(LK) A remarkable story of endurance - Sid's Story

[Guest guest]

NO IMAGES ? Visit Here:

http://www.linnics.com/asossl/hesid/sidsstory.html

 

A story of an ex-street dog

 

Kim Cooling tells the remarkable story of endurance that inspired her to found

her charitable organisation

 

Animal SOS Sri Lanka Registered charity : 1119902

http://www.animalsos-sl.com

 

Sid's Story

 

It was the last day of a self funded trip to Sri Lanka in 2005, and my

friend Morag and I were feeding the strays near our hotel before flying back

to the UK. Suddenly a gangly flea ridden dog staggered towards us collapsing

at our feet. We had never seen him before, but knew we had to get him to the

vets quickly. The dog had been badly beaten by locals and his front legs

appeared broken. Part of his paw was also severed. The dog sensed we were

his last hope and as we rushed him to the vets we decided to call him Sid.

 

As well as his injuries, Sid was infected with Dirofilaria Repens, a serious

disease in dogs which is transmitted by mosquitoes. He was emaciated,

dehydrated and covered in ticks and mange mites. In view of his neglected

state, the vets were cynical about Sid's chances of survival. But we decided

to give him a chance of life and paid to keep him there for as long as it

would take to make him well again.

 

We had little time before our flight home, but before leaving managed to

give Sid his first ever bath, gently removed the ticks from his ears and fed

him a hearty meal and some fresh water.

 

We gave him a final hug as we left and Sid howled pitifully. He broke our hearts

and we never thought we would see him again.

 

But this courageous dog pulled through and we decided to bring him back to

the UK. It was an emotional journey, but Sid's battle for life was not yet

over. During the first month of his quarantine he started passing blood from

his genitals. He had a large Transmissible Venereal Tumour (TVT) missed by

the Sri Lankan vets. The quarantine vet refused to administer the

chemotherapy (Vincristine) to cure him and tried to persuade me to have Sid

put to sleep. But I refused because I knew about this disease from my work

in Sri Lanka, and the treatment is highly effective. After some harrowing

weeks, my own vet agreed to help Sid and fortunately his premises met with

DEFRA's approval. Animals in quarantine are strictly regulated and any

movement outside the quarantine premises has to be authorised by DEFRA. The

veterinary costs for the chemotherapy and transport to the vets were huge

and this was in addition to the hefty quarantine costs, all funded from our

wages. Sid was also found to have a tick borne disease -Ehrlichiosis, which

had also been missed by vets in Sri Lanka. But, despite everything life had

thrown at him, this brave boy sailed through all his treatments and is now

healthy, although he remains disabled due to leg injuries.

 

Sid is devoted to his rescuer Kim Cooling

and lives with her in London.

 

For Sid, the misery and torment he suffered as a stray in Sri Lanka is now a

distant memory.

 

Registered Charity: 1119902

 

www.animalsos-sl.com

 

DONATE <http://www.animalsos-sl.com/DonateMoney.html>

 

For other destitute animals in Sri Lanka their misery and suffering goes on.

 

Kim has now founded a UK Registered Charity Animal SOS Sri Lanka

to give hope to the abused and suffering stray animals in Sri Lanka.

 

With your help our charity will provide the suffering animals with refuge,

veterinary care, sterilisation and vaccination programs in Sri Lanka.

 

We will also raise awareness through our local animal welfare education in Sri

Lanka.

 

HELP US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

 

Contact: paul