The Story of Bao at Salamat Shelter

Bao is Waray for Tortoise

Waray is one of the dialects spoken in the Philippines

We do not know Bao’s gender as of yet. April 2012, in front of Salamat Shelter, I saw Bao on top of an empty wheelbarrow with a hole, the size of a dime, on the side of its shell on which someone had tied a twine and at the other end of the twine was tied to the leg of the wheelbarrow so as to prevent Bao from wandering or escaping. I did not think much of Bao since it was owned by somebody and it was being fed. I just could not believe how it was being restrained or kept.

I left for Laguna to help with the pitbulls rescued from dogfighting and was away from the shelter for 2 weeks. When I went back, Bao was gone. Nobody could tell me what happened to little Bao.

Many weeks passed, I have forgotten about Bao already when I was approached by a man peddling a little Bao. I told him that it might be illegal for him to be selling Bao, that it could be against the law to captivate them. And then, I noticed the hole on the side of its shell so I pressured him to tell me how he got the Bao. He told me that a couple of kids were playing with the Bao and throwing stones at it so he picked it up and asked for anyone interested to buy it. Someone told him that there is a crazy lady (they meant me) that has a shelter for animals that maybe would buy it. He came by and offered the Bao for 20 pesos if I was interested. Of course, I couldn’t say no.

We kept Bao in a cage for fear of it disappearing. Just last week, one of the caretakers at Salamat shelter made Bao a little house. The little house is placed inside the cage and I am told that Bao likes it and would go inside the little house when it wants to hide.

Take a look & see.

Bao go in the house to hide

Cozy - needs blanket

Hello there!

Bao's house need painting. Any volunteers?

Puppy & Pawikan

Early this morning when we were letting the dogs out of their kennels and while checking on the rest of the SALAMAT residents, one of the eight puppies of the mama dog seen on my post for the Spay/Neuter event at SARC, is not feeling well, at least she was not running around like the rest of the puppies.  I scooped her up and put her in the cage with the 'Pawikan' so she does not get run over by the other 'full of excitement' puppies.

Later, when I checked on her again, the images below are so touching.  Of course, I had to run for the camera.

Animals make life better – they bring smiles, fluffiness, love, curiosity and friendship. - Unknown

Ruby

Ruby is one of our oldest dogs at SALAMAT Animal Rescue Center (SARC).  Today, in the afternoon, she did not eat her food.  I noticed her napping while everybody was eating.  I immediately picked her up from her kennel and just held her like a baby.  I noticed that her breath stunk so bad.  Immediately, I was thinking she must have a toothache or several teeth aching.  I sprayed dental spray on her teeth & gums and 1/2 hour later, she was eating her food.  She must have a bad tooth or teeth decay and it is giving her a lot of pain.  She ate again about a handful of rice around 6:30 p.m.  Tonight, she is in the SALAMAT office and she will be staying & sleeping in the office so I can keep an eye on her.  She is sound asleep right now.  Our little old lady needs pampering for sure. 

If you don't want your dog to have bad breath, do what I do: Pour a little Lavoris in the toilet.
Jay Leno 

Mig & Gil

Mig & Gil eagerly awaiting their dindin

Mig & Gil were named after Miguel, our youngest volunteer at SARC.  Mig & Gil are both males, about 3 months old who were dropped at SARC on May 20, 2012 when they were only a month old puppies.  I keep getting in trouble with my husband.  He keeps telling me not to take in anymore animals, but how can I turn my back on these two? Take a look at them.

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face". - Bern Williams

Partners....not in Trouble

Shadow in the front and Charisse are kennelmates.  Charisse was a mangy dog when she came to SALAMAT in 2008.  She has not had any episodes of mange coming back.  Shadow is with us because the owners said she is too much to handle. 

 

Chin-Chin to the left and Jack are not kennelmates but they go out of their kennels to run around the court at the same time.  Jack is our older and handicap boy.  He can't see from both eyes but he seems to do just fine and playing with everybody.

'Every dog must have his day'. - Jonathan Swift

GETTIE - The Office Girl

Need to check out vitamins, medicines, supplies, get licks, sniffs, growls...Gettie gets the job done. 

"We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. - M. Facklam

2 Man Wrecking & Fixing Crew

The Uncle, Mel, and the nephew, Gil were busy repairing the roofing of the dogs' kennels.  They have fights, not fist, just shouting bouts sometimes and it was fun to listen.  The result of their work? I'd say, they did a wonderful job.  Take a look & see.

If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito. ~Betty Reese

The Many Faces of Maggie

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. - Judy Garland

Maggie is SARC's comedian. She does not disappoint with her antics. I was talking to her and of course I was doing all the talking and she was listening. I told her to make poses for the camera so I could post it on facebook and she gave me a nod and plenty of smile. Thank you Miss Maggie.
If you would like to adopt Maggie, please e-mail me at: salamat4animals@gmail.com. She is current with her shots & she comes with her bestfriend, Knife. The two of them stay in one kennel and they both sleep in the office.

Blackeye

Blackeye, is Joel's family dog.  Joel and his family went to Cebu to take care of the Cavite Pitbulls and they left him behind in the good hands of SALAMAT.  Today, I had the chance to follow Blackeye around when we let him out of his kennel.  He looked so sad.  I told Blackeye that his Papa called last night to find out how he is doing.  I believe animals feel lonely just like humans.  Blackeye is looking for his family especially for the little boy, Jordan.

"An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language." - Martin Buber

Salamat Staff & Volunteers

Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless,

but because they're priceless.

 ~Sherry Anderson

To SARC's Staff! I'd like to thank you all for the great work you did for the SALAMAT resident cats, dogs, chickens & pig.  It has been trying at times but for the most part you all did a wonderful job. 

To the Volunteers!  Please visit us again anytime and hopefully soon.  You have shown that the rescued animals are your priorities. 

SALAMAT staff after the training with their Certificates

with Tommy & Lestre

Left to Right Front Row:  Ephine, Annie, Marvie, Ryan

Back Row: Jasmijn, Mel, Sanne & Sayong

Ryan & Bernard

Annie & Juvy Ann

Lestre Zapanta of Petiks Atbp - did training for the SALAMAT Staff & others

Dr. David Arceo - giving shots for anti-rabies vaccine