My partner and I had done fundraising for the new location. Fundraising for us was a way to not only reach out for a wonderful cause but to say thank you to Soi Dog and John and Gill for all their efforts towards our “soi” dog, Ow Nin. They had cared for her personally before arrangements could be made for her to be brought to San Francisco.

No sooner had I arrived in Phuket this past summer, I hopped in a taxi and dashed off to the shelter. I was so eager to see the new facility and hear all the stories. Once there, I couldn’t help seeing what an amazing effort had been made to build the facilities. Every care and concern had been taken. Given that Soi Dog operates on a very tight budget, it is clear how pragmatic and savvy they are in their planning to achieve such a wonderful facility. The dogs are always forefront in every decision. It is difficult to express how significant the differences are between the old and new facilities.

For the next two weeks, I returned each morning at 9:00 via a hotel taxi and left at 5:00 via the “Soi Dog” catcher truck to my hotel, the Indigo Pearl. While I have no special skills or training with dogs, like anyone who has a dog, I could easily bathe and groom the dogs. So each day for two weeks, I bathed dogs. In all, I probably bathed around 50 dogs. Since Soi Dog runs on a very tight budget with a small staff who are required to oversee many operations, dog bathing is not a first priority. Therefore, what to many may seem a simple gesture to bathe a dog is a meaningful way to volunteer at Soi Dog.

Now one cannot bathe dogs all day for two weeks without bonding with the dogs. Naturally, I came prepared with bags of treats. So in between bathing dogs, I would spend time in each of the runs socializing with the dogs. What lovely, sweet and gentle souls they are! To sit on the ground surrounded by dogs, being given kisses and pawed at affectionately brought me the greatest joy. Like all living beings, all they want is love and yet they never get enough despite the staff who provides such great attention and comfort. Again, to come and volunteer for just an hour and socialize with the dogs makes the greatest of differences.

 Well, naturally, after two weeks the dogs grew familiar with me and I them. I started to bond with a few more intimately, One, a puppy, that had just been left at the gate under horrific conditions and another in one of my favorite runs. Gill had asked if I could find the time to give the puppy a little extra TLC as she was very feeble and sickly and so I did. My heart melted! To make a long story short, she is sitting on my lap as I write this reflection. The other one who gave me the most enduring attention while I volunteered now rests at my feet as I write this reflection. Yes, I fell in love twice over again and am now the happiest, proudest guardian of three rescues from “Soi Dog”.

I have known of Soi Dog for many years and contributed during this time through both personal and gift sponsorships. I have watched them evolve and become an unbelievable tour de force for animal welfare in the area. There efforts are unparallel. Their integrity and compassion are unmatched. The time I gave was a drop in the bucket compared to the countless hours and never ending efforts of Soi Dog’s core people, but they made a difference to the dogs who received a treat, were given a hug and scratch behind the ears, who knew while their circumstances were not the best they were being cared for and were loved at Soi Dog.

I ask simply this, if your are ever in the area, take just a few hours out of your travels to give to Soi Dog. All these dogs want is love and the love they give back will be with you long after you return home. Make the difference.