VOLUME 02
JANUARY 2013
CONTENT 04 FIVE THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR DOG 10 BARK UP YOUR STYLE 20 DRIVEN, DETERMINED AND FULL OF HEART 24 NEWS AND EVENTS 26 DOGS CAN MAKE CHILDREN HEALTHIER 29 EMBARK GALLERY 30 CHANGING THE WORLD, ONE PUPPY AT A TIME 33 CONTACT US
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FIVE THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR DOG After watching a touching movie or seeing a TV commercial about a boy and his dog, you’ve probably rushed to your leashes and geared up to take your own dogs out for some quality time. But then the inevitable question arises, “oh wait. Where are we going to go?” Yes it’s true, as a country we are somewhat limited in terms of options for things to do with your dog; most parks restrict them, most hotels won’t take them and no form of public transport will allow a dog on board. This leaves those of us who enjoy our dog’s company, scratching our heads trying to figure out what to do. Well, we’ve found the answers! We’ve scoured the land, caught the scent of legend and followed the whispers in the wind to find these dog friendly places that we once thought were urban myths. They’re out there! And now we’d like to share them with you.
SPEND QUALITY TIME When we say that there is nothing that a dog likes better than spending some QT with you, we really mean it! Don’t forget that to these guys, you are the entire universe and then some. When you don’t take a much needed time out and spend it with your precious pooch, he or she is really going to miss having you around. There are a number of things you can do around the house to remind your dog how much you love them. Even a simple game of fetch can often do the trick. For other ways to bond, you could try grooming, as even short hairs need a good brushing once in a while. If you really want to go that extra mile, consider giving your dog a massage - it’s not as hard as it sounds! Start from the shoulders and gently knead out the muscles, not with too much pressure though! TIPS AND TRICKS • Invest in a good brush. The Furminator grooming range is a great line to invest in especially since they are very durable. These come in a range of sizes to suit a variety of coats. • For long hairs you can invest in professional hair clipper or simply make your pet’s long hair soft and shiny with daily brushing. • A good thing to combine into a grooming session is an aloe vera massage. If you have a plant of aloe in the garden like so many households do, extract the gel and apply in to the skin. This will cool your dog down in hot temperatures too. For dogs that have skin issues, substitute with Kohomba (margosa/neem) which is known for its anti-parasitic, anti-fungal and healing properties. EMBARK | 05
TAKE A WALK
The Thalangama wetlands have some pretty awesome trails and tracks where you can take your canine companion walking and running. Many people walk their dogs in these areas and as we all know, exercise is a very important component of any dog’s daily routine, and it won’t hurt the owners either. Many owners confuse exercise and garden space as it is a common belief that a big garden means no exercise necessary. This is sadly not true, and can be likened to owning a gym and actually using it - two completely different things! Regimented exercise keeps your dog fit and is a way of bonding with your pooch, teaching them to obey in different situations and also to experience environments outside of home. The scenery in this area is also rather beautiful and you may even catch sight of several of Sri Lanka’s vibrant avifauna as the area is popular for birders. Best times for a walk are early morning and early evening, when the heat is low and the traffic is less too. 06 | EMBARK
TIPS AND TRICKS • The recommended time for a walk is 45 minutes for most dogs, a brisk one is better. However, there are several aspects that influence how much exercise is enough and when it is too much, like a dog’s age, weight and general health. Watch your dog carefully to see if he or she seems very tired and stop for a break now and again. • Take a bottle of water for you and your dog. Bowls are pesky things to carry around and if you want to travel light, look for a travel bowl available in the other countries. Usually made of foldable material, these bowls will fit easily in your pack pocket. If you aren’t a frequent flyer, try buying a stack of aluminum containers that are often used for lasagna, usually found in any supermarket. These too can be folded, and are a great alternative to a travel bowl. • Have a good leash. This area is not suitable for off-leash walking.
MAKE NEW FRIENDS
Socialisation is a vital part of a dog’s wellbeing. Dogs are essentially pack animals and a dog should be used to meeting other dogs from a young age. Puppies especially miss their litter mates and having a fun play date means a lot to them. Socialisation also teaches dogs their doggie manners and makes vet visits a whole lot easier. Here is a place where you can take your furry family member to hang out and make new friends. HAVEN Located in Malabe, Haven is actually a hotel for dogs, but as they have a lot of space and they believe in the benefits of socialisation, the owners allow dogs to come for runs and
playtime. The spacious property is fenced all round, and all dogs are left to roam free. The owner, Ashwini has eight dogs of her own and she determines which playmate a dog gets based on temperament, age and sex. And after that the dogs do all the work, and when you get home you’ll have a seriously tuckered out pooch! TIPS AND TRICKS • For directions, try a quick search on Google maps. • You can go here on any day, any time between 8.30 AM and 7 PM. But be sure to call ahead as the staff need time to prepare and choose a playmate.
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SOAK UP THE SUN
As island people we love our beaches and our island dogs love them too. Several dogs enjoy a swim and a good run on the sand, while salt water really does wonders for any minor skin irritations that your dog may have. There are a few beaches we’ve found where taking your dog is easy. MOUNT BEACH Conveniently located about a half hours drive from Colombo, Mount is the preferred beach for many Colombites. Though the sea is rough at times, it is possible to go swimming, but be sure to check on currents. If your dog is not used to swimming - this is not the best place to start learning. The beach itself is nice and wide with plenty of space for running. Be mindful of the beach dogs though, they can sometimes be a little territorial! PARAGON REEF, THALPE Now here is a real treasure. Located in Thalpe about 2 km
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from Wijeya Beach is a hotel called Paragon, and in front of it is one of the best beaches you can take your dog to. Surrounded by a coral reef, this beach is in an enclave and is very calm, almost like a pool. It doesn’t get deeper than five or six feet, and playing with a ball is easy as you know it won’t get lost in the waves. Paragon is a great introductory beach where a dog can learn to swim. You can even take your dogs off leash here. TIPS AND TRICKS • Don’t use the main entrance at Mount Beach as that’s where most of the territorial dogs are. Instead follow the signs to a restaurant called ‘La Voile Blanche’ and sneak in through one of the corridors beside the restaurant. • Take plenty of water as swimming really tires a dog out. • If you want to take a toy for a game of ‘water fetch’ take one that floats. A Frisbee is a great beach toy for dogs.
Kumbukgas Mankada Lodge, Sigiriya
GET OUT OF TOWN!
Going on holiday with your dog makes life a lot easier as you don’t need to find a pet sitter or put your pet in a boarding kennel. Getting out of the city and enjoying the fresh air is great for you too. Most hotels won’t allow a dog, but there is a high chance that many bungalows or villas will. Here are some examples. KUMBUKGAS MANKADA LODGE This charming little place is located in the Sigiriya area which is about a five hour drive from Colombo. They allow dogs, but only ones that are used to being in new places. The extensive property has seven acres but it is not fenced and borders jungle so you need to make sure your dog doesn’t run off. Dogs are allowed in any area of this hotel, except on the furniture and the restaurant is happy to make special doggie meals as well. THE BEACH PLACE, THALPE Located about a 100 km from Colombo, yet easily accessed in one hour through the highway, The Beach Place is in Thalpe, which is just passed Unawatuna. The staff here really like dogs too, (the watcher particularly) and dogs get full run of the house, the furniture, even the beds! The entire property is also fenced. You can request that the cook buy provisions for your dog when he does shopping for you, it also has beach front views and Paragon Reef is a five minute walk away.
The Beach Place, Thalpe NON PAREIL ESTATE, NAGRAK Located near Belihuloya, Non Pareil estate is an old colonial style manager’s bungalow that has one of the highest altitudes in the country. It borders Horton Plains and is in the Nagrak area which is renowned for its pristine beauty. The trails surrounding the area are breathtaking with several places where time appears to have stood still. Clear water, rainbow trout, and birdsong - true bliss. The staff will cook for your dog but you have to bring your own provisions. Some areas may be suitable for off leash walking but only if your dog is very well behaved and won’t run into the jungle. Be aware that the trails here are often hard ones, so they won’t be suitable for the ailing, old or very young. TIPS AND TRICKS • Long journeys are tough to manage with a dog. You can buy a travel crate from some stores but they are usually very expensive. A good alternative is to get one built. • If your dog gets car sick, don’t feed them for several hours before travel. If it is very bad, consult with your vet and he may prescribe an anti emetic. • Travel with dry food and water for emergencies and don’t forget to stop for bathroom breaks!
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BARK UP YOUR STYLE A casual day out with embark
Ladies “Embark” Crop T-shirt (in stores soon) EMBARK | 11
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Opposite Page: Ladies “Niko Rocks” Oversized T-shirt (in stores soon) Mens “Bark Off” Vest (in stores soon) Sling Canvas Bag (in stores soon)
This Page: Ladies “Embark” Crop T-shirt (in stores soon) Mens “Not Fixed” T-shirt Rs. 1250
Mens “Dogs in Cars” T-shirt (exclusively online) Rs. 1250
Ladies “Pretty Nerdy” Crop T-shirt (in stores soon) EMBARK | 13
Badges Rs. 200 - 250 each Sling Canvas Bag (in stores soon) 14 | EMBARK
Wristbands Rs. 75 -150 each Ladies “Multi-colour Niko” Oversized T-shirt Rs. 1200 “Niko Rocks” Slippers Rs. 675 EMBARK | 15
Mens “Niko” Ltd Edition T-shirt Rs. 1475 Ladies “Vanity Fur” Oversized T-shirt (exclusively available online) Rs. 1300 Cushion Covers Rs. 1230
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Mens “Adopt Me” Baseball T-shirt (exclusively online) Rs. 1200 Ladies “Gold Niko Aviator” T-shirt Rs. 975 Khaki Paw-Print Shorts (in stores soon) 18 | EMBARK
Mens “I Like it On the Couch” T-shirt Rs. 975 Ladies “All Over Niko” Oversized T-shirt Rs. 1200 Ladies Pink Twill Shorts Rs. 1450 Red Tote Bag (in stores soon) EMBARK | 19
Danu and Twinkle (image courtesy of Manakal Wijayapala)
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DRIVEN, DETERMINED AND FULL OF HEART There are a number of things you can do to play your part in solving the street dog issue. With a dog to human ratio of 1:6, Sri Lanka has an incredibly high number of homeless dogs that live on the road, who are often unwell, unvaccinated, unsterilised and deal with cruelty every day. It is heartbreaking, and many find it difficult to walk away from an animal that so desperately needs help. A little love goes a long way, and sometimes changing the life of one is all you need to make a difference. Foster, donate, share, or adopt. Take a page from these extraordinary individuals that are driven, determined and full of heart.
“Adopting a dog is one of the best things you can do” -Danu If there is one thing that can be said about Danu, he really knows his dog. There was no end of funny anecdotes and characteristics that he had to share about his pampered little street pooch Twinkle. ‘We named her Twinkle because we wanted her to shine, but in the end there is nothing really very twinkly about her’ he jokes. Describing himself as an animal lover, Danu spoke of his first dog Danny Boy who belonged to his sister. Sadly, Danny Boy passed away in 2010, so when his resident office street dog ‘Foxy’ had a litter, the first thing that came to his mind was taking one of the puppies home. Reminiscing about taking the dog home, he recalls “there were five puppies in the litter, and within a day the three nicest ones were taken. Only Twinkle and another runt were left. I had portrayed Twinkle as being extremely good looking in the hopes that my mum would let me bring her home, but actually the dog was anything but” he says. Twinkle quickly adapted to life at home and grew in to a special dog, or rather a special ‘not dog’. “She really isn’t a dog. She is more like a person. She likes people, is a terrible watchdog, and hardly ever leaves the bed; in fact her paws are pink from disuse.” “Adopting a dog is one of the best things you can do” he says with sincerity. “The Sri Lankan street dog is built for this country, is more resilient, and will live longer. A rescue dog appreciates everything you do so much more than a bought dog. They are so grateful and so proud when you come home from work, but yeah” he adds hastily, “Twinkle does get a little bit mad when I wake her up when I come home late” When asked if he had any advice for those considering adopting he responded, “so many people complain of having dogs in the house when they have children, but I think having a dog teaches children a lot, you learn so much. Children learn to share, and I mean, there are so many toxic things in the world already, I don’t think a bit of dog fur is anything to worry about!” EMBARK | 21
Danu Innasithamby hails from Jaffna and currently resides in Colombo. A former model, he now spends his time in ‘Showbiz’ as a radio and TV personality and a columnist for the Daily Mirror. He has his own community service project ‘Love changes everything’ which he dedicates to his late mother. Apart from his dog Twinkle, he also has a cat named Lost, after the popular TV series, and the fact that he wandered in to the house ‘like a refugee’.
“Adopt a dog, save that life. They change you in ways you cannot imagine” - Niroshini In the happy home of Niroshini and Niranjala there are no dogs. There are only ‘children’. Walking into their house it is abundantly clear that their entire lives revolve around the well being of their treasured Blackie, who is not only a rescue but a special needs one at that. Blackie has endured more hardships than can be deemed fair by any standard. She had been severely injured in a road accident, and her long and arduous road to recovery took seven months. Even when she was adopted, she could not walk properly, and understandably was scared of new people. Adorned with a red bow in honour of our visit, Blackie has nothing but love in her new home. “I have always had dogs” says Niroshini. “But my husband, he was not so interested in the beginning, now he cares more than I do. Learning to love an animal changed him, and even before we were married our relationship grew stronger because of the common love we had for our dog”. Niroshini and Niranjala’s first dog was Bunty who Niroshini had since she was young. Bunty sadly passed away due to heart problems and about a month later the two read of Blackie in the Tharuni newspaper. “At first we were hesitant” Niroshini says, tearing up a little at the memory. “After Bunty died, I really thought I could never love an animal again,
Niranjala, Niroshini & Blackie 22 | EMBARK
but we wanted to help an animal who seemed to have an obvious need for a loving family” When Blackie arrived she was scared of her new family too. But with a little patience and cajoling she accepted their love. “She did not walk very well at first so it was very hard for her” Niranjala recalls. “But it seemed as if she knew we loved her. Though she could not walk for a long period after her injury, Blackie is now mobile, even running when Niranjala returns from work. “When I come home, I see her and all my tiredness disappears. It’s incredible how much she means to us. When you are responsible for another life, it changes everything. It makes you a parent. She loves us just like any child would, and I think she is happy here. Niroshini and Niranjala expressed their sincerest gratitude to Embark for saving their kella’s life and for completing their family. Niroshini has her roots in Kandy and is a wedding cum fashion designer, while Niranjala is a hardware technician. They currently reside in Colombo with Blackie and seven cats who Blackie hates with a passion.
“In my lifetime I have had and re-homed hundreds and hundreds of dogs!” - Manel Yes that’s right, we said hundreds! Foster parent to strays Manel Bibile is a pro at the business of caring for and rehoming injured or homeless animals. Having possibly owned every kind of domestic animal there is, including cats, dogs, rabbits, tortoises, and even monkeys Manel says she is a lover of all animals. “For all my life I have had animals, even before marriage” she recalls. At present Manel has four dogs, Bingo, Sasha, Chayenne and a small puppy whom she is fostering. Bingo is the oldest at 7 years and she told us the story of how he came to be with her.
Manel, Chayenne, Bingo & Sasha
Vasantha “I didn’t adopt Bingo. Bingo adopted me” she says. “He came to my gate and he was a large dog, who I usually don’t go near, and I said to him “please go, I have three dogs”. There were also some problems with the neighbours as they were threatening to harm the dogs in the area because they howled at night. I didn’t want to feed him along with the others that I fed daily on the road, but he would just sit and wait patiently until an opportunity arose to steal their food! Now he is with me forever” Apart from Bingo, Manel also has Sasha who she found near Opulent Caterers in Nawala, who was initially supposed to be given for adoption. “She had a bad rash so no one wanted her, and I kept her” she said. Her other dog Chayenne, who shares his name with Manel’s grandson, was initially brought to Manel when a Buddhist priest from a local temple rang and asked to come over as he needed some help with a dog. “When I went there, the puppy was just sitting and when they lifted him the hind legs were hanging loose. He had been run over. They inserted two pins” she told us. “But there was an infection which meant we had to siphon his leg for one month and drain pus”. Finally however, Chayenne recovered. Though his bad leg does stick out at an odd angle, he seems entirely unaffected by this impediment, even bounding up and down the stairs with ease. When asked if there were any differences between street dogs and purebreds, she replied “In my heart no. In my heart they are all the same” Manel Bibile has always been in Colombo and currently resides in Nawala. She is a devout Christian who frequently asks God for guidance when her fosters become ill or if she feels she has too many to cope. Apart from her dogs she also has many cats. She firmly believes that re-homing animals has never been hard, and that people willingly help her. She stands as an example of the belief that the efforts of one individual can change the lives of hundreds.
“Never cage them. Never tie them. Only love them”- Vasantha
In addition to being one of the country’s best stylists, Vasantha is also a lover of animals, particularly dogs. Having owned dogs ever since he moved out on his own, Vasantha now has three street dogs. Speaking of his dogs, Menika, Malli and Mudi he said “Menika is the oldest. She was on the road near my house. Then when I was moving house she jumped in to my car and didn’t get out. So I kept her. Malli I picked up on the road and Mudi was given to me by my Tamil Friend so I named her Mudi because it’s the Tamil word for hair, like Kess” which is the name of his salon. When asked what the dogs were like he responded “Cute as hell! They’re obedient, smart, and understand everything. Menika is the oldest so when I come home from work she gives the others a chance first. Then when I go up, I give her a look to say come upstairs and she slowly leaves the others and comes” “I let them on the road. They have their freedom. They don’t eat rubbish. My dogs don’t eat from dustbins” he continued with a frown. He elaborated that he does not want to curtail their freedom in any way and that they should be free to come and go as they chose Vasantha prefers street dogs over purebreds. “I had a Beagle named Tikiri. And she died of distemper, which was horrible. After that I thought, never again. Now only Sri Lankan dogs” He also said that there were no other differences between pedigree and mixed breeds. Vasantha says the dogs brighten up his day from the moment he wakes up till the time he goes to bed. “They make everything better. Especially when they are puppies. Puppies are so cute! And you should never cage them. Never tie them. Only love them. Love is the most important thing” Vasantha De Silva is a stylist who owns salon Kess. His work in this arena has spanned over the last two decades earning him respect as one of the best stylists in the country. He currently resides in Colombo with his three dogs and his mother. EMBARK | 23
NEWS AND EVENTS STERILISATION & VACCINATION
Beginning the new year with a bang, the Embark team together with partnered vets from Best Care Animal Hospital completed a successful sterilisation and vaccination campaign in the Uva Wellasa University, Badulla. Responding to a request from the university, Embark was glad to support students and lecturers who had taken the initiative and were interested in caring for animals in their campus. To prevent unwanted litters and help reduce the spread of rabies, sterilise and vaccinate your own dog and others around your home and workplace!
SAVING THE INJURED
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation of severely injured and disabled dogs has been foremost in Embark’s rescue and treatment programme in recent months. Where once there were limited solutions to paralysis and mobility issues, there are now amazing results being seen. Working with partnered veterinary clinics, Embark has been able to greatly enhance the standard of veterinary care available to street dogs with debilitating injuries or disability. 35 special needs dogs have also found homes with responsible, caring families in the past few months. If you would like to adopt or sponsor a rescue dog, give us a call on 0773429025. 24 | EMBARK
RE-HOMING
January 2013 brought Embark to a very special milestone - rehoming 1000 rescue puppies! Embark has worked at improving standards for fostering and puppy care prior to adoption, ensuring that adopters take home a puppy that is weaned, wormed, vaccinated, sterilised and socialised in a loving foster home. While the campaign has benefitted from increased interest from the public in adopting, much still remains to be done. Even as the thousandth rescued pup went home with her new family, several hundred others remain without homes, love or care. If you would like to foster or adopt, give us a call on 0773429025.
Since 2007 Embark has benefitted more than 25,000 dogs in Colombo and its suburbs 25 | EMBARK
FEATURE ARTICLE FROM An indispensable guide to life with dogs; showing readers how to live smartly and rewardingly with their canine companions, the Bark magazine has a nationwide readership of over 250,000 in the United States. It is published five times a year, available by subscription and online at www.thebark.com 26 | EMBARK
DOGS CAN MAKE CHILDREN HEALTHIER By Claudia Kawczynska We know dogs make us happy, but as an increasing number of scientific studies are demonstrating, they also make us - and our children - healthier. A 2010 study in the UK found that children who lived with dogs spent 10 minutes more each day engaged in physical activity than did those in dog-free homes; the researchers even tallied up the extra number of steps they took (360, on average). Now, two studies published earlier this year point to some even more salubrious effects of life with dogs, especially for very young children. One, conducted at Kuopio University Hospital in Finland, concentrated on infants during their first year, and investigated the effect of contact with dogs on the “frequency of respiratory symptoms and infections” during that period. Information about the length of time a dog spent indoors was also gathered, and turned out to be one of the key indicators. The results were eye-opening. Children with dogs at home were healthier overall, had fewer infectious respiratory problems, fewer ear infections and were less likely to require antibiotics. Researchers considered these results supportive of the theory that children who live with dogs during their early years have better resistance throughout childhood. They also found that the effect was greater if the dog spent fewer than six hours inside, possibly because the longer dogs are outdoors, the more dirt they bring inside with them. The more dirt, the more “bacterial diversity.” This diversity is thought to have a protective influence by helping the child’s immune system to mature — that is, respond more effectively to infectious agents. A study conducted by the University of California, San Francisco, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, found that living with dogs may prevent children from developing asthma. Mice fed a solution containing dust from homes with dogs developed a resistance to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a childhood airway infectious agent. RSV, which is common in infants, is linked to a higher risk of childhood asthma. According to Dr. Susan Lynch of the study team, “Exposing the gastrointestinal tract to pet dust and other microbes early in life prepares it to respond appropriately to a variety of invaders. But since our modern lifestyles involve living in immaculate houses, our immune systems often overreact instead.” Early childhood is a critical period for developing protection against allergies and asthma, and exposure to pets can help. All in all, these studies are proving that dogs, especially those dirty ones, are not only important family members, but also make our children healthier. And in that regard, they may also have a positive impact on health care costs. Adopt a dog, heal a child! 27 | EMBARK
A VOLUNTEER’S EXPERIENCE
BEST CARE FOR PARALYZED STRAY DOGS By Lara Muttiah What becomes of the numerous stray dogs injured in road accidents every day? Until September of this year I made the same assumptions as everyone else: they die quickly or slowly and painfully, are maimed and rendered lame for life, or else, fortunate enough to receive the care of a passing human being. Embark, in partnership with Best Care Animal Hospital in Nawala, is giving the last category a fighting chance with emergency care and physiotherapy. Despite the work of Embark and other organizations in Sri Lanka in reducing the country’s stray dog population, an appalling number are injured in collisions each day. The number brought to Best Care for treatment by compassionate men and women represents only a fraction of the real number of animals suffering some form of paralysis from accidents. In my five days of volunteering at the clinic, I observed vets treat injured dogs, alongside their regular domesticated patients. On the first day, I watched with interest physiotherapy performed on some of the injured animals and learned that the clinic is a transit home for severely paralyzed dogs, and has kennels that can house about 5 dogs at a time. These dogs are often sent to a shelter at Polgasowita, run by Best Care and Embark. Dr. Anura is a vet who has been trained in human physiotherapy and uses the same techniques on injured dogs, with amazing results. Most dogs that are treated regain some use of their paralyzed limbs and can be re-homed by Embark. The shelter is situated in the middle of a rubber plantation where no one will complain about the barking. There are monkeys in the trees and about 30 friendly, well- looked after dogs to greet you on arrival. Six months ago a hydrotherapy tank was installed and this has dramatically improved the recovery of the dogs. The tank is filled up to just below the height of the dog and it is encouraged to attempt walking; while this is common overseas, it is a unique facility in Sri Lankas. Having witnessed the success of these dedicated and selfless veterinarians and assistants as pioneers of this treatment in Sri Lanka, I would encourage more people to learn about the programme, volunteer at the clinic or shelter, or become members of Embark so that you can give a stray a chance of a better life. It was most heart-warming seeing stray puppies with skin rashes and wounds, unable to move however desperately they tried, and unable eat the bowls of food put in their kennels at the clinic, become plump, glossy-coated, happy and mobile dogs ready to go to loving homes. If they had not been rescued and rehabilitated, they would have had a painful and miserable existence due to paralysis before an inevitable death on the streets. Your support could ensure more strays get the treatment they need and get the ending they deserve; not the endings we always assume for them.
A TRIBUTE TO ANGUS AND THE JOY HE BROUGHT DURING HIS 12 BEAUTIFUL YEARS.
Snoopy
Niko
GALLERY OUTDOOR DOGS Here are a few of the wonderful pictures you’ve sent us. We thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the pictures of dogs enjoying the great outdoors! Do send in your letters and doggy pictures to embark@eodel.com or visit www.facebook.com/embarklk Napoleon
Bindi
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Amy, Bella & a foster puppy 30 | EMBARK
CHANGING THE WORLD, ONE PUPPY AT A TIME They say that there is someone out there for everyone, a soulmate you are destined to spend your life with. Perhaps the same can be said about dogs- that somewhere out there, there exists a dog that was destined to be yours. That is destined to complete you. And in Amy’s case, she didn’t find that dog, that dog found her. One could argue that it was the fair shores of Sri Lanka that turned Amy towards rescuing strays. Hailing from England, she said that she has “never had a dog. Never, ever” before she came to live in Sri Lanka a little over a year ago. She was moved by the dogs she saw at every turn on the street and then finally caved and took on the role of a loving foster parent to wayward strays when her husband called her attention to seven puppies in a construction site he was working in. “He said to me oh god Amy do something. And I was like, do what?” She recalls. And of course being the doer that she is, she immediately took them home. “I just took them, completely unprepared. I had no plan. They were adorable”. She then sent out an email on an expat mailing list hoping to find possible owners for her seven little pups. “Two of the dogs found a home in Trinco. So I literally took a road trip to Trinco just to drop them off” She pauses briefly before adding “I sound completely mad don’t I? Taking a road trip all that way with the dogs. But they are absolutely gorgeous now. Healthy and happy.” Left with another five to rehome while researching online she stumbled across Embark. “I rang Embark up and they said oh no problem, if you can foster them we can find them homes. And actually three got adopted even before the adoption day. We were going to keep the other two but we had to go to England and Shane (my husband) was saying we had to find them homes. So we did in the end” Talking about how she opened her home to adopt a pregnant adult dog, Amy remembers first coming in to contact with Ashani from the Embark team. “I hadn’t even met Ashani at this point and she rang me up one day and said, oh hello how are you and we have this very pregnant dog....” and the rest as they say is history. The very pregnant Bella arrived at Amy’s soon after and was HUGE she recalls. And the very next day four puppies were born. “They were really cute and actually all of Bella’s boys were adopted very quickly. Only the two girls were left. And then came another call from Ashani who said there were another five puppies whose mother did not have milk and maybe Bella would accept them” said Amy. “ So the remaining two from Bella’s litter went to another foster and the new pups moved in” And thus began Amy’s successful career as one of Embark’s favourite foster parents. But though puppies have come and gone, Bella remains as Amy’s family dog. “Ah Bella” she sighed. “Bella’s fabulous. So trusting. And so grateful. You can see it in her eyes. She was so good to the other puppies, she didn’t attack them or anything” 31 | EMBARK
Amy & Bella
In addition to Bella, Amy also has a cat called Sudu who she rescued from a drain and states that Sudu is like a foster brother to all who come to their house. “He’s basically a dog you know, he has a leash. He comes out anyway when I take Bella out for a walk so I got him a cat harness so he doesn’t get lost” We laughed and told her the neighbours must love seeing her walk a dog and a cat but she swiftly replied “oh no I do it late at night when no one’s watching”. Amy is set to experience some major changes in her life as in addition to helping animals in need she also hopes to soon adopt a baby. She is not worried about how Bella will react to the child as she believes that Bella will know they have brought the baby into the house. “Bella is like a big softie. And it is very positive to grow up with an animal. I wish I had” she says. We asked Amy if she had any advice for any aspiring foster parents and she had this to say “It’s the best idea especially for those who don’t want the commitment of having a dog full time. Maybe you have a job where you have to travel a lot or in the case of expats, relocating a pet is not easy and it can cost a lot. When you foster you only have them for a short while” It is clear that as Amy’s life may change, perhaps with her work as a public health scientist, or with her new baby, but her animals will always be considered as part of the family, even if only for a short time. She is known in our world as the one who takes “skanky” as she says, looking animals and returns them fatter, rounder and happier. She is an inspiration to us all, and a shining example to the fact that sometimes, you just need to change the lives of a few to make a difference. 32 | EMBARK
Embark works closely with three veterinary hospitals and the care given by them has been instrumental in improving the well-being of many a street dog. If you have any animal-related queries that go beyond our line of work, here are their numbers.
PET VET CLINIC COLOMBO
Contact: Rasha Yusuf E-mail: petvetclinic.mail@gmail.com Tel: +94 11 2599 799
BEST CARE ANIMAL HOSPITAL COLOMBO Contact: Thusira Soorasena E-mail: bestcareanimal@gmail.com Tel: +94 773 400 800
RAJAGIRIYA VETERINARY CLINIC COLOMBO Contact: S. S. Gallage E-mail: ssudarshanag@live.com Tel: +94 714 682 307
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