“A day I would always remember would be the first day I saw D’Lion. I was getting ready to hike up the mountains when I saw this really sad-looking puppy,” said Reena, recalling the day she was about to climb Gunung Nuang.
Opening up her bag, she took out some kibbles, a permanent part of her hiking kit as she said that there are always dogs on the trails.
Unfortunately, the sad pup that was D’Lion came nowhere near the kibbles and was shivering. She didn’t move, but Reena noticed that her leg had looked a bit … off.
“I then decided that I will continue my hiking and bring her back on my way back down. But after just 200 metres of walking, my mind just wasn’t at ease thinking of those sad eyes and shivering furry body,” she confessed.
Reena immediately turned back, carried her and brought her straight to the vet.
After a little investigation, Reena said she discovered that this small puppy was born under unfortunate circumstances. Being small and frail at a 1000m altitude meant the chances of getting food were very low and it would always be cold and windy.
Reena also found that some hikers had acted in good faith brought D’Lion and her siblings down to the trail head of the mountain to increase their chances of survival.
However, being at the trail head also meant that hikers tended to park their cars here and accidentally run over the puppies – except D’Lion.
“And, at the vet, I learnt the sad truth that she had a broken hip bone and a broken thigh bone. Her hip bone was broken just very recently and her thigh was broken a month before I saw her,” said Reena sadly.
“She was between eight weeks old according to the vet. Just two months of life and already two bones were broken. She would have endured an enormous amount of pain!”
According to Reena, D’Lion’s skin was also full of fungus – perhaps due to the cold or the fact that she was in so much pain and could not move to get food.
Without any hesitation, Reena decided to help D’Lion with her healing and find a permanent home for her.
“I was living in a condominium at that time and I didn’t consider adopting her; I just wanted her healed and for her to have a happy home.”
Back at Reena’s home post-vet, D’Lion took some time to open up to Reena. She only stayed in one spot at the house and remained the for a whole week.
Days and weeks passed by and she eventually got better. After three months of home healing, physio, vet visits and swimming, D’Lion was as good as new and the shy but sweet dog that never left her spot is now on sofas, beds, chairs and anything humans are on.
“Also, there was no more thought of giving her up for adoption, as I decided to move to a house instead!” laughed Reena.
Reena gushed that the best thing about D’Lion is that she is extremely intelligent and always knows how to get what she wants. If D’Lion is hungry, she will be in the kitchen asking for her food.
“If she wants treats, she will come to me and give me the ‘look’ and bring me to the fridge. And when it’s time go out, she will bang the house door or gate – telling me it’s time to bring her out.”
As for D’Lion’s favourite pastime, it’s finding her toy balls under the sofa. At times, she will take her tennis ball and throw it at Reena in a bid to get her attention!
But, Reena said that D’Lion is a loving and special family member – always an excellent companion, and always following Reena wherever she goes and no matter how exhausted she is.
“She has even synced her sleeping time to mine, and if I give her a treat before I leave to work, she would only eat it once I am back.
“I am grateful that I took her in and that she’s not in pain. She has given me a lot of happiness.”
Being an adventurous dog, D’Lion often goes with Reena on hikes and just loves the trails. Together, they would hike for hours and hours and not get tired.
Well, she is from the hiking trails after all, but one thing is for sure: there isn’t a mountain high enough that can compete with the love both Reena and D’Lion have for each other!
And, as a bonus, here’s a photo of D’Lion in his Christmas getup:
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PET: FMT Lifestyle readers are invited to send in pictures (landscape format) and a short video (if any) of their furry, scaly or feathery friends to [email protected]. Don’t forget to include details like your pet’s name, age, breed and a short story about them.