I'm gonna take a bit of time to talk about something that is very important to me . I'll take a break from talking about video games and movies and books to speak to you about something that you can do during your time in Phuket that will help the innocent of this world, and will also almost certainly put a smile on your face.
I'm encouraging those of you to come to Phuket for the wonderful beaches and stellar resorts to volunteer your time to help the dogs of this country. It doesn't have to be much, just an afternoon. If you are like me this is actually a wonderful way to spend a day anyway so it isn't really even like a sacrifice at all.
Thailand has a pretty abysmal track record when it comes to animal control: That is, they don't really have any at all. If you travel to just about anywhere in this country you will discover packs of street dogs that are homeless and normally is pretty terrible shape.
This is a very common sight. Dogs covered in mange who function as a pack of dogs would in the wild, which causes problems for people as well. They almost always have some sort of skin disease but this doesn't stop them from replicating like mad and furthering the problem. Unfortunately, you rarely see the same street dogs in the same place for very long because the itchy skin problems that they have will slowly kill them.
It's sad but also quite common in poorer countries that the government has no programs in place to prevent this from happening. There is no spay or neutering program and the street dogs are very unlikely to die of old age and will likely live most of their short lives in some sort of pain.
I'm not trying to say anything bad about Thai people, don't get me wrong. A vast majority of Thailand's Buddhist population will give food and some level of attention to these homeless dogs, but they almost never provide them with any sort of additional medical care. This problem is also too widespread for the civilian population to take care of it on their own and thankfully some people take time out of their lives to try to ease the suffering of the homeless dog population. One such organization is The Bodhi Shelter in Phuket.
Founded in 2013 by Tina Marinis, the Bodhi Dog Rescue and Shelter exists on temple grounds on the East Coast of the island of Phuket. The shelter's objective is to ease the suffering of the island's stray dog population and also attempt to find "forever homes" either in Thailand or abroad. The operation is not for profit and as you can imagine takes quite a bit of money to operate.
They have managed to find homes for hundreds of dogs since they opened and for me anyway, since I love dogs, it is truly touching to see these once (sometimes horribly) neglected or abused animals recover and return to not only trusting humans, but loving them.
One of the benefits of getting a rescue dog is that they are already quite socially adept. I know this is important because my own dog, due to not being around other dogs much in her life, pretty much hates all other dogs (and cats of course.) As you can see in the following video, this will definitely not be a problem with a rescue dog.
I know that it is incredibly unlikely that anyone out there has the resources to take on a dog from overseas (and it costs about as much to fly a dog as it does a person.) However, if you find yourself in Phuket one day, and you really should because it is a wonderful place, why not donate an afternoon of your time just to come and play with the dogs and maybe help out with giving a bath or two?
More information is available on their website at http://bodhishelter.com/
There are similar organizations located throughout the rest of the country. Do a little bit of digging for information and I am sure you will find a place that would just be delighted to have you come and help out for a bit. If you are an animal lover like me, I think you will find that it ends up being the favorite part of your vacation.
PS> I stated at the beginning that you should "take some time to help out the dogs of this country" Please keep in mind that approaching a street dog in some random location is a fantastic way to get bit because they are so territorial. So please, do not attempt to do that.
Increasingly, the issue of stray dogs in many cities is very acute. There have always been special services involved in catching these poor animals. Yes, it is unfortunate, but how else to call them? Is it their fault that they were born on the street and do not have a caring owner? But are people living side by side with them to blame for being hungry, sick, and aggressive? To tears it is a pity these small lumps of wool, which were born in the doorway or in the basement - all the dogs, when they are kids, so cute, they have such sad eyes... but less than a year, these "cuties" will grow into Jackal-like monsters and will pose a real threat to children and even adults!
Suppose, you can take the little puppy home, make him a great friend, but adult dogs, born and raised on the street, especially in a few generations – they're incorrigible! You can feed them as much as you want, caress, equip them with some housing, but they will never be kind to people, especially if they live in a pack. Experts say - such animals can no longer be re-educated, individuals who were born not in the first generation on the street, initially cowardly and at the same time aggressive, people for them-the default enemies! In addition, it is no secret that almost all of these dogs are sick and their bite threatens if not death from rabies, then a long treatment for some infection for sure.
In addition to the obvious negative attitude to people, homeless dogs are bad to any living beings weaker than them. They throw themselves at domestic dogs that walk without a leash, kill cats, mice, squirrels. And this is not done for food. It's called" curious predation, " just to kill what's alive and can't stand up for itself.
What to do? I recently read an interesting opinion that stray dogs are an endangered species that does not benefit and does not occupy any niche in the biological community. They definitely do not bring good, only harm, it's true, but they did not arise out of nowhere, it's people who once tamed them, and then, instead of being responsible for them, threw them on the streets!
So, anyway, only people can solve this problem created by their own hands. And what will be the decision – the most humane or cruel, no one knows…
Thanks for the article,I'm sure it will make many people think.
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very painful... nice blog sir..thanks for share..
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This lady is a miracle worker, there should be more like her in this World to combat the cruelty. Phuket is NOT a kind place for animals and her devotion is helping lots of dogs end a life of sheer and utter misery and death! Please donate when you can. Thanks Tina for what you do.
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Poor mangy stray dogs, that's so sad. :(
We human beings wouldn't be where we are today, without dogs helping our ancestors to hunt and gather, with their superb scent, hearing, and loyalty. They say human beings didn't tame dogs, but dogs tamed us.
I'm glad the Bodhi Shelter is returning some of the love.
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Really impressed by the noble objectives of Bodhi Dog rescue and shelter. This is an important issue you have talked of today. Animals in general are living things too. We need to care for them and ptovide them some medical treatments. This body formed in Phuket has an impressive objective to help the tongue less in the country. I will for certain keep in mind to voluteer in its objective when ever i visit Phuket. Thanks for sharing.
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Please do keep it in mind if you ever plan to come to not just Phuket but anywhere in Thailand or other countries similar to it. I have found that my volunteer time at animal clinics have been some of the most rewarding experiences in my life. I mean, if you are an animal lover like me.
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This is really a great Issue.A lot of dogs are dying due to careless governments in different countries.
The situation is becoming worse. We should raise voice to protect street dogs.
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That's quite nice of you. I've noticed that poor animal treatment does occur in most developing countries, thankfully people are beginning to pay attention, organize and give them the proper care they deserve.
Thank you for at least taking your time to care for them
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INSPIRING POST
The increasing number of dogs on the road shows our lack of power to help them. Poor dogs that roam the streets without owners and no one cares about being a problem that needs handling. If left unlikely they will grow aggressive because of the competition of fellow dogs and also feel their territory is being snatched.
It is fitting for us to reflect on this incident. We have to see what it's like to live on a harsh and dangerous road. This situation will certainly make us grow wild. This strange course is the result of circumstances that allow us to survive in the midst of environmental violence.
then no wonder the street dogs will be much louder and fiercer. they are required to do so in order to survive. if they are weak then it will be the victim of the law. The strong will overcome the weak.
at this point we are made aware to care about the fate of dogs on the streets. If we had more concern for them maybe their lives would be better taken care of. And when they feel well cared for then they will grow as a creature with a sense of repayment. They will be softer and will understand each other with humans.
This community's concern is certainly not just feeding the dogs but more than that there is a guarantee how they can get health care as you describe
Thank you @gooddream
Thank you Steemit
Warm regard from indonesia
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In my country there is a similar problem, no government control of the stray dogs population. But they aren't that sick, historicaly the stray dogs could live a decent life on the streets, there was always rests of food available for them. But now with the economical crisis, there is no food for street dogs, in fact there is no food for many people, specially homeless people.
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Hiiii...gooddream
Great Post with this dog pic.
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When a dog gets hurt because of some reason I find it very painful.
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It is an amazing thought, yet not only dogs, but many other stray animals suffer. although if we animal lovers can do our bit then it can save lives of little animals.its amazing that many organisations are indulging into these activities of saving animals. moreover one can always join them. if people like me having busy routine aren't able to join those organisations, can even contribute their love , care and affection by doing their bit on their own, like few days earlier I had encountered a cow , who was severely ill, she was not able to move even, I called the animal hospital's ambulance and she was admitted due to fever and infection in her body. and interestingly she is better now :)
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