Delhi Puppies 1 (Adopted!)

*** UPDATE!! ***

March 2014
All four puppies from this litter have been adopted! 
The pups left Delhi, India and arrived here in Chicago USA in early March.

 They stayed with Dawn and Chuck for foster care and thrived in the home setting. 
Our sweet Malaysian doggie, Ronaldo, and Dawn and Chuck's two Thai rescues, Macha and JJ, all showered the puppies with love and affection.

They were adopted by four different families, all local:
Brownie (now Rocky) was adopted by Abby & Domenic!

Doughnut (now Dunkin) was adopted by Tammy and family!

Peanut was adopted by Tori and family!

Stella was adopted by Lucinda and family!

* * * * * 

My name is Brownie.

My name is Doughnut.

My name is Peanut.

And my name is Stella.

We are four playful, innocent ten-week-old puppies. 
And we are the tragic by-products of India's street dog epidemic.

Delhi, the national capital of India, is a city teeming with life. Its human population alone stands at 22 million. It is estimated that over 260,000 homeless desi (local/common) street dogs call Delhi home.

Although the killing of desi dogs has been prohibited for the past decade, no concurrent comprehensive sterilization programs have been put into place by the government. 
So the population of desi dogs continues to swell...

Enter our little family.

Our mom, Cherry, was typical of India's native dog type - small, lithe, intelligent - but looked upon as little more than an expendable hanger-on by her human family.

It was cold in South Delhi ten weeks ago when we were born. And our mom's human family wasn't particularly attached to her, let alone the four naked, hungry, mewling additional mouths she brought into the world. They walked outside on a cold morning to find our mom lying weakly on her side, grooming and cleaning us - her newborn babies - and they were disgusted and unhappy.
They brought us to a nearby dump and threw us in amongst the trash and the hundreds of resident dogs already calling this dump home.
Yes - hundreds. 
Desi dogs daily shelter in dumps all over the city. They sleep under sharp, rusted car and machine parts, and breathe noxious fumes day and night. They walk on broken glass and are constantly exposed to hazardous materials. Territorial skirmishes are not uncommon, and drinkable water is scarce.
This was they type of place into which we newborns were dumped to die.



Cherry, our mom - though weak and exhausted - somehow found the inner strength to pick herself up and follow our scent all the way to the dump, where she found our cold, shivering bodies lying amongst the stinking garbage. One by one, she collected us and then she curled her body around us for warmth.
But she knew that our stay on this planet was destined to be a short one, for how could we survive the cold without shelter? And even if against all odds we somehow could survive the cold - she, being undernourished, would never be able to provide proper sustenance to keep herself and us alive and healthy.
So she cuddled us close to her and let us nurse what little she could produce, much as it broke her heart.

She wasn't strong enough, and we were not old enough to be moved to a different area. And even if she was able to move us - we would just be trading one bad fate for another.

Traffic in Delhi can be heavy and dangerous - especially for those of us who are very young and naive to its dangers. Available food is scarce and street dog packs are highly territorial. One misstep on the part of an accidental interloper can lead to a savage attack. And then there are deadly diseases for those of us who are unvaccinated…and humans, who can sometimes be malicious…and dog catchers…to name just a few of the dangers we face every day.

At any rate, our time was almost up. It was simply too cold for our vulnerable bodies to sustain life.

And then - a miracle happened.

A kind young woman was passing by the dump and spotted our small family. She realized how much danger we were in, and was absolutely determined to save our lives. She contacted the wonderful Drs. Choudhary, two veterinarians whose passion for helping us desi dogs is well-known around the Delhi area.

These doctors dedicate much of their spare time to sterilizing and vaccinating as many street dogs as they can in an effort to improve the lives and welfare of both us dogs, and the humans we interact with.

They are truly heroes (as this lovely, brief video well demonstrates)!

The clinic belonging to the Drs. Choudhary where we were brought was truly a beacon of hope to our mom, who could not believe the reprieve our little family had been granted.

We were examined, treated for parasites, and our mom was given top-notch nutrition to improve her health and milk supply, which in turn helped us immensely. We were also provided with comfortable accommodations for the first time in our lives - our short lives, as far as the four of us were concerned. We lived joyfully together as a family in a warm, padded crate at the clinic for six lovely weeks. For our mom, it was her first glimpse into the paradise that is life as a dog who is loved.
Here are some photos of us at four weeks of age. Awwwww!

All of us together in one picture...



The brothers (Brownie at left and Doughnut at right).

The sisters (Stella at left and Peanut at right).

We were weaned two weeks later, and began our vaccination series as we readied to go into foster homes of our own.
Meanwhile, our mom was spayed and vaccinated in preparation for her own adoption to a lovely family in Amsterdam (hooray!) - and in the meantime, she was actually fostered in the home of the kind doctors. 
She will fly to her forever family soon. We are so happy for her, though we will miss her when she goes. But soon it will be our turn to fly, too.

That is, if we can find forever homes of our very own...

At any rate, we headed into foster homes one month ago. The Drs. Choudhary then partnered with the International Street Dog Foundation to help us find homes in the USA - yippee!
Tonight, we are flying to Chicago. In AMERICA. Wow!! 
A big journey lies ahead of us…but we love adventure, and are up for the challenge!

But back to a month ago. We were split into three foster homes at six weeks of age. Us boys (Brownie and Doughnut) stayed together. Us girls (Peanut and Stella) were split into separate foster homes able to accommodate one pup apiece. 

Our foster families have taken some photos of us and sent along updates about our developing personalities to help ISDF seek forever homes for us. Here are our stories!

* * * * *

Brownie & Doughnut 

Brownie

Hi! I'm a little boy.

My foster mom says I am a total teddy bear who wants nothing more than to be held and cuddled. I don't like to be separated from the humans in my foster family, and seek out their company and their affection at every opportunity. I especially love to hang out with the kids of the household who are ages 4, 13, and 15. 
I am paper-trained and have begun learning to walk on a leash (in a city like Delhi with a burgeoning street dog population, it is not always safe to walk pets like us on leash, so our foster families are cautious about practicing this skill with us). 
I am an absolute lover, and hope I can soon find my forever family that I can bestow boundless affection upon!

 * * * * *

Doughnut

Hi! I'm a little boy.

Brownie and I are in foster care together with the same family, and I, too adore the children of the household (ages 4, 13, and 15). 
I am sweet as can be, and very affectionate. My foster family says I am very bright, and a quick learner. I am also self-confident, active, and mischievous at times.
Like Brownie, I am paper-trained, but learning to walk on a leash outside. 
My ideal forever family is active, fun-loving, and always ready for adventure. I sure hope I can find them soon. I can't wait to be part of a real family!

* * * * *

Peanut

Hi! I'm a little girl.

I am an absolute sweetie pie. I'm doing fantastic in my foster home with three other dogs and several children.

I still sleep with a hot water bottle at night because I do miss my mom and the company of my three siblings. But I'm quiet all night long, and don't make a yipping fuss when the household is asleep.

My foster family reports that I am a very clever little girl. I have learned how to sit on command, and enjoy all the praise I get for doing it. I am paper-trained, but have also learned to walk very nicely on a leash, and have actually been on a number of walks already. I love getting out and exploring the world with my family!

You can also see by my photo that I think toys are a blast. I love learning, and figuring out new things. I'm a very confident and active little girl, and I think life is one big happy game these days. Won't you consider adopting me, so that we can play it together for the rest of my life? 

I promise I will make you very happy that you did.

* * * * *

Stella

Hi! I'm a little girl.

Like my sister, I'm a clever little thing, and an intrepid adventurer. 
I'm playful as can be, and love meeting new dogs and trying to coax them to be my friend.
I'm used to my crate and sleep quite well in it, but I admit that I make a little noise when I am first put inside it. I want to let my humans know that I'm not happy about being separated from the fun! But they are always right - darn it - because they seem to know when I'm sleepy, even when I don't know it. In short order, after a few yips and howls…whaddyaknow, but I'm snoozing! Those foxy humans. They always have my number.
I'm working on paper-training and housebreaking, and I'm doing really good considering my tender age. But I think it will be much easier when I'm in the USA, where I can safely get walked and be outside regularly. I'm sure my forever family will reward me handsomely with praise and treats for my progress - which will surely occur quickly, since I'm a clever pup, like my siblings.
Speaking of walking on a leash - I'm learning to do that, and my foster family reports that I have very nice manners on my walks. My table manners are a little more lacking, however! I have an insatiable appetite for both food and water, and would polish off an entire bag of kibble if I had the chance. I also slurp my water so wildly that at times, I knock over the dish. My foster family recommends my forever people purchase a sturdy, tip-proof metal water bowl for me.
I can cuddle like my lovebug brothers, but I admit that I'm really more of the sporty, athletic type, like my sis. We adore affection...but break out a tug-of-war toy and show it to us, and then you'll really have our undivided attention!
 Okay, well maybe I'm exaggerating my independence just a little bit. I do like to explore…but I never want to be too far away from the humans of my household, either. A big dose of both - people and fun - is the perfect combination for me.
I am playful, sweet, and happy. Only one thing is missing in my life - YOU!
Won't you please consider giving me a home for life? 
I promise I'll be a barrel of fun, and make every day an adventure by your side!

For more information about adopting Brownie, Doughnut, Peanut, or Stella - or any of our available dogs - please contact Dawn Trimmel at (414) 426-4148. Thank you!

* * * * *

The Desi Dogs of Delhi

Over a quarter of a million street dogs - possibly even many more than that - call Delhi, India home. These desi dogs coexist among Delhi's 22 million human residents - and both humans and dogs must constantly walk a fragile, precarious line drawn between them to keep the uneasy peace between the species.

Until the day a widely-implemented program is put into place - one with the cornerstones of mass sterilization to reduce street dog numbers; vaccination to protect both dogs and humans from disease; and adoption/responsible pet ownership or street dog guardianship in the intervening years before sterilization naturally dwindles the dog overpopulation problem (for example, for dogs who would not do well in a domestic setting such as a home, there may be neighborhood communities that can commit to feeding and watching over their local packs) - there will be no easy answers to the desi dog problem.

Fortunately, there are two amazing veterinarians - the Drs. Choudhary - who are committed to helping address the Indian street dog issue at its very grassroots. Their dedication and hard work are phenomenal. Together, they have helped to rehabilitate and re-home many of these deserving dogs around the world. And by spaying and neutering, feeding, and medically treating hundreds of desi dogs, they have made lives better for many, many needy dogs.

Here is a link to a Facebook page called Desi Furries Worldwide that provides a wealth of information and many lovely updates about adopted Indian street dogs helped by the Drs. Choudhary. Additionally, here is a link to an informative article written last year and entitled A Better Life for Desi Dogs. It explains the plight of India's street dogs, and showcases the important role that this husband-and-wife veterinary team have played in improving the lives of so many needy dogs.

Thank you so much for your interest and support!

Dido (in foster care)

* * * UPDATE!! * * *

February 2014

I flew to the United States in late February alongside Forest, who was being adopted by the kind Christiansen family. They are the amazing folks who were all set to adopt dear little Cutie, who tragically crossed the Rainbow Bridge just before she was scheduled to fly here to the USA to join her loving adoptive family.

We were picked up at the airport in Minneapolis by the Christiansens and driven to Forest's new home in Wisconsin.

I adored my foster family - they were so kind to me, and helped me integrate into American life during my early days here.

Dawn came and picked me up a week after my arrival. 

She fostered me for a few days, and I did very well with her home pack.

During that time, she and Chuck took me to be bathed and groomed. 

I'm looking pretty fancy now!

Then we traveled onwards to meet an amazing couple who have a Thai dog "niece" named Roxie from the Soi Dog Foundation, and were interested in fostering a Thai dog of their own.

I absolutely love my new foster parents! They are loving and super dog savvy, and are helping me continue to acclimate to this new culture and climate. I am flourishing here, where I am the one and only doggie - the center of attention!

And - shhhh - don't tell anyone, but…my foster parents have been whispering to one another that if I continue to do as well as I've been doing, I might graduate from being their foster boy to being their real-life actual factual doggie son! 

But that's just between you and me…

;-)

Stay tuned!

Thank you to all who made this possible, from Patarin Phadungpisuth with Pat the Dog (PTD) International Rescue for finding, transporting, vetting, and fostering Dido; to his foster family, the Christiansens, who welcomed him with open arms and taught him the ropes during his first week here in America; to kind-hearted international supporters who generously donated to help cover his medical and flight costs.

* * * * *

My name is Dido.

I'm around three years old, and have spent practically my whole life on the grounds of a Buddhist temple called Plak Maai Laai in the southwest Thai village of Nakorn Pathom. 
I was born into a litter from a mama that had humans of her own - well, kind of - but they didn't care enough about my mom or us to keep us together. When we were still very young, me and my siblings were left here at the temple like so many others. When the people drove away with our crying mother, our hearts were broken because we knew we would never see her again.

Back then, there weren't as many dogs as there are now. But in the past few years especially, our home has become an unofficial dumping ground for litters of puppies and kittens.

Kind monks have been feeding us all for the past few years (that's me in the photo - front and center!) but since few of us are sterilized or vaccinated, our home has become an overcrowded and dangerous situation. There is simply not enough food for us all, so we are slowly starving. And the situation is ripe for an illness epidemic to sweep through at any moment - it will just take one very sick dog or cat, and - disaster!

Life at the temple was neither awful nor wonderful. It was just - just getting by, I guess you could say. We had water, although it was often not very clean - and we had food, when it was supplied and when we could get some mouthfuls in between all the competition from the others.

But I longed for something more. Security…like two reliable meals a day, as I hear dogs with humans have. And affection…which is in such short supply around here. There are simply too many of us for any one person to have the time to love us up individually. And shelter…the weather here is usually pretty nice, but in extreme heat, or during the rainy season, I spend so many days overheated or soaking wet, since so many of us must compete for the little shelter we can find here at the temple.

Besides which, I had been starting to feel weaker over the past few months. It wasn't just the short supply of food. It was something else. I could feel it in my body, but I wasn't sure what it was. And anyway, even if I knew, there was nothing I could do to make myself better. Our fates are so dependent upon the kindness of the handful of humans who care about us!

What I DID know was that I had itched constantly for my entire life. I was absolutely teeming with fleas and ticks. They covered my body under my hair coat, and had since I was a baby. I think I spent 90% of my waking moments at that temple just scratching myself.
Little did I know that the parasites and my health issues were connected - my blood was being literally sucked dry by the fleas and ticks, so I was suffering from anemia. Hence, my constant fatigue. 
And - I had contracted two deadly tick-borne diseases, which are easily treatable. However, without medication, either alone could claim a life. I was battling two at once.

My situation was slowly deteriorating, but it never affected my happy-go-lucky attitude. Whenever the rare human visitor passed through, I was first in line to bound over and see them, in hopes of any scant affection or attention. I just love people - and it showed.

One fateful day, Patarin Phadungpisuth - friend to the dogs - happened to be passing through. She had heard about a handicapped dog in dire need of assistance, and had come to rescue the poor soul. However, she arrived to find he had already passed away.
Pat was devastated, but I thought I could comfort her. I could sense her kind spirit and approached her in my usual way - tail wagging, tongue lolling out, and happy smile at the ready. She stroked my head, which made my tail wag so hard that I thought it would fall off my body. It was then that she noticed how well I got along with all the other animals at the temple - dogs and cats…and then that she took note of my cute tricks and funny mannerisms, such as my love of lying on benches built for humans…



...and after petting me for a few more minutes, it was then that she spotted the fleas and ticks absolutely covering me.
She realized that although the dog she had come to save was sadly beyond helping now, here was another dog who needed urgent intervention - me.
That was my lucky day. Patarin is my guardian angel, and I am so very lucky to have met her, and to have won her heart.
She brought me back with her to Bangkok, where I received immediate medical attention. 

 I received IV fluids and medications to correct my anemia, dehydration, malnutrition, and tick-borne illnesses.

Next, I had to be shaved down to the skin before the thousands of critters living all over me could be properly evicted.

It took some time for me to properly heal, but I have a positive, happy energy and that helped lots.
Plus, Pat came to visit me and told me that when I was all better, I could come to her house to stay until travel arrangements could be made for me. I hardly even heard the part about the traveling because I was so focused on…what?? Stay? At her house??? I was over the moon!

It took me a week or so, but soon I was recovered and ready to go. The big day arrived, and I hopped into a car for the second time in my life, this time for a very short drive.
Pat's house was like heaven for me. Square meals twice a day, nice doggie beds to sleep on, friends to play with, and lots and lots of love and affection!



Little did I know, however, that there still yet more in store for me!
Patarin has been coordinating with Dawn at ISDF to make flight arrangements for me and my new buddy, Forest, to go to America. There, Forest will join his forever family, and I will start the hunt for my very own people.
A home and family of my very own!
I just can't wait!!
They are out there somewhere…and when I meet them, I just know it will be love at first sight for us all.
Thanks for taking the time to read and share my story.
Love, Dido



For more information about adopting Dido or any of our available dogs, please contact Dawn Trimmel at (414) 426-4148. Thank you!