Yankee

Yankee one week after her surgery.

It was a sorry sight of anguish and distress when SPCA Melaka found Yankee, a puppy who was abandoned overnight outside the shelter gate.

Yankee's leg was in a mangled wreck. Her hind leg was contorted, twisted sideways and pinned beneath her. Her leg was barely attached to her body with the long thin outer bone at the rear leg protruding through the skin, revealing the broken edges of bone. She was obviously in a lot of pain. The wound was open and attracted a lot of flies, which could lead to a maggot infection if left untreated. Her movement was restricted and she was panting heavily from dehydration and intense pain. Her injuries most likely to have been caused by an auto-mobile accident. Due to her horrific injuries and the shelter’s limited resources, there was a high chance that Yankee might have to be euthanised (P.T.S).

However the staff at SPCA Melaka saw the fighting spirit and the will to live in Yankee’s eyes. Her injuries were tended to and the dead tissue around her hind leg removed. Antibiotics and painkillers were injected regularly to relieve the pain. Through tender loving care and patience Yankee’s wounds were healing and she was getting stronger.

The road to recovery is still long for Yankee as her hind leg was still damaged and her body weight is unable to support her leg. When she stood up, her injured leg would buckle and she will howl in pain. Most of her time was spent in a crate where she could keep her upper body upright so as to alleviate the pain in her lower body.

The staff at SPCA Melaka made a referral to Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary (NANAS) as they felt  she would lead a better life there.  On 14 September 2013, she made her journey from Melaka to Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary. Raymund named her “Yankee”.  An X-ray determined she had multiple fractures of the femur and tibia and a dislocated femur head. The advice was to amputate to stop the pain. Yankee’s leg was successfully amputated by Dr Alice Liow, a volunteer vet from Singapore.

Two days after the operation, Yankee was stricken with Canine Parvo Virus* which could affect her already weakened immune system and small body. It was a near death experience for Yankee but she was a fiesty fighter and was determined to live. Yankee survived and recovered from the personalised attention from Raymund. After recuperation, Yankee was strong enough to learn to use her three legs to walk. She adapted well to her condition and was soon running around happily. 

Yankee all grown up after 6 months at Noah's Ark.

Yankee is currently residing at Noah's Ark and being both the feisty and playful puppy, you will not notice that she is different from the other dogs. Her story is one of great determination and perseverance against all odds to have a second chance at life.

Written By: Siah Li Mei

* Footnote

What is Canine Parvovirus?

The Canine Parvovirus (CPV) infection is a highly contagious viral illness that affects dogs. The virus  manifests itself in two different forms. The more common form is the intestinal form, which is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and lack of appetite. The less common is the cardiac form, which attacks the heart muscles of very young puppies, often leading to death. The majority of cases are seen in puppies that are between six weeks and six months old. The incidence of Canine Parvo Virus infections has been reduced radically by early vaccination in young puppies. (Source: PetMD)

(Source via PetMD: http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_dg_canine_parvovirus_infection) 

Spa

Hallo! My name is Spa. Yeah, it's a cool name huh? It represents my good life here at the Ark :D. I am an active dog who likes running around and it was what got me into trouble on the streets, as you can see from my 3 legs :P. I am safe and heppy at the Ark though. Do you know that animals do not have ideas or concepts of disability? That's why we are happy, as long as we are loved and fed and safe :). Contentment... I'm sponsored!! Yippee! If you come to the Ark, come say 'Hi!'. I am always running around and would usually follow you around. What you give to me would help keep my furry friends here happy too :). A warm thanks in advance ya! Blessings.

Mooji

My name is Mooji :) – you can very well see the "moo" in my name comes from my colouring. I was rescued from the streets. My mummy had a litter of three girls, and the stray feeder generously had all of us sterilized when we were of age. Unfortunately, I contracted tick fever, which was realized when I was sent to the vet for surgery. The kind feeder, not willing to see me slowly die, boarded and treated me. Eventually, as I recuperated in boarding, they decided to send me up to The Sanctuary, where I would be loved, sheltered and safe from the perils of the streets.

So you see, what seemed like a bad thing became a blessing after all. I am always grateful and sometimes say a prayer for my sisters and mum. And now, after being at the Ark for 4 years, a kind soul is willing to sponsor me, and allow me to share my food with the rest of my friends here :D! Do drop by and say Hi when you come visit so I can say thank you personally.

Bond

Hallo! My name is Bond. You can't see my hind legs, but my left hind leg has been amputated. I was in a car accident because I had to pee and poo outside the house, and one day I was hit. My owner didn't want to spend money and end up with a three-legged dog, so he told the vet to put me down instead.

Luckily for me, the vet called Noah's Ark instead, because he could see I was a healthy, happy and sweet little dog. So this is how I ended up here. I have been told I have been sponsored by a really kind and generous person. Please come visit and remember to say Hi and call me by my name. I want to thank you personally. I am very friendly and bear no grudge against human beings :).

Wan Wan

Hallo, I am Wan Wan and I used to be your usual stray. I was really lucky and was rescued by some volunteers who rehomed me at a horse riding school. One day, however, I was struck by a mysterious illness and was found motionless with my eyes cloudy. Tests did not confirm anything, but I stayed that way for two weeks and no one knew if I would make it. Somehow under the care and love at the Sanctuary, I managed to recover and decided I want to stay with my newfound doggy friends instead of going back to the horses. And now I am told I am lucky enough to find a sponsor too, this generous souls who sponsored us for his wedding. So much blessings, don't you think? Thank you so much.

Cookie

HI HI!! I am Cookie! Do you like my smile? I have been told I have an awesome smile. I love people - despite all that I have gone through.

I was rescued by kind souls who saw someone throw me into a big drain in Singapore. As a result, my hind legs are permanently folded. What you see here is how they are permanently, so I kinda drag myself on my front legs and hop on my hind legs; and that is how I run freely through the whole Sanctuary.

And little old me is sponsored too! That's how we are. We don't speak the same language, but if we are loved, we can fly, and I can run. Like how you are, if you are loved. Thank you for the love that have allowed me to live loved and run free.

BBF

Hallo, hallo, my name is BBF and it stands for Big Brown Friendly dog!! Do I look familiar? I had the honour of being featured on the 2011 calendar :). I'm here to smile and ask if you would like to help sponsor my keep at the Sanctuary. Or you could pick one of my other handsome and pretty friends. I thank you first for youe kindness. Do come by and say hi when come visit, ya :D.

Yaya

Hallo! My name is Yaya. Actually, they tried to call me Zorro, but I like Yaya better. If you don't believe me, when you come visit, try calling me and see which one I respond to ;P. I am really friendly and I will come bouncing :). My colouring gives me a muddy look, but I keep really clean and my fur feels nice too, if I might say so myself. I have been at the Ark a long time and I am really happy here. Please help me contribute to the Ark by sponsoring me or any of my friends here. Thank you so much.

Tilby

Hallo, I am Tilby and the residents here will tell you I am an active, energetic and happy dog. I love running around and getting myself wet. I think it must be my lab and siberian husky blood mix! A kind-hearted soul has kindly sponsored me. I hope she comes visit and I will try very hard to be good and not wet anyone. If I forget, don't hold it againist me, k? Thank you so much for your generous sponsorship. Please tell others about us :).

Blaze

Thank you for your kind sponsorship. It will really help me and my friends here at the Sanctuary. There are so many of us and very little humans who are willing to help the animals. Do tell your friends about us and let them know we need their help. Thank you, and bless you.

Bullet

Hallo, thank you, kind soul, for your sponsorship. I have been at the Sanctuary a long time actually. Your kind sponsorship will feed not only me, but also my friends here, all rescued from abuse and neglect. Do say 'Hi' if you drop by ya. Bless you.

Stitch

Yay! I have been sponsored by a kind-hearted soul. Thank you so much. I look a little shy here but if you come visit, I am really friendly. I know I look a bit strange, that's why they call me Stitch you know, cos I look like I have this patch sewn to my face :D, haha.

Tiger

Hi, my name is Tiger and I just want to say 'Thank you' for sponsoring me. I am a brindle mongrel so some people think I am kinda weird. I tend to be a bit shy, even when my photo is taken. Please ask your friends to take a look at my friends who are still waiting for kind sponsors, thank you.

Blade

Hi Hi! I am Blade and I have found a sponsor!! Hurray! Many of my friends are still waiting so do tell your friends about us and encourage them to do the good your are doing, thank you so much :). I really must congratulate the photographer who took this photo cos if you come visit, you will see that I am really hyper and this is a really rare photo!

Ong Bak

Hallo! My name is Ong Bak, yup, like that amazing Thai boxer! and yes, I am tanned like him too. Do say 'Hi' if you drop by for a visit. I am sponsored but please look at all my other friends waiting for sponsors. Kob Khun ka (thank you in Thai) :P.

Postscript: Ong Bak has passed on. Thank you for your generosity and interest. Please do look around as there are many other animals that will benefit from your sponsorship.

Poppy

You hear more often talk about the cruelty of people towards animals, but sometimes, on good days, there is mercy. Look at me, I am an old blind female dog. I could have died by the roadside, a victim of a car accident. But a kind soul brought me here and now I can live out my old age in peace and with dignity. Not only that, I have actually found a sponsor! :D So please, pick one of my other friends here who are still waiting and bring joy to a little animal in a tiny corner in this world. Thank you.

Whisky

Hurray! I have been sponsored by a kind soul. Please feel free to look around and help us out by sponsoring any of my handsome and pretty friends here. Thank you in advance. Please feel free to come by and say hi so we can say thank you properly :).

One-Ear

I know, I am shy and look strange because I am missing a ear. Because you love me, I am no longer strange. I have been sponsored by a kind-hearted soul. Thank you for your contributions to me and my friends at the Sanctuary. Bless you. Please take a look at my other friends who are still waiting for sponsors.

Tak Tauhu

Yeah, I have been sponsored by a kind hearted soul. Not to worry though, I have 800 other friends here in Noah's Ark looking for sponsors. So please look around, I am sure one of them will catch your heart.

And if you come to the Ark, I am a quiet peace-loving dog in a corner, usually just spending my time watching the world go by :).

Diesel

Hi, my name is Diesel and I have found a sponsor, yay! You can't miss me when you come visit. I will be one of the first to greet you cos I like hanging out outside the Sanctuary. Say hi, ok? Please feel free to pick more of my friends so they can celebrate like me. Thanks! :)