Whatever it is you choose to do in life always has ups and downs. We all have good days and bad days. After a challenging week where the weather played havoc with all my plans, things properly cleared up today and I think I had my best day ever helping the dogs.
1. A Makeover
I spotted this guy yesterday and was able to get him fixed up today. He wasn’t easy to catch and was even harder for the groomers but the result was worth all the effort. I can only imagine that he is bouncing around the place feeling great tonight. His fur was so matted that he had a moustache and you could barely see his face.
It barely looks like the same dog but the nose is the giveaway!
2. Sterilisations
This is Beyoncé arriving at the vets this morning along with another female dog. Thats 4 more who have been caught and operated on within the last 24 hours. Every single dog is a huge logistical challenge to get done so ticking them off makes me feel like I’ve really achieved something. There is no faster way to end suffering as each girl could have at least 10+ puppies.
3. Jumbo Bouncing Back
Jumbo was very sick on Monday. I rushed him to the vet with a temperature and his legs ballooning up again. I was fearing the worst but in the last 36 hours his medicines have started to work really well. Hopefully the blood parasites he has can be dealt with.
I saw real positive progress in him today and he is back out walking, playing and eating everything he sees.
4. Getting The Word Out About Dogs
One of the most important parts of my mission with the dogs is to get the word out there. Today I have done that on Twitter, Instagram and writing to update you all here via email.
I also gets lots of people who want to meet the dogs. Today that was Marc from America who follows the stories online. I always feel that introducing the dogs to one person in the real world will spread their story 100 times faster.
It not super tangible yet in terms of results but I would say 1000s of people have seen my positive stories about street dogs today. That will eventually help and feed through to their welfare. Dreads and Wonky are always happy to pose for a photo with their fans.
5. Feeding In The Dry
It was just great to be back feeding the dogs in dry weather and checking up on them all. Some of them hate the rain and storms and have been hiding all week. It was good to get their small issues fixed up, fill their bellies and play with them in dry conditions. They were really hungry today!
I’ve also been really beyond lucky today with messages of support, donations, friends helping with dogs, well wishers and the local Thai community. Literally everything that I’ve touched today has worked and that is never normally the case. As my friend Rod who also helps the dogs says to me “enjoy these days when they happen because they don’t come along often with the dogs”.
I started this mission with the goal of helping dogs. I can go to bed tonight and sleep well knowing that a handful of dogs will also be sleeping with a much better outlook for their own little lives. You have no idea how happy that makes me feel.
Big love to you wherever you are in the world.
Niall
Niall, I swear that is not the same dog! Can't imagine how good and handsome he must feel. I am excited about what you are doing and am spreading the word about your work. You are the best!