Forever Homes

The Soi Dog website only 'advertises' (for adoption) a small percentage of the dogs within the shelter at one time, I've found out that the reason for this is the people in charge of the adoptions like to get to know the animal first in order to describe them honestly and be able to answer any questions. This is completely understandable as taking on some of these dogs would be a great challenge so any potential owner has to understand the job they are taking on. It also takes time to get to know the dog properly. However, this means that some dogs have to wait a while for the chance to find a home.

The Online Adoptions 

Although people adopt through the website, I feel that its better to meet and spend time with a dog you are interested in before you make the move. Many dogs are adopted after volunteers have fallen in love with them. In A1 we have a few very shy and bullied dogs, 2 of these, Able and Ferarri have been adopted and are waiting to leave which I am so happy about. They both act like completely different dogs when separated from the dominant characters, which confirms that they will flourish within a loving home of their own.

Recently I have become attached to a 9 month old in my run called Sunset. I've noticed recently that this little one is becoming a bit excluded and some of the others tend to snap a bit. Sunset would make such a brilliant pet and if I didn't have so many plans to travel I would love to provide a home. Apart from being extremely cute, Sunset is great with people, a good learner on the lead (still an excited puppy!), very affectionate and also tries to stand her ground as much as possible. Its a bit heartbreaking that a few of the shy ones have found homes and Sunset will be left, so I would like the get the word out as much as possible.

I am extremely happy that the alpha dogs within my run were put up for adoption this week. Cola and Gypsy. They would make excellent loyal pets with the right person. They can be quite boisterous within the run but Cola in particular often breaks up trouble rather than starts it. I feel that both these dogs could be trained to become obedient animals.

Gypsy

Gypsy has been at Soi Dog for 3 years after originally coming in because of a skin/eye infection. She was a beach dog and I'm not sure why she wasn't returned. Perhaps it was too dangerous to return her as often the locals try to kill off the strays, She absolutely loves attention and can get quite jealous if we turn our attention to the others. From spending time in the run, I would say she would need someone strong enough to control her but knows her name (obviously many dogs don't recognise theirs because they've never been pets!) which is an advantage so can definitely be trained to become a very loving pet. 

Cola

 Cola is a darling who craves attention. Although it gets annoying fighting for your hair back sometimes, it is just a plea for a cuddle. As mentioned before, Cola does tend to involve himself in fights but as alpha male this is more to 'tell off' the others. Because the type of dog Cola is, I believe he would be able to train quite quickly with the right time dedicated, he already walks brilliantly on the lead. Both Cola, Gypsy and others can be found on the adoptions
page http://www.soidog.org/en/adoptions/

The puppies here at Soi Dog are often brought in after being found dumped, or victims of abuse. I've visited their run a few times this week and they are gorgeous. There are a couple dogs in there with missing limbs or injuries, which at a young age its hard to see, but they just get on with it. It would be lovely to see these puppies adopted before they get to the age where they are moved to a run.

So tiny they can escape the gate!

There are a few people around the shelter at the moment who are flight volunteers. With these people, the dogs travel as extra baggage instead of cargo (cargo adds approx £1000 extra to the adoption) to their new homes. These people are angels for anyone looking to adopt from overseas. You can find out more on the Soi Dog website about being a flight volunteer if you travel on certain airlines. It doesn't cause you much hassle or cost and would be amazing to see the dog united with the family at the other side.

Please share & get the word out about adopting from the Soi Dog Foundation - every dog here could really thrive in their own home! If you would like to donate to my fundraising through this blog, please do so at http://www.gofundme.com/jessiessoidogs every donation is very much appreciated!!

Best Job I Ever Had

On Saturday I realised I was excited for Monday. I'm not a planner but I tend to have 10384 life goals and finally feel I am on the right track to achieving some of them. From feeling like I don't make much of an impact in any job, I now feel that I'm being taught more everyday while making a positive difference. Voluntary work definitely holds more value than being paid money. The appreciation from the dogs is better than any pay packet ive received from a whole number of different jobs.

Again its only Tuesday and so much has happened. I have noticed different sides to a few of the dogs in A1 this week, proving that patience is key while working alongside them. I still find it quite hard to totally be at ease within the run, all hell can break loose in a matter of seconds and I am wary about getting involved in attempting to break up fights. A big one happened today which shook me up, a new addition was introduced into the run and our dogs did not take well to him. It terrified me to watch a dog get attacked and I hate feeling useless. Im working on my confidence so that I can start intervening and gain the control and power to stop this happening so often. The little newbie was swiftly removed and extremely scared, but seems safe enough in a different run next door. The pack system is very important and the addition/removal of certain dogs can completely change the arrangement. However, on walks individually with each dog, I feel completely confident in my ability to control them. It is obviously not all fighting and competitiveness. Ive noticed the smallest positive changes in some of the dogs which make my day. I love seeing the shy dogs coming out of their shell and approaching me more often. We haven't used treats or toys to coax these animals so this goes to show that putting the hours in builds the greatest genuine trust. 

Its nice to feel important 

They learn, I learn. One of our main goals as volunteers is teaching the dogs how to walk properly on a lead. Fine when you are teaching a puppy, but teaching a former street dog with a background of human abuse? Different story! Despite some dogs almost choking themselves out from pulling so much, distraction from the different surroundings, leaping at ducks/other dogs or simply being too afraid, I am happy at how well my dogs walk. This is a big step towards adoptive life in a loving home where all the attention can be on them. We can now walk all dogs minus 1 in our run, which is a massive deal and something to be proud of. (the bullied ones now get out when the dominant dogs have been separated - to prevent jealous fights like what happened to Ferrari in my previous post).

The walking track around a pond within the shelter 

Even though they are not perfect, each and every dog manages to melt my heart at least once a day. They crave attention, love and care. On their own, you can see the sides of them that would make a perfectly loyal pet. Soi Dog, although brilliant, do not want their dogs to stay in the shelter until they die. They all deserve a home and adoptions are a celebration. Its going to be hard leaving here without a couple. By looking into adopting, you are actively changing a dogs life around. Some of the dogs here have been through so many traumatic experiences and a little affection goes a long way.

Standing up for what is right & providing desperately sought after love  

The new addition making its way into the run. Scary to experience.

Put in the hours and see results - this dogs first walk

I am certain by the end of this week I will have more stories to share. I am also gathering some more facts about the barbaric dog meat trade and hope to blog about a few of Soi Dogs residents who have been saved from their unthinkable fate. Again, I plea for anyone to donate a little spare change towards this cause. It really is unbelievable how far money can be stretched. If not, then please share! Spreading awareness can only lead to great things. Thank you!  

http://www.gofundme.com/jessiessoidogs

Everyday Is a School Day

First week is over at the Soi Dog Foundation shelter. It has gone so quickly and been extremely eventful. I learn something new every day about the role I have taken on but also learn more about myself and how I plan to spend the next couple of years - I am surrounded with people who seem to consider home being where they rest their head. They are constantly on the move, exploring different places and passionate about causes similar to my own.

I have gathered a better understanding of the dogs in A1 as the week has gone on. The trouble starters, the rascals, the shy ones.. their personalities are all different and I have found I can relax more easily knowing them a little better (for fights it is easier identifying which dogs this more commonly occurs between and the warning signs in order to control).

We started walking the dogs on Wednesday, two out of the run at a time around the shelter, in contact with other dogs from other runs. For the best chance of adoption, learning to walk on a lead is a huge advantage and this also allows us to spend some quality time with the dog, especially the shyer ones who get picked on if we show them too much attention in the run. On Thursday we were shown another example of jealousy proving a problem between the dogs as they all crave our affection. (My favourite) Ferrari (see left) unfortunately finds herself the main victim of bullying. Me and Christie decided we wanted to give her some attention without the others snapping, so we took her out for a walk. We followed the guideline, walked the top dogs first. But, as soon as we arrived back in the run she was quite viciously attacked in front of us, Christie tried to intervene and pick her up out of harms way but the others still jumped up biting her legs and pulling her down. It is hard watching them like this, especially now when we know that Ferrari will go for a walk (a few still refuse) and is such a darling away from the others. It will be worked on.



On Thursday afternoon we experienced a huge thunderstorm. Without enough time to run inside, we stayed in our run in one of the little shelters. As it was so loud and jumpy, the dogs were frightened and the storm turned into a perfect way to bond. We were able to sit with them and comfort them, even the shy ones came out of hiding. The moments of calm, even throughout a storm are what I have learnt to appreciate. Building trust is a massive factor and this has helped us to gain some control within the run, The dogs have started seeing us as a safety barrier (a bit scary in a fight but very cute while out walking).

Bonding with us during the storm

The storm bringing them all together

Baby Sunset - (seeking a forever home) - on edge during the storm

           
Learning more every day through trial and error, seeing results such as the shy dogs approaching me and spending quality time with the dogs which they wouldn't receive without volunteers gives me a huge sense of achievement. This trip is proving itself to be the best job I could have asked for and I come away each day feeling exhausted but extremely proud of myself and the animals . Donations and volunteering truly go a long way over here, As previously mentioned, the new hospital being built on site will allow Soi Dog to treat over double the amount they can at the moment and new facilities will also improve the after care and recovery. We are shown examples of the work the vets deal with every day. Today, a dog came in who was run over by a motorbike and left untreated for a few days resulting in an infection down to the bone. Yesterday, the vets were carrying in a dog in pain hooked up to a drip. It is heartbreaking seeing all this but you just have to remind yourself that the insane suffering stops here. Please donate to http://www.gofundme.com/jessiessoidogs every penny counts and the hospital is built on generous donations.

The amazing hospital - your donations could help

On a last note, something that made my day (and hopefully yours too), Ferrari has been adopted and will be leaving as soon as she is able to :)

Entering the Wolf Pack

Blog number one from Thailand..

My journey over, minus a few hiccups, was smooth enough and I arrived late Sunday night. Arriving to a pitch black guesthouse I assumed that id be sitting on my case all night until a guy appeared from nowhere with my key. I am staying at Nai Yang Beach approx. 20 mins drive from the Soi Dog shelter in Mai Khao. Its very much a simple life vibe here, few shops, few restaurant/bars and a beautiful beach.

Today was my first day at the shelter, I woke up at 7.30 with hardly any decent sleep but excited. It was recommended I wear long trousers for the first few days to avoid excitable scratches but its insanely hot so I chanced it with shorts. The pickup point is right outside my guesthouse (half the reason I chose to stay here) and other volunteers came along until 12 or so of us piled into a pickup truck taking us to the shelter.

The people are exactly what I expected, travel bugs with energy and passionate about this cause. Most volunteers here at the moment are on their second week so I was paired with Christie (also a newbie) and after a tour of the shelter, assigned run A1.

From the offset it is obvious that every dog has experienced the dark side of human nature, if not missing limbs then multiple scar wounds are visible on nearly every dog. On the tour we met the survivors of the dog meat trade along with victims of abuse or neglect. Most are up for adoption but some unfortunately are either too ill, old or mentally wounded to ever be rehomed or chance living back on the streets.

Taking a peek inside the operating theatre I was amazed that these vets have been able to help as many dogs as they have. It is TINY and very basic. Soi Dog are in the process of building a new dog hospital on site, this is funded by charity donations and it is obvious from day 1 that this facility will transform the shelters ability to continue the amazing work they do.

No matter how tough you are with animals, it is intimidating entering a pen with 20 street dogs all barking, growling and jumping at you. As soon as I heard someone say that me and Christie seem 'confident' enough for A1, I knew these must be a rowdy bunch. I was first to squeeze through the gate, and my orange top was soon decorated with hundreds of dirty paw prints. Obviously, with the background stories of these dogs, its impossible to assume that I can stroke them all straightaway. I was wary of which ones were safe enough to touch but they gave enough warning if we weren't welcome to. Mine and their confidence grew throughout the day, learning their personalities gives a sense of relief towards approaching them. Exactly like a pack of wolves, there is a hierarchy among them in the pen. Weaker and timid dogs are bullied by the others and fights between them are common.

Dominant Gypsy

By the end of the day, jealously between the dogs was apparent as they fought for the attention from us. I am hoping to build control with the dogs in A1 and hopefully build trust with the dogs that didn't dare come close to me. Day one complete and with only a small nip on the back of my leg and a few scratches it has been a success.

Run A1

Please keep up with my blog, this is a very exciting journey and I am truly looking forward to documenting how some love and care can transform a life. Please donate at http://www.gofundme.com/jessiessoidogs if you are interested in contributing towards the future of this amazing organisation.