The best thing that has happened this week is Softie getting adopted!
He went back to the street on July 10th, after 11 days at the hospital. Despite all the ads I posted online, nobody showed any real interest. Then, my friend Alice decided to help and also posted a couple of ads online, with photos of Softie I had shared with her. She got a first person who said they would take him, but also that they already had a dog that was pretty aggressive. I decided to pass. Softie does not do well around aggressive dogs.
And then, someone else contacted her, with hardly anything on his online profile, but I thought I’d check anyway. And I am so glad I did. When I asked him to tell me a bit about himself, he sent me a proper long message, with a lot of information. First, he mentioned Australia, and I thought, nooooo! Not because I have anything against Australians, but because if he were to move back, he wouldn’t be able to bring the dog with him. To import a pet into Australia, it needs to spend 6 months in quarantine, in a rabies-free country. Usually Singapore and South Korea are mentioned, but I’ve never done more research.
But after the mention of Australia, there was so much information that sounded almost too good to be true. He sounded exactly like the kind of person I wanted for Softie. And then I thought, it actually makes sense! Softie has the best vibes. It is not surprising that a real animal lover would show up for him. He was bound to attract someone sensitive and caring. The young man who is now Softie’s father grew up around dogs, his family ran a rescue and foster home, he’s just opened a Muay Thai gym in Phuket, he has a Thai partner who also loves animals, especially black animals, and whose big family also love animals.
I was busy when we first chatted and couldn’t keep the conversation going, but when I was done with work later that night, I texted him again and found out he and his partner live only 4 minutes away from us. I told him I was going to check on Softie. He asked if he could meet us. I told him I’d first check if the dog was there, as you never really know if they’re going to be there, and that I’d text him if he was. And he was!
The young couple came very quickly, and Softie loved them right away. We also talked to a Thai lady who has a little food stall and knows Softie. She also loves him and used to feed him too. And she told us about how people around there love that dog. We chatted for a while, and Softie left that evening with his new family. He will be missed around here, but I am soooooo happy for him. He is now safe, cared for, and loved.
That was on July 15th. After leaving the hospital, he only spent five days on the street. I saw him every day, I saw people feeding him and giving him attention more than once, and I am so glad he stayed safe so he could finally be adopted.
His new dad has been sending me updates, which always make me so happy. We saw them again on the 16th, as we brought them a doghouse that our dogs don’t use. Softie must sleep outside for now because they have cats in the house, and they aren’t too happy about having a dog around. But he goes on adventures. I was sent a video of Softie in the pick-up truck and Softie running on the beach. And photos of him at the gym. And apparently, he’s been to the groomer. He’s living his best life with his new family.
It’s always such a warm feeling when strays get adopted. It makes it all worth it. I cried so much when I had to put him back on the street. It doesn’t matter anymore. When I think of Softie now, I don’t feel any sadness, just pure joy!