A Shaggy Dog Story

I really didn't come to Thailand looking for dogs. It was meant to be a break and reset after a tough few years, but sometimes the universe has other plans in store for you.

About a week after arriving on Koh Jum, a small island in the southwest of Thailand, I came across a desperate character on the beach. His fur was ridiculously long for the climate and horribly matted. He seemed to have a serious eye infection and what looked like sunburn on his nose. He wouldn't let me get close and trotted off into a nearby resort. All the resorts here keep a few dogs around to chase off the monkeys that roam the island but I'd never seen one in such terrible shape. They are fed scraps from the kitchen, but otherwise receive no care, and there is no vet on the island.

Next morning I went back to enquire about him, and discovered he has a sister in considerably worse condition than him. I also found out that they had been here in that condition for a number of years, which is heartbreaking considering how many people have passed through.

There may have been an internal debate lasting several seconds, but those of you who know me will understand that there was never any doubt about the outcome. I don't have it in me to leave them suffering here when there is something that can be done. So I am now the proud owner of two scruffy Thai beach dogs - Flossie & Fergal.

I have had them both in to Krabi Animal Hospital where they have had severe haircuts and a thorough check up. They were both found to have heartworm, a potentially fatal but treatable parasite, as well as other nasties causing their eye and skin problems. They have been microchipped and vaccinated against rabies.

Getting them from the island to the UK will be a fairly complicated and expensive business, but all being well, they should be ready to fly by late April to start new lives in St Leonards-on-Sea, in a more suitable climate with the care they deserve.

If you feel so moved to make a donation, please be assured that it will only be used for the veterinary care and transport of the dogs. If there is any surplus it will be donated to the kind people at Krabi Animal Welfare, who do great work.

I can cover the cost of my extended stay through frugal living and a weekend gig I've picked up dancing in a bar on the mainland. I just knew bringing my hotpants would pay off somehow. Tx