As promised here some more details about Sammy and how he made his long way to his new family in Denmark, told by his in more than one way “human” new family members:

Finally our new family member Sammy arrived in Denmark. We had been waiting for him for 3 months and we were very excited when Karin e-mailed us that he was now on his way.

And there he was….

We picked Sammy up in Copenhagen airport on the 29th of April 2010. He looked so cute as he was sitting in the transport box, wearing a green t-shirt, so he wouldn´t feel cold during the flight. He was very happy, but also very tired. The vets examined him and assured us that he was in a very fine condition, which convinced us that we had done the right thing by bringing him to Denmark.

And how did we end up adopting a dog from Thailand?

We (2 adults and our 2 girls) were having a 2 months vacation in Thailand. We had decided to stay in Chiang Mai for 3 weeks. During our stay we wanted to donate some money to a foundation which is making a difference towards dog welfare. We have been travelling in Thailand many times and have been shocked to see how many dogs are treated. We have seen dogs with infections, broken legs, bad skin conditions, beaten dogs, starving dogs etc. etc. etc…….

How can people be that cruel to animals???

Next to a restaurant by the night bazaar we found this flyer!!! Care for Dogs!!!!

We immediately decided to visit the Care for Dogs Foundation, and called the phone number. A very kind and gracious woman answered the phone, and invited us to come to the shelter. We later got to know that it was Karin who had answered the phone.

Two days later we arrived at the shelter. So many dogs! SO MANY DOGS!!! We love dogs, and were very excited to meet all the dogs. It was so nice to see that somebody is doing a difference to dogs in need. The staff really loves dogs. The volunteers are working so hard without any salary and are giving the dogs as much love and care as possible. It was very touching to see their commitment, and after a thoughtful visit, we decided that we wanted to help in some way. How could we help? It did not take long to decide what to do. We wanted to bring a dog home with us to Denmark! In that way we could give a dog a good home, with all the love and care it deserves.

Karin gave us a tour at the shelter, and told some stories about some of the dogs. Who should we pick? It wasn´t easy until we were introduced to a small white loving dog. He had this brown spot on his eye, and we fell in love with him the moment we saw him. We took him for a walk, and that was it. He was the dog that we would bring to Denmark. No doubt about it!

We heard that Sammy had been living in a park and the management of the park wanted to get rid of all the street dogs there and there was even talk of poisoning the dogs. That’s how Sammy came to the shelter of Care for Dogs to have a save place to live and hopefully one day find his forever home.

Care for Dogs had adoptions abroad before. They knew everything about exporting a dog and did everything that was needed for exporting him to Denmark. Everything! Flight ticket, vaccinations, export permits, vet control, transport box etc.. We only had to pick him up in Copenhagen. But first we had to wait 3 long months, while he had to be in quarantine at the shelter.

In Denmark we missed him so much, and had bought him some toys, a bed and a new leash. Everything was ready long before he arrived.

Sammy has now been with us for almost a month, and he acts as he has been here since he was born. He is such a loving dog, and he loves to cuddle all the time. When we go to bed, he likes to jump into the bed to say good night to us. He is very good towards our children, and he loves his daily walks, and has gotten some new dog friends, which he is playing with in our garden.

We didn´t know if Sammy would know that he should do his business outside. But that hasn´t been a problem at all. From day one, he went to the door when he wanted to go outside.

He is a bit shy when he meets new people, but after a little while, he gets more confident, and seeks the strangers’ company.

We love our new family member very much, and are very happy that we have brought him to Denmark. We are sure that someday we will adopt another dog from Thailand.

Thank you “Care for Dogs” for doing such a wonderful job!!

Best regards

from

Maria and Jimmi Koldenborg.

Though Care for Dog’s focus is and will be helping the dogs here in Chiang Mai Thailand by our local initiatives, we’re always happy if a dog gets happy and so we take the chance even if it takes us (or better the doggie) half around the world.