I have only been to Meiji’s sanctuary in Raub once, way back in 2009, but we have been in contact through the phone and whenever Meiji brought her animals down here for medical treatment under our sponsorship.
It is always very hard to contact Meiji because there is no reception up at her sanctuary. However, today, Meiji called me.
I asked her how many dogs she is looking after now and she said the latest figure is 125.
Yes, that’s ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE dogs to look after.
All by herself.
She told me that it has been very stressful for her, yet she strives on for the sake of the dogs. Ironically, the greatest stress is not from the dogs, but from humans who keep badgering her about her sanctuary, saying that she should just throw all her dogs away and concentrate on the spiritual life. Goodness me, how “spiritual” can one be if one does that? The greatest “spirituality” (as I understand it) is when we can see the oneness in us all and help each other regardless of skin, colour, fur or feathers. That…is the highest spiritual calling – practising unconditional loving-kindness. It isn’t about sitting cross-legged in a mountain cave, muttering some magic mantras.
But never mind that.
Meiji say it’s also been raining for the last few weeks and she has not been able to tap rubber. That’s her only source of income to run her shelter. She depends on the occasional donations from well-wishers too.
There has also been many sick dogs and she has been sending them for medical treatment in UPM. I assured her that I would help her with the medical bills as far as we can.
I also asked Meiji what she needs most and she said it’s dogfood. So, if anyone would like to donate dogfood, she would appreciate it very, very much as that would cut down on her monthly expenses.
However, since it’s literally an uphill task going to Meiji’s sanctuary, I would like to suggest that we pool our resources together, get dogfood donation in bulk and Meiji says she would drive down here to collect the food. But let’s make her trip from Raub worthwhile, so we’ll get food in bulk for her.
If any of you would like to help her with dogfood donation, please write to me at chankahyein@gmail.com (Deadline: 25th March)
Thank you.
Here are some photos taken in Dec 2009 when I visited Meiji:
Comments
5 responses to “Meiji, an angel to 125 dogs!”
GOD bless all the ANGELS..
Dearest Dr. Chan, it saddens my heart very much to read that "Ironically, the greatest stress is not from the dogs, but from humans who keep badgering her about her sanctuary, saying that she should just throw all her dogs away and concentrate on the spiritual life."
You know, with the latest multiple tragedies happening in Japan, first the earthquake, then the tsunami, then the nuclear disaster, and as if that is not enough destruction, the cold snow drop, killing thousands.
My heart had been anxious, thinking about the suffering animals caught in the catastrophe and our own suffering strays at home.
I came across this article which offered much comfort and I wish to share it with you and all AnimalCare readers. I especially like the comment on the needlessness of animal sacrifices and the affirmation of the position of animals in our lives and eternity (hurray, I will be reunited with every single one of them!):
ANIMALS IN THE BIBLE
http://www.frontline.org.za/articles/animals.htm
"How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished." Jeremiah 12:4
In the course of my missionary work, which has often been spent in bush areas among wildlife, my love for animals has grown and I have sought to learn what the Bible teaches concerning them.
Often I have been asked: "Will animals be in Heaven?"
"What does God think about 'scientific' experiments on animals?"
"What should our attitude to animals be?"
This is some of what I have found in my studies of animals in the Bible.
Dear Dr. Chan, here is a nice article from http://www.eternalanimals.com/may_you_prosper.htm.
Particularly exciting is the mention of the Hills Science Diet Shelter Program:
FOR SHELTERS: Hills Science Diet Shelter Program as stated on their website:
“Not-for-profit shelters CAN NOW afford premium nutrition. Because our first priority is your animals, it doesn't matter if your shelter has 100 or 10,000 adoptions per year. Participation in the Science Diet® Shelter Nutrition Partnership means your shelter will receive enough Science Diet® brand pet food to feed ALL of the animals in your care for FREE. You only pay the minimal cost of shipping and handling. Plus, all food will be delivered to your Shelter… no worries.” Here’s the link:
http://www.hillspet.com/hillspet/minisite/minisite.hjsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474395184175&bmUID;=1200533132239
Maybe Meiji can apply to this Hills Science Diet Shelter Program? Just pay the minimal cost of shipping and handling and all food will be delivered to her shelter in Raub. Sounds very, very good!
Thanks very much for the link. Will definitely check it out. It can benefit other bigtime rescuers too!
Yes! Years back, when I had 30 cats, I wrote to Hills Science Diet company, USA and they referred me to a vet, one Dr Susan in PJ (sorry I cant quite remember specifically the location). She gave me 45 packs of catfood (nearing to expiry date) but still edible. We may try asking for help from petshops or manufacturer for a subsidized rate.