A little boy doing his best to save his dog despite his parent against it

Warning 

The photographs below contain contents that is graphically disturbing, viewer's discretion is advised.

Friday, 7 November 

A heart-wrenching and a heart-warming tale on how a boy went against all odds to help his dog. 

Heart-wrenching because we can understand the little boy’s anguish at not being able to afford medical care for his dog but heart-warming because he loves his dog.

A Form 1 student was referred to our Noah’s Ark ABC (Animal Birth Control) clinic by a vet because he was not able to afford the vet fee of over a RM1,000 to have his dog operated on. He found the dog on the streets four years ago but as his parents objected to him keeping the dog from the very beginning, they were unwilling to pay for the dog’s medicals. His dog had an ovarian cyst with open pyometra.

The boy’s father was initially unhappy with the boy citing loss of face in asking us for help. Raymund spoke to the boy’s father and told him that Noah’s Ark will cover the cost of the surgery on compassionate grounds.

We are able to help this little boy with thanks given to our supporters and donors because Noah’s Ark ABC clinic was set up and operates at low cost for spay and medical issues in Malaysia. 

The dog's surgery was done and the boy will pick up his dog later in the day. We hope this is a happy ending, with the dog being well looked after by the boy (and family) ever after.

Looking into every case, we see many different circumstances. Perhaps we are not in their shoes so we should not judge them, but the father should take heart that his son has been much better brought up than how he has educated him. To the boy, his companion’s life is more important than his own pride of course.

"Kindness and responsibilities come with a price. There are many responsible pet owners that have to go through such financial crisis. Otherwise, how can this young man pay for this responsibility if we cannot provide this service to him? His son’s kindness has a deep-hearted implication." - Raymund Wee

Camping at Noah’s Ark with Students from SOTA

For the first time, Noah's Ark hosted a camping trip for a group of students from School of the Arts (SOTA).  The camp was led by Alysha Nair, together with her friends they planned and organized a 3D/2N camp from 7 to 9 June.

The main purpose of the camp was to let the students understand more about animal welfare and to teach them on the different ways to care for different animals at the sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to 600 dogs, 300 cats, 10 horses, 3 monkeys and rabbits. The students worked in a group and they were taught on how to care for the animals at the sanctuary.

Day 1

The first day was the Horse Therapy Programme where students were taught the basics of riding a horse and to interact with the horses properly.  Hugo Chia a student said, “I feel that the horses are extremely elegant and mighty animals. It was my first time riding a horse and I really love the feeling of riding a horse.” Adding on he said, “The animals can be our best friends but they can be our best teachers too. Animals display many basic values that we human beings might have forgotten or overlooked in life.”

Lynda Goh, a Noah's Ark volunteer and camp coordinator shared that the horse therapy programme was to give the students the opportunity to work with horses and to give them self confidence.  In Singapore horse riding is an expensive hobby and it is a sport which not everyone can participate.  We wanted to give the students the chance to understand that these horses are beautiful and gentle giants.

From left: Nicole, Vanessa and Alysha with
a rescued Great Dane, Juno.

Next, the students were allowed to observe the clinical work that was done for the animals on a case by case basis to assess any underlying health problems or for routine vaccinations. Alysha Nair, a student said, “I find the clinical experience very interesting and I have a deeper understanding of Uncle Raymund's compassion and sincerity in helping the animals.” At the clinic, Raymund also shared with the students about the meaning of an animal lover, one should consider what the term “love” means. To him, the most basic thing is “respect” which is the respect for any creatures great and small.

Day 2

The second day of the camp was letting the students learn about the general housekeeping procedures of the many animals at the sanctuary. The students were tasked to wash the animal’s food bowls and to fill their water bowls too. 

By mid- morning, the students were at the cattery to brush and to clean the cats' ears. The animals at the sanctuary do not get visitors very often so it is a good opportunity for the students to interact with them. Hariharan, a student said, “ I am a dog person but throughout the trip, I have grown to like cats as they were really gentle and would sit next to people and just be there with you. 

Vanessa, a student said, “Cats used to be my favorite but after the trip I like them equally. It is a heartening experience to see all the animals, especially the cats and dogs living together.” The students were also allowed to rinse the horses and learn the basic techniques of grooming the horses.

Raymund Wee also shared with the students about his work in running of the sanctuary daily in caring for all the animals. It showed that through cases of abuse and neglect on dogs like Juno who despite her past was given a second chance at the sanctuary. Even though there is a need for more awareness and priority on animal welfare in Singapore, Raymund shared with the students that they need to know that the factors in keeping the sanctuary running daily was compassion, love and perseverance in working together with the volunteers and workers for the benefit of the animals. 

Jasmine giving  her paw to Nicole.

Nicole, a student said, “Previously, I was allergic to pets and I could not keep them but this was one of my most enjoyable trips and it was a joy to meet all the animals. I realised that all animals such as cats and dogs could live together and it has helped me to grow as a person and understand the animals more.”

Alysha preparing breakfast for the group with Uncle Raymund.

Hari taking over the cooking
from Alysha.

French Toast. Yummy!!

Throughout the camp, the students had to take turns in the morning to prepare breakfast for the group. They had to plan the food that they wanted to cook and to buy as part of their planning for the camp. The students also get to learn real life lessons such as event planning. 

They also understood that the animals at the sanctuary have their own different background stories and personalities which are similar to humans and that they seek only a human’s love, respect and care to understand them. Vanessa said, “Uncle Raymund, Aunty Lynda, Le Ying and the workers at Noah's Ark persevere with a strong focus towards animal welfare and a firm yet loving heart for the animals. To co-ordinate the operations of managing so many animals is no easy feat and has helped me to appreciate the many different roles in an animal welfare organisation.”

Back row from left: Vanessa and Alysha
Front rown from left: Nicole and Le Ying

Hari and Hugo helped the workers to transport the cement
for the construction of Huggy Boy's enclosure.

Man @ Work.

David (right) supervising Hugo to unload the cement.

Both Hugo and Hari giving the final touches to the stable fences.

Evo supervising and ensuring that
the girls washed the horses' buckets.

The students shared that through their camping experience at Noah's Ark, they are able to live their stressful academic life behind for awhile to focus on the therapeutic experience of caring for the animals and living behind their technology devices as there is no internet connection at the sanctuary. Lynda, a Noah's Ark camp coordinator said, “I am impressed with the students, some of them were non pet owners and they adapted very well with the animals. They showed no fear, they were calmed and they remained positive. They listened to instructions, they were serious in their work to help the animals and were not afraid of the hard work.” At the last day of the camp, the students all agreed that the camp was an enriching, memorable and inspirational experience and that they would like to come back again to help the animals.

A well deserved Lok Lok dinner for everyone at
the sanctuary. 

From left: Alysha, David, Hugo, Hari, Raymund, Vanessa and Nicole

Camps are usually conducted during the school holidays for a group about 10 paxs/students.  If you want to plan a camping  trip, please email to Noah's Ark CARES.

To receive updates on the latest events at Noah's Ark, please visit our Facebook page.

To join our mailing list, please email to Noah's Ark CARES.

Emergency Rescue Work at Noah's Ark

Animal Rescue Work is not easy as there are a lot of factors that are involved which constitutes in the attempt to save an animal’s life. Rescuers have to source the necessary medical help and at times it can be emotionally overwhelming for them when an animal succumbs to its injuries or medical condition.

Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary (NANAS) has seen many emergency rescue cases and every case is different with its own story of hope, trust and love by these animals towards their compassionate rescuers.

Gabriel arrived in a vegetable crate.

Zhen Yi lifting Gabriel from the vegetable crate.

Zhen Yi (He had worked with Raymund previously at Noah’s Ark Lodge Private Animal Shelter in Singapore), an owner of a vegetable plantation and a good friend of Raymund, founder of Noah's Ark brought in a badly injured greyish-black Dusky Leaf Monkey. The monkey was believed to be involved in a high speed vehicle collision outside Zhen Yi’s plantation. Upon, noticing the monkey, he quickly drove to Noah's Ark to seek medical help and advice from Raymund.

Transferring Gabriel to the clinic,

The dusky leaf monkeys belong to the family of the Old World Monkeys  and are classified as sub-species. They can be found in Malaysia, Burma and Thailand and they live in dense forests. The appearance of the dusky leaf monkey can be identified with its distinct white spectacled fur markings around its eyes and mouth. Their palms and soles are hairless and have distinct finger print markings and lines that resembles to that of humans. Their diet compromises of mainly unripen fruits, leaves and flowers from the sea bean tree and their digestive systems have the ability to remove plant toxins. Newly born dusky leaf monkeys are bright orange in colour and have a pink face. Within a span of six months, their fur will change from orange to grey as they mature in age.

The monkey was transported by Zhen Yi by using vegetable crates. Despite the fact that it was a wild monkey, it allowed Zhen Yi to carry him with his bare hands as he trusted his kind-hearted rescuer. The dusky leaf monkey had multiple injuries and was in an immense amount of pain but was still conscious throughout. Raymund quickly transferred it to the clinic for a medical assessment as it was bleeding and scared as it griped the cage tightly. Under Raymund’s guidance, his worker Kaz and two volunteers, Clement and Joanne, they quickly remove the dirt that was stuck to its fur and to assess its injuries.

Raymund cleaning Gabriel's wounds.

Gabriel had a head injury from the accident.

The assessment was bleak as the monkey had a diaphragmatic hernia which causes the abdominal organs to be pushed into the diaphragmatic cavity. Also, he had a cracked skull, a fractured left femur, a broken pelvis and was in a state of shock due to the sheer impact sustained in the collision. Raymund administered an analgesic which is a painkiller and antibiotics to alleviate the pain and to prevent infection. Also, they were preparing to put him on IV fluid but the monkey was already gasping for air. 

The monkey held on to Clement’s hand with both of his hands to express his gratitude and courage that he was grateful for the people that had done their best to try and save him. The monkey whom we name Gabriel after the archangel of God passed away peacefully due to his fatal injuries.

Gabriel's hands are like ours.

It was an emotionally draining night for everyone as we could not save Gabriel which was only estimated to be only four years old. However, as their friend and companions, we knew that he had passed on by being surrounded by people who cared and loved him. Gabriel’s story does not end here as it has opened our eyes to a bigger picture which is the call for wildlife conservation which includes the preservation of these animals’ natural habitats.

With the expansion of oil plantations and rapid urbanisation, these factors have contributed to the dusky leaf monkey’s habitat loss. Hunting for food has become a major threat for them as they forced to move to areas near high traffic and urbanisation. They are frequently victims of road-kill accidents and their species are listed as near threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List. Also they are hunted for their meat, to being sold in the pet trade and these factors have led to their decline in numbers. They can also be found in Taman Negara National Park, Malaysia where there are efforts to conserve them in a protected area. 

As Noah's Ark animal welfare volunteers, through Gabriel’s story, we can educate the public about protecting wildlife and conserving their numbers by not destroying their habitat through unethical means. Our love and respect to our fellow animals are important to let them know that we are here for them as their only friend and crusader through thick and thin. 

Rest well Gabriel and run free at the rainbow bridge!

Written by Darren Chan

To Read More and see more Pictures about Dusky Leaf Monkeys:

http://www.arkive.org/dusky-leaf-monkey/trachypithecus-obscurus/
http://www.theprimata.com/trachypithecus_obscurus.html

Sources:

Noah’s Ark Lodge Private Animal Shelter
http://www.noahsarklodge.com/our_story.html  

Dusky Leaf Monkey 
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Trachypithecus_obscurus/ 

Old World Monkeys
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Cercopithecidae/ 

IUCN Red List
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/22039/0 

What should parents know about children and animal cruelty?

As natural explorers, don't all children sometimes harm animals?
Yes but this should not be encouraged or tolerated. Some children kill insects, while a few torture pets or other  small creatures.  But if allowed to harm animals, children are more likely to become more violent as they grow up. Animal cruelty, like any other violence, should never be attributed to a stage of development.

What kind of children display cruelty to animals?
Serious or repeated animal cruelty is seen more often in boys than girls.  Children as young as four years old may have the tendency to harm animals, although such behavior is more common during adolescence.  Cruelty is often associated with children who do poorly in school, have low self-esteem and few friends.  Children who are cruel to animals are often characterized as bullies and may have a history of truancy, vandalism and other antisocial behaviors.



Xiao Mei Mei lost the use of her front right leg because someone tied a rubber band round her leg and caused the flood to stop circulating.

What does animal cruelty indicate about family dynamics?
Researchers say that a child's violence against animals  often represents displaced hostility and aggression which stems from neglect or abused of the child or of another family member.  Animal cruelty committed by any member of a family, whether parent of child, often means that child abuse has a high chance of occurring in that family.

What should I do if my child or neighbour's child has harmed an animal?
If you suspect your child has deliberately harmed an animal, talk to your child. Try to discover  what caused the cruelty.  Communicate with your child, your  child's teachers and your child's friends.  The more you know about your child's activities, you will be better equipped to guide your child in understanding and making compassionate and humane choices.

Something as serious as animal cruelty, however, should not be handled alone.  Seek help from a family counselor or school counselor.  If you know another child who has harmed an animal, report what you know immediately to your local welfare organization or police department. Also alert the child's school principal.

What should I tell my child about the other child's behavior?
Explain that animal abuse is often a sign of other serious problem and should be addressed by the proper authorities.  Knowing that a friend has serious problems can be quite troubling for a child, as well as witnessing animal cruelty.  Your child may need your guidance and patience  to sort out their feelings.  As parents, you need to be there for your child.

What should I do if an otherwise "good" child harms an animal one time?
Though innocent exploration may be corrected simply by talking with the child, you should be concerned any time a child causes an animal pain or suffering.

What is the difference between innocent exploration and calculated animal cruelty?
Innocent exploration may come from simple curiosity, but intentional animal cruelty is motivated by a desire to harm. While even innocent acts of cruelty should be addressed, it is particularly important to intervene when a child is insensitive to the obvious distress of an animal, repeats a harmful behavior or derives pleasure from causing an animal pain.

How should I teach my child to respect animal life?
Teach by  example.  Use real-life situations to instill a sense of respect for all living things.  Invite your child to help you feed strays or rescue an animal from danger. With other children, discuss animal cruelty cases publicized in the news.  Encourage children to respect and speak up for the animals.