Ref: http://animalcare.my/2012/02/18/finally-hes-called-darwin-a-story-from-july-2006/
Remember a few days ago, I just posted the story of Darwin? Way back in July 2006, I was just starting out and a then established group wanted to do a bigtime rescue mission to take dogs out of the Puchong dogpound, I decided to help them and got my brother-in-law’s lorry to ferry the dogs out.
I was told that one of the dogs needed amputation and was told funds were needed for the surgery. Shortly after I raised the RM1000 and handed the money over, I was told this money had been used for the dog’s surgery and transportation to Langkawi. I asked for a receipt or receipts so that I could give them back to the donor, but there were none.
Luckily, the donor was my brother. So, we decided to just trust that the money had been put to good use for the dog.
Now, because of the Sunsuper Contest, I started communicating with Narelle from LASSie (in Langkawi) and I asked about this dog. Narelle sent me the photo and I was really happy that the dog is doing well now.
Yesterday, Narelle wanted me to know the real story.
Here it is:
About Darwin…He ended up spending 3 months in a clinic in kl before coming to langkawi. The carers had run out of money and no one would take him. But he still had the leg! I picked him up from the airport, opened the cage when I got back and out came a snarling limping dog. Everyones comments were, typical lassie animal, we take in all the bad limb cases. I was trying daily to dress the wound which was horrendous. At that stage my young vet had no experience of amputation. I appealed to so many vets in Malaysia to come for a weekend holiday and at the same time to take off the limb. Nothing. Then one night in the restaurant, a guest told me he was a vet. That’s the worst thing to tell me. And yes he agreed to come in the next day to do. I was petrified, I didn’t know this man from Adam and it was a major job. But otherwise gang green would set . We had a volunteer who was a nurse and she offered to help. Long long surgery . 30mins after coming off the table, he woke up, saw the back door open and bolted straight back to my house, maybe 500 ft away, with me chasing. From my front gate I rang an experienced vet who said look he is already home so let him in. I did. He whimpered that night, next day up playing with all the other dogs. Amazing. And the operation was perfect. Phew. So that’s darwins story.
I had best get back to work, but just wanted to let u know the real story. And a ps, he hates vets and clinics!!Thanks again for your help….
Way back in 2006, I was told the dog (Darwin) already had the amputation done and had already gone to Langkawi. Looks like that was not so.
But that’s an old story now…
I also have my share of unpleasant “inside scoops” which I prefer not to write about – it usually involves the humans who bring in the animals. You’d be surprised what they are capable of doing and talking…behind your back!
Comments
5 responses to “Darwin – the real story”
I remember this big time rescue mission. They had all these dogs with nowehere to send them to and I called my contact Datuk Liu Thim Soon of Ti-Ratana and asked if they could take in the dogs. They did but unfortunbately it was difficult for the Ti-Ratana kids to deal with that many dogs.
It was a long time ago. I was asked to help get the dogs out and find transport to take them to Ti-Ratana. That I did. Apparently, after that, a vet in KL took over the task of looking after these dogs. I attended a “graduation” ceremony a few months after. They had an orphan-dog programme and it was quite successful. The orphans were given training on how to look after the dogs. There was even an obedience demonstration.
Dr. Chan.. so the question remains, who “stole” the part of the RM1000 that was supposed to be used for the amputation? That money could have been used to save many many animals and this is completely unacceptable for anyone who is supposed to rescue/care for animals to “steal” that money for that poor dog. This is a sin that should put the person straight to hell…. and the deepest depths of it at that.
Is there still anyway to find out who was supposed to take Darwin to the vet for the amputation? Some justice is in order. These are the situations that I think that it’s time for us to invoke the “other side” of myanimalcare as I have offered before.
Justice for the animals!!
Hi Donovan,
Well, I’m just glad to know that Darwin is alive and well. All these years I’ve often wondered if there was even such a dog sent to LASSie as I did not get any receipts or photos at all. To give the group the benefit of the doubt, perhaps the money was used to pay for the flight to Langkawi? I was told it’s for the dog’s amputation AND the flight to Langkawi. And I was told I would be getting receipts but there were none. I’ll blame that on my own ignorance and lack of courage (!) at that time to insist on a receipt and follow-up news. Let’s just move on wiser from this experience.
Important thing here is that Darwin is very much alive and well. The person(s)who “stole” part of the money will not have a happy and carefree life as they have to live with this shame and conscience till the end of their days!