Madame Muriel

Hello dear friends,

Life for an abandoned pet is always hard but here in the tropical climate ‘breed’ dogs have a particularly difficult time.

Muriel is a Pomeranian Spitz

We local dogs have developed and adapted to be of a more robust constitution, enabling us to survive and thrive even with minimum assistance from mankind - although here in Goa IAR's vaccination and spaying programme has helped thousands of strays to have a viable existence.

Sadly discarded breed dogs do not usually fare so well physically or mentally. Muriel, of Pomeranian/Spitz ancestry, was one such dog and she found herself cast out and alone just before Christmas last year. Luckily Muriel arrived at Animal Tracks in the nick of time: she was very sad and desolate and obviously could not comprehend how her life had changed from being someone's companion to becoming another unwanted statistic. Muriel was probably cast aside because she had developed a chronic skin condition that could easily have been controlled with the minimum of care and expense, but it was not to be.

Muriel was suffering from a skin condition

By the time poor Muriel found her way to IAR her condition was very poor and her spirits low. But with the veterinary expertise on hand and loving care from all the staff and a handful of volunteers – not to mention the concerned attention of her new canine friends - help was at hand.

But Muriel was still desperately unhappy and, as a lady who'd always been able to rely on her looks, she now looked so bedraggled that the chances of her being adopted seemed slim. So once again IAR supporter and dog lover Fionna stepped in and took Muriel to her home to recover with her large happy pack of mainly temporary foster dogs. “Half way" houses such as Fionna's are invaluable to IAR and the animals. Without them scores of abandoned dogs and cats would not have been able to be successfully re-established into permanent loving homes.

Muriel looking so much happier!

As the weeks progressed Muriel settled and her glamorous coat was restored to its former glory thanks to a safe environment, much loving care, good nutrition and medication.

Although in good health once more, there was always a sadness about Muriel and she was always a little apart and aloof from her housemates and walked around with a tragic air that resembled a French Madame who had once been pampered and used to all the finer things in life but whose tragic circumstances had led to her decline in status.

But a solution was on hand and Fionna heard of a lovely local lady who had experience with the Pomeranian Spitz breed that Muriel belongs to. When Meera heard of Muriel's situation she decided to meet her with a view to adoption if the two of them hit it off.

Muriel and Meera

The moment that Muriel first saw Meera there was a complete transformation in her demeanour and if there was ever any doubt that a dog can smile, check out Muriel's grin in the "after" photographs... it's proof that they can!

The two ladies bonded instantly and finally that brilliant lustrous fan of Pom/Spitz tail began to wag with uncontrollable joie de vivre and has not stopped since. We were all so happy at the centre to be able to bid Muriel “Au revoir” and “Bonne chance”- she deserves it!

That’s all for now!

Olive x

Louie’s gluey mishap

Hello my dear friends, here’s a tale that will ruffle a few feathers!

We all know that throughout history owls have been renowned as creatures of wisdom, but Louie's flight into a fly glue trap was not such a wise move …The unfortunate owl became firmly stuck on the hanging trap designed for flies and mosquitoes and, had it not been for a kind human who brought him along to Animal Tracks, he certainly would have perished there.

Parts of Goa are still steeped in folklore and tradition and the haunting call of a male owl, or, as they are locally known, “ghughum”, is believed to be a premonition of the birth of a boy child or herald misfortune or even death to someone close by. When hearing the owl cry certain local people say the silent prayer "I believe" in order to avert the bad omen. Or others will throw salt into a fire in the hope that the owl will get a sore tongue and hoot no more. So because of fear and superstition sadly the presence of these beautiful birds is often unwelcome despite them being a natural form of vermin control.

Even more bizarre human behaviour and another Goan remedy believed to avoid impending trouble after hearing an owl is to remove all your clothes, turn them inside out then get dressed again.... perhaps not to be advised in public! And people think we dogs have strange habits!

Thankfully it's just humans that have such odd ideas and most of us animals just live in the present and are grateful to have a helping human hand from time to time when the unexpected occurs.

It's always a worry that wild birds will simply go into shock and die after a trauma so no time was wasted. The glue was gently removed with extreme care so as to not damage Louie's feathers or cause him more stress. Gradually he was cleaned and his plumage restored to its former glory.

So fortunately this particular ghughum's gummed encounter turned out well in the end thanks to help from the IAR team. Aren’t they just the best!

That’s all for now.

Love Olive x

Pingu’s release is permanently postponed!

Hello again!

Just time for one more story before the festive season begins …

As one of the more senior members of the dog family at the IAR centre, I feel I have some status and a certain claim to fame. But there is a grand old lady who is well and truly part of the history of International Animal Rescue Goa. To introduce her, first I have to go back in time:

Way back in 1997 the seeds of the Goa branch were sown by two young travellers, Hayley and Nicola, who had a passion for animal welfare and were moved by the plight of the packs of sick and starving dogs breeding out of control on the streets and beaches. The situation was awful, many animals had rabies and packs of dogs were fighting for territory and bitches. The girls set up a humble site in Saligao with a few makeshift cages under a palm leaf roof.

International Animal Rescue in the UK sent out Bet, the first veterinary surgeon to work for IAR in Goa and so began the sterilisation and rabies vaccination programme that has evolved to become IAR Goa as we know it today.

The present Animal Tracks centre here in Assagao was set up by John and Jo Hicks in 1998 in order that the work could expand and grow to embrace all of Goa's animals in need, feral, wild or domestic, and the rest is history …

But just before the new centre was opened and the work still took place at the first simple site, an ear tattoo identification system was introduced to keep track and record of the dogs that were sterilised.

A young healthy female dog, but with a birth deformed front leg, was sterilised. Recovery cages were full to capacity with animals that would shortly be released back into the wild. But, much like me when I was rescued from the streets, this little dog would need extra aftercare if she was to have a viable life. The heart of an animal lover visiting the rescue centre was touched by meeting this young dog with her twisted and flipper-like leg which would always render her disabled to a degree.

Karin decided she could assist with aftercare and offered to take her home until the dog had recovered sufficiently to be released.

That was in 1998 and Pingu was number 46 on the tattoo records, today IAR Goa is proud to declare that its sterilisation numbers are now in excess of 58,000!

Almost fourteen years on, Pingu's release is still being "postponed" and she is still happily "rehabilitating" at the same foster home with her carer. Karin is now a champion of animal welfare here in Goa and still works closely with the brilliant Animal Tracks team and the cat and dog sterilisation legend that the centre is today.

Happy Christmas from all of us here in Goa – particularly Pingu!

Love Olive x

Two’s company, three’s even better when it comes to cats at Christmas!

Hello, hello!

Here’s a sweet story for the festive season …

A few weeks ago two tiny orphaned brother and sister kittens arrived at Animal Tracks. They were so small and vulnerable that their chances of survival were deemed slim. But long term IAR supporters and good Samaritans Karin and Habiba who work constantly to help the cats here in Goa, stepped in to offer intensive care and nurturing at the sanctuary run by Karin. Hundreds of felines have found permanent loving homes with local families thanks to Karin's tireless crusade to help the cat population and her close association with International Animal Rescue Goa.

At roughly the same time when the kittens were taken in, in a nearby village Smokey lost his long-time brother and life in his house was not the same. As a solo cat he missed his companion and became depressed. Smokey's owner Melwyn decided he could offer a home to a small kitten as a friend for Smokey, so he contacted International Animal Rescue to ask if there were any suitable waifs needing a home.

The two kittens were thriving, thanks to all the special care they were receiving, and soon became strong and healthy enough to move on. As it would be so distressing to split them up, it was thought kinder that they be adopted together and they were suggested for Melwyn and Smokey.

Soon the happy day came when the kittens were delivered to their new home by IAR volunteers. Smokey took to them with no problem and soon all three were scampering around the house together. Everyone decided on the kittens’ names and Mouse and Ripley Lobo have now taken up happy residence in the heart of a loving family and will undoubtedly have a blissful Christmas and long and happy lives.

And of course, as IAR adoptees, Mouse and Ripley have been vaccinated, they will receive a year’s free veterinary care and have scheduled appointments for their sterilisation in a few months’ time: all part of the wonderful service International Animal Rescue provides!

Bye for now :)

Olive x

Brownie, the Brigadier and things that go bang in the night!

Hello dear friends,

We animals will never understand the pleasure you humans gain from fireworks and crackers, and unfortunately some people do not consider the absolute terror that these explosive celebrations bring to domestic animals and wildlife. Here in Goa we have year round fireworks but recently we've had to endure both Ganesh and Diwali Festivals in quick succession.

At this time of the year, then again at Christmas and New Year, Animal Tracks has an extra influx of lost and traumatised animals and also owners searching the kennels for their terrified runaway pets.

After Ganesh, as the fireworks were still smouldering in the streets and countryside, a stray dog arrived at the house of an animal lover who has a long association with International Animal Rescue in Goa. Her own dogs had alerted her that there was an intruder at the gate where she found a beautiful green eyed dog that refused to leave despite the protests of her own pack. It was as if the dog somehow knew that this person cared and would help him, as indeed she did.

Dogs that are adopted from Animal Tracks are tattooed with an identification number which is kept on file. And as this lost boy had one such tattoo, he was brought to Animal Tracks to be checked over and identified. Apart from being a little worried and thin he appeared to be in good condition and the tattoo number was checked against the records. The IAR stored documents supplied all the necessary information, including the date of adoption way back in 2005, sterilisation, vaccination and, more importantly in this case, the name and details of the owner.

IAR's Abby eagerly made the phone call. A retired gentleman by the name of Brigadier Ian da Costa confirmed that yes he had once owned a large brown dog with soft green eyes but sadly we must be mistaken as his beloved Brownie had been missing for the best part of three years after he'd got frightened and run off during the 2008 Christmas fireworks.

Brigadier da Costa had of course searched relentlessly for his dear friend but had been forced eventually to give up and presume that the dog had somehow died or in military terms was ‘missing in action.’ But even after all these years and months the Brigadier still grieved for Brownie and always wondered what had become of his best friend. He had only recently destroyed Brownie's adoption papers as he had found them too sad a reminder.

He was still doubtful that his dog had actually been found after such a long time, but when the vehicle taking him home pulled up at the Brigadier's house Brownie instantly knew exactly where he was. The best friends were happily reunited with much joyous hugging and plenty of tail wagging from Brownie!

I'm delighted to report this lovely happy ending thanks to IAR's tattooing policy and ironically also thanks to fireworks, as the recent Ganesh crackers had probably caused Brownie to panic and run again, but on this occasion the terror had eventually led him back home.

Brigadier da Costa has vowed that from now on Brownie will spend all future festival nights safely indoors.

So all you humans around the world, please be aware before the seasonal celebrations begin that we animals need to be kept safe and sound and spared all the big bangs and bright lights.

Happy festive fireworks!

Love from Olive x

Shep beats the odds

Dear friends,

Everyone at Animal Tracks is proud of the amount of successful adoptions that regularly take place but generally those chosen animals fall into the cute and cuddly category. It's never easy taking on a disabled or sick animal that will need long term intensive care but for those who do these prove to be rewarding partnerships. Sometimes a human and an animal just mesh together and looks and condition have no bearing on the relationship and bond that forms.

An Indian lady who has lived and worked in Finland had come to Goa to sort out the final details of her new home here where she is soon to retire. Whilst she was organising her imminent move she stayed in a hotel in one of the nearby coastal resorts. Beneath her balcony each day she noticed a dog in such a sorry state who looked up at her and touched her heart. She began to feed him and realised the extent of his poor condition.

She was already aware of IAR and the amazing work carried out at Animal Tracks so Shep, as she named the dog, was brought to the centre where the vets could assess him and decide what could be done to help. Poor Shep, although not an old dog, had obviously fallen on hard times and most of his once long coat was matted or missing and his entire body was covered in sores and mange.

An old injury to a front leg would sadly permanently render him disabled but Shep had the brightest face and loveliest soft trusting eyes and despite whatever he'd been through, he still had faith in humans. It was decided that he should be admitted to Animal Tracks and receive intensive care and regular good food and affection. He had the best medication and enjoyed regular baths to sooth his skin and help relieve the irritation.

The lady returned to Finland in order to finalise her affairs there, but not before pledging to return for Shep and take him to live with her in her new home for the rest of his life which will no doubt be a very happy one. For the time being Shep is being pampered while he recuperates at a temporary foster home with one of IAR's long term supporters, but he will soon be reunited with this special individual who mercifully could not turn away and see him alone and suffering.

Olive x

Introducing the Civet Sisters

Hello everyone!

Meet two cute baby orphans that were recently brought in to us here at Animal Tracks after being rescued by the Forestry Department of Goa. IAR has long had a close working relationship with the Forestry Department and because the vets here have great success in raising small wild orphans, they knew we'd welcome the civet kittens for short term care. Then, when they are able to forage for food and fend for themselves, we will bid them a fond goodbye and they will be released back into the jungle.

The civets – aka “toddy cats” - are undeniably cute. But they need to remain as wild as possible so that their successful transition back to the wild is not jeopardised by domestication. So the staff are not handling them unless they absolutely have to. At least these two kittens have each other for company and are not lost single babies.

Civets will eat almost anything, including insects and small rodents, but have a voracious appetite for berries and soft fruit. They are agile and great tree climbers equipped with powerful claws, sharp teeth and a feline appearance. But civets are actually far closer relatives to mongoose than any species of wild cat. They love to drink the palm flower sap which is locally fermented to produce a potent alcohol called toddy, hence their more common local name as toddy cats.

When back in the wild the civet sisters will need to be vigilant and quick as civets are prey to many other wild animals including snakes and crocodiles, but the main threat to the survival of the species could eventually come from man as increasing deforestation is resulting in less natural habitat for civets and many other creatures.

This would be a sad irony as, by way of seed dispersal and propagation of new vegetation, these lovely little animals are efficient maintainers of the precious ecosystem.

So for now the sisters will remain with us as an exotic addition to the stream of temporary guests that find sanctuary here at Animal Tracks but pretty soon they'll be released to live and breed and play their roles in the natural beautiful balance of life in the Goan jungle.

That’s all from me!

Bye for now!