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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.”
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  • A group of rescued dogs rest in the patio area of the Yangon Animal Shelter, Myanmar. The shelter harbors about 500 off leash dogs.
    Bowie and Iman-1.jpg
  • Terryl Just, founder of the Yangon Animal Shelter, Myanmar, is greeted by a group of rescued dogs.
    Bowie and Iman-2.jpg
  • Jennifer Holmes greets one of the hundreds of dogs at the Yangon Animal Shelter, Myanmar.
    Bowie and Iman-3.jpg
  • Terryl Just is met by a group of excited  dogs as she enters the Yangon Animal Shelter.
    Bowie and Iman-4.jpg
  • Anxious for their next meal, a group of puppies follows the caretaker carrying their food.
    Bowie and Iman-5.jpg
  • Jennifer meets Bowie at the Yangon Animal Shelter. She was especially attracted to his light color eyes.
    Bowie and Iman-6.jpg
  • Iman jumps at the volunteer preparing to feed the puppies at the shelter.
    Bowie and Iman-7.jpg
  • Terryl Just with Bowie at the Yangon Animal Shelter, Myanmar.
    Bowie and Iman-8.jpg
  • Natalie Mathiasen, a volunteer at the Yangon Animal Shelter, arrives at LAX from Myanmar with Bowie and Iman. March 10, 2016.
    Bowie and Iman-9.jpg
  • Iman peers out from her crate upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport, March 10, 2016.
    Bowie and Iman-10.jpg
  • Just released from their crates after a long flight from Myanmar, Bowie and Iman play on the grounds of LAX.
    Bowie and Iman-11.jpg
  • A young girl reads the bio of Myanmar pup Bowie at the Dogs Without Borders Adoption fair, March 12, 2016.
    Bowie and Iman-12.jpg
  • Natalie Mathiasen cuddles Iman at the Dogs Without Borders adoption fair in Los Angeles. March 12, 2016.
    Bowie and Iman-13.jpg
  • Iman smiles as she poses with Abbey Rains in her new forever home in Los Angeles.
    Bowie and Iman-14.jpg
  • Iman plays with Abbey  in her new home in Los Angeles.
    Bowie and Iman-15.jpg
  • Iman getting some bellyrubs from Abbey in her new home in Los Angeles.
    Bowie and Iman-16.jpg
  • Iman with Abbey  in her new forever home in Los Angeles.
    Bowie and Iman-17.jpg
  • Mark Aranbasich with Bowie enjoy a walk near his new forever home in Los Angeles.
    Bowie and Iman-18.jpg
  • Bowie enjoying a walk in a park near his new home in Los Angeles.
    Bowie and Iman-19.jpg
  • Bowie makes a friend at a park near his new home in Los Angeles.
    Bowie and Iman-20.jpg
  • Bowie with his new dad Mark, in a park near his new home in Los Angeles.
    Bowie and Iman-21.jpg