In Taiwan - horror and courage

At the end of this blog is a photo that will distress you. It is horrific. When I unsuspectingly opened it up on an email i received from Ms Wu, I gasped. The entire email was written in Chinese , so I could only guess at the contents. Unfortunately, I was right.

Ms Wu, pictured above at an animal rights demonstration in Taiwan, sends me regular posts on her concerns for animals in that country. And the world, for she knows, as we do, that animals are tormented, abused, abandoned and killed everywhere. But Taiwan has special horror stories, and in the 90'2 was declared by the World Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as the worst place to be a dog.

Things may have improved somewhat, but only through the passionate kindness of Ms Wu - and others like her- whose life is dedicated to making a difference. Not just for the dogs she personally saves and cares for, but on a broader level, through education. They are finalising an 8 minute animated film, which they hope to distribute as widely as possible. Making such films is expensive, but essential, and she welcomes any ideas or financial help.

She tells me that in Taiwan, mixed breeds and strays are not rescued and adopted. And in the public animal pound, where they may end up, there are cases where dogs eat each other for food. She wants to tell the horrors stories, and educate about spay and neutering, to make a difference with her life.

The demonstration, in honour of the unnamed dog at the end of this post, was a success. The government gave assurances it will promote the revised animal protection law, and establish an animal police squad.

Ms Wu says this is only a beginning. They have to make sure the promises are fulfilled, and the animal rights groups will continue to condemn the violence, make the public aware and bring the government under pressure.

Her voice is ours - all of ours - who weep to think of the pain inflicted, and the senseless killing that happens - every day - in her country and in ours. Tara's Babies is honoured to support Ms Wu and the work she does, because it is compassion without bounds. And that is what we aspire to be.

This dog was skinned alive and left to die in the market place.

These dogs were due to die

I continue to uncover the extent of suffering - and kindness - in the world. Ms Wu in Taiwan sends me emails about the hardship of dogs there, to which her life and heart is committed to changing; I will share some more on that another time. Closer to home, we stumbled into a not uncommon scene in this country: beautiful, loving adoptable dogs about to be killed. Just because they have no home.

Benji, a shy shepherd mix, uncertain of the world, after being left as a puppy, eyes barely open, outside in mid-winter. A bit shy and will bark when he feels uncertain, but when he is sure you will love him, and his world is safe, he has a heart of gold.

Two pleading emails crossed Tara's Babies path within days of each other; both from rural Arkansas, each was an album of dogs who were to die the very next day. Shelters over crowded, kind-hearted volunteers not able to take or keep them all. Their time had run out, and the women who dedicate their lives to making a difference put out last, desperate pleas for help. Fortunately, we heard them. As did other people across this country, horrified to think that death was considered an option simply because they had no home.

Scamp, aka 'Fatboy', ready to play and have his gorgeous belly rubbed. Has lots of energy, loves people and would blossom in a great big yard where he can romp in delight.

At this point about 20 from two shelters are slated for Tara's Babies, and we need to find homes for them all; but already there are more sad dogs, big and little, scratching at our door. Pleading for a life, for a family, to be able to play and sleep on a rug, and make you laugh, and go for walks. Pleading simply for a chance to live.

Itchy arrived an itching bag of skin and bones, with a blood infection; she was slated to be killed. Kind volunteers saw past the surface, and now she is healthy and playful. Loves people, dogs - just happy to be alive. Has a goofy walk that will make you laugh, as if she is trying to get ahead of herself. So much beautiful world for her to savor and explore.

It has been wonderful for me to connect with these women whose days are filled with 'regular' jobs, but whose lives are committed to compassion. Joy, Marsia, Terri, Betty, Jaxi - these I am sure are just a few of the invisible people who make a real difference, every day. Just because they know that is the right thing to do, to ease suffering however they can.

Ace was badly mauled, and one eye looked like a horrific Halloween image. Now he has two sparkly ones filled with love. He is young and very smart. An attention hog, he will fall asleep as you stroke his ears.

Rural AR is just one snapshot of what happens, every day, here and all over the world. Four week old puppies dumped by the side of a road, or in a trash can, or - eyes barely open - left outside to die in mid-winter. Dogs not spayed or neutered because it costs too much and people are poor, so more puppies are born. Dogs wandering lost and homeless - young, old. Dogs just like the ones that sleep on our beds at night - they are no different, except they don't have anyone to love them. Inadequate animal shelters, where dogs can fight and the small, weak and sick will be injured.

These five tiny ones were rescued this week, 4 weeks old and dumped by the side of the road. Marsia is tending to all their physical needs, and will care for them until they go to a home. Who can resist?

A country shelter - inadequate for the numbers of dogs who are found. The small, young and sick get beaten up on, and are quickly removed by worried volunteers.

The women I have come into contact with are at the front line, picking up the new-born, injured and dying dogs in their arms, and bringing them to safety and life, giving them refuge where they can. But for every dog they save, a litter of unwanted puppies has been born, and another grown dog dumped from a passing car. They can't do it alone. We have to help.

Hambone, a gorgeous beagle less than one year old, rescued from the shelter because he had attack wounds all over his leg. See below, where he is timidly hanging back from the big pack. A kind volunteer removed him to treat him, and he is not going back. Hambone is playful, loves dogs and people, and croons in you ear as you pet him. A real ham!!

Tara's Babies relies on every willing heart, so that together we can change things. These dogs need homes - as a temporary foster, or a forever adoption. And the dogs need vet care - for worms, ticks, fleas, spay and neuter, which can cost up to $200 per dog. No wonder these dogs end up dying, in a place where many people themselves face hardship.

Bonnie, sister of Benji above. Very shy, but when she warms up, she is loving and sweet. She and her brother need a home filled with patience and love, where they can learn to trust.

Let us be the guardian angels of dogs like these. If you can take a dog into your home - or know someone who can, or are willing to ask your friends and extended family if they have space, please do. And if you can sponsor a life - a whole life - it will be generosity without measure. Life is precious, and in this world so many lives, especially of the lost and unloved, go unnoticed. Let's look into the eyes of these dogs, and rejoice that we can bring them home from death.

Not all the dogs are big. Rory is so scared she shakes at the sound of a human voice. She has a foster home waiting for her.

Mine.


tarasbabies@earthlink.com

donate: http://www.tarasbabies.org/ : Left margin, click on donations, will link to a donate button to help the animals.