On the 25th January 2012 PPAWS received this email.
“Hi Nicola,
I'm hoping you can help, I've just come across a puppy with no front legs, looks like he was born that way and I want to try to get him home to Scotland. My dog at home is a rescue dog from Cuba so I know that this will be difficult and slow. Would your organisation be able to hold the pup for me whilst I organise flights and quarantine at home and get him to the airport when I have all the paperwork and flights organised. I would leave money for his food etc and to pay for someone to take him to the plane once arranged. Is this something you can help with as he will not survive on the streets in Kampot for too long.
I am in Cambodia for a further week but would be grateful if you could get back to me as soon as possible because I don't want to remove him from his familiar street if there is no hope of getting him somewhere safer.
Best wishes Pauline.”
After discussing the puppy via email with Pauline, Nicky offered to foster the puppy who was soon named Joe because of the similarity to a kangaroo when he moved around. On the 2nd February Pauline and Sarah left Cambodia to return to the UK. Before they left they took Joe to Agrovet, where he had his first vaccination and a microchip inserted under his skin.
Over the next few months Joe grew into a charming dog who became close friends with Toffee, another rescue puppy that Nicky had taken in with a broken leg. Despite having no front legs he found ways to move around and loved it when the front yard was washed because he could slide over the tiles.
He had his final vaccination and rabies shot, and a month later a blood sample was sent to the UK to prove that his body had produced the necessary antibodies to rabies; this meant that he was immune to rabies. Once the result came back positive for the antibodies Joe had to wait 3 months before he could fly to the UK, this is the in country quarantine that has replaced the obligatory quarantine that pets used to have if they were to enter the UK.
It was decided that for Joe’s safety and comfort he should fly back to the UK with Ben, Nickys son. The process of buying the airline ticket for Ben was easy compared to booking the flight for Joe. Thai airways had to ask their CEO if he was able to fly because of concerns regarding his missing front legs. Once the go ahead was received the paperwork train began. It took a number of weeks for all the necessary documents to be collected, bought and received but eventually on the 10th September Joe arrived at Phnom Penh Cargo Warehouse. Despite being told it could take 2-2 ½ hours to process his paperwork, Joe he was finished after half an hour. The long wait began until the flight left Phnom Penh and it was a stressful and nerve biting twelve hours later before Joe was let out of his sky kennel at Heathrow animal reception centre. True to form Joe charmed all the staff at the centre and a few hours later after his paperwork was cleared he began the long drive to Edinburgh to his new home and new family. Joe now has a new doggy friend, Juanita who Sarah and Pauline rescued whilst visiting Cuba. He loves the wide range of rawhide chews that are available in the UK and enjoys the softer grass to sit and slide on. He has a comfy bed to sleep on and in the colder climate enjoys snuggling down next to Juanita.
Everyone at PPAWS misses Joe, particularly Toffee, but we are glad to have a happy ending for Joe especially with the opportunity for him to have special wheels made so that he can move around and go for long walks.
