Thai dog survivor wins world award

[webfact]

CRUFTS EUKANUBA FRIENDS FOR LIFE AWARD
Thai dog survivor wins world award
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The amazing bond between a severely disabled six-year-old boy and his Thai rescue dog was recognised last Sunday at the world's most famous dog show, Crufts. "Miracle", rescued from Thailand's illegal dog meat trade and adopted by the Leask family in Strathglass, Scotland, beat nearly 200 other dogs to win the prestigious Crufts Eukanuba Friends for Life award.

Yet just two years ago, things looked very different for the Thai crossbreed. Miracle was snatched from the streets of northeast Thailand, and loaded onto a truck with hundreds and hundreds of other stolen dogs, all destined for the dog meat restaurants of Hanoi.

Luckily for Miracle, the truck carrying him to what would have been a slow and agonisingly painful death was intercepted by agents working for the Phuket-based Thai animal welfare charity Soi Dog Foundation, who've been fighting the illegal trade for the past four years. The dogs were taken to a purpose-built shelter in northeast Thailand, and adopters were sought.

Amanda Leask spotted Miracle's photo shortly after he'd been rescued on a Soi Dog Facebook post. Devastated by his plight and the hopelessness of his situation, she enquired about adopting him. Already an owner of three rescue dogs from Soi Dog, Amanda very soon had her fourth.

Amanda's son Kyle, 6, was born with cerebral palsy, and later diagnosed with autism. It is incredibly difficult for him to communicate with his family. Leask decided to adopt some small dogs to be company for him, having heard that autistic people can develop extremely close relationships with dogs. Miracle is the latest of them, but it's Kyle and Miracle who have developed a remarkably close bond, where there appears to be a complete unspoken mutual understanding.

"They've both faced so much hardship in their lives, it's like there's an unspoken language between them. When Kyle gets upset because he can't convey what he wants to, Miracle will go and lay at his side for Kyle to touch and stroke. Miracle seems to automatically know when Kyle needs him", Leask said.

"If Kyle simply wants some attention, Miracle will go over and shower him with kisses. And it works the other way too. Kids can build up confidence in dogs where they seek solace, and Miracle gets this in abundance from Kyle".

The unique bond between man and dog is still yet to be explained fully. But Leask knows how much it has helped Kyle. "He seems so much happier in the presence of Miracle. It's like they're soul mates."

Miracle won 1,500 pounds (Bt72,000) for his Crufts award, and Amanda will share the money between Soi Dog Foundation and the Autistic Society.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thai-dog-survivor-wins-world-award-30255942.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-13

[hanno]

[isanbirder]

A great story..... and one in the eye for those who denigrate Thai street dogs!

[marko kok prong]

Yes but this family will actually look after the dogs,unlike here,were they are barley fed,allowed to roam the streets,and bark and howl all damn night.

[nikmar]

top story.

[asdecas]

You can't say fairer than that. Soi Dog of the Year!

[daoyai]

mage it to the 5th paragraph before teering up.

[nikmar]

mage it to the 5th paragraph before teering up.

aye, me too. and im at work in an office full of people.

[junk1e]

Great story. Former Thai street dogs make fantastic loyal pets. A shame so many Thais buy expensive foreign breeds that are being churned out in puppy mills, when they have such great dogs of their own, if they would only give them a chance. I understand Soi Dog send far more dogs overseas than are adopted locally. Crazy.

[dragonfly94]

Yes but this family will actually look after the dogs,unlike here,were they are barley fed,allowed to roam the streets,and bark and howl all damn night.

And bite people as happened to the mrs yesterday and four others by the same dog. These cute dog stories make me puke, they do nothing to address to soi dog problem at all, unless about another 500,000 do gooders are going to adopt the rest of the vermin. Lets just hope this dog does not rip the kids face off.

[Rancid]

Nice dog story for a change.

[hanno]

Yes but this family will actually look after the dogs,unlike here,were they are barley fed,allowed to roam the streets,and bark and howl all damn night.

And bite people as happened to the mrs yesterday and four others by the same dog. These cute dog stories make me puke, they do nothing to address to soi dog problem at all, unless about another 500,000 do gooders are going to adopt the rest of the vermin. Lets just hope this dog does not rip the kids face off.

I seriously hope that I will never meet you in person.

[Patsycat]

It's a lovely sunny day out there in Geneva, maximum 13 degrees and i am sitting here with "nice" tears!! And shall go out and smile. He definetly is a Miracle to that family.

Lovely story.

[Manbing]

Yes but this family will actually look after the dogs,unlike here,were they are barley fed,allowed to roam the streets,and bark and howl all damn night.

And bite people as happened to the mrs yesterday and four others by the same dog. These cute dog stories make me puke, they do nothing to address to soi dog problem at all, unless about another 500,000 do gooders are going to adopt the rest of the vermin. Lets just hope this dog does not rip the kids face off.

It takes a really special kind of cynic to ruin a great story like this.

I can see why the Mrs got bitten.

Som Nam Na

[Wat dee]

I wonder how many Scottish dogs are "euthanized" daily?

[Patsycat]

Nasty people go in one ear and out the other in my life with their constant babbling talk. Forum nasty people go in one eye as i read and then are forgotten in a brain cell called cancel after a week.

[Daniel Ingalls]

So the prize money will be split between The Soi Dog Foundation, and the Autistic Society. What about the owner

of the Dog? What is his cut.....I mean who's feeding the dog, giving him water and shelter? 82,000 baht is a lot to

give away ...isn't it?..............if they pulled a stunt like that on me.....I'd be calling the Philippine's "Tender Dog Nuggets" foundation.

[dragonfly94]

Yes but this family will actually look after the dogs,unlike here,were they are barley fed,allowed to roam the streets,and bark and howl all damn night.

And bite people as happened to the mrs yesterday and four others by the same dog. These cute dog stories make me puke, they do nothing to address to soi dog problem at all, unless about another 500,000 do gooders are going to adopt the rest of the vermin. Lets just hope this dog does not rip the kids face off.

I seriously hope that I will never meet you in person.

why will you set your dog on me? Really this sort of sentimental tripe should stay in girls comics or KS KS magazine, oh it is the Nation so not much difference.

[Maestro]

So the prize money will be split between The Soi Dog Foundation, and the Autistic Society. What about the owner

of the Dog? What is his cut.....I mean who's feeding the dog, giving him water and shelter? 82,000 baht is a lot to

give away ...isn't it?..............if they pulled a stunt like that on me.....I'd be calling the Philippine's "Tender Dog Nuggets" foundation.

What about the owner of the dog? Who is the owner?

Amanda Leask spotted Miracle's photo shortly after he'd been rescued on a Soi Dog Facebook post. Devastated by his plight and the hopelessness of his situation, she enquired about adopting him. Already an owner of three rescue dogs from Soi Dog, Amanda very soon had her fourth.

Who is splitting the prize money between The Soi Dog Foundation and the Autistic Society?

Miracle won 1,500 pounds (Bt72,000) for his Crufts award, and Amanda will share the money between Soi Dog Foundation and the Autistic Society.

Any further questions?

[BookMan]

Lets just hope this dog does not rip the kids face off.

Get a grip on reality

[Bignose]

No matter what some sad and unhappy people say, this is indeed a great story. There is something magical about the interaction between kids and dogs, I have been lucky enough to witness it and it is truly beyond explanation.

Whether it is down to the protective instinct, or the pack mentality, or those and several more instincts as well no one will ever truly know. All I know is these dogs would do just about anything to protect their family.

Possibly something that a few small minded people on TV are not capable of, that could be why they react in such a cynical and callous manner.

Try being nice to dogs for a change, maybe then they won't feel so threatened that they have to defend themselves from you (or your wife)

[Asiantravel]

Yes but this family will actually look after the dogs,unlike here,were they are barley fed,allowed to roam the streets,and bark and howl all damn night.

And bite people as happened to the mrs yesterday and four others by the same dog. These cute dog stories make me puke, they do nothing to address to soi dog problem at all, unless about another 500,000 do gooders are going to adopt the rest of the vermin. Lets just hope this dog does not rip the kids face off.

I seriously hope that I will never meet you in person.

why will you set your dog on me? Really this sort of sentimental tripe should stay in girls comics or KS KS magazine, oh it is the Nation so not much difference.

Yes I read in another thread that you supported the concept of culling dogs all over Thailand. How can you be so heartless?

Even the most important person in Thailand shows compassion for these animals who have just as much right to be here as you.

[DaddyWarbucks]

And bite people as happened to the mrs yesterday and four others by the same dog. These cute dog stories make me puke, they do nothing to address to soi dog problem at all, unless about another 500,000 do gooders are going to adopt the rest of the vermin. Lets just hope this dog does not rip the kids face off.

I seriously hope that I will never meet you in person.

why will you set your dog on me? Really this sort of sentimental tripe should stay in girls comics or KS KS magazine, oh it is the Nation so not much difference.

Yes I read in another thread that you supported the concept of culling dogs all over Thailand. How can you be so heartless?

Even the most important person in Thailand shows compassion for these animals who have just as much right to be here as you.

You're right.

His Majesty the King has raised Thai Dogs and he has done a lot to popularize the breed.

They are intelligent, faithful, and very good with children.

[hanno]

Yes but this family will actually look after the dogs,unlike here,were they are barley fed,allowed to roam the streets,and bark and howl all damn night.

And bite people as happened to the mrs yesterday and four others by the same dog. These cute dog stories make me puke, they do nothing to address to soi dog problem at all, unless about another 500,000 do gooders are going to adopt the rest of the vermin. Lets just hope this dog does not rip the kids face off.

I seriously hope that I will never meet you in person.

why will you set your dog on me? Really this sort of sentimental tripe should stay in girls comics or KS KS magazine, oh it is the Nation so not much difference.

Thanks, you just confirmed the initial perception I had of you. Crawl back under your rock. Compassion is what separates humans from the likes of you.

[Luxfare]

Amazing story, truely inspirational, please post more of these types of story TV, in between the scams, fights and murders a few happy stories wouldn't go amiss.

[northernphil]

Yes but this family will actually look after the dogs,unlike here,were they are barley fed,allowed to roam the streets,and bark and howl all damn night.

And bite people as happened to the mrs yesterday and four others by the same dog. These cute dog stories make me puke, they do nothing to address to soi dog problem at all, unless about another 500,000 do gooders are going to adopt the rest of the vermin. Lets just hope this dog does not rip the kids face off.

I seriously hope that I will never meet you in person.

[northernphil]

Something good about the bond between a very handicapped lad and a soi dog and people still cannot find anything good to say. Very sad get back to your bars.

[PeCeDe]

Yes but this family will actually look after the dogs,unlike here,were they are barley fed,allowed to roam the streets,and bark and howl all damn night.

People and their pets can be dangerous territory to comment on, "Soi Dogs" is a genuine organization that does good things, but I wonder if it would be better to raise funds to have the dogs neutered than fly them all over the world and take them out of their environment. There's a whole group of them not far from my Condo, and I cannot imagine them being happy in the US, Canada or the UK etc. They have their own territory, hierarchy, habits and foibles... In the morning I often take a left over sandwich to feed the odd one or two, and would just love to put flea collars on them, but don't have the guts to get that close. They do bark, and cause some noise, but all in all, I wish them well. This is Thailand after all, not suburban L.A.

[Suradit69]

Yes but this family will actually look after the dogs,unlike here,were they are barley fed,allowed to roam the streets,and bark and howl all damn night.

And bite people as happened to the mrs yesterday and four others by the same dog. These cute dog stories make me puke, they do nothing to address to soi dog problem at all, unless about another 500,000 do gooders are going to adopt the rest of the vermin. Lets just hope this dog does not rip the kids face off.

I doubt it's anything to do with dogs that seems to upset the perennial bashers of anything to do with Thailand. Some people just can't tolerate anything positive, especially anything positive about something remotely related to Thailand.

It's somewhat trite to say, but some people are essentially unhappy about their own lives and become incensed to hear anything good or read anything by others who are enjoying themselves.

Dogs can make a big difference in people's lives, handicapped or not, but it would truly be a miracle if the bashers let some good news go by without throwing some excrement on it. Maybe if they had had dogs when they were young, they wouldn't have turned into the bitter old dears they are today.

Dog owners worldwide enjoy longer lifespans on average, and the company a canine provides makes those extra years of life more gratifying. Positive health attributes dogs afford remain a constant for young and elderly alike, including weight maintenance, reduced blood pressure, and improved cardiovascular fitness. The benefits of owning a dog are not limited to the physical. People with pets enjoy superior self-esteem, while suffering less depression due to an optimistic mindset that companionship with animals engenders.

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/03/live-like-royalty-the-many-health-benefits-of-dogs-mans-best-friend/253744/

[hanno]

Yes but this family will actually look after the dogs,unlike here,were they are barley fed,allowed to roam the streets,and bark and howl all damn night.

People and their pets can be dangerous territory to comment on, "Soi Dogs" is a genuine organization that does good things, but I wonder if it would be better to raise funds to have the dogs neutered than fly them all over the world and take them out of their environment. There's a whole group of them not far from my Condo, and I cannot imagine them being happy in the US, Canada or the UK etc. They have their own territory, hierarchy, habits and foibles... In the morning I often take a left over sandwich to feed the odd one or two, and would just love to put flea collars on them, but don't have the guts to get that close. They do bark, and cause some noise, but all in all, I wish them well. This is Thailand after all, not suburban L.A.

Actually, part of the work the Soi Dog Foundation does is to sterilize cats and dogs, close to 80,000 so far according to their website.