Dumaguete Animal Sanctuary

Every Life Matters

Shaun

Shaun

Shaun

We have always promised that if Shaun's situation was suffering without end we would make the call. Today we made that call.
We had to put Shaun to sleep this morning at 10am, Saturday 30 September 2023.  It may never become clear quite what was causing the immense pain and discomfort he began to feel just over a couple of weeks ago.

Shaun

Shaun on the beach

Last night, when his morphine wore off, he was in absolute agony. He was screaming and writhing in pain. The recommended dose of morphine didn't work. We doubled it. It took 3 hours after that for Shaun to get some respite. When the sun came up we took him outside and we knew we couldn't let him suffer any longer. 

The morphine started to wear off around 9am. We couldn't let him go through the agony of the previous night. Nothing was working and we had no answers.

Shaun

Shaun

We made the decision to let him pass peacefully. It was the hardest decision. Christine held his head in my hands and told him how much he was loved. He passed with so much love surrounding him.
We didn't give up on him. We did what was best for him. We cremated him in the afternoon and have placed his ashes in the clinic.
He was the bestest of boys.
We will name our free clinic The Mighty Shaun Memorial Clinic.  We will provide free treatment in his name and alleviate so much suffering.

Shaun

Run free Shaun. Our hearts are breaking.  You can read more about Shaun and his remarkable resilience against the raw deal life threw at him, and the happy years he spent in our lives, on his profile page here. 

Shaun gets a checkup

Shaun gets a Checkup

As we still don't have our blood machine, every Friday we take Shaun to Animal Wellness for a blood test.  His red blood cell count has been low for weeks despite him having a lot of food and regular iron injections, and he has a lump on his bottom that hasn't gone down despite anti inflammatory medications and antibiotics.  

Shaun gets a checkup

We discovered a common ailment that is likely causing Shaun's red blood cell count to be low - hook worms. We did a faecal analysis and saw them. We gave him Dewormer so we hopefully will see an improvement in next week's tests.
We also did an ultrasound and xray on the lump on his bottom, there is fluid inside so it's not a hernia, but the skin around it is very thick.
Doc Gama gave him medication for it and if in two weeks it hasn't gone we will have to do surgery.

Shaun's lump is ultrasounded

A new BFF for Shaun

A New BFF for Shaun

Puppy Marvin is such an inquisitive bundle of energy, we decided to match him up with Shaun, a similar force of nature.  They took to each other straight away, and we give them time together each day.  We have to be careful as Marvin is still so tiny, even Shaun seems gigantic in comparison!  Find out more about Shaun and Marvin on their Profile Pages.

Shaun with buddy Marvin

The Last Postcard from Shaun

The Last Postcard from Shaun on his Holidays

Dear All

After two weeks away, it's time to come home. Time enough left for a bit of chillin' by the pool for the last few hours before my transport arrives. It's been fun, but I have missed you all. My coat has got better, and my last trip to the doctors showed that my Anemia is slowly improving. I've been for quite log walks some days, and others I have just sat on the beach and chewed something. The one thing that hasn't got any better is this terrible twitching left over from Distemper. Maybe in time it will improve but it does IRRITATE me so much, it keeps me awake most nights. So be prepared, I may be A BIT GRUMPY when I get back!!

See you all soon,

Shaun x

Shaun by the pool

Shaun by the pool

Shaun by the pool

Shaun by the pool

Postcard from Shaun #7

Postcard #7 from Shaun on his Holidays

Dear Everyone

Had a relaxing afternoon in the resort spa. My fur is coming back after the mange infection and I want to be LOOKING MY BEST when I return to the Sanctuary soon! I was thinking of getting a pedicure too, but as I like digging in the sand, I decided just to go with the LORI Soap Hot Tub Treatment package. Very relaxing, although the resort staff can be a little rough with the towel round my sensitive bits. 4 stars, recommend.

Love to you all,
from Shaun x

Shaun in the Spa's hot tub

Shaun jus' chillin' in the Spa's hot tub

Shaun in the Spa's hot tub

Shaun in his hot-towel-wrap

Shaun looking sparkly