Dumaguete Animal Sanctuary

Every Life Matters

RIP

Joy

Joy

Joy was scheduled to be euthanized on the day we rescued her, along with 6 other dogs.
When her beautiful fur grew back and her sweet-natured personality began to shine through, we were so hopeful that we’d find a suitable adopter for her.
But it wasn’t meant to be.

Joy

Joy

After a few months, she started to develop lumps on her abdominal area. We initially removed them surgically, but they grew back quite quickly. After that we tried two different chemo drugs, but they didn’t have any effect.  We were considering our options, when she suddenly passed away suddenly on 11 May 2023. Up until the evening before, she had been active, eating well, and enjoying her walks.

It’s devastating when one of our dogs suddenly dies, but we take comfort in knowing that she felt loved in her final months. She was happy during her time at the sanctuary; literally a little bundle of joy.
Thank you to everyone who donated for Joy and the other pound dogs. Because of your donation, Joy was able to experience a few months of happiness, and died surrounded by people who loved her.  You can read more about Joy on her profile page here.

Brandi

Brandi

We have some devastating news - Brandi, the first dog to get Distemper in this current outbreak - died very unexpectedly at 950pm on 17 May 2023, just 6 days after symptoms first started to show.
Distemper is a truly awful disease that can drag on for weeks ending in a very painful death. The only consolation is that Brandi didn't have to go through a long agonising illness.

Brandi

Brandi

After a few months, she started to develop lumps on her abdominal area. We initially removed them surgically, but they grew back quite quickly. After that we tried two different chemo drugs, but they didn’t have any effect.  We were considering our options, when she suddenly passed away suddenly on 11 May 2023. Up until the evening before, she had been active, eating well, and enjoying her walks.

Brandi

Brandi

The difficulty with distemper is that it is so unpredictable. A dog can pass away in any of the three stages of the disease.
The Respiratory phase can cause death from respiratory failure or pneumonia.
The Gastrointestinal phase can cause death from multiple organ issues - especially pancreatitis.
The Neurological phase - usually the final phase - causes death from slow paralysis and multiple seizures.
All our adult dogs are vaccinated and we gave the Distemper antibody Canglob D to Brandi. We did everything possible but sometimes the viral strain is too potent or the dogs immune system can't fight it off.  At 8pm Brandi was following Raymond around and able to walk. At 9:50pm she died.
For those of you who would like to know more about Brandis story - you can see her profile here.
We are currently living in fear as to who else may get sick - please keep all our dogs in your thoughts.
Rest in Peace Brandi - we know you thoroughly enjoyed your stay at the shelter - you were so full of life. Run Free sweet girl.

Edna

Edna

Edna was rescued from the side of the road on 14 April 2023.  It would appear that she hadn't been on the streets long, particularly as she was blind and her nails were so long, so most likely she got sick and her owners simply dumped her.  She was extremely dehydrated.

Edna RIP

Edna RIP

The staff sat with her around the clock (as they do for all new rescues), willing her to live and giving everything they can to try and help them live.  The same day Edna was rescued, poor 
Waffles passed away, and Edna started to eat. She had refused all the food we gave her until we went out and bought her chicken - she devoured it!  

Unfortunately, it was not enough, as a few days later, Edna had a seizure at 2am and had to be on oxygen in addition to the medication she was on to help her fight the lung infection and anaemic condition she was in.  We were not going to give up on her as we believed she had a chance of recovery and we wanted her to experience love, play and devoted attention at least for a short time.  She eventually passed away on 21 April 2023, but we hope she felt the love for the few short days she was with us.

Waffles

Waffles

We have some really sad news to share. Waffles passed away 17 April 2023 at the Sanctuary.
Thank you to everyone who donated for him. We will transfer the donations to Edna and Philippa.
From the moment we rescued him he wasn't alone. All critical patients have a vet assistant 24/7.

Waffles when rescued

Waffles when rescued

He always had someone stroking him and cleaning him and trying to entice him to eat.
It's tragic to think of how he suffered but this makes us even more determined to push forward with our spay and neuter campaigns. It's the only way we will ever see an end to this suffering.
Run Free Waffles. We hope you felt the love, even for just one week.  You can read more on his profile page here.

Waffles being treated

Waffles being treated

Salvador

Salvador

One of our oldest residents, Salvador He passed away at midnight 24 March 2023 at Animal Wellness. He wasn't alone, the night staff were with him and tried to revive him. Salvador was a very old dog when we rescued him on March 9, 2022, just over a year ago. He had multiple issues when we rescued him- congestive heart failure, thyroid problems, he could hardly see or walk. He also had chronic bronchitis and bladder stones.

Salvador walkies

Salvador walkies

We gave him the best care we could and pretty much all of his issues resolved except his heart and bronchitis - which kept coming back.
He was very comfortable for the whole of the year. He had a comfy donut bed in the consultation room and went out for walks every day, which he thoroughly enjoyed.  He really was a happy soul, but time marches on and in the end, his heart gave out.
We are always tremendously sad when we lose one of our dogs as we are so attached to them all. Sometimes all we can do is make the end of their lives comfortable and happy and let them know that they are loved.
It was a privilege to be able to get to know him, to spend time with him and to love him.
Run free sweet boy - we loved you so very much.  You can read more a bout Salvador on his profile page here.

Salvador

Salvador

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