A week in the life of a rescued stray
This is a story about a rescued soi dog from Bangkok. His name is Chok Dee, but most folk in this neighbourhood of New York know him as ''Wonder Dog''! When I was out walking with him this morning, it occurred to me that this past week he has shown so many sides to his character that he deserves a new name, perhaps a different one for each day of the week.
Monday he was ''Mr Ernie''. He attended a group dog training class where he showed newcomer canines the way it should be done. Chok Dee has already passed all his exams as a certified therapy dog, but we go back just to have fun. He is so incredibly focused, so eager to please and he does what I call his Ernie bit, as in Earnest.
Wednesday he was ''Mr Amazing''. Chok Dee is a therapy dog at an elementary school where he helps youngsters with reading difficulties. This was our last session and as a ''thank you'', the class performed a reading-theatre for us, which they had been practising for weeks. I know what a hard struggle it is for a few of them so I was really appreciative. After that the teacher passed out cupcakes, which were all lined up in a box. There was a frosting-letter on each that spelled out ''Thank you Mrs Manchester and Chok Dee''. The kids had wrapped up a box of dog biscuits for Chok Dee and presented us with a framed poem they had written. Then groups of three kids came up for a few private moments with Chok Dee, which he handled beautifully.
I was so moved by the moment _ to think that, maybe, just maybe, my Chok Dee had pushed open a door to reading for some of these kids, if only just a crack. This therapy work is hard for Chok Dee, but he is so calm, so accepting, so trusting _ and his gentleness and generosity are simply amazing.
Thursday _ definitely ''Mr Big-for-his-Britches''. Chok Dee and I did another ''demo'' for the first class of the dog training beginner class. No dogs, just the handlers, who are introduced to the theory and methods of training through positive reinforcement. Chok Dee and I get to demonstrate how they'll start off and what they need to do for homework before they bring their dogs the next week. Well, ''Mr Big for his Britches'' strutted right into the room, heading immediately to each person in the semi-circle to say hello. Shy at heart, this was a huge thing for Chok Dee to learn at first! But he knows he has a job to do and nowadays is very precise and deliberate in his movements. Looking at Chok Dee, the handlers soon realised that they and their dogs would have a great time in these classes. And, of course, they all fell in love with Chok Dee _ and who can blame them?
Friday _ ''Mr Just-being-a-Dog''. We went for a romp out back and watching him, my heart swelled. The grass in the fields is now four feet (1.2m) tall, but with incredible athleticism he soars through it. I have seen his Springbok impression, leaping straight up in the air for a pounce where his feet have been a full 52 inches (132cm) off the ground! (Yes, I measured!) He streaks through the woods, jumping over logs, weaving through the branches, zigzagging through the brush. He'll be totally immersed in his own doggy world, then all of a sudden will look up, check that I'm still there, and zip along again.
Friday, late _ ''Mr Couch Potato''. Chok Dee is lying in his nest, about 4 feet from me at the computer. He doesn't move every time I do, but if I leave one room and stay in another for longer than a few minutes, he'll quietly change venues and join me. He's terrific company, but isn't intrusive.
So, that was our week. I really don't think I anthropomorphise (too much, anyway!), as I have always tried to recognise and honour ''the dog'' in him _ both in the general sense of what it is that makes all dogs such incredible creatures, and the specific dog-things in him that are so incredible to me.
When I see the rescued soi dogs for adoption, oh how I wish for them that they find forever homes and that someone special finds each of them, a forever friend. There is so much love and so much happiness just waiting to be shared.
_ Laura and Chok Dee
Laura and Chok Dee found each other through SCAD, a stray animal welfare association dedicated to improving the lives of Bangkok's stray cats and dogs.
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