21 images Created 28 May 2016
Bowie and Iman
While traveling Myanmar, my girlfriend Jennifer and I visited the Yangon Animal shelter. The shelter was founded by an American woman, Terryl Just, to give safe harbor to street dogs who would otherwise be poisoned by the government. It is one of the few shelters in the country, and currently is home to 500 dogs.
As I photographed the shelter, Jennifer was busy cuddling the puppies. She was especially attracted to Bowie and Iman, two young siblings with sweet personalities and light color eyes.
“These pups are very special,” Just told us. “They are the only two survivors of a litter of five.”
Just continued to relate how the staff at the shelter had taken loads of food and water to people and animals affected by severe flooding in the fall of 2015. Bowie and Iman’s mother, Suzy was rescued from the flooding and brought back to the shelter. She was soon found to be pregnant and had five puppies. Unfortunately, she died six days after giving birth, most likely from a heart problem. A foster mom was found to nurse the puppies, but sadly three of them also died.
When we decided to fly home two puppies for adoption in the U.S. the choice was easy, Bowie and Iman. I contacted a Los Angeles based rescue group, Dogs Without Borders, whom with I often volunteer. The director of the group, Galit Reuben, graciously agreed to accept the dogs from Myanmar and place them in their weekly adoption fairs.
After weeks of preparation and planning, on March 10, 2016 Bowie and Iman arrived from Myanmar accompanied by Natalie Mathiasen, a longterm shelter volunteer. They appeared at an adoption fair several days later, and received a lot of attention from both volunteers and potential adopters.
Thankfully both pups were soon adopted into loving homes. Bowie was adopted by a dentist living in Los Angeles. Mark told me he found his picture on Petfinder and said Bowie reminded him of his beloved dog that had died of cancer several years earlier. Iman was adopted by a young student also living in Los Angeles. “Iman is the center of attention at the dog park,” Abbey told me. “She runs around and gets the other dogs to chase her.”
Although Jennifer and I believe we only did a small part in providing these two dogs with forever homes. We do feel a sense of accomplishment. We also feel some frustration that we can’t help all the dogs. Seeing these dogs happy and healthy however, inspires us to continue working for animal welfare. “We did a good thing,” Jennifer told me. “We did a good thing.”
As I photographed the shelter, Jennifer was busy cuddling the puppies. She was especially attracted to Bowie and Iman, two young siblings with sweet personalities and light color eyes.
“These pups are very special,” Just told us. “They are the only two survivors of a litter of five.”
Just continued to relate how the staff at the shelter had taken loads of food and water to people and animals affected by severe flooding in the fall of 2015. Bowie and Iman’s mother, Suzy was rescued from the flooding and brought back to the shelter. She was soon found to be pregnant and had five puppies. Unfortunately, she died six days after giving birth, most likely from a heart problem. A foster mom was found to nurse the puppies, but sadly three of them also died.
When we decided to fly home two puppies for adoption in the U.S. the choice was easy, Bowie and Iman. I contacted a Los Angeles based rescue group, Dogs Without Borders, whom with I often volunteer. The director of the group, Galit Reuben, graciously agreed to accept the dogs from Myanmar and place them in their weekly adoption fairs.
After weeks of preparation and planning, on March 10, 2016 Bowie and Iman arrived from Myanmar accompanied by Natalie Mathiasen, a longterm shelter volunteer. They appeared at an adoption fair several days later, and received a lot of attention from both volunteers and potential adopters.
Thankfully both pups were soon adopted into loving homes. Bowie was adopted by a dentist living in Los Angeles. Mark told me he found his picture on Petfinder and said Bowie reminded him of his beloved dog that had died of cancer several years earlier. Iman was adopted by a young student also living in Los Angeles. “Iman is the center of attention at the dog park,” Abbey told me. “She runs around and gets the other dogs to chase her.”
Although Jennifer and I believe we only did a small part in providing these two dogs with forever homes. We do feel a sense of accomplishment. We also feel some frustration that we can’t help all the dogs. Seeing these dogs happy and healthy however, inspires us to continue working for animal welfare. “We did a good thing,” Jennifer told me. “We did a good thing.”
