I went to visit Ruby today

and what a heartwarming session it had been. To see an insecure street dog blossom into a cheerful and affectionate family friend.


We knew from the start that Ruby is initially shy but when she has warmed up to you, she bonds and she bonds well. While she was at the vet for about a week, she bonded with the vet techs and was soon following them like a shadow. She's happy to trot with you in exchange for some reassuring smiles and pats. I guess she likes the feeling of belonging to a pack.


Today, as I spent some time with Ruby's fosterer, I learnt so much from L & P about the natural lives of the street dogs in Bali. Nature is sometimes more amazing than fiction. The humour, joy, grief, dilemma, heartaches, blessings that the animals bring - they fill your hearts yet break your hearts too - but I believe the people whom the dogs have chosen to spend their lives with, they won't trade them for anything.

Yes, it does take courage to love. Each time.

Thinking back to the first time I met Ruby, she had appeared after her few week's of disappearance, right next to the rubbish chute where she had stayed before. She took her first car ride with us to the vet for her sterilisation. And there began her chance to find her very own family pack. Cos where she was, she would suffer the abuse from the rough workers who had thrown her into the rubbish chutes repeatedly.



First car ride to vet


Today, she is a delight to watch. Her attentiveness to her family pack maks her an eager and fast learner. She knows 'sit', 'hand', 'stay', 'wait'. She is one of those dogs who enjoys play and will engage you in her new game. She has this basket of toys which she chooses with her fancy and so contentedly by herself, she would settle down on the floor to gnaw a yummy bone. Ocassionally she rolls herself over for a comforting belly rub.


















Ruby has shown herself adaptable and responsive to the love, care and guidance of her foster family. Happiness and contentment is clearly displayed in her smiling face and unabashed show of affection for L. The lovely friendship of man and dog. The reward of a true desire to understand each other's world.


Ruby's fosterer will be leaving town this week and we have till this coming Thursday to find another foster family or permanent home for her. She is coming to about 6 to 7 months, and judging from her slender frame, she will just be a medium sized gal.


If you have the courage to let Ruby share her life and love with you, please contact us at projectjkteam@yahoo.com.sg or 9090-8592/9026-2733. Ruby holds her hopes high!