Mondays can be tough especially when scrolling through bad news online. What better way to counter the negativity that with some upbeat and positive dog stories?
I challenge you to read through these updates and not to have a big smile on your face thinking about how their little lives are changing for the better…
1. Tina’s Outlook Has Improved
It’s just over a month since we first got Tina’s diagnosis of stage 2 to 3 Kidney failure. Multiple vets said she would have 3-6 months to live. Since then we have been able to…
Get her a special diet.
Get her fluids daily so her kidneys don’t have to work as hard.
Get her new medicines.
Additional tests like ultrasound and regular vet checks
Today Tina looks the best she ever has. She is having the most fun she has ever had and if anything I am trying to slow her down to rest more! I don’t want to get everyones hopes up too much (myself included) but several additional opinions from experts have said if managed correctly and with discipline we could get “much longer” for Tina. We are enjoying every single moment of every single day and Tina is a perfect example of living in the “here and now”.
2. Penny Has A Forever Home
After being rescued from an abusive situation where she was being tortured and then saving her leg thanks to an operation little Penny had the toughest start in life. She went into a lovely foster home a month ago and they have fallen for her so much that they will keep her forever.
There was huge interest in Penny around the world (200+ messages about giving her a home) but she has landed on her paws now with a lovely retired family and she won’t have the stress of more travel.
3. McMuffin Is Bouncing Back Yet Again
She has beaten an aggressive form of cancer which gave her 30 cancerous tumours. She then overcame serious health issues as a result of the ensuing chemo. Next was losing an eye to glaucoma last month.
McMuffins’s latest battle was with her weight as she had put on 4.5kg (9lbs) as we felt sorry for her and gave her too many treats along with her Beagle nose sniffing out rubbish at the land. She’s back from Beagle Boot camp and already 1.5Kg (3lbs) lighter and looking slim, athletic and the best she ever has. You just can’t keep her down no matter what the world throws at her.
4. Kids Love The Mission
From day 1 of starting this mission I always thought that kids would be one of the long term solutions to improving dog welfare around the world. If the younger generation can learn to love dogs and spread kindness then true change at scale is possible.
I’ve tried to use Youtube to do that and I see messages from parents that many watch the dogs with their kids on social media in the mornings. It’s very hard to measure but that has to have an impact in the future on a massive scale.
The only thing I can measure are the drawings and paintings I get sent and I can’t explain how much they fill my heart with joy.
5. Hope Went To A Foodie Festival
It wasn’t long ago that Hope was being tortured and abused in the jungle after being shot with a nail gun and slashed with a machete. This weekend she is in England attending a foodie festival with her new mum and soaking up the love and treats from strangers.
I don’t know if there was a “Best dressed” award but if Hope didn’t win that she was robbed. Even for me looking at this picture of her it is just hard to process how far she has come from the shut down and terrified dog I used to know.
6. Wonderful Forever Homes For 5 More Dogs
Obviously it was an incredibly emotional weekend to see 5 dogs leaving at once but they are all off to their forever homes around the world.
King Whacker, Moritz, Num, Brad Pitt and Rodney all left the land and have completed the first leg of their journey to Bangkok. After some medical tests and last minute checks they will be boarding flights to the UK and America.
7. Derek Has Given The Go Ahead For Some New Neighbours To Arrive
Although he likes resting up in his little suite and it was nice and quiet with the dogs leaving he said he would be more than happy to see some more street dogs arriving ASAP.
He says as a permanent resident who needed help to survive himself once, he is happy to welcome in the most needy and show them the ropes this week. Also would share his toys to make them comfortable if that helped.
There are so many other challenges and the happy stories above come with many ups and downs on a daily basis. Having said that it is Monday and just like Tina, sometimes you have to focus on the positives only and attack the day.
I hope you have a wonderful Monday wherever you are in the world and these dogs put a little smile on your face to start the week.
Big love
Niall
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So happy to read all the news but in particular about Penny - found that video quite distressing - as I know you guys did also. It is important to focus on the positive and she can rest easy now knowing she has her fur family around her. Big hugs from Brisbane, Australia xxx
Thank you for this lovely & positive update Niall. Good news about Tina. Praying she can be with you for a longer time. Tina radiates love. Great news about Penny. She so deserves peace & love. Hope looks absolutely happy. The 5 travelling pups are constantly on my mind. Will feel better once they are safely arrived at their new homes. I especially think about King Whacker & Rodney & pray they adjust. McMuffin continues to surprise & fight. Sweet Derek. Thank you for everything you do for these special dogs. Your heart must be full of happiness & pride, much like a father. God bless you & your team. Much love from Canada. 🙏💜🐶🐕