Rodney, Blackie and Toffee

Hello everybody!

Before Christmas I told you about all the lovely puppies that we have at the centre for adoption. We’ve seen an increase in adoptions during the past three months and it's wonderful to know that so many abandoned pups get a second chance in a new home.

Today I want to tell you about Rodney, Blackie and Toffee. They are also waiting for a loving new home but their situation is slightly different: they are adult dogs aged between one and four years. They have been abandoned by their previous owners and unfortunately IAR have no details of these people. To think that some one would just leave their dog to fend for itself when it has never known life on the streets before is just heartbreaking!

Every year - especially at the end of the tourist season - we see several cases like this. Many tourists come and stay in Goa for several months at a time during which they pick up a puppy and bring it home and make it their pet during their holiday. When they leave India they may have been unable to find a new home for the dog, they may have realised that they couldn't afford to bring it back to Europe with them after all, or they may just assume that the dog can go from being domesticated to living on the streets without a problem and leave it somewhere at the mercy of other dogs occupying that territory. These dogs often end up at the centre and are put up for adoption.

Rodney is a male local breed dog. You may remember him from my earlier newsletter. He is approximately two years old and was admitted to International Animal Rescue in September following a bad road accident in which he fractured both a front and a hind leg. He has successfully undergone extensive orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation and is now back to being a healthy and active dog. Rodney is friendly and very active and loves to play with the volunteers.

Toffee is a male local breed dog of around three or fours years of age. He was brought to the International Animal Rescue shelter from Anjuna in October with a hip injury.

He has recovered well but can't be released because he had strayed into unfamiliar territory and no records exist about his original location.

Toffee is a very affectionate and gentle dog and he loves to receive cuddles and treats.

Blackie is also from Anjuna and is currently receiving treatment for a maggot wound on his shoulder and neck.

He is a male mix breed dog and was brought from Anjuna on 15 December 2008. He is a friendly and playful dog and a real family pet.

If nobody comes to adopt Rodney, Blackie and Toffee there may still be hope in sight. Many of our permanent centre dogs have similar stories to tell of how people who once cared for them suddenly abandoned them. We're keeping our fingers crossed that they find loving new homes though.

Bye for now!