Every Life Matters
2024's Distemper outbreak is still being felt in the new year. Two more puppies, Gideon and Juniper died on 12 and 15 January 2025 respectively.
Gideon, male
Juniper
All of poor Glimmer's puppies have now died, which is beyond heart-breaking, for us and for her.
Noelle
We tragically lost Noelle to Distemper on 15 January 2025. We rescued her on Christmas Eve as she was reported with a fractured vertebra in her neck, likely after a hit and run.
She was starting to improve with laser therapy but sadly caught Distemper a week ago.
This is a death sentence for new rescues as their immune systems are already compromised and being strays they are unvaccinated.
Noelle
Even if we vaccinate, which we do, their immune systems cannot form an adequate response and the virus overwhelms it.
In our new Sanctuary, we will have so many protocols in place to prevent outbreaks but right now, given our lack of space, outbreaks are difficult to prevent.
We are giving every possible herbal and conventional medications possible to our rescues to help them through this.
We just couldn't save Noelle.
Run free sweet girl. We are so so sorry we couldn't save you.
Orson
Orson was rescued on 15 January 2025. We brought him in to the Sanctuary and took him for x-rays but he had a complete fracture of his spine and there is no neurosurgeon here to do the necessary surgery.
He would never regain the ability to move so we released him from his pain and suffering and sent him on his way with love.
Orson, we are so sorry that you endured what you did.
At the very least, we minimised your suffering.
Run free, you were loved even for a short time and you mattered to us.
We were thrilled when orli was adopted in October 2024 to a family that fit all our criteria. However, you can never know for certain how good a home it will turn out to be.
Last week, the adopter messaged us saying he was bringing Orli - renamed Jasper back to the shelter.
He said Jasper was chewing slippers and destroying neighbors' plants, and he wasn't going to train him not to do it.
There are times when adoptions don't work out for various reasons, but what is confusing is when people are surprised that puppies act like puppies!
They chew everything, especially if they are not given enough stimulation, exercise, and attention.
Jasper's adopter never asked for help or told us there was a problem - they just gave up on him right in the middle of the Distemper outbreak.
Luckily, Crystal, our dog trainer, took him in and rehabilitated him for free at her home so he was not exposed to Distemper.
We called him Orli again as he didn't respond to the name Jasper.
We are happy to report that we believe Orli found his perfect home with Eunice, Philam and little JJ. They added him to their family on 11 January 2025.
He has a massive garden to run around in and has also gained two siblings, DAS adoptees Ori and Gailen, who Eunice adopted a few weeks ago.
It's wonderful to see these three rescues having fun and just being dogs.
Thank you so much Eunice and family, for giving Orli his third chance at the life he deserves!
Myla Marigold adopted
We are happy to report that Marigold and Myla were adopted today!
Because of the Distemper outbreak at the Sanctuary we've not been able to get any dogs adopted. But Marigold and Myla were staying at the vet house so they were never exposed to Distemper. On 10 January 2025, they were adopted by Romy Pangilinan and family!
Marigold
Marigold, female