From Cathrine in Bangladesh:
Shaheb came by this morning, on his way home. It is appalling that he is still thin and feeble after one month of love, medication and large, excellent meals out at Ali's place. His paws are still tender when he walks, and they may be permanently deformed. His coat is growing in, but there are areas that might never see fur again.
It says something wonderful that Jagu-uncle wants him, despite his battered appearance. When he arrived at the factory later, every person in the place crowded around to admire him, stroke him, and coo over him. He sat there soaking it up, a big doggy smile on his face.
Imagine what they'll think when he finally fills out and gets all his fur back!
Shaheb is now the Head and sole member of Canine Security at Jagu-uncle's factory outside Dhaka. Jagu-uncle is a distant relative of Rubhaya's. Like Rubhaya, he is a lover and protector of animals. He was not the first person to express interest in the fancy bideshi dog : he was the first person who did not care that Shaheb was a fancy bideshi dog. That was what we were looking for.
So Shaheb now has a large compound to patrol with the guards, who already think he is seriously cool. He has a roomy, shaded kennel for when the gates are open, and will have free run when they are shut, and at night.
But most important to him, he has people who genuinely care about him, however he looks, and are glad to rub his ears and feed him his huge helpings of rice, vegetables and offal.
But there is even more! We are going back to Canada soon. Rob's replacement asked me to find a deshi dog for him/her. S/he wanted a puppy, so the bond would be strong and early. Yesterday, I found the puppy.
Tomoko is another automobile orphan, only six weeks old, rescued by a British woman and her Swiss friend. She is really small -- I doubt she will be more than 8 kilos at full growth. Her brothers and sisters found homes quickly, but she was less attractive because of her size and a bone spur on a back leg. She is also a sweet natured, happy and ultra-cuddly little girl who likes nothing so much as taking a break from her hyperactive puppy explorations to fall asleep in someone's arms.
On Saturday, Tomoko takes Shaheb's place out at Ali's Ark, where his own two females will teach her the art of being a really good dog and not pooping in the nest. When the replacement comes, in September, Tomoko should be young enough for that strong bond, but well-enough socialised that she can be trained by the staff here in the finer points of house living and canine diplomacy.
addendum (May 26, 2011): Yesterday, the guys at the factory taught Shaheb to shake hands. He shook hands with all 25 of them.
What is a "bideshi dog?"
If I'm not mistaken, a bideshi dog is purebred dog of some sort, anything but a "mutt".