Soi Dog Day 1 - Puppy Party, the B2 Run and Kitties

Today I was picked up around 8am and got home around 6pm. I shared my ride with an older Australian couple and a young Norwegian couple (both had already visited the shelter previously) who were staying at nearby resorts. 

The dogs were separated into multiple areas and runs based on their age and level of socialization. Some of the shy dogs were put into the old dog or puppy areas because they managed better with this type of energy. Also on site are the main veterinary clinic, sterilization clinic, and an entire building dedicated to cats, but there weren't as many cats as they are adopted more frequently. Finally, there were newly built apartments for the Burmese refugees who also help out with the animals.

After a tour, the coordinator, Diana left me in the puppy area. It is exactly as one would envision it... I opened the gate and a swarm of wiggly puppies came running at me. I forgot how mouthy puppies are and immediately my shoelaces, pant bottoms, camera string and anything else they could get their mouths on were being tugged on. Sorry for the photo overload but OMG PUPPIES

Don't eat the camera!

It might look like black plastic tubing but those are my legs

This black lab (?) couldn't get enough kisses 

This white/black puppy was long and stout, like a wiener dog blue heeler

IT'S SO MUCH WORK GROWING UP

There were some shy dogs in the run, and one of them played mother to the puppies. I couldn't help but feel a little sad realizing that this was their optimal chance for adoption and as they grew larger, they would be looked at as less desirable. But I tried to focus on puppy time. I walked out of there completely covered in dirt and sweat - I guess I'll be needing to do laundry more than I expected.

The dogs have much more space than most shelters in the US, and they hose down their areas every morning so there isn't much waste. It's a constant juggling act to keep the dogs in runs where they all get along - fights do break out, but the employees there have an amazing command of the dogs. Today was hot and sunny so the other volunteers spent the day socializing and walking the dogs.

At one point I asked Diana what had happened to a few of the dogs (missing legs, eyes, etc. were common) and she told me that she didn't know because she herself had to stop asking. She simply stated that she wanted to last at the shelter as long as possible - as much of a fantastic operation as this is, it takes its toll.

After lunch (they pick up local Thai food - I paid $1.50 USD for veggie fried rice and a coke) Diana sent me to run B2, as they felt it had good dogs for a beginner like me to deal with.

This is my view from a bench under shelter. You'd think the dogs would all flock to the shade, but many hang out in the grueling sun.

Some of the dogs were quick to greet me, others cowered away. My job at this point was to just sit and let them come to me as they were comfortable, and take notes about how they were doing. I will continue to take notes during my stay so that the shelter has valuable information for potential adopters about how they grow with socialization.

I went through the list of dogs in the run and tried to evaluate how each interacted with me. It was an intense hour - the ones who wanted attention and love were the easy part, not so easy was seeing the pups that would hide in the corner. Both of the three legged dogs in there were hungry for attention, one of them almost quicker at running than the other "normal" dogs.

3 legs and faster than the pack!

I thought at first this girl would not warm up to me, but once I sat down next to her she loved a good cuddle

Goal is to get this lady and her twin to trust again

I ended my day with the kitties - there were only 5 that were able to socialize. Again, the three legged cat was the fastest of the bunch! I didn't have a chance to ask if they were all full grown, but I think cats here are just smaller. A few were definitely kittens. They were all extremely friendly and loved playing with a quickly destroyed cat toy. It was a good way to end the day as none of these animals showed distrust - they were happy in their surroundings and excited to see new people.

3 legged bobtail acrobat

It was a long and rewarding day. I also have never been more sweaty/dirty in my life so a shower when I got "home" was a-mazing. Tomorrow I should be allowed to walk the dogs in B2 and get to see their personalities shine in semi-freedom, for the ones that will tolerate it.

-Erin