Willy and his late boss’s dogs.
KOTA KINABALU: An air of gloom surrounds the razed ruin of a burnt-down house in Kg Limbanak, Penampang, near here where its two owners Doreen Jikisil Manjagi, 54, and Hermes Henry Mijin, 59, also perished in the flames.
The March 2 fire also kileld several cats while some dogs on th permises were injured.
Fortunately, the remaining cats could be rehomed a few days into the tragedy but so far, no homes have been found for the 20 or so dogs that can be seen with their fur grey from the ashes, still loyally guarding their wrecked home.
They stand alert when visitors come, barking away but not attacking anyone and a sense of loss and confusion can be seen in their eyes.
The dogs and cats were on the premises as Doreen was a stray lover and avid rescuer.
The main concern among nearby animal lovers now is what is going to happen to these left-behind pets, some of which were injured and others still scared and traumatised as they hide under cars and amidst the wreckage.
Doreen's in-house helper, who used to help feed the cats and dogs as well as follow on her rescue work, is the only one left who the dogs are familiar with.
Now jobless and homeless due to the tragedy, the helper, who only wanted to known as Willy, is unsure what he can do, but is very much concerned for the welfare of the dogs as he had been away in Kudat during the fire.
When he arrived at the house to bring food for them, all the dogs' spirits lifted and they ran to greet him, jumping and clinging to his legs.
A long-time friend of Doreen’s, who declined to be named, said Doreen's daily routine would revolve mainly on feeding her rescued cats and dogs, strays as well as rescuing abandoned and injured animals.
“She seldom bought things for herself or treated herself to a nice meal, because all her money received from either her own little savings, her husband and occasional donors would be used for animal care,” said the woman, wo is also ana nimal lover.
“I have known her for many years and she would often share about the animals,,” she said.
She said Doreen often shared her worries when there was not enough time and money to rescue and nurse injured animals, and also expressed her concern for the dozens of cats and dogs under her care if something were to happen to her as no one cared enough to help.
“It is sad because when she was alive, all she lived for was her cats and dogs. She didn’t even have the best relationship with some of her family and relatives because they did not approve of her obsession with rescuing animals,” she shared.
She said the silver lining in this case was that most of the cats left behind have been rehomed, while the carcasses of many others have been buried.
Sam Lau, a retired stray feeder, who had gone to the wreckage to prepare some food for the dogs and apply medicine on some of the injured canines, said he and some friends want to see how to help these dogs.
He said for the time being, they will take turns feeding the dogs and try to coordinate things properly so that there would not be an overflow of tossed away food in the property.
At the moment, there are quite a number of people who just drop food off, resulting in the food going to waste, attracting flies and producing maggots.
Prior to this, a vet had also been going there to feed the dogs.
A Facebook page has been set up at www.facebook.com/share/18kJ3c7JAS/ for those who wish to assist, foster or adopt the dogs.
