Thais have a rather strange way of naming stray dogs. The names can vary from cutesy names like "cue-pee" to fruits like "apple" but every now and then the name is something rather tragic as is the case with this one.
We found out that the village somehow named this dog "mai me baan" which translates to "no home." The community cares about the dog and gives it food but no one actually cares for the animal directly, it is more of a group effort as "no home" wanders from house to house looking for handouts and water and eventually goes to sleep somewhere like under a car every night. She is friendly and we were capable of handling her. We were called in because some of the locals started noticing her less and less and when they did seek her out she seemed to have very little energy and would just lie there wagging her tail but not moving.
When we approached her she behaved the same way. Even though she doesn't know us she was wagging her tail and we carefully pulled her out of her hiding spot and transported her to the veterinarian office to see what the problems is.
She was confused by the whole crating process but didn't put up any resistance to being transported. Her delicate and friendly demeanor didn't change and was more than happy to be pet and handled.
We did a bunch of tests and unfortunately we don't have great news as the results. It turns out that "no home" has anemia and cancer. The tumor has been removed and we pick her back up from the village each week for additional chemo treatments and she is always very easy to handle and comes with us without issue.
She has such a pleasant way about her that I am kind of surprised that nobody in the village is interested in looking after her permanently. With the aid of a translator we were able to find out why that might be. We were told that people have tried to keep "no home" in their yard a number of times but she doesn't like being put in the yard and wants to wander around. She apparently has gotten so accustomed to her freedom that she doesn't actually want to stay in any one place. I suppose this is understandable because she gets plenty of food and attention from the village and never has to rummage for things to eat, so I guess this community is doing their part to look after her.
For the first time I am actually thinking that not having a permanent home might be exactly what "no home" wants and to attempt to force her into one would probably be the wrong choice.
In the meantime we will continue to monitor her and continue the chemotherapy sessions until we get the all clear from the vet that the cancer has been eradicated.
In the years that I have been working with Krabi Animal Welfare I have never actually encountered a situation quite like this one. The dog is in great health other than the cancer, which can happen to any dog whether they are homeless or not. She has the care and attention of the entire village and well, I guess it truly does take a village.
Once we are finished with the chemo, we will stay in touch with the members of this small community to make sure that "no home" is always in good health. I suppose even though I don't necessarily like the way that Thailand handles their stray animal population, that sometimes certain places get it right. "No home" doesn't need a home because she has many.
if you would like to see how you can help out or simply spread the word, please visit our website at
http://krabianimalwelfare.org
Krabi Animal Welfare is a charity run entirely by volunteers and are a registered non-profit organization in Thailand and the U.K.. We aim to relieve the pain and suffering of dogs and cats within Krabi Province.
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