When Zoe was just a month old she was found in an underground Bangkok wildlife
market by a Swiss couple who live in Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand.
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| a month after rescue |
Seeing the tiny weak frightened creature stuck in the heat without food, water or
any comfort, they immediately knew they had to help her or she would not survive
for very long. Fearing the worst they immediately purchased her although they
knew it was not legally the ‘right’ thing to do. But they knew if they went to get
the police, the pig would ‘disappear’ from the stall where she was hidden in a box
undercover whilst the trader was looking for likely customers.
As they were booked on a flight returning to Chiang Mai the next day, they decided
to smuggle her into their hotel room for the night to treat her dehydration and get
some soya bean milk into her, then take her on the flight the next day.
Their intention was to report the incident to the police in Chiang Mai and hand her
over to the government forestry department upon return home, wanting her nearby
so they could keep an eye on her progress.
At the airport the next day the pig was refused onboard without a permit from the
forestry dept. and a license of ownership. Since that could take weeks, they decided
to hire a taxi at the airport to drive the pig to Chiang Mai. Wanting to make sure
the pig would get there they gave the driver 1000 baht, enough to cover the petrol
and his meals and told him he would get another 5000 baht when the pig was safely
delivered to their address. The driver took the challenge and even bottle fed the pig
on the way. Eight hours later Zoe arrived at their house looking a lot fatter.
Bless the kind taxi driver for getting her there at all; he could have taken
the money and had roast dinner!
Zoe at home with her rescuer Carlos.
Much to the their surprise the illegal pig was of no interest to either the police or
the forestry department, who declared they had plenty of pigs!
So, they took her home and gave her all the love they had.
Soon Zoe made friends with the family dog.
"Hm…what on Earth have they brought home now?"
She was such a happy, contented, totally house clean little pig, who loved to eat
spaghetti, go for walks on a leash and watch TV!
An endless source of joy!
There was no end to her funny little antics and nose nudges for love.
As she started to grow very fast, Elena & Carlos realized they had to find a new
loving home for her, a wild pig, no matter how tame she is, can’t live in a townhouse
in the city. Although they would have loved to keep her forever, they started to look
for a new suitable forever home for her. Searching the internet, they found;
http://animal-sanctuary.chiangmai-chiangrai.com
an animal sanctuary north of Chiang Mai housing formerly abused farm, domestic wild animals and birds.
This seemed the perfect choice for Zoe since it was obvious she could never survive in the wild.
That would be very scary, besides there’s no watermelon and pasta!
No belly rubs and lullabies…..
No, Elena & Carlos just couldn’t imagine Zoe in the wild…!
She was a 5 star pig, a VIP – a Very Important Pig!
She had to go to a very special place.
So they called the sanctuary and we were delighted to have this delicious pig
join our animal welfare education programs.
At Love Animal Sanctuary Zoe could get an over dose of belly rubs from our visiting Thai students.
And so it turned out to be!
Zoe having the IQ of a five year old child relishes the attention.
Yeah! Belly rubs! Four legs up in the air with snoring effects.
She gives a good lesson in relaxation. That pig is a meditation master!
Zoe only goes wild when she has a bath. She loves it! Then she jumps & screams and
goes bolting around the compound tumbling over the surprised dogs & students.
She makes everyone giggle and laugh.
LOVE OF LIFE IS SUCH GOOD THERAPY FROM A PIG!
Sad to give Zoe up, but happy she will be truly loved & cared for.
This has been Zoe’s house for the last year at Love Animal House.
The first year she slept with the rescued dogs until she started pushing her weight around. Then we built her this house out of an old monkey cage. She has a spacious compound to run in and wallow in the mud.
Unfortunately this rented property floods more & more every year and the
sanctuary is soon forced to move 60 dogs & cats, birds, 5 water buffalo & Zoe.
Constant heavy rains, no doubt due to climate change, is causing a lot of problems
with floods in Thailand now. Thousands of pets had to be rescued from Bangkok
last year and this year is anticipated to be worse.
Love Animal Sanctuary has another location which was donated 10 years ago.
Presently that 3 acre property houses 25 cows & bulls rescued from slaughter by
kind people. They were given to the sanctuary to care for the rest of their lives.
Because Love Animal House is entirely sponsored by private contributions there
were never enough funds left after the food & medical bills were paid to develop
solid structures. The workers are paid with my monthly pension.
Bamboo is usually the order of the day.
We need chain link fencing & concrete buildings for dogs.
Donations are necessary to make this happen.
Your support will never be forgotten.
100 formerly abused or abandoned animals will have a permanent home to live out
their lives in peace.
All Animal Lovers; Be Blessed with Joy!
Thanks for your support!
Marianne Willemse
Love Animal Sanctuary Thailand
http://www.animal-sanctuary.chiangmai-chiangrai.com
http://www.onevoiceforanimals.com
http://www.elephant-book.com
http://www.facebook.com/MarianneWillemse
