Subsidy for (the late) Moon Moon (Evelyn Wong Su Moi’s)

Ref: http://animalcare.my/2012/04/13/dog-with-broken-spine-evelyns-decision/

Moon Moon was the sweet and friendly dog who was injured (suspected car accident) on the road. Evelyn Wong alerted me and I said to bring Moon Moon to the vet for treatment. She was worried about the bill; I said we would subsidise. Koo responded immediately when we blogged for help, and Koo helped Evelyn catch and transport Moon Moon to the vet that evening itself.

However, the injuries were very grave. Moon Moon’s spine was completely broken in the middle portion. She also could not pee or poo and the vet suspected possible organ rupture. Despite all this, Moon Moon was in good spirits, as related by Koo (please see below).

The only help we could provide was the medical subsidy for all treatment aimed at saving Moon Moon’s life and that was our pledge. We also blogged for a fosterer but no one could volunteer.

By the next evening, while I was away giving a talk, Evelyn Wong went to the clinic, and decided to have Moon Moon euthanised. It was only at 11.10pm that she informed me that Moon Moon had been put down.

As her rescuer, it would be her decision and not ours as our role was only to provide the funds and all the help we could garner. We don’t blame her either, because nobody could foster Moon Moon. Would we have been able to find someone had we waited longer? I don’t know and I certainly could not promise anything.

After I informed Koo of the sad news, he wrote this (below). It is very sad. Yet, what could anyone have done?

Hi Dr Chan,

I already had a dreaded feeling that Moon Moon would be PTS after seeing how serious the injury and seeing how lost Evelyn was but I still hoped for the best. I don’t doubt their sincerity to help and even her daughter went to comfort the dog while we viewed the x-ray results. And you’re right, there will be many more Moon Moons to come for every Sunshine Courage.

Yet, I felt very sorry for Moon Moon because she had the will to live and it was a very strong will. Moon Moon was alert and was grateful, never ever barked, bitten or even growled. She didn’t look like she was in pain because she never whined or even whimpered especially when we moved her numerous times: That’s why I included that picture of her ‘smiling’. Evelyn told me that they moved Moon Moon from the middle of the road to the middle of the field but Moon Moon crawled all the way to the edge of the field despite being supposedly paralysed and only stopped because of the deep and wide drain obstacle that you can see in my pictures.

http://animalcare.my/2012/04/13/injured-dogs-spine-is-completely-broken-evelyn-wongs/

In spite of that, I’m still glad that I responded that same night becauseMoon Moon would have been left lying out in the open suffering from the sun and rain exposure in addition to her injury. At least, her suffering was the shortest possible. Anyway, I hope this experience will have a lasting positive impact on the Evelyn family especially by instilling compassion for animals in her children. Then, some good will come out of this.

Thanks and best regards,

Koo

Evelyn sent the bill for the subsidy claim today. We have reimbursed RM147, which is 50% of the treatment (painkillers, X-ray, etc.) aimed at saving her life and evaluating her injuries on the first night. We did not subsidise the euthanasia or the cremation as per our policy.

Two readers, Wong Yoke Mei and Chow Wann Ling, immediately sent Rm300 donations each on the first night itself, to help with the treatment of Moon Moon. I have offered to return these funds, but both have graciously said that they want the funds to be channeled to other animals in need of help who come through us, in memory of Moon Moon.

These funds will be used for the next few cases, and we thank Yoke Mei and Wann Ling for their kind gestures and quick actions.

Moon Moon, may you be in a better place now. Your passing will be a stark reminder to us that street animals have to be neutered to prevent unwanted births that may result in more deaths on the streets.