Jyn's big eyes and black muzzle were what drew her adoptive mum to her. Photo: Mary George
My friend Jyn who lives across the street leads a life that should be a soap opera.
Born on the streets of Rawang, she was lucky enough to be picked up by a rescuer. Her brothers, sisters and mum found homes, but Jyn was left alone. Until her present mum saw her and took her home. You’d think this was a fairytale ending but five years later, Jyn’s family are moving. Abroad. And there’s no way Jyn can go.
When I heard the news, my heart stopped and my fear rocketed. Finding homes for adult dogs is notoriously difficult. Shelters euthanise unadoptable dogs by the hundreds, if not thousands, every year.
Worse, with the crunch of the pandemic, more owners than ever find themselves unable to keep their pets (Read: Surrendered pets suffer from separation anxiety too and Even pedigree dogs find themselves in the street)
Unless saved, Jyn is likely to be on death row.
Jyn desperately needs a home. Photo: Mary George
“Try and find a home rather than come to the shelter,” she says. “Homes aren’t easy to come by.
“Also, shelters are hugely stressful. It’s too noisy, there’s a lot of people. And dogs who have been pets don’t do well. They become depressed, and then it’s even harder to find them homes.
“We have a third-party adoption page – please use it. Hopefully, you get a call.
“In addition, when networking, I suggest you look for an elderly adopter. Puppies need training and they’re often hyper. That’s not suitable for someone who is a bit older. So look for someone mature.
“And really, good luck because finding homes for non-pups is really difficult.”
But it’s not all bad news.
“I adopted a dog just like this! Sweetie was left behind after every adoption drive for being unsmiling, depressed, and unresponsive when called. She just sat in the corner and wouldn’t move even when enticed with treats. And of course, all the other pups were bouncing around, tails wagging.
“People thought there was something wrong with her. My friend rang me to say she was ugly, not lovable, and unlikely to be taken up. I pitied her. Living in the pound for life is so sad. So we took her in.
Sweetie lucked out and was taken in by Molly Ooi. — Molly Ooi
"I’m so happy we took her in. I tell people, every dog is beautiful on the inside.”
Jyn is a sweetheart, and so creating a third miracle for Jyn is possible but it’s going to take some work. To start, I asked her mum to describe their first meeting.
“I was struck by her big eyes and black muzzle,” Mary George, a change manager in Selangor, and Jyn’s mum, remembers. “There were lots of puppies there, but there was something about Jyn that spoke to me.”
“I’m most likely moving to Mexico, but once I’m there, I will be travelling a lot,” George explains. “My daughter is off to university. My brother is Muslim, and my mum is not a dog person.”
Jyn is a sweetheart but she needs a gentle home.
“From the very start, she was skittish and afraid,” George recalls. “She loves being in the garden during the day. But after our road flooded back in 2018, she’s been afraid of rain, thunder and water. She can’t be out in that kind of weather.
“Also, she’s terrified of strange men. In fact, she doesn’t do well with men in general. We think someone hurt her when she was a puppy.”
Although shy, Jyn loves people.
“She slept under my bed for years, because she’d howl the place down if left alone. She’s a bit better now. She has her place and she’s a bit calmer now – except for when there’s a thunderstorm.”
Although a street rescue, Jyn also can’t tolerate rice or chicken as the one upsets her tummy and the other brings her out in an itchy rash. She’s a biscuits and meat girl.
“She’s crazy about tinned tuna,” George laughs. “If you try to sneak open a tin for your sandwich, she’s there, claiming it as her own.”
Although shy, Jyn is gentle. “She plays with my little niece,” George muses. “I don’t know how she gets along with other dogs. She’s territorial about her garden but when we were out visiting my dad’s grave, she met some other dogs and that was OK. So maybe that might work.”
So Jyn who is beautiful on the inside, needs a loving, gentle home, perhaps with a woman who works from home.
The clock is ticking and Jyn’s running out of time. If you can offer her that third miracle, please contact Mary George (010 556 5494) in Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Adopt Me
Photo: SPCA Penang/Lily Leng
Alfie is seven months old, spayed, vaccinated and healthy. This bouncy pup is very energetic. She loves playing with balls. Alfie needs an active partner who’s willing to run around with her.
Interested adopters, please call SPCA Penang (04-281 6559, at Jalan Jeti Jelutong, 11600 Jelutong, Penang) and visit spca-penang.net.
