April Tsaotun Update:

It's been awhile since I have posted but I am posting now!

Today was the monthly visit to Tsaotun Shelter and it was a rainy one!! We were only going to go and maintain the bond and play with the doggies, but we did have some work to do, but luckily it was a VERY positive thing...NEW CAGES!!!!

Ever since I've been volunteering (since August of 2008), the old cages have been rotting, rusting, falling apart with sharp edges and wire. I have been wondering what we could do to get the new cages, but now it's ok!

We also got to take a couple of the dogs for a walk around farm fields. Ruby, Mr. B (Xiang Jao), Rory and Esmerelda were so good! But, Da Hei (Big Black) and Star need a lot more time!

All the dogs seemed to be OK except for Star (whose claw was red and swollen in the middle), Penelope (whose claw has had problems for a while), and then there was Coco. Coco has been hiding in the small shed at the shelter everytime we are there. I've never really seen her and Caroline has said that he bares her teeth with fear.

But Coco's skin condition goes up and down. Sometimes it looks like it's getting better and sometimes not. So, Caroline thought we should get Coco to a vet.

Toby has been in the vet for about a month or so due to his severe demodex and he is improving, so we decided that Coco deserves this chance too!

We had to gently put a rope around her as to muzzle her so that she wouldn't bite anyone and once we got her into the car she was EVEN more scared and shaking so bad! But Hino sat in the front seat and she laid down on the floor and during the drive home, Hino petted her and then we switched. Hino got the scooter and I got in front and stayed with Coco until we got to the vet.

I have to admit, that I was a little afraid since they said she bites when she is afraid and I was bit a few times (one time in the face) by dogs when I was a kid, but I was so amazed at how sweet and adorable she is. She didn't bite once.

When we got her to the vet, we talked to them and we found out she has or had demodex. She was so exhausted and still a little scared. But, the vet is full till Thursday so we took her to another vet until Thursday or Friday. She's a beautiful dog and I know once she heals, she will be even more beautiful. Her fur will be soft and shiny and hopefully she'll be socialized and not so afraid of humans, other dogs and etc.

Everytime we go to Tsaotun, I wish that I already had a new apartment because I want so bad to take one of the dogs home. Well, two dogs really. I love the dogs there and they give me so much love when I go. I am so happy when I go and I dread the rest of the week and month until I can see them again..or at least see other doggies.

And I am sooooo proud of Hino. 8 months ago, he was your stereotypical "I'm afraid to touch dogs because they are 'dirty'" Taiwanese person which we encounter a LOT!!

But he cuddles with the dogs, hugs them, pets them and even puts his face up their nose and lets them give him kissies which he refused to do 8 months ago!! :) I am so proud and I cant wait till we get a dog to be a fambly!!

Here is the link to our little Tsaotun visit today :)

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=110597&id=537854407&l=ea49fce798