Juno - Neglected & Mistreated by her Owner

This is Juno the Great Dane 

Her previous owner kept her in a cage 24/7 — whether she was fed at all, bathed or cared for in any way, we are unsure. But one look at her and it is painfully obvious the kind of neglect and mistreatment she had to live through.

A kind pet transporter contacted Uncle Raymund after getting to know of Juno’s situation. She was brought in to Noah's Ark about the time a group of us students from the School of the Arts (SOTA), Singapore, were staying a weekend at the sanctuary doing volunteer work.

"We were appalled, and
it was really heartbreaking
to see a dog in that state."

When we all saw her for the first time, I can safely say we all shared the same sentiments - we were appalled, and it was really heartbreaking to see a dog in that state.  She was literally skin and bone, with these gaping wounds on either side of her hips that were painful even to look at.

Juno was literally skin and bone.

Juno had a wound on both her hind legs,
it could fit a ping pong ball.

The wound on her right hind leg.

I’m sure most of us students would have come across animal abuse cases on the news or on TV, but I doubt any of us had actually seen one like Juno’s so up close and personal. It was a real slap in the face, back to the reality that there does exist people who can neglect their pets to such a cruel extent. It is hard to believe but it is a sad truth.

Juno refused to move, all she wanted was to be loved.

Alysha leading Juno to the clinic for a check-up.

However, I could feel that despite her condition, she still had so much life and spirit in her. It was touching because having been neglected the way she was for so long, she really only wanted to be loved and I could see that. There was absolutely no malice in her behaviour despite what she had been through, and she would sit quietly by you and allow you to pet her. I believe she knew she was safe and in good hands. How one could look an animal in the eye and treat them with such cruelty… I could never understand that.

Juno's weight.

An ideal weight for a female Great Dane is
between 45 Kg and 59 Kg

Le Ying drawing blood from Juno to test
for heartworm and tick fever.

Great News!!  Juno was tested negative
for both heartworm and tick fever.

Juno had to be put on drip due to dehydration.

We brought her over to the clinic to be checked. She was barely 30 kilos, far below a healthy weight for a Great Dane like herself.  But she could gobble up her food like it was nothing! We took her out for a short walk and much to our surprise she was stronger than one would imagine, and so enthusiastic!

Juno showing good appetite,
which is a good sign.

"There was absolutely no malice in her behaviour despite what she had been through, and she would sit quietly by you and allow you to pet her. 

I believe she knew she was safe and in good hands. How one could look an animal in the eye and treat them with such cruelty."

Seeing her strength, her heart (and not to mention how truly majestic she looked with her ears up and all), we knew we wanted to give her a name fit for a queen! So we decided to call her “Juno”. In Roman mythology, Juno is the most important and most highly regarded goddess and wife to Jupiter, equivalent to the Greek goddess Hera, wife of Zeus.

Under the care of Uncle Raymund and everyone at Noah's Ark, we know that the next time we return, Juno will be a changed dog, and we look forward to seeing her recovery.  

Written by Alysha Nair



Pet Sponsorship
To support  Juno's medical aid and animal sponsorship, please email to Noah's Ark CARES.


Footnote:
The Great Dane is a  "gentle giant". Sometimes referred to as the "king of dogs," this extremely large dog breed is known for being strong yet elegant, with a friendly, energetic personality. This breed is also popular as a family pet. Coat colors can be brindle, fawn, blue, black, harlequin and mantle. 

Sleepy Cats at Noah's Ark

18:30 hrs @ Noah's Ark 

Take a peep and see what the cats are doing.  They all go to bed early and sleeping soundly.

One of the ways in which cats show happiness is by sleeping.

 - Cleveland Amory

A Big Commotion in Rescuing Puppies- Rare Incident, Happy Ending!

Puppies are trapped. They need help!

Oh God, Puppies are trapped!

3 young puppies were discovered wedged between concrete beams at an abandoned construction site at Jalan Melaka Raya 12, Melaka. Some good-hearted lawyers tried to rescue them but were unsuccessful. However, with the help of the Fire Brigade (“Bomba”) from Jalan Kubu, Melaka, the puppies were saved.

The people who discovered the puppies tried, unsuccessfully, to lift and move the concrete beams to free the puppies.  They then enlisted the help of the Bomba which managed to extricate the puppies from the concrete beams. The puppies were adopted instantly by a dog lover who happened to walk by, thus letting this rarely seen incident draw to a close with a happy ending.

The incident happened at 9.30 a.m. The person who discovered these trapped puppies is a lawyer of Punjabi race, named Jaspal Singh (44 years old) and was joined by his fellow lawyer friend, Siah Li Mei (47 years old), whereby both of them, not concerned about their working attire, attempted to rescue the puppies, thus bringing a lot of attention to themselves.

Seeking Bomba’s help

Jaspal Singh said that about 9.30 a.m. as he was arriving at his law firm, he heard the cries of puppies. It came from the construction site which was located opposite his office. He went closer to look and discovered that there were puppies wedged in between the concrete beams.

“At that moment, I tried to put my hand into the gaps to coax them out. However, that made them go deeper into the narrower crevices of the concrete beams and their heads got stuck. They were unable to move. They yelped for help, which was so heart wrenching.”

He said his fellow lawyer had used food to entice the puppies to crawl out of the gap. But to no avail.

In the end, they had to seek the help of the Bomba since there was nothing they could do. The Bomba immediately dispatched its team. A number of firemen arrived at the scene, and they completed the rescue mission in less than 5 minutes.”

Siah Li Mei, a volunteer with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (SPCA) Melaka, said that everyone is relieved and happy that the puppies have been rescued. It is extremely fortunate that these puppies found a new home immediately. Today is a very joyful day indeed.

Translation from Mandarin to English

Extracted from China Press Malacca, 4 November 2013

Elaine with a box of puppies.

“A Dream Come True”

I kept in touch with Elaine Tan who adopted the puppies. She told me that it was a coincidence that she was walking by with her husband on that fateful day and she was curious to see a crowd gathering at an abandoned construction site so she stopped to take a look.

When I showed her the puppies which was estimated to be about 3 months old in the box, her heart melted.  She said they were so young, and she could not bear the thought of seeing them starved and ridden with parasites.

Elaine recalled her daughter’s dream that they will have 3 puppies in their new home.  Instantly she knew it was destiny that brought her to the site. She decided to open her heart by giving the three puppies a home by adopting them so that they will not be homelessness.

I was delighted that the puppies will have a safe place to live and in a home environment.  I also ensured that the puppies will be sterilised when they are older and I kept in contact with Elaine on the progress of the puppies. 

Left: Fei Fei and Happy

Lucky

The puppies were named Happy, Lucky and Fei Fei.  

In March 2014, Elaine brought the three puppies to Noah’s Ark Animal Birth Control (ABC) Clinic* in Melaka for sterilisation.  Happy and Lucky have grown to be a happy-go- lucky characters.  Fei-Fei as the name implies is a cute and chubby. 

Elaine is loving mum to her teenagers and she is fur-parent that showers attention, care and love to Happy, Lucky and Fei Fei.  

For the Tan family, adopting 3 puppies is a dream come true.  Who says dreams don’t come true?

* Noah’s Ark Animal Birth Control (ABC) Clinic, Melaka – is a clinic with no frills and provides low cost sterilization to reduce the dogs and cats population.

All the sterilized dogs and cats will have their left ear tipped to show that they have been sterilized. We strongly believe that sterilization is more humane than culling, in order to reduce the over-population of unwanted animals.

Written by Siah Li Mei

China Press Malacca, 4 November 2013

.

Farewell to Jill - A Cat's Best Friend

Jill

Rescued in 2007 from a Fish Farm/Breeding Farm in Lim Chu Kang

Passed away peacefully on 5 June 2014

Est. Age 12 yrs old

With great sadness, Jill passed on this morning from congestive heart failure.

Visitors will fondly remember Jill as the dog that lived with many cats in the Wisma Kuching.

One day, Jill conveniently invited herself to stay with the cats at the Wisma Kuching.

She liked the place very much, because she could be with her caregiver 

while he takes care of the cats.  

As Jill grew older, she started to have cataract and it was difficult for her to see her way around the sanctuary, by staying with the cats she was safe and we didn't have to worry about her wondering on the sanctuary. 

Dogs are allowed to stay with the cats as long as they do not harm them.

Jill has shown us that it is possible for dogs to live and get along with many cats.

Jill has taught and shown us that if RESPECT is given – anything is possible.

We will never forget her gentleness and her sweet nature towards the cats and visitors.

She has truly lived her life to the fullest at the sanctuary, 

we gave her HOPE, SHELTER and LOVE to die with dignity.

Jill, we will miss you and our thoughts will always be with you.

With love from 

All of us at Noah’s Ark.

Jill was a Noah's Ark Cover Girl 2013 together with Jasmine.

Jill enjoying her retirement with the cats.

Jill looking on at Max  with her cat friends.

Jill surrounded by many cats.

Footnote:

Jill was rescued in 2008 from a breeder who set-up a made shift kennel at a fish farm in Lim Chu Kang.  

Together with Jill, Noah’s Ark rescued 13 other dogs which included Golden Retrievers, Jack Russel, Fox Terriers and Cross Breeds.

In 2012, Jill was our mascot for Noah’s Ark Animal Birth Control (ABC) Spay Shuttle promoting the importance of sterilization.

Jill was Noah's Ark cover girl for 2013 calendar.

Photo Credits:

Top Photo of Jill taken by Nicholas Lee of Furry Photos in 2008.

Photos of Jill in her senior days take by Anne Young in 2012 and 2013.

Jill posing with her cat friends for Noah's Ark spay shuttle.

Jill running and playing at Noah's Ark in her younger days.

Jill loved adventure.

The Importance of Including Your Pet in Your Will

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.

You are his life, his love, his leader.

He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart

You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

Frequently, people scoff at the notion of mentioning their pets in their wills as they are so certain that their family members will take care of their beloved pets.  However, we at at Noah's Ark have found that this not always the case.  Therefore, it is in the owner's interest, to specify in detail the well-being of their pets till the end of their pets' lives.

Noah’s Ark has come across many cases where owners failed to include their pets in their wills.  Sadly, when they pass on and their family members despite previously agreements decide against keeping the pet.  Often, these pets are then abandoned or surrendered to animal welfare organisations.

Pepi was given up after his owner passed on.

Mr Raymund Wee, founder of Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary (NANAS) frequently comes across cases where he has been asked to take in the pet of an owner who has passed on as the family do not wish to keep the pet.  It is never a pleasant situation to be in for the pet.

As such, we often advise pet owners that one of the first things they should identify are potential caregivers (either one or two person/s) that they believe are able to take care of their pet(s).  Such individuals should be both trustworthy and serious about caring for their pets till the end of the pets’ natural lives.  To ensure that appropriate care is given, these caregivers should be briefed thoroughly on the pet’s dietary and medical needs where necessary.  This is because it is a responsibility that must be evaluated properly by both the pet owner and caregiver.  The caregiver must be in a position to fulfil those requirements.

Second, a provision for funds should be made to the caregivers to ensure that they are financially able to take care of them.  This amount of money set aside should be adequate to cover the pet’s basic needs such as food, medical care, grooming, and occasional boarding fees (for the times when the caretaker is overseas).  Always ensure sufficient funds are set aside to cover your pet for its natural life especially with medical advances a healthy pet could live much longer than previously anticipated.

Thirdly, it is necessary to seek the advice of your legal representatives regarding the documents that need to be passed down to your caregivers and that these documents do authorize the caregivers to care for the pets if the owner is no longer able to do so due to sickness or mental incapacitation.

By making such necessary arrangements, you can ensure that your pet will be taken care of by people who will love your pets as well as experienced in taking care of them when you are no longer able to do so.  It is always advisable to give a detailed history of your pet and current veterinarian records to the intended caregiver so that they will be prepared in any situation.  When complete information about your pet is entrusted to the caregiver, they will then be able to provide the best care and love to your pet until it passes on.

Including your pet in your will is your final gesture of your love of your pet by ensuring that they will not be abandoned or neglected in your absence.  Rather, both you and your pets will be secure in the knowledge that they will be taken care of by people whom you trust.

So do think seriously about including your pet in your will.  Speak to your legal representative about what provisions are required to ensure that you will have enough funds set aside for the care of your pets.  So that your responsibility and love of your pets will carry on even after you are unable to do so.

Written By: Darren Chan