Thursday, July 21, 2011

Aunty Liu's Shelter

Before I start the main topic of this post. Let me share this~

Bato's cockroach hunting stunt...with our drinking cup!! =_='''

Cup of 7/11 coffee is always the favourite choice to kick start our morning call!

Adventure today is to visit Aunty Liu's very own animal shelter. It's located somewhere Linkou District which is isolated from the city area. This is because animal shelter will cause much disturbance to the residents. example dog barking, smells etc etc.  

While waiting for our transport to the shelter a dog came visit us. Aunty Liu's grandson *David* followed us too.

The side view of the shelter, it's has a really nice landscape view of hills & mountain. 

Upon reaching the shelter we were greeted not only by the staff & workers there but also their pet!

We gather together and Aunty Liu began to tell us her life story helping the animals *Hengyi was helping to translate as some can't understand english*. She has been helping & interacting with animals for more than 40 years! From the early sixties effort in saving the Orang Utan until now the 20th century rescuing strays dogs and cats.

One story hit me the most on the effort she did to save the strays...there was a time when the municipal council was trying to bring a truck of dogs to be put to death. She & few of her fellow helpers in the organization was so helpless not being able to reason with the officials. Leaving her no choice, she courageously laid down right in the middle of the road followed by her helpers to stop the truck from getting pass.
   
She told us so many real life stories of herself, how she started the animal organization to help stand up for the strays. She really devoted her life into helping these animals, even it means to sell off her property to fund the private shelter because in the past the government did not at all pay much attention to the animal welfare,  strays were being captured and put to death using very cruel method. She hopes to be able to change the governments' mindset in helping the animal. If a normal citizen her age are capable to show such amount of love for life then the government should at least take some steps setting good example to the people.

She also faced serious health problem with her heart, even the doctors could not help her. Even with her condition, she still persisted to help the strays. Bringing them food and providing shelter for them. During that time she did it all alone. Every time seeing the dogs running towards her in straight lines across the hills really touched her heart.  She cherished life *not just her own* and never stops reminding us to do so too.   

Through her perseverance helping the strays, the exercise she had. Miraculously her health problem just went away. She said this must be a blessing from God =)

One of the many achievements is the impact she made in solving the strays problems in Taiwan. By proposing the sterilization and also TNR solution to the government. After the successful implementation they can really see the dramatic decrease of strays in Taiwan until today (especially Taipei). This proves to be an efficient solution in improving the strays condition in Taiwan.   

We were given a tour of the facilities there at the shelter. They even have a surgical room that provide medical treatment & sterilization to the animals.

These are the dogs at the shelter.

It looks pretty old...well...yes because it is old. But everything there are well taken care of. There are even 2 full time workers hire by Aunty Liu herself to look after the dogs. Such wonderful dedication. 

Most of the dogs here are very old and no one wants to adopt them. Usually for this case the solution will be to put them to sleep, but Aunty Liu still wants to give them a living chance. Providing them food, shelter and space to room around too. 

I saw a huge spider hanging over the roof. 

Some even lose their ears because they were once abused. 

Can you imagine any human who would do this?

When we when up the shelter. First thing we saw is a huge stock of dog/cat food. She provide the dogs with the best nutrition food & care despite her financial difficulties. She could had use her saving to enjoy herself but she used it on the animal. She quote that money is only useful when we use it right, if not 

A group photos of us after the amazing tour.

We were invited to Kee Lung with Cindy *Aunty Liu's daughter in law* and family.

We brought the train tickets from Nang Gang to Kee Lung.

While waiting for the train station with Cindy.

When we reach there star cruise was right in front of the harbour. So cool!

Kee Lung night view is pretty amazing. 

So what are we doing there?

Visiting the night market of course! =P

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