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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat jabir's Avatar
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    One down, millions to go...

    We all know Mendip and his devotion to the good cause, and we also know not everybody gets the credit they deserve.

    When it came to choosing 'which' dog, first choice was naturally the boxer as an overall safe bet; from my experience reasonably intelligent yet nutty as they get, people friendly, a goldstar softie with kids, devoted yet ferocious in defence of their kin; downsides come with every breed, dodgy heart which means short life span (9) and with Kim a quick and painless passing (she was playing in the garden, jumped up for something and hit the ground dead); with hindsight that was actually a plus, much better than a slow and painful end.

    Another downside that short faced breeds suffer in Thailand would be respiratory problems. And of course cost, anything from 10k for a copy from the local breeding factory to upwards of 30k.

    Jack Russell came second, again from experience; great Dane would be nice but out of the question, expensive to buy, and keep, climate is a problem for big breeds while hip dysplacia would almost be guaranteed from a Thai breeder; and same with GShepherd.

    But our resident dogman had put 'rescue' in my head, so I asked around and got a stream of negatives from previous owners of rescue dogs. Let's face it there are millions of soi dogs in Thailand, rescue stations are overwhelmed and can do only so much with limited funds, and while the two I visited were inspiring in the sense of something being done, under my conditions they were not just uninspiring but quite off putting.

    HopeforStrays up behind soi Country Club was the 3rd I visited, and decided this would be my last before going for a 'proper' dog. I was impressed with what they were doing with so little, but reality is where we have to stay, this wasn't for me, dropped a couple of large ones, got in the car to head home, and almost reversed into a cage of puppies outside of the compound which I hadn't noticed before. That's how coincidences work; every meet is one.

    Of the five pups, nothing to choose between them though one stood out with white paws and tail tip, and that was the one the lad decided is going home with us. Just not yet, we had one more hurdle, but she was no match for farang wiles.

    So we played it as though taken for granted, got the lad to throw in the occasional tip about puppies, and sealed it a couple weeks later by asking her which pet shop we should go to for the starter kit.

    Next visit last Sunday, Jimmy had noticeably grown in those two weeks, and we arranged to pick him up today, a school holiday.

    Not exactly sure where it is, up beyond soi Country Club and no doubt a local would be more specific. Couple hundred metres off the road, seemingly into nowhere if you didn't know it's there.

    One down, millions to go...-01-png


    Past a mun patch...

    One down, millions to go...-02-png


    Nobody visible when we arrived, and the welcome committee was these vicious beasts on day release.

    One down, millions to go...-03-png


    Phone call and the boss arrived. This is Som, she runs the place, self taught vet, does her own vaccinations, stitches up bodies of injured dogs or those being eaten alive from inside, often at the scene, and also minor ops; vets are too expensive so she improvises. Last count was 22x dogs under her care, 16x at the compound and 61 at her home which must take some doing, she's in hock up to her eyeballs, and deserves either a medal or a straightjacket.

    One down, millions to go...-04-png


    One shot of the inside, smells awesome if you're a dog otherwise not keen, flies and bugs everywhere, the spirit is high but there's only so much the body can do without the oxygen of hard cash.

    One down, millions to go...-05-png


    First let’s get rid of a few ticks, by the dozen. Billions of flies, ticks of course, and whatever else breeds under these conditions, as before hygiene is not top priority, that costs money so Som does the best she can with meagre funds from official sources, and they look forward to farang visitors to chip in with time and baht.

    One down, millions to go...-06-png


    We're going home...not yet.

    One down, millions to go...-07-png


    First the vet for a checkup, blood test etc.

    One down, millions to go...-11-png


    He had picked this up from a resident bruiser that managed to get into the pup box.

    One down, millions to go...-10-png


    A few minutes later safe at his new home but first things first, straight into the shower...

    One down, millions to go...-09-png


    Then literally home and dry

    One down, millions to go...-08-png
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails One down, millions to go...-01-png   One down, millions to go...-01-png   One down, millions to go...-02-png   One down, millions to go...-03-png   One down, millions to go...-04-png  

    One down, millions to go...-05-png   One down, millions to go...-06-png   One down, millions to go...-07-png   One down, millions to go...-08-png   One down, millions to go...-09-png  

    One down, millions to go...-10-png   One down, millions to go...-11-png  

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat
    Mendip's Avatar
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    Lucky Jimmy!

    We've never been let down by a puppy off the street... a couple have been a bit 'off the wall', but nothing bad.

    Good on you mate!

    This is tempered by a bit of disappointment as there's a litter of three on my patch I'm trying to home... you were on my list!

    Many greens owed when I can!

  3. #3
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    The kid and the pup have got time on their side.

    Never undervalue that.

  4. #4
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    Looks like a really nice little puppy. Fine work.

    I hope you gave Som 20 baht and a quick errm, bob's your uncle.

    Be careful to keep Jimmy away from chemicals and always have some eggs in the hours. Best of luck.

  5. #5
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    Mendip's Avatar
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    Sorry Jabir, but when you say beyond soi Country Club, that means nothing to me... is this a suburb of Bangkok? I don't know where you stay.

    Also, in that pic, Khun Som is standing right in front of the email address to donate to... have you a pic without Som blocking the sign?

  6. #6
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    Looks like a really nice little puppy. Fine work.
    You actually think it's about doing well and snagging a cute puppy, don't you.

    Fuck those saggy titted bitches.

    Vacuous much?

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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  8. #8
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    ^ Thanks Lom... much appreciated.

  9. #9
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    Jabir, from my experience don't expect intelligence and perfect behaviour from a soi puppy... it won't be the kind of dog to get your slippers or collect his lead for walkies.

    But do expect devotion, appreciation, unlimited affection and years of happiness...

    In my experience, much like marrying a Thai, apart from the devotion, appreciation, affection and happiness bit...
    Last edited by Mendip; 16-01-2020 at 09:20 PM.

  10. #10
    RIP
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    Your boy and puppys smiles say it all.

    Cool thread, gonna donate to the foundation.

  11. #11
    I'm in Jail

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    Be careful to keep Jimmy away from chemicals and always have some eggs in the hours. Best of luck.
    Jabs, my understanding is that Betts is available for sick doggie consultation 24 hours a day, not to be confused with sick puppy, that's Reachy.

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat jabir's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    Looks like a really nice little puppy. Fine work.

    I hope you gave Som 20 baht and a quick errm, bob's your uncle.

    Be careful to keep Jimmy away from chemicals and always have some eggs in the hours. Best of luck.
    Thanks, he was listless at the pound, never heard a sound out of him during my 3 visits, disinterested and seemed terrified with all that howling and let's face it feral dogs having the run of the place; for the few minutes each time that I watched from outside the compound, he was mostly ears back and in the submissive belly up posture.

    Took him a while to warm to a different life of creature comforts, good food and zero threats, and though he probably doesn't remember the details of his past only that it was a nightmare, I won't be taking him along if we visit again. Story I got from Som is that villagers told her his mum died during or soon after giving birth, and that she was the last hope for the 5 litter survivors; so he adopted a 'mum' soon after arrival two months ago, which obviously didn't sign up for it, thought wtf and used to see him off with a growl or a nip.

    Som tried not too subtly to persuade me to take two pups, and I know in some respects two is easier to handle than one, but that wasn't in the plan though she did get another more than 20bt.

    By a few minutes at home he was opening up, and by this morning had already left his scent dotted around the place, mainly indoors, so house training is high priority for now.

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat jabir's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    Sorry Jabir, but when you say beyond soi Country Club, that means nothing to me... is this a suburb of Bangkok? I don't know where you stay.

    Also, in that pic, Khun Som is standing right in front of the email address to donate to... have you a pic without Som blocking the sign?
    Sawry, it's in Pattaya.

    There's a donation link at: Dog Rescue Pattaya TH - Hope for Strays Foundation

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat jabir's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    Jabir, from my experience don't expect intelligence and perfect behaviour from a soi puppy... it won't be the kind of dog to get your slippers or collect his lead for walkies.

    But do expect devotion, appreciation, unlimited affection and years of happiness...

    In my experience, much like marrying a Thai, apart from the devotion, appreciation, affection and happiness bit...
    Not sure what to expect, first soi dog and first male, but am about to learn the difference between nature and nurture.

  15. #15
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    good luck jimmy you dont know how lucky you are.ours in less than 5months is 14kilo's and growing.got a new name MOLLY THE MONSTER.
    for what its worth she oves her food.smart heart puppy till 3month,then progress on to puppy pro-growth.plus a third of a pouch of chicken or beef in gravy.all smart-heart.
    one thing I never knew about was a dog has a anal-sac.but I can put up with that.
    she does like our bed and the air-con.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    Jabir, from my experience don't expect intelligence and perfect behaviour from a soi puppy... it won't be the kind of dog to get your slippers or collect his lead for walkies.

    But do expect devotion, appreciation, unlimited affection and years of happiness...

    In my experience, much like marrying a Thai, apart from the devotion, appreciation, affection and happiness bit...
    In over 20 years here, I've only ever taken on soi mutts. If you get and train them from puppies they are great house dogs (especially bitches), intelligent, protective, good with kids. Apart from having them spayed they never spend a day at the vets, unlike the dodgy "pedigree" fashionable breeds..
    Dogs are pack animals, so are generally happier and healthier as a pair. I'd get another one as a pal / mate after a while.

    Nice one, jabir. Hope the family and new addition get along great.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat
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    For me, a huge bonus with having more than one dog is that I feel no guilt if they're left alone all day... they get along just fine with the other dogs' company.

    Also, if I have no time for the dog walk it's not a big deal as they get plenty of exercise playing with each other in the garden.

    The tie is already there with one dog. Just my twopenneth worth...

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat jabir's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mendip View Post
    For me, a huge bonus with having more than one dog is that I feel no guilt if they're left alone all day... they get along just fine with the other dogs' company.

    Also, if I have no time for the dog walk it's not a big deal as they get plenty of exercise playing with each other in the garden.

    The tie is already there with one dog. Just my twopenneth worth...
    Great oaks from little acorns grow, I might leave the thread open at this post when wifey does her accounts.

    Problem is, it'll shop the biz if she reads this as well...damn!

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