Party of Two: Come Home, Monti

Ayize, Calen, Weeman, Beau (the fish), and I are proud, humbled, and overjoyed to announce that a sweet boy named Monti will soon be joining our household! I know many family and friends are curious about how this has all unfolded, so I'm interrupting my travel blog posts to update everyone and to hopefully answer any questions.?

And - of course - to show off photos of our handsome, sweet, perfect pup-to-be!

Monti currently lives at a dog sanctuary in Phuket, Thailand which is run by the Soi Dog Foundation, a decade-old all-volunteer group of absolutely amazing animal advocates. Besides housing and caring for over 400 street dogs and numerous street cats, SDF has worked tirelessly on both a sterilization campaign to end the overpopulation of stray and street animals in Thailand, and a gargantuan effort to end the dog meat trade in Asia, which has already effected huge change in a short time. (The more I learned about this group, the more I was filled with awe and admiration, so I urge you to check out this inspiring documentary. Plus, shortly into the movie's opening scenes, there are several shots of the sanctuary and kennels where Monti and his mates are currently living.)

So for what feels like ages now, I have "stalked" Monti, one of their many residents, online. His life story resonates with that of our sweet Calen's.?In a series of remarkable parallels, Monti sustained trauma to the same limb (his left front leg), at the same age (approximately 5 - 6 weeks old), and was cared for temporarily for the same amount of time (until he was approximately 3 months old) before being brought to SDF, who amputated the affected limb after a veterinary examination showed it was no longer functional. Monti also suffers from a disfiguring immune-mediated skin disease (the same one Calen was affected with) that will chronically plague him as long as he lives under the inherently-stressful conditions found in all busy kennels. Given his limited access to padded bedding and the high heat and humidity of Thailand's year-round climate, his chances of making a complete recovery while at the sanctuary are slim to none.

However, there are two major differences between them: Monti is 6 months older than Calen. So while Calen has lived with us since shortly after surgery, Monti has essentially lived his entire life at SDF's dog sanctuary where he now resides in kennel A2, awaiting a home of his own for what is now approaching two years' time. Although SDF does a wonderful, thorough job of caring for their charges, I think they would agree with me entirely that after such a difficult start to life, and after such a very long wait, it's high time for Monti to have a home, an adoring family, and a pack of his very own.

But why has the wait been so long, you ask? His appearance might easily turn away potential adopters who are uneducated about immune-mediated and climate-affected/environment-affected skin issues. On top of that, Monti is a big boy: simple mathematics translates into a much bigger expense to move a large dog halfway across the world.

But fate has stepped in: after months of looking at Monti's photos with growing love and hope in my heart, I was inspired to finally reach out to SDF's adoption contact, the wonderful Cindy, who felt that we would be great home for Monti. To that end, she has made every effort to make this dream a reality, and is working with flight volunteers to coordinate transport for Monti all the way from Phuket to O'Hare Airport. Hopefully sometime this fall - possibly as early as November - our new addition will join our happy home!

In the meantime, a spanking new collar and leash set, complete with new tag, hangs on a knob by our front door beside Calen's and Weeman's. Digby's fall t-shirts, winter dog coats, and protective booties, unused since our big boy tripod passed away years ago, are washed, folded, and in the "doggie dresser" of clothing in our front entranceway, in sweet anticipation of future foul-weather fun with our boy-to-be who will be a total newb when it comes to ice, snow, and winter chill. Digby's old elevated feeder awaits usage after many inactive years, and I washed and sun-dried our two spare dog beds in the basement, now bringing our total up to five (notwithstanding our sofa and loveseat, both of which have totally "gone to the dogs" - pun intended - not to mention Ayize's toddler sofa, which has been repossessed by Calen in recent times).

So that's our story so far, and now we just have to patiently wait. But in the meantime...an introduction.

SDF has several photo albums on their Facebook page about Monti which I'm both paraphrasing and borrowing photos from to piece together the story of his life for anyone interested in our journey to completing our family.?These are pictures and text from the first album, in April 2011, which introduces Monti. He was around 3 months old:

"Monti...our little trooper!

Meet Monti. This adorable young pup was found this week at the side of the road. Before being brought to Soi Dog, Monti and his siblings were cared for by UK tourist Abbie Webster and her family who comforted and cared for the pups during their holiday in Phuket.

Unfortunately, Monti's lower left leg appeared to be dead - we weren't sure why. After thorough examination by vets, it was decided to amputate.?Monti is young (approximately 3 months old), so he will adjust well to his three remaining legs. He's already standing up just hours after his operation!

Monti is lucky to be alive. Had it not been for Abbie and her caring family, he may not have survived. So many people just walk past - but Monti is now safe and secure.

"This photo was taken prior to having his leg amputated."

"This photo was taken shortly after Monti's operation to remove his leg."



A Soi Dog blog posting entitled?"Meet Monti, a very courageous little dog!"?from May 1, 2011 includes similar text to the FB photo album above, and contains one additional post-op photo:



These are photos and text from a second album, in June 2011, which updated Monti's progress and continued to seek a loving home for him. He was around six months old:

"Monti Shines!
Remember little Monti, the puppy found at the side of the road and cared for by the Webster family during their holiday in Phuket in April of this year? Monti had to have his front leg amputated and he is now living in the Soi Dog Puppy Shelter, happily playing with all of his friends. He's adapted really well to his three legs and loves to run and play. We even spotted him digging a hole with one leg!
We hope to find Monti a special home one day soon, as he's a happy, friendly, well-adjusted pup and would make a wonderful pet for someone who'd give him the love and attention he deserves, If you'd like further information about adopting, please visit this page or email cindy@soidog.org
In the meantime, you can support Monti during his time at Soi Dog with this link."

Here he is playing with fellow tripod, Fizz!

Here is a photo with accompanying text from a sponsorship appeal for Monti on an animal-donations website. He was around one year old:

"Monti's Story
Meet Monti, who was found at the side of the road by UK tourists. Unfortunately, Monti's left front leg appeared to be non-functional and after thorough examination by vets, it was decided to amputate. Today Monti is happy, healthy, and lucky to be alive. He's a bundle of energy and a real character."

This still photo of Monti from this 1-minute video (he is actually the video's closer, though they accidentally cite him as being hit by a car at age six months, when he was actually just six weeks) is the first thing you see on SDF's home page. He was around 18 months old: Soi Dog publishes an online newsletter, and in September of 2011, it contained the following update and photos of the residents of kennel A-2 (Monti's home at the sanctuary):

"For all our sponsors...meet the residents of A2!

Ever wondered how your sponsored dog is getting along?

This month there are currently 17 resident dogs in the A2 run. Phuket has experienced torrential rain recently so our photo shoot had to be taken on a wet, miserable afternoon. Thai dogs are unaccustomed to cooler weather and it seems to send them off to sleep! We had benches crowded with sleeping dogs, all curled up together to keep dry and warm.

The current residents are: Tina, Bobby, Yai, Cini, Twix, Flash Gordon, Cosmo, Tim, Catch, Nina, Dam Dam, Dak, MONTI [cap locks mine! haha], Licker, Faust, Makork, and Sandy.

There's a few very shy dogs in this run - Sandy, Flash Gordon, Makork and Twix - as well as some complete show-offs, like Licker and Bobby. Licker never lets up! He grabs your hand when you enter, and wants you all to himself.

The comedians of this run are Monti, who dives about on this three legs without a care in the world, and Bobby, who loves a good chew on the wooden benches!"

The update ends with a link to this photo slideshow of the residents, and from that slideshow, here are some of Monti's pictures:

"Faust and Monti"

Staying warm and dry in a mass huddle!

"Monti and Tina" (a close-up of the photo above)

And finally, here are some current photos from Monti's slideshow on SDF's adoption page. Monti is now around 20 months old:

"Why not adopt one of our abused or disabled dogs?
Hi, I'm Monti. I was found in the road after a car accident. My leg was bad so it had to be removed. I'm a very happy dog who just loves people. If you could love a tripod, than I'm your boy!"



Many of you reading this knew my Monty of the past. I know it's crazy, but the name similarity seems like a wonderful omen to me.?

Those who remember Monty will also recall our various dog combinations over the years.?I sure do miss my sweet, perfect Monty of yore, and though I know this Monti will be completely different, and absolutely wonderful in his own right, it sure will be nice to have two boy dogs and a girl dog living under one roof again.

And I just can't help but believe that somewhere up there, both Monty and tripod Digby are smiling down on Monti, and maybe even somehow helped to send him our way. I certainly believe that sweet Alfie helped land Calen in our laps - their personality quirks are just uncannily similar.?

I don't claim to understand anything about the beautiful mysteries that guide us in life and love, but I do believe.

My threesomes - at home, at work, on the beach, and even in the kitchen, watching me cook dinner (talk about pressure!). Three has always been our magic number, and it will be nice to have a doggie trio once again, after so many years.

So here begins a new thread in the story that is my life with dogs.?
I am so very excited! Three months is a long time to wait, but when I think of how long Monti has waited already, especially given the much-too-short lives of dogs, I try to counsel patience within my soul.
Hopefully, before we know it, he will be walking through this front door and into our lives.

Come on Monti, catch that flight

Stay a lifetime in our light.

Come in Monti, don't be shy

We've love enough to satisfy.

Come here Monti, to my arms

I will hold you safe from harm.

Come home Monti, we are here.

Source: http://zoomandzay.blogspot.com/2012/08/come-home-monti.html

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