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Embark Saving the Injured: Dottie Needs a HomeDottie is a handsome six month old male pup with the energy of five dogs thrown into one! Always playful and friendly, with a wag in his tail, and a happy bark - Dottie is the perfect gentleman.   Dottie is a handsome six month old male pup with the energy of five dogs thrown into one! Always playful and friendly, with a wag in his tail, and a happy bark - Dottie is the perfect gentleman. Dottie was rescued soon after and hospitalized at a veterinary clinic. After regular wound dressing, extensive physiotherapy over the course of the next four to six weeks, and much love and care, Dottie slowly began to use his hind legs again. After two months, Dottie had regained 90% of his mobility, and apart from a slightly awkward gait, he is now a perfectly healthy and normal dog! 
 With renewed zest for life, and nursed back to health, Dotty needs a home. If you would like to open your home to Dottie, please call 0773 429 025. All he needs is a warm bed, some food, and your love! LOVE IS LOVE, NO MATTER WHAT COAT IT WEARSSo, there I was at Christmas in a lovely hotel right next to the beach in beautiful Sri Lanka, with my partner and my sister, Janet. We were there for a holiday but the main reason for our visit was to sprinkle some of my late dad's ashes under a palm tree, to take food and gifts to an orphanage in his memory, and to help as many poor people as we could. However, that's another story!
This year was a different story. When Jacqui saw her she was heartbroken. The beautiful, shiny, fur had gone and so had the twinkle in her eyes. Just look at this photo. Life had not been kind to Missy, but despite her terrible condition she still had half a wag in her tail and had 'adopted' a small female pup whose mum had been killed on a train track shortly before we arrived. We named the pup Sundance because, as in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, she was the follower. Where Missy went, she went.
As our holiday progressed, we began to worry about what would happen to them both after we left. They needed food and care and shelter, otherwise they could not survive. Missy had already had puppies and she wasn't strong enough or healthy enough to have more. After much thought Jacqui decided to try to arrange for her to be sterilised. We had got to know one of the young men who work from the beach, Danu, and had previously given him food, money and clothes for his family. He offered to help us. He said that he would contact a vet and ask him to come and see Missy and Sundance. Two days later he told us that the vet had been and that he could operate on them both. Danu also said that he would have a dog-run built at his house, and that he would care for Missy and Sundance until they had recovered and were well enough to go back to the beach. Although this was not ideal, we felt that it was the best we could do, and at least they would both be spared the stress of having puppies. They would also have regular check-ups and treatment from a vet. Most of all, they would have shelter and food. We decided to go ahead, paid Danu a lot of money, and felt a little bit more hopeful for their future. Jacqui left Sri Lanka 2 days before me, extremely upset and worried because despite constant enquiries Danu always told us "The dog-run is coming tomorrow …". On the last full day of my holiday I was alone on the beach feeding Missy and Sundance when a Sri Lankan man came up to me. He thanked me for feeding the dogs and mentioned an organisation in Columbo (2-3 hours away) who does wonderful work for street dogs. Its name is 'Embark'. The following morning Danu told me we had to take Missy and Sundance to his home because the dog-run was arriving soon, and the vet was going to operate on them later that afternoon. My heart lurched, and with a lump in my throat I carried these two wonderful dogs away from their beach and held them in a tuk-tuk while we drove to Danu's house. Leaving them, with Missy tied to a tree, and Sundance in a borrowed dog carrier ("just till the run arrives") was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I said I didn't want to leave them there, and I cried, but Danu hugged me and assured me he would take care of them. Leaving Sri Lanka was dreadful. I was haunted by the look in Missy and Sundance's eyes – fear and confusion, resignation and trust, gentleness and love. I thought about nothing but them all the way back to Vietnam. I immediately did a Google search for 'Embark + Columbo'. The first words I read on their website were these: "If you care enough, call. We care enough to come over." I sent an email straight away asking if they would ring Danu to make sure that everything was OK, and to advise him on care and feeding if necessary. Within hours I had a reply from the Head of Business Operations, Ashani, to tell me that they had talked to Danu and he had said that both dogs were doing well. She also said that she was arranging a mobile visit, with a vet, to check on their status. I was overjoyed, and thankful that this organisation actually does what it says it will do. Both Jacqui and I began to feel a little bit better – but we still couldn't sleep. The following day, 6 January, we received another email from Ashani. She said she was sorry to make us sad, but her fears had been correct. As the team arrived at the house, Danu told them that the dogs had run away that morning. She believed this was a blatant lie. He promised to try and find them, and to call Embark if he did. I can't even begin to describe my feelings on that day, I just can't. It had nothing to do with the money and being conned, or trusting someone who let you down. It was knowing that two beautiful (to me), gentle, loving, animals were lost, lonely and afraid somewhere. My heart was bleeding. In desperation, I messaged Danu. I sent him more money by Western Union and promised that if he could find both dogs, and contact Embark, I would send him more. Two days and sleepless nights later, on 8 January, he messaged to say that he had found Missy, but he refused to let Embark take her unless we sent more money. Finally, on 9 January, after countless messages and emails between me, Jacqui, Embark and Danu, I had an email from Ashani that said "We got Missy picked up today. She is in the Embark van coming to the clinic for care." Thank you God. Missy was safe. On 10 January, after more messages and demands for money (we didn't pay), Danu 'found' Sundance, and an email from Ashani later that day confirmed that "She is in our van." Unbelievable relief.
I have written this not just to tell you about Missy and Sundance, but to praise this wonderful organisation, Embark, that is doing everything it possibly can to help the I have spent hours reading about the work they are doing, and watching videos of some of the animals they have helped. It is truly heartwarming, especially as they rely on their team of volunteers and never openly ask for donations. I'm only sending this because I felt compelled to spread the word about Embark and to try to help raise a little bit of money for them to carry on their wonderful work. I have been overwhelmed at their compassion for, and dedication to, the welfare of street dogs. If you don't want to make a donation, but would like to know how Missy and Sundance are progressing, please email me and I will be happy to send you updates and photos of them. With the care, love, and treatment that they are receiving from Embark I hope it won't be too long before Missy once again has a twinkle in her eyes, and little Sundance will be able to dance in the sun. Thank you so much for reading this, and if you have friends who are dog lovers please, please, pass it on. Miracles happen when we make them happen (from Embark's website). With love Carole Adopt a special needs dogDragging themselves across the floor, rolling around in a doggy wheelchair, running on three legs or occasionally stumbling due to impaired vision; all special needs dogs have something in common. A big, big heart and a zest for life that is often unique to dogs with disabilities. Many people see physical deformities in an animal as a sign of shortcoming, but this just isn’t true. Nor is it true that an animal with a medical problem is any less of an animal. Special needs dogs only require a little extra TLC. Some require medication, others a special diet and some just need a loving home with a vigilant and patient family. Dogs with disabilities are indeed amazing animals, more than deserving of a family to love them and ready to return that love tenfold.
    Adopt a differently-abled dog and open your home to the special love that only a special dog can give. If you’re thinking about adopting a special needs or older pet, ask yourself these questions;
BingoBingo is a very special, special needs dog! A victim of a road accident along an empty stretch of highway in Welisara, he was found lying on the side of the road – and was brought to the clinic by a passer-by. Bingo was hospitalised and along with supporting treatments, he underwent surgery on his fractured hip. His wagging tail and friendly demeanour made him an instant hit with everyone at the clinic! Due to the extent of damage caused by the accident, Bingo was unable to walk – his zest for life however, remained unspoiled! Because of his will to live out a normal life like any other dog, the Embark team worked toward getting him fitted with a supportive doggy-cart which would allow him to walk once again, using his healthy front legs and with two wheels where his damaged back legs could not support him. Soon after Bingo got used to his prosthetic piece and adjusted to his new mode of transport, the kind gentleman who brought him in agreed to take him in, so that he will be safe in a kind home for the rest of his happy days!
   Flood Relief Campaign - PolonnaruwaEmbark also extended its circle of care to the communities in Madirigiriya and Welikanda in Polonnaruwa. Joining us in this project was the Government Veterinary Surgeon in Madirigiriya, Dog Star Foundation and the Tsunami Animal-People Alliance. We would also like to acknowledge the generous donation of Rs. 100,000 that we received from the Dog Star Foundation. Over 900 adults and children benefited from clothing that was distributed. And approximately 1014 animals received treatment from this initiative.
     Flood Relief CampaignWith the advent of the recent flooding in many parts of the country, both people and animals were greatly affected. In an effort to provide assistance, Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka, the Tsunami Animal-People Alliance, Dog star Foundation and Embark joined hands in an initiative which began in February. The first phase of the project was implemented in Batticaloa and to date has assisted to Kanchirankudah, Kurinchamunai, Thiruperunthurai Thanthamalai families and over 600 animals. The second stage of this successful program is currently in the process of being carried out.      Pulun finds a new homePulun, a very special pooch who was dumped on the streets after a botched surgery, and rescued by the Embark team has found a new and loving home with a kind gentleman in Colombo. She is already well acquainted with her new surroundings, and is happy and safe with her proud new family! Pulun greeted us with a sharp bark and several tail wags as we went to see her again last week. Curled up in her beautiful new dog-bed, Pulun is very much the queen of all she surveys at her new home! "I've been feeding her up on sausages, chicken and fish" said Newton, as he picked up his big baby and let her lick his face. Pulun's eyes are sharper than ever with her youthful energy and her beautiful white coat has grown out nicely - testament to the great food, love and care she receives! Pulun's disability is barely an issue as she wanders about the garden marking her territory! Newton massages her legs daily, and a team of qualified veterinarians are also working closely with Pulun to help her regain use of her legs through physiotherapy. The leg that was permanently damaged by the failed surgery cannot be corrected, but she is expected to regain almost full use of her other leg with time! The Embark team is very grateful to everyone who helped find this beautiful girl a home!  
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On the first day there I met a lovely lady from England (I'm from England too, but living in Viet Nam) called Jacqui. This was her seventh trip to Sri Lanka and her third stay in this hotel. She had returned here to see a stray 3-year old female dog who lives on the beach, and who she had fallen in love with in 2009. She had named her Missy, and this is a photo of her asleep on Jacqui's sunbed just a few months ago - strong, healthy and well-fed.
These are photos of Missy and Sundance as they arrived at Embark. There had been no dog-run, no vet, and by the look of them, no food. They were frightened and confused, but they have been re-united and are in caring hands. They have been fully examined, have had blood tests, and are being treated for their skin conditions and illnesses. As it says on Embark's website – 'healing starts when caring takes over'. In the future, when they are healthy and fully recovered they will both be sterilised and, god willing, will find loving homes.
millions of street dogs in Sri Lanka. Not only do they care for animals, they care for the people who love animals too. I have had many emails already this week from Ashani telling me not to worry, that she has been to cuddle them, that they are huddled up together, and that they are in safe hands. Please, please, just take a look at their website: