Sasha (Adopted!)

* * * UPDATE * * *

March 2013

Sasha has been adopted by a loving family in Wisconsin! 

She said goodbye to her foster mom, Patarin, and journeyed to Chicago this past week, arriving here on Wednesday, April 17. 

 

She was welcomed to the United States by Dawn, myself, and Ayize at O'Hare Airport - a very happy day, despite the historical deluge of rain flooding our region. 

She quickly overcame her shyness at her intimidating surroundings (we received them in a cargo area amid large machinery and lots of noise) and immediately came out of her crate, wagging, to greet us and her old pal Kikku. 

She enjoyed being cuddled, kissed, and held - and even willingly accompanied us out into soaking rain, thunder, and lightning to do her business. 

After a quick check up by the vet, the girls stayed two nights with Dawn before setting off on a grand adventure to be united with their forever families.

Here is Sasha with her new parents, Linda and Louie Knopps. 

Tropical Sasha arrived in the midst of a snow storm...and believe it or not, she loved it!

Sasha is now living it up in her lovely new home with her wonderful mom and dad, and her doggie sister, yellow lab Sandy. She enjoys an enormous fenced-in yard, complete with its own areas of wooded forest, plenty of space to explore, and lots of small critters to chase.

Sasha is one lucky doggie!

Thank you to all who made this possible, from Patarin and the Magic 10 Club for pulling, transporting, vetting, and fostering Sasha; to Dawn at ISDF for finding her forever people and facilitating her adoption; to kind-hearted international supporters who generously donated to help cover her costs; to Sasha's adoring new family who welcomed her with open arms.

....................

My name is Sasha. 

I'm a tiny, sweet little blonde girl, weighing 12 pounds, with charm to spare. 

I'm young, with my whole life ahead of me, and I dream that I can spend it surrounded by kind, loving people who like cuddling and petting me as much as I love to be cuddled and petted. Devotion is my middle name.

Now I just need to find someone looking for the kind of love that only a little survivor like me is capable of.

I am a victim of the dog meat trade.

I grew up on the streets of Thailand, in a "survival of the fittest" climate, where I had to fend for food and avoid many dangers. 

One day, some men approached me and tossed a wire lasso over my head. They threw me in a small cage with many other dogs. It was cramped and I thought I would suffocate, as it was so overcrowded. The truck sat in the jungle for a couple of days before they made a run for the Vietnam border. During this time, I was not given food or water, and suffered in my cramped quarters. Again, I feared for my life - many dogs around me perished. 

Then - to my surprise - I was rescued by some caring individuals and government officials. I was taken from my cage and herded into a large dog kennel at the government-run Khemmarat livestock shelter. Although my life was marginally-better once I was freed from that wire cage, we suffered from widespread disease and massive overcrowding. Food was scarce, we were practically one on top of the other, dog fights were frequent, and there was no medical attention available. Once again, I was surrounded by terrible suffering and watched as my fellow dogs died around me at a rapid rate. 

Luck once more intervened, and kind Patarin spotted me and removed me from the shelter, transporting me to for veterinary care in Bangkok.

I was given proper food and saw a veterinarian for medical care. For the first time, I saw there might be a light at the end of the tunnel. 

In my foster home in Bangkok with Patarin, I was shown kindness and affection. It was a glimpse into a life I never knew existed: one with a home and family to call my own, where I will never know fear again. 

It's a life I so desperately want now…but one which will be brand-new to me and often confusing. 

I have so much to learn about life as a pet dog. I know I can do it - I've made it this far already! - but please, won't you gently show me the ropes, and have patience with me when I make missteps sometimes, as I surely will? In return, I will repay you a thousandfold. 

I just need a fair chance at a life I could only dream of when I was that frightened dog, crammed into a crate, baking alive in the tropical heat, who had given up all hope.

Freedom Fundraiser: Compassionate Collars

The International Street Dog Foundation is excited to announce a pair of fundraisers that will go from now until April 30. Thank you to Give a Dog a Bone and Noddy & Sweet for teaming with us to raise flight funds for Toby and our other deserving dogs!

Here are the details of our second fundraiser!

COMPASSIONATE COLLARS

ISDF is teaming up with Noddy & Sweet's Kookie Vettel Bim of the UK for a two-week fundraiser to raise flight money for Toby. Any funds raised above what Toby requires will be passed along to our other needy dogs who are hopefully traveling soon, too: Mona, Peanut, Manja, ZeZe, and others, all of whom can be found here.

From now through the end of the month, the first five supporters to donate a minimum of $50 USD (equivalent to £35 GBP or $50 AUD) to Toby's freedom fund at www.istreetdog.com will receive a GORGEOUS thank you gift donated by the very kind Kookie, who supports so many needy dogs around the world through her work. You won't believe your eyes when you see her array of beautiful and lovingly hand-crafted collars, in a variety of colors, designs, and prints - each with an adorable pendant charm attached. Please have a look at Kookie's Compassionate Collars Facebook album to see her lovely and unique wares for yourself. The first five qualifying donors may choose any item from this extensive selection!

** It is important to note that your donation should be made at www.istreetdog.com and that the actual collar order will be processed in a bulk through ISDF, as we are handling shipping and other concerns! ** 

Please also have a look at Kookie's Noddy & Sweet Facebook page to see her full collection of beautiful designs. She has two lovely Soi Dog rescues of her own, who were saved from peril in the devastating Bangkok floods of 2011. They have inspired her to help others, like ISDF, who are working to save dogs in dire need around the world.

This is just a small sampling of what she is offering!

*** Please note that very generous donors who give at the $80 level qualify for both fundraising gifts, while collar supplies last (this fundraiser limited to the first five donors at the $50 mark before April 30). Here are the details of our Treats for Toby fundraiser. ***

We will keep track of donations and notify qualifying winners as we go. The fundraiser ends on April 30 (or sooner, depending on when we hit five donors - we will notify all of our supporters at that time), and on May 1, we will put the full order in, so you can expect your gift to arrive by mid-month.

A gorgeous new accessory for your beloved bestie…and it's for a good cause! Who can argue with that?

We arrived at the minimum donation amount based on the retail value of the collars (approximately $26 USD), plus postal costs based off current shipping calculators (approximately $4 - 7 USD). Because Kookie is GENEROUSLY donating these thank you gifts, and because she will mail the winning USA collars to us in a batch for our redistribution, to save significantly on shipping costs (she will ship to UK and Australia herself - thank you again!), your donation translates into approximately $43 - 46 of net towards Toby's flight fund (and possibly more, depending on your worldwide location).

So. You get your gorgeous, handmade doggie neckwear, at a small price above retail value…your dog gets to be the stunner of the pooch park…and best of all, Toby gets more than $43 closer to her fairy tale (tail) ending!

A win-win situation for donors and flying doggy alike!

Please indicate in your donation that you are supporting Toby's freedom fund, and let us know the name and mailing address of where you would like your thank you gift to be sent. This is an experiment, as we are always looking for new ways to support and fundraise and spread the word about dogs in need that we hope to help. We were pointed down this path by our many fellow lovers of Noddy & Sweet's beautiful collars, and hope that our supporters will be inspired to help Toby, while getting something back in return. 

We are especially grateful to Kookie for her generosity in helping these very deserving dogs. Thank you so very much!

* * * * *

Sweet Toby (who is a little girl, despite her name) has survived not just one, but two government livestock facilities (she was transferred to the second a year ago) and has spent most of her entire life at either one or the other - we estimate that she has survived such hellish conditions for nearly two years.

TWO YEARS. Sparkle could barely survive two months at Khemmarat.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts - and from Toby's too. And from all the other dogs whom your generous donations directly help. We have no paid staff and no overhead costs, so 100% of every donation goes directly towards the care and transport of these deserving dogs.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please check out Toby's full story and several adorable photos here, and please share the link widely.

And of course, anyone interested in simply donating towards Toby's and others' flight funds, who prefer not to receive a thank you gift, are - as always - humbly and gratefully appreciated!

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT TO DATE AND FOR YOUR FUTURE EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THESE DOGS - WITHOUT YOUR HELP NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE!!

Thank you so very much!

ISDF & Kookie Vettel Bim of Noddy & Sweet

Freedom Fundraiser: Compassionate Cookies

The International Street Dog Foundation is excited to announce a fundraiser that has been extended indefinitely. Thank you so much to Give a Dog a Bone for teaming with us to raise flight funds for our deserving dogs!

COMPASSIONATE COOKIES

 

ISDF is teaming up with Give a Dog a Bone's Marjon Tondravi for a fundraiser to raise flight money for our needy dogs who are hopefully adopted and traveling soon: ZeZe, Manja, and Simba.

USA supporters donating a minimum of $30 to www.istreetdog.com will receive a thank you gift kindly donated by GADAB (apologies, but at this time we are restricting the fundraiser to USA donors as international postage fees prohibit feasible overseas shipping). 
Marjon will fill a cheerful box with a 1/2 pound of home-baked dog cookies, plus an adorable pawprint tennis ball for your favorite pooch pal!

 

My dogs have sampled the many yummy wares GADAB has to offer and I can guarantee you firsthand that your own sweet peas will be thanking you with woofs and wags from their very first mouth-watering bite. 
Yummy cookies for your best friends…and they're for a good cause! Who can argue with that?

We arrived at the minimum donation requested based on the retail value of the gift packages (approximately $15), plus postal costs based off current shipping calculators (approximately $3.75). Because Marjon is generously donating these thank you gifts - including the ingredients, supplies, and packaging not to mention the time, energy, and loving effort - your donation translates into over $26 of net towards our doggies' flight funds.

So. You get your yummy dog cookies, at a small price above retail value…your pooch gets a very happy tummy…and best of all, our current needy canines get more than $26 closer to their fairy tale (tail) endings!

A win-win situation for donors and flying doggies alike!

Please indicate in your donation the name and mailing address of where you would like your thank you gift to be sent. 

This is an experiment, as we are always looking for new ways to support and fundraise and spread the word about dogs in need that we hope to help. We were pointed down this path by our many fellow lovers of GADAB's baking, and hope that our supporters will be inspired to help our dogs, while getting a little something back in return. 
We are especially grateful to our beloved baker for her generosity in helping these very deserving dogs - thank you so very much, Marjon!
And thank YOU, from the bottom of our hearts. 
And from the hearts of the dogs, whom your generous donations directly help. 

***We have no paid staff and no overhead costs, so 100% of every donation goes directly towards the care and transport of these deserving dogs. ***

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Thank you for considering helping an ISDF doggie, while making one of your own happy, too!
(And of course, anyone interested in simply donating towards flight funds, who prefer not to receive a thank you gift, are - as always - humbly and gratefully appreciated!)

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT TO DATE AND FOR YOUR FUTURE EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THESE DOGS - WITHOUT YOUR HELP NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE!

Thank you so very much!!

Dawn, Izumi & Marjon

Toby/Malee (Adopted!)

* * * UPDATE * * *

May 2013

Toby (AKA Malee) has been adopted by the lovely Lisa in Canada, and she journeyed to her forever home last week!

Malee is now enjoying life in gorgeous Nova Scotia (despite all the rain this week, ha ha ha) with her new doggie brother and sister, Jake and Ava, and her new kitty siblings. 
Life as a house dog requires some tweaking after all that time in a pair of livestock centers, but she is doing amazing so far, and Mom (and her new grandma and grandpa) report that she is a total cuddlebug. 
Now if only she would get one good swipe from a kitty to remind her who the house bosses really are...LOL

Thank you to all who made this possible, from Patarin for pulling, transporting, vetting, and fostering Toby/Malee; to kind-hearted international supporters who generously donated to help cover her costs; and to Malee's adoring new mom who awaits her with open arms.

* * * * *

My name is Toby.

Life has dealt me so many disappointments. 
But despite that, I have refused to give up hope. They say patience is a virtue, and if that's the case, then I may be the most virtuous girl out there.

You got that right - GIRL. Despite my name, I'm a sweet little lady - and an adorable, tiger-striped, soft and feathery one at that. I'm a petite little thing, weighing in at just 12 pounds. 

I've waited a long long long time for a home to call my own. 
In fact I've waited most of my two years on this earth.

My story, and the first of my many disappointments, started shortly after I was born, for I was undoubtedly - like all of us - either born to a stray street mommy, or if I was someone's pet, I was not kept safe from harm.
I was acquired by dog meat traders the way we always are - captured as a stray under cover of night. Or perhaps I was bought or traded in broad daylight by my family, who may have been so poor that they thought the price of my undying love and loyalty warranted little more than a plastic bucket (the usual going rate for a dog like me).

I would have been snared in a cruel noose-like lasso or with a medieval-looking metal pincher-type apparatus, and tossed into a wire cage set on end, the better to cram us in, with a dozen other dogs - a cage barely large enough to fit one of us comfortably.
Here, my hope tried to leave me, but I refused to give up. 

My faith was rewarded.
The Thai government forces, or perhaps the Thai Royal Police, stopped my truck, looked under suspicious tarps, and found us all half-smothered under there - those that were still alive.
We were saved - but like the thousands of others who are currently being "saved" now (thanks to a growing international outcry - thank goodness), although we are only a small percentage of the true numbers of daily victims, there is still no room for us at the inn, so to speak. So we are often dumped at one place, and later transferred to another, as the authorities in charge see fit.
Such was the case with me.

Myself, and the other survivors of my "shipment", were first brought to Nakhon Phanom, a  

government livestock shelter in the far north. Like the other shelters, overcrowding was rampant, and food was scarce, despite the best efforts of animal charity groups on the ground. 

I admit that my hope was severely challenged in that despondent environment, but I soldiered on, eking out food, and living for the moments when I found a few spare feet of space to stretch out and sleep, as I tried to ignore the pathetic sounds of suffering and broken hearts from the others around me.

After many long, difficult, lonesome months, I sensed a change in the air. All the dogs around me were keyed up. Something was happening - trucks were readying, people were separating dogs out, and looping some with rope to move to the trucks.

I had heard the other dogs whisper at night about a place where humans are kind, and gentle - where food is served every day and night - where there is soft bedding to rest tired bones on, and a peaceful quiet instead of constant noise, sadness, and suffering. A place they called "home".
It seemed too much to believe that I might be taken onto one of the trucks - perhaps even taken to this "home" place.

When my turn DID come, I was too happy and shocked to do much but meekly let myself be lifted into the truck with the many others. I wanted to pinch myself! It seemed I was going to this paradise, this land of plenty, this place called "home"...
But hope almost deserted me entirely when the truck finally rumbled to a stop, after nearly half a day's hard journey, at a duplicate of the hell I had lived in for so long already. Where was the soft bedding - the filled food bowls - that one special person I was supposedly going to get to call my own?

I found myself at Buriram livestock center. 
And once again, I began another interminable wait, in the same conditions I endured at Nakhon Phanom, and among so very many dogs, with so little food and resources for us to share.
See me there, at far left, peeking out at the camera timidly?




I was lucky to have been saved from a horrible fate, but I admit that at times during my stay at Buriram, I found myself wondering if there really was a world outside those bars. 
It seemed that life was determined to suck the very marrow of hope from my bones, but I wouldn't let go of my dreams and my faith in this fantastical place called "home". 
After all - if I'd let go of my hope - what would I have had left?
I couldn't give up just yet.


And my patience and faith was rewarded!



Little did I know that far across an ocean, people were looking at my photo - supplied by kind-hearted angel Patarin - and saying that yes - they would help me! They would save me from this hell on earth and bring me across the ocean to find me a real home, a real family.
And those same people did just that - they told my story to other people, and one of those people - a kind lady named Lisa - looked into my eyes and she picked me!
She wanted me!!! Toby! To be her very own little girl!

But I couldn't have known that.

Nor could I have known that those same people, and dear Lisa, would be absolutely devastated when a freak summer storm hit our Buriram shelter in late April and tore it asunder, leaving uprooted trees everywhere in its wake - fences ripped right out of the ground - many of my fellow dogs, escaped and at risk of running back into the hands of the dog meat traders...

Many wept and worried over my fate, and the fate of all of the other poor dogs of Buriram.

But me - and my buddies Manja and Simba, also at Buriram, and also spoken for by ISDF(though still currently awaiting adoptive families) - all had the smarts to stick around the shelter. We didn't yet know that we were about to be saved, but we listened to a little voice that whispered to us to have faith and stay put - and so we did.

ISDF friends - a team from Soi Dog Bangkok, headed by Pimpakharn - came as quickly as they could. They searched through the devastation and amazingly, found me, Simba, and Manja, hiding within the ravaged shelter compound still, and safely out of harm's way.

And now we're OUT! 

We're free of the Buriram livestock center, having been transported by truck to safety by another angel on earth, Pimpakharn and her team from Soi Dog Bangkok!

We are with them now, in quarantine, receiving care, treatment, shelter from the elements, plenty of food and water, and lots of loving TLC.

Soon we will go to Patarin's vet for vaccinations and a final checkup, before heading to her house for loving foster care. And from there, I will soon fly all the way across an ocean and straight into the arms of my new mommy, Lisa!

I know - it sounds like a fairy tale - and it is!

It really, really is!!

I am Toby.

I am a victim of the dog meat trade.

I almost ran out of hope.
I almost ran out of luck.

I managed to hang on to just enough of both to get me to where I am today - just days away from flying home to my very own happy ending.

For the first time in my life, I see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

I'm so very close to a life filled with love, warmth, food, happiness, and all the best things that life has to offer with my new mommy, Lisa, in Canada! 
Thank you for following my journey and cheering me on, every step of the way.

Love, Toby

Kikku/Mabel (Adopted!)

* * * UPDATE * * *

April 2013

Kikku (AKA Mabel) has been adopted by a loving family in Wisconsin, USA! 
She said goodbye to her foster mom, Patarin, and journeyed to Chicago this past week, arriving here on Wednesday, April 17. 

 

Mabel was welcomed to the United States by Dawn, myself, and Ayize at O'Hare Airport - a very happy day, despite the historical deluge of rain flooding our region. 
She quickly overcame her shyness at her intimidating surroundings (we received them in a cargo area amid large machinery and lots of noise) and bravely ventured out to greet us and her old pal Sasha. 

 She enjoyed being cuddled, kissed, and held - and even willingly accompanied us out into soaking rain, thunder, and lightning to do her business. 

After a quick check up by the vet, the girls stayed two nights with Dawn before setting off on a grand adventure to be united with their forever families.

Mabel fit right into her new home as if she had always lived there! 

The first thing she did was happily wag a big hello to her new mom and dad, Katrina and Chris - then she gave kisses to her new human sister, Hayden - and after that, she immediately befriended her new doggie brother, Charlie. 

The two never stopped happily playing the entire time Dawn was with them, and mom reports the love affair continues to this day.

We're so thrilled for Mabel - truly a match made in heaven!

Thank you to all who made this possible, from Patarin and the Magic 10 Club for pulling, transporting, vetting, and fostering Kikku/Mabel; to kind-hearted international supporters who generously donated to help cover her costs; to Mabel's adoring new family who welcomed her with open arms.

* * * * *

My name is Kikku.

It's hard to fathom how anyone could look at me and see a beefy soup, or a hunk of meat on a dinner plate. I thank my stars every day that fate had other plans in store for me.

As a matter of fact - fate stepped in for me not once, not twice - but three times. 
First, I was on a smuggling truck that was stopped by the Thai government. Most of my peers are not so lucky. I am very grateful that I was saved and brought to Khemmarat livestock center. However, for most of us, it's a dead-end "rescue" as there are not enough homes for us all. 
That's when fate stepped in again. Somehow, I managed to catch the eye of a kind lady who chose me and my new friends to be the lucky members of the Magic 10 Club. Before I knew it, I was in a roomy kennel of my own - something I never even knew existed! - and on my way to Bangkok.

Once there, I spent some time at a veterinary clinic where I was bathed, groomed, and treated with love and kindness, as they prepared me and my friends to go into foster care at Patarin's house.



At Pat's house, I've been living it up! Clothes, food, friends, love. What more could a girl ask for? I thought this was the end of my happy tale.

But it wasn't! Unbelievably, a third amazing twist of fate has presented itself, for Patarin tells me that I am going to America, to live with a home and family of my very own! 
I am sad to say goodbye to Pat, and to my pals Sasha and Mona (that's us playing above), and to my home country - but I need to be someplace where I can be safe and secure forever. And I'm so very excited to meet my forever people! I didn't even know such a thing existed...
My life has been short and filled with hardship. Who knew there was such a thing as a real paradise on earth?

Not long now. America, here I come! 
I can't wait...

I am a victim of the dog meat trade.

I grew up on the streets of Thailand, in a "survival of the fittest" climate, where I had to fend for food and avoid many dangers. 

One day, some mean men approached me and tossed a wire lasso over my head. They threw me in a small cage with many other dogs. It was cramped and I thought I would suffocate, as it was so overcrowded. The truck sat in the jungle for a couple of days before they made a run for the Vietnam border. During this time, I was not given food or water, and suffered in my cramped quarters. Again, I feared for my life - many dogs around me perished. 

Then - to my surprise - I was rescued by some caring individuals and government officials. I was taken from my cage and herded into a large dog kennel at the government-run Khemmarat livestock shelter. Although my life was marginally better once I was freed from that wire cage, we suffered from widespread disease and massive overcrowding. Food was scarce, we were practically one on top of the other, dog fights were frequent, and there was no medical attention available. Once again, I was surrounded by terrible suffering and watched as my fellow dogs died around me at a rapid rate. 

Luck once more intervened, when Patarin removed me from the shelter and took me to a veterinarian in Bangkok for medical care. After that, she took me under her wing and has been fostering me in her own home, where I finally get to eat proper food, and enjoy affection and cuddles, something I've hardly known in my difficult life. 

For the first time, I see there might be a light at the end of the tunnel. In my foster home with Patarin, I've been shown kindness and affection. It has been a glimpse into a life I never knew existed: one with a home and family to call my own, where I will never know fear again. 

It's a life I so desperately want now…but one which will be brand-new to me and often confusing.

 I have so much to learn about life as a pet dog. I know I can do it - I've made it this far already! - but please, won't you gently show me the ropes, and have patience with me when I make missteps sometimes, as I surely will? In return, I will repay you a thousandfold. 

I just need a fair chance at a life I could only dream of when I was that frightened dog, crammed into a crate, baking alive in the tropical heat, who had given up all hope.