I don’t know
if I can
get over
the fact, that
the Cambodians
are drowning
dogs.

A dog cage
(bad enough)
used as a trap
for mass
drowning,
for mass
drowning,
of healthy,
young
dogs.

For drowning
stolen
puppies,
beloved
family
friends,
for drowning
homeless
beings
who should
elicit
HELP,
human
compassion
instead.

I don’t know
if I can
get over
the fact, that
the Cambodians
are drowning
dogs.

My mind
is flooded
with vivid
flashbacks
of eyes,
eyes,
of faces,
of innocent
unawareness,
of trusting
resignation,
of what’s
to come.

And then
the terrible
wake up,
the shock,
the utter disbelief,
the TERROR,
the struggle,
the battle
for LIFE,
the screaming
of new born,
months-old
puppies,
of young dogs,
who take
more than half
an hour
to die…
resisting,
resisting,
limbs
flaying,
noses
desperately
pressing,
mouths
gasping;
their strong lungs
made for
BREATHING…
pushing, pushing
against the terrible
bars, the terrible
filling up,
the choking
of their fighting,
desperate-to-survive,
life-force.

…Water
babies.
In a tightly
sealed coffin
with windows.

Their heartless
killers, indifferent.
Eyes glazed over,
faces turned
away.

I don’t know
if I can
get over
the fact,
that the Cambodians
are drowning
dogs.

That since
1995
they have
drowned
more than
a million
dogs in cages,
deliberately
SUBMERGED,
their fellow
beings
in filthy,
pain-filled,
tear-stained,
bowel-emptied
water.

A boat people!
A boat people!
Who know!
Who know!

The ultimate
betrayal of Man’s
best friend.

While we search
for cures
for Covid,
hacking
and coughing
and spluttering
our own way,
back to health.

The world
gone
barking
mad…

Barking
…gone.

Heidi Stephenson
Photos: (©FOUR PAWS/ Nickie Mariager-Lam)

With thanks to Hannah Baker from www.Four-Paws.org

More info about Four Paws activity and achievements:

Closing a House of Horror for Dogs in Cambodia 

UPDATE   RESCUE UPDATE Since we last wrote to you about Julie and the other 60 young dogs taken into our care because of the government interception, we have closed another dog slaughterhouse and rescued 16 more dogs from slaughter. All these 77 dogs are in our care, sadly many are desperately ill and require intensive care to recover from the horrors they have endured.  We are writing to you today to ask for your help to support these 77 helpless victims of the cruel dog meat trade, so they can receive the extensive medical care, food, and most importantly, the love they desperately deserve after the pain and suffering they have endured. Will you you help us show them that not all humans are bad? YES, I want to help We are happy to share that we had our first local adoption of a dog formerly known as number 54, named Tilly. This lovely pup was immediately noticed by our friends at Paw Patrol Cambodia and with a lovely couple who had been looking for a special companion.  Pictured below: Dog Tilly’s adoption, from the caring arms  of our animal care team to her new life with her human family. Meanwhile, dog Julie and another five dogs were moved to Phnom Penh for further care at our partner Animal Rescue Cambodia. Julie was immediately taken to a veterinary clinic for diagnostic testing, which revealed she had severe electrolyte deficiencies including hypocalcaemia. Thanks to your generous support so far, the medical team is doing everything to help her pull through, but she is not out of the woods yet as she is still struggling to walk and gain weight.   Captured above: left:one of the pups upon arrival at the new dog housing; right: Dog Scarlett having her medical check-up with the veterinary team. Your donation today will help Julie and the other dogs receive the urgent treatment they need to get back on their paws, wag their tails and eventually find homes, like dog Tilly.  Could you help?   Yes, I will donate now On behalf of of millions of dogs and cats in Southeast Asia, Thank you. Brian Da Cal Director FOUR PAWS UK   .