7 Wonderful Bits Of News To Start The Week

Focusing on joy and hope

You could be forgiven for feeling pretty glum about the world right now. There seems to be endless bad news everywhere you look.

I was doomscrolling on my phone last night in bed and suddenly stopped. I thought to myself I’d do 2 things instead…

1. Go and have a super positive Monday

2. Share the dog wins I have here to cheer people up

It’s been a good day…

1. Seeing My Old Friend Shaq

I suffered from depression at the weekend and as soon as that dark wave rolls in I always know where I go for a lift. To see Shaq. His is a wonderful story…

• Found him with a basketball size growth on his neck

• Had 2 huge life threatening operations with us which he only just survived

• Made a full recovery and lives with his guardians now

I still don’t know how this dog survived but bringing him treats and his medicines today and seeing his handsome face was just the lift needed.

2. Tina’s Field Hospital Opened And Operations Happening

I can’t explain how hard it is to get a small hospital up and running in a country like Thailand. We have even bigger plans coming but to see it today was a great lift…

• Dogs like Big T, Maximus, Kerry and others being treated there

• Full time vet has started and we are licensed to operate

• Major life saving tests and operations happening on dogs daily

The best part is that the hospital has been funded by a wonderful community of dog lovers. I have to pinch myself to walk in there daily seeing dogs lives being saved.

3. Four Dogs Adopted this week

Adopting out street dogs is never going to fix the global problem but I have to say its the most rewarding and fulfilling part of what we do.

• In the last 7 days we’ve adopted out 4 dogs around Thailand

• The little puppies were living in a cave on a mountain and Napoleon had been abandoned by his old “family".

• Interviews done, families vetted and 4 dogs cuddling up with owners on their very own couches this week.

Dogs are very sentient beings so the thought of them being safe, cosy and feeling loves from humans instead of alone and abandoned makes me feel happy.

4. A 2nd Chance

For those of you who followed Chance when she came in with me I think we’ll all agree we thought it would be a very long journey.

• She had been stabbed twice in the stomach and was terrified of humans

• She was the first dog ever treated in Tina’s Hospital.

• I gave her a golden ticket to come and live with me

• She has come out of her shell and loves people and her life now

I called her Chance as I hoped she might have a 2nd Chance in life. Little did I know a couple of months later she would be living with me, smiling and wearing Tina’s old beloved pink bandana.

5. Cooked 1200 Meals In Alba’s Name Today

Alba was such a special girl that she was never going to to be forgotten easily but I wanted to make sure her memory lived.

• Today just like every single day of the year 1200 meals were cooked for street dogs in Alba’s kitchen.

• He bandana still hangs there proudly and I kiss it every morning.

• Street dogs have their bellies filled with healthy food all in her honor.

I don’t think myself or others who followed her for 14 days would ever have forgotten her but this is something tangible. I sat and watched the kitchen today and thought of Alba.

6. Maximus Looking Amazing

I’ve not seen many dogs as broken as Maximus was when we got him on a chain just under 3 weeks ago.

• He is growing big and strong and getting his confidence back

• We went out to sniff Tina’s flowers today with his new red bandana

• There is a lot of hope now that we can save his hearing

• His skin and other health issues continue to improve daily

Theres no point even looking back at his old life. Just like Maximus himself we only smile and think of a bright future.

7. Big Mac Is Still Alive 9 Months Later

When I brought him into Happy Doggo in October Mr Big Mac was only supposed to live for 2-3 months at most.

• It has now been 9 months since he arrived

• He was 1 hour away from being put to sleep once as his Ear Tumor burst and he was suffering in agony and it looked like the end of the road. That was 3 months ago.

• He lost a tooth today but thats only a minor blip

Big Mac just keeps beating all the odds and we spoil him and enjoy every day like it is his last. He is so healthy and full of life now that we are even starting to suspect he faked his test results to get in here for the golden ticket!

Small Actions Can Make A Huge Difference

Of course I face big challenges on a daily basis including seeing very sick dogs and humans acting in cruel ways. Saving dogs is not always a joyful task.

What I believe though is that I have to try and find a way to put a positive spin on it all. It helps me and the team get through the tough times. Read every story above again and they could be framed in a negative way... Chance was stabbed. Big Mac is Dying. Alba only knew true love for 14 days.

Maybe I’m delusional in trying to always be positive but the one thing I have learnt from dogs is to live in the moment and enjoy what we have.

I often find myself asking… Will recycling one water bottle matter when the oceans are full of plastic? Will me cutting meat out of one meal make the slightest difference when millions of animals are farmed in factories? Whats the point?

The point is the same with the dogs as it is in life in general. Tiny little gestures or actions can turn ripples into waves. One small thing you do could have a huge impact on someone else and make the world a tiny bit better.

Maybe this week instead of doomscrolling and thinking the worst… Pop $10 into a homeless person’s hand. Ask an elderly person at a bus stop how their day is going and listen for 5 minutes. Take your dog for an extra trip to the beach. Offer to babysit for a friend. Give someone a handwritten note.

What I find is by putting something positive out there into the world it will come back to you X10 in unexpected ways.

I hope some of the dog stories put a smile on your face. Now put the phone down and go do something nice for someone. Thats how we change the world. Simple kindness.

Have a lovely week.

Big Love

Niall

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