Hope for the animals

On my way to work today I was pleasantly surprised to see two MMDA enforcers walk to the middle of Taft and EDSA to rescue a kitten that had gotten itself caught in the middle of rushing traffic.

It was even more heartwarming to see all the cars stop while the traffic enforcers picked up the kitten.

Yes, there is hope for this country.

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Just the other week two little kittens where left in the garden in our house. Nobody knows who left them there — but we have taken them in and have added them to our brood of five cats.  I make sure that they are fed and when the time is right I will get them fixed.  If they like to stay in our house I will let them live in the little cattery that I have set up for strays. 

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And then there is the story about Frodo, a nine year-old Chihuahua who is new to our home.  I was moved by the story of his mama Kai that the new condo unit where they moved to in Pasig has asked them to find Frodo a new home because he is no longer welcome.

Kai told me that when they signed the lease for the unit they had been told by the unit owner that dogs were allowed. But, sadly, they found out recently that it was not the case.

Frodo was recued by Kai from a petshop in Pasay when he was a pup.  Kai told me that Frodo had a problem as a pup and thus no one wanted to buy him. When she saw him banging his head in the cage she was moved by pity and bought him.

It was tearful goodbye for Kai when I came to pick up Frodo. After all,  Frodo has been with Kai since he was a wee pup.

Vodka, Tasha, Gorby, Nik and Yuri my doggy companions have welcomed Frodo into our home. They give him the space he needs — and we, the humans try to comfort him as he adjusts to life in a new home.

Here are few things that have helped me as we adjust to Frodo:

1. All adopted pets are going to a home with love and care devoted to them alone, still because of where they came from and their age they might have some difficulty understanding why they have “lost” their others home.  So, patience, patience and more patience is a must.

2. We brought home Frodo’s food bowl for water and food, a leash, collar, and bedding.  This way he can still feel at home. We were amazed to find that as soon as we put his bed out at night for him to sleep on he immediately went for it and lay down to sleep. 

3. Frodo is not the first adult dog I have taken in, but he seems to be the most shy and perhaps the most cautious. I knew a little about him from Kai, but there are a few more things I have learned along the way. We try to make him feel as at home as possible and I treat him with the same love and care as I do all my other pets — dogs and cats, included.

4. We keep your Frodo on a leash so we can get close to him. I noticed that he wags his tail when he sees his leash. I guess he enjoys going outdoors. We have shown him where his water and food dish are kept.  

He also has his own little space in our house where we put his bed. He stays indoors and we make sure to check on him often. We also let the other doggies stay with him so that he gets used to their company. 

5. I was told by my vet that that first couple of weeks that Frodo and I will be in the getting to know one another stage.   He doesn’t know why he has come to our home or what is expected of him.  I make sure to greet Frodo every morning and to check on him when I get home from work. He is still adjusting and I understand when he sometimes hides from me. I still call out to him just like I do to all my other doggy companions.  

I have read that when a dog is settling in for the first time he may experience shyness, anxiety, restlessness, excitement, crying or barking.  He may exhibit excessive water drinking, frequent urination, or diarrhea. 

So far, I have seen the shy Frodo. But, he eats regularly and is sleeping well. A good sign.

About the new kitten, well, she is eating the food we are feeding her and she no longer trembles when we hold her. Another good sign.

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I know that from dealing with new dogs in our homw it takes about two to three weeks until they begin to feel at home. Sometimes it takes a little longer than that. But, the pet lover in me know that one day, I will probably have trouble remembering when he wasn’t one of us.

Pet love is like that.