In the same week that I collected 10 abandoned kittens on just one visit to the local towns fish market, I also found unexpected concern for one of the long term market dogs. The kittens ranging from only 4 weeks old were from several different litters, many had cat flu, and as the centre is overrun with healthy kittens looking for homes at the moment, the majority will be put to sleep, but at least it is a quick and merciful end. The dog, one that had been neutered by IAR 7 years ago, I found collapsed in the vegetable seller’s area, where he is always to be seen. He was unable to even walk, and as my vehicle was miles away and the ambulances out, I managed to secure a rickshaw taxi and driver willing to help me carry him and he took him up to the centre for me to be seen by the vets. The stall holders, often just selling a handful of beans or a few coconuts, were concerned about him and although he is just one of many street dogs, he had become something of a fixture, and several of the ladies told me how they always gave him some of their rice at lunch times. Unfortunately he turned out to have complete liver failure and nothing could be done. On my next visit a few days later, I was virtually mobbed by the ladies, who all wanted to know how he was and were disappointed to hear he had not pulled through. Obviously it would have been better if someone had gone to the effort to phone IAR when he first got sick, but it is still nice to know he had made so many friends. Had he not been neutered and vaccinated, he wouldn’t have been around long enough to do that, and maybe some of them will think twice about taking a more active role themselves next time.
The weather is back to the normal sunny days, everyday, and both volunteers and monkeys can’t wait to get in the pool. Nora, who is now speaking to John again, has been doing her trick dives from the top of the monkey pen into the pool where she swims underwater for a circuit, before repeating the exercise. Pixie had a visit from his past carers Lloyd and Cathy and went into a class one Langur greeting of screaming, baring teeth and hugs round the neck in his ecstatic welcome, he certainly never forgets his friends and as Linda is due back for a visit soon, I am sure there will be a repeat performance then. Only one of the volunteers so far has been brave enough to face a Pixie welcome, once he has seen someone a few times he does a very moderated, but none the less scary greeting to them, and nearly everyone runs in fear at the sight, much to Pixie’s disappointment. The volunteers also bought treat pots up for the monkeys , Pixie had his own pot and didn’t take long to work out how to take off the lid, and was thrilled to find dozens of almonds, usually only a rare treat.
Manuel and Percy are both too timid to come out with strangers as yet so the volunteers have been going into the pen to get to know them first, on their own turf they are more relaxed and are pleased to meet new people.
