogs. Unnecessary births will be prevented. No rocks will need to be thrown. No bodies under car-wheels. Will KK be able to boast of not only a litter-free environment, but a stray-dog one as well? Together we can. Give your support to SPCKKK today. Visit our website
www.spcakk.org.
Posted by webmaster on 7 Jul 2009, Tue
