Heartwarming Animal Rescue Stories…

A Sailor’s Journey: From World Traveller to Animal Rescuer

Hello, fellow animal lovers and adventurers! Today, I want to share with you an inspiring story that touched my heart. It’s about a man named Paulo, a sailor who gave up his life of sailing around the world to help people and animals in need.

A tail of waves and whiskers…

Paulo’s journey began on his sailboat, single-handedly sailing around the world. His travels took him to Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon, Kiribas, and Tuvalu. During his visits, he would often go ashore at the crack of dawn to provide food and medicine for dogs and cats suffering from mange. But he noticed that once he left, these animals would return to their previous lives, with no one to care for them.

Despite living on a boat, Paulo never kept pets on board due to strict quarantine restrictions in countries like New Zealand and Australia. However, he deeply regretted this decision when he started rescuing animals. The first two he rescued went on board with him, and they gave him so much love and affection that he wished he had brought pets on board sooner.

His sailing journey eventually led him to a special place – Coron Island in the Philippines – where he decided to stay. This decision marked a significant change in his life, but it also gave him the opportunity to help in a more substantial way.

In Coron, Paulo built a houseboat to live in while not sailing. The houseboat, named Paolyn Houseboats, became so popular among friends and family that it turned into a thriving business. Paulo employed people from the local Tagbanua Tribe, providing them with job opportunities they wouldn’t have had otherwise.

But Paulo’s love for animals didn’t stop there. He adores cats and has ten of them living with him on the houseboat. He even shares his bed with them! Paulo has also rescued several cats and dogs from the streets, providing them with the medical care they desperately needed.

No vet near me!

Unfortunately, veterinary services are almost nonexistent on Coron Island. The nearest veterinary clinic is more than four hours away by ferry. Paulo has been fortunate to receive support from two veterinarians from Manila who were visiting as guests. They continue to assist him remotely, providing advice and guidance.

Despite these challenges, Paulo remains dedicated to helping the animals of Coron. He has even built a shelter, Paulo and April’s Rescue Center, where animals can run, play, and receive care. He also helps pet owners who can’t afford medical treatment for their pets.

However, without an adoption program, the shelter remains full, limiting the number of animals that can be helped. Paulo dreams of setting up an international adoption program, but the logistics are challenging. It’s almost impossible to find an airline that will allow animals to travel by air within the Philippines, even in cargo.

Despite these obstacles, Paulo remains hopeful and continues to do what he can to help the animals of Coron. His story is a testament to the power of love and compassion, and it serves as a reminder that we can all make a difference in our own way.

Paulo has inspired me to continue pursuing my dream for providing veterinary care to those animals and pet carers who need it both!

Check out our You Tube episode for the full story

Exploring the Vibrant Streets of Lapu-Lapu City

Jeepney rides, goat fights, bustling market stalls, and the aroma of delicious home-cooked Pinoy food—welcome to the heart of Lapu-Lapu City! Nestled on the picturesque Mactan Island in Cebu, this vibrant neighbourhood offers a captivating blend of tradition, everyday life, and warm hospitality. As we step off the beaten path, we discover a world so different from our New Zealand home, yet undeniably invigorating - A Real Taste of Filipino Culture

Walking tour of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, in the Philippines

Jeepney Adventures

Riding the Iconic Jeepney

The iconic jeepney—a colorful, hard-to-miss mode of transportation—rules the streets of Lapu-Lapu City. These unique vehicles, adorned with vibrant embellishments, confidently ply through the main thoroughfares. Mid your head when you get in, be prepared to have more people fit than you ever thought possible, and pass your fare hand to hand to the driver, who will return the correct change in the same fashion. Hop on, and let the adventure begin!

A Lesson in Cebuano

Lost in Translation

During our dinner escapade in Maribago, we met CJ, our friendly guide. He graciously offered us a lesson in Cebuano, the local language. From basic greetings to essential phrases, we stumbled through the translations. The locals chuckled, and we joined in the laughter, even though we weren’t entirely sure what was so amusing! If you’re curious about our linguistic mishaps, check out the transcript for some hilarious moments.

Heartwarming Encounters

Celebrating Nana’s Birthday

Our most memorable encounter involved a Filipino family celebrating Nana’s birthday. They invited us to join them in their jeepney ride—a delightful mix of camaraderie and laughter. As we squeezed into the crowded vehicle, we exchanged stories, shared snacks, and sang along to local tunes. The warmth of their hospitality left an indelible mark on our hearts.

Street Dogs and Compassion

A Tale of Two Worlds

Dr. Alison, our resident animal lover and veterinarian, couldn’t resist the street dogs she encountered. Some were fortunate—cared for and fed by locals. Others, sadly, were in desperate need of veterinary attention. As we walked the bustling streets, we pondered how we could all make a difference. Whether it’s a little food, a kind word, or supporting an Animal Rescue Charity, every act of compassion counts.

Conclusion

Lapu-Lapu City is a microcosm of Filipino culture—a place where jeepneys weave through lively markets, where laughter bridges language barriers, and where kindness extends to both humans and furry friends. So, next time you visit, keep your eyes peeled for those colorful tricycles and scooters, share a smile with the locals, and perhaps lend a helping hand to a street dog in need.

And a special shout-out to Cafe Barrio House and Home Stay—a cozy haven where flavors come alive and stories unfold. Visit their Facebook page here, book yourself a homestay or order a coffee, and immerse yourself in the heartwarming spirit of Lapu-Lapu City.

Remember, it’s not just about the destination; it’s about the journey—the jeepney ride, the laughter, and the shared moments that make Lapu-Lapu City truly unforgettable. 🌟🇵🇭

Check out our full you tube episode here.

It’s a Dog’s Life!

Tutukaka Adventures with Suzie

Running on the beach, exploring the countryside, chasing balls, getting muddy in the mangroves and going on fishing expeditions. Does that sound like the best ever dog life?!

Meet Suzie, the Whangarei Rescue Dog that we love to bits!

She lives in Tutukaka, a beautiful part of the coastline of the North Island of New Zealand. We are lucky enough to get to stay with Suzie when her owners want to travel. She knows us well, and greets us when we arrive with her ball in her mouth, wagging her tail and ready to join in on what ever adventure is planned for the day.

This week’s adventure included a road trip to Whananaki. Suzie jumped in the car as soon as the door was open, we checked we had her favorite ball, a dog lead, the requisite poop bags and we were off. We followed the winding gravel road from the turn off at Sandy Bay (oopsie, time to wash the car when we get home!).

Our first stop was Whananaki South beach - a beautiful sandy bay with miles of space for Suzie to run and play, and she ran and ran for that ball until she was panting hard with her tongue hanging out! So back in the car to catch her breath while we drove on to the longest footbridge in the Southern hemisphere….

The Whananaki Footbridge

The 395 metre footbridge was originally built by locals in 1947 to span the estuary between Whananaki North (where the school is) and Whananaki South. Prior to this bridge being built, the school teacher had to row across the estuary twice a day, ferrying the kids to and from school! The bridge also forms part of the Te Araroa Trail, a continuous 3,000 km walking track stretching from Cape Reinga in the North, to Bluff in the South. We loved walking part of the local history, watching the herons wading in the tide, and we treated ourselves to an icecream from the local dairy. Suzie had a minor drama, dropping her ball off the center of the bridge - which was waaay too high for us to be able to climb down and rescue it. She was so determined to get her ball back she jumped off the bridge at the end, and then swam the estuary back to the middle and managed to locate her precious ball. Well done Suzie!

On the way back across the bridge to the car, Graham decided the mangroves looked a promising spot for some oysters, so we took our shoes off, rolled up our trousers and waded in to the mud. You only find oysters if the mud is oozing between your toes and up to your ankles. Suzie didn’t care, the muddier the better. Unfortunately we had no luck with the oysters, so we dried Suzie off, and made plans for a fishing expedition closer to home.

As you can see from the pictures - the fishing expedition was more successful than the oyster hunt. We can follow a trail from Suzie’s home down to a rocky beach which is a perfect spot for fishing. We caught a snapper large enough to keep - Suzie was very excited to see it’s flapping tail, and she made sure the seagulls were not allowed to get too close! We then wandered our way home to cook it up with Fog Dog beer batter, and made a side salad to go with it. A successful end to a wonderful doggy day out.

Suzie is tired, too tired to play...

..... oh wait, no she is not!

We hope you loved this vet “tail” of adventures with our 4 legged friend, and we hope that you will follow us on our upcoming adventures full of animal encounters! We have a challenge for you too, see below….

Where is Suzie?

Your challenge for today is to spot Suzie in this photo!

I think the ball is a giveaway….

A Wild Night of Doggy Mischief

Meet Fred and George,

the playful Jack Russell Terriers

James Herriot would be proud…

It was a stormy night in Tauranga, with gale force winds creating havoc everywhere. The winds scattered huge polystyrene blocks from a house construction site across a farm, and also dislodged a small block of rat poison from a high up shelf.....

And guess who found the tasty treat? Two naughty terriers! Luckily, their owner also saw the broken up bait block and rushed Fred and George to the vet clinic straight away.

Rat poison is very dangerous for dogs, it can make them bleed to death inside. Some dogs need blood transfusions and intensive care to survive. Luckily rat poison doesn't cause trouble immediately, but after a few days it can cause fatal internal bleeding by interfering with the blood clotting system. At this early stage, both George and Fred were fine, happy and proud of their adventure. But we didn't know which one had eaten the poison…..

….so we had to make them throw up the poison. How do you do that? Vets have a special Magic Trick called Apomorphine - just put a little bit under an eyelid, and it makes the dog feel sick and puke everything in their stomach. James Herriot would be proud!

So who was the culprit? Which dog needs treatment?  It could easily be both of them, so we had to make both dogs vomit.

Was it Fred or George?!

Well, 5 minutes after being given apomorphine, Fred just sicked up his breakfast and went to sulk in the corner, feeling very sorry for himself.  I am so sorry Fred, but we had to do it!

But George, oh boy, he vomited up a lot of blue green poison. And more. And more. And more! He had snacked on enough poison to kill a dog much bigger than him. Getting rid of it from his stomach was a good first step, but some of it might have already got into his system. So we needed more treatment.

 First, we made him swallow a big syringe full of activated charcoal - a nasty black stuff that gets everywhere! George was amazing, he took it like a champ, even though it was gross. The charcoal should stop any leftover poison in his stomach from getting absorbed. His poo will be black for a few days, never mind.

Secondly, we started him on vitamin K injections and tablets; this is what fixes the damage that rat poison does to the blood clotting. We had to start it before he started bleeding internally.

Thirdly, we did a blood test after two weeks of daily vitamin K treatment, to make sure he is all clear. Yes, the poisons effects can last that long!

But the good news for George is that we caught it early, so we hope to prevent any bleeding problems altogether. Fred and George can now go back to being curious little terriers!

It is important rat bait is stored well out of reach of any curious animals. Preferably secured in a way it cannot be blown off a shelf or carried off by rats. It is also very important that pets are seen by your vet as soon as possible if there is any chance that they might have eaten rat poison.

Tell your dog-loving friends about this story - you might save a life!

It is important rat bait is stored well out of reach of any curious animals.

It is also very important that pets are seen by your vet as soon as possible if there is any chance that they might have eaten rat poison.

We hope you loved this vet “tail” of doggy mischief, and we hope that you will follow us on our upcoming adventures full of animal encounters!

Heard of a Teacup Chihuahua….

Then what about a Martini Rottweiler ??!!

Having survived the venomous centipede (see the previous blog post) our veterinary adventures on the island of Vanuatu continued

One afternoon a petite Frenchwoman arrived with a very large Rottweiler. Him one bigfella Rottweiler!  It is not uncommon to have a canine patient weight more than me – the heaviest dog I have seen was a 105 kg Saint Bernard.  The problem here was that all 70 kg of Tyson was grumpy.  Very grumpy!  Tyson had a large hot spot skin infection that really required clipping and cleaning.  But he would not let me near it, even with his owner smothering him with kisses on the lips and whispering “Je t’aime”!

Tyson did not like being at the Vet Clinic!

So we gave Tyson a sedative and then proceeded to attend to the problem.  The area was shaved, soothing cream applied, and antibiotic tablets prescribed. We also took the opportunity to apply an Elizabethan Collar – A.K.A “the Cone of Shame”.  To add insult to injury, his owner delightedly decided she wanted to add a couple of giant olives on a stick to his cone, because his cone looked like a martini glass!

That was when the real problem started….Tyson needed to get back in the car.  A Teeny Tiny Convertible Suzuki Swift, that was small enough to be swallowed up by the average Vanuatu Pothole.  Somehow, with his owner pulling from the driver’s side door, and me shoving from the back a growling, grumbling, indignant Tyson was eventually shoehorned into the passenger’s seat, cone and all.  The little car disappeared off into the island sunset with the owner craning her neck around the collar to see where she was going.  Bon Voyage! Lukim Yu!

Lukim Yu - Bye!

We now know why James Herriot wrote so many books…you are guaranteed to have an interesting day when you work at a vet clinic!

Thank you for taking the time to read this veterinary story of ours - we hope you enjoyed it and hope you will follow along on our future adventures!