A kind soul waiting for a new home

Early one morning, I received a frantic call from people who occasionally work for me. Breathlessly, they told me that a dog was going to be brutally killed that day. That dog had been dumped in a neighbourhood in Theparak a couple weeks prior and was chasing motorbikes and bicycles.

RESCUED: Bonbon waits in anticipation of a new owner who can give love and care.

It was decided that this dog needed to go. I agree that this conclusion was necessary, but not by resorting to clubbing and stabbing it to death, as was allegedly the plan.

Fortunately, an elderly man befriended the dog somewhat by feeding her, gained her trust, and managed to stash her away for a couple of days until she could be brought to me. I was only too glad to be party to her rescue and, albeit temporary, salvation.

A few days later, I took Bonbon to a veterinary clinic to be spayed. A gorgeous, strong, chocolate-coloured female ridgeback-mix with white feet and a white chest, she was understandably apprehensive and anxious as she stepped out of my car, but she allowed the attendant to carry her into Dr Nareewan's facility without a struggle. She was very unsettled, but she didn't seem to be aggressive.

Immediately following her sterilisation surgery, she displayed some of her distrust by snapping, but she did not bite. Bonbon's stay with Dr Nareewan allowed her to come into herself again.

She loves every person who comes into her sphere and is full of energy, always ready to burn some of this off in an affectionate way.

After having taken Bonbon for brisk, half-hour walks, it is clear to me that most of her earlier problems stemmed from the fact that she didn't get enough exercise, was bored, and starved for kind attention. She has now been moved to the animal shelter Scad, where she has exposure to people and other dogs, and some cats, too, and gets taken for walks at least twice a day.

Needless to say, Bonbon needs a permanent home. She'll thrive as a companion dog as she loves to exercise, play and be loved. Keeping her in a cage is not the solution. Because she has some ridgeback blood in her, she needs to be controlled with a firm hand and will thrive best with someone who respects her but can clearly show her who's the boss in a calm, humane and assertive manner. At this point, I don't know yet how she is with children.

Bonbon has been fully vaccinated and dewormed. In addition to having been sterilised, she is free of blood parasites, including heartworm. Less than two years old, with perfectly white teeth and a healthy coat, she has had a couple of litters.