I couldn't let today go past without saying something about my beautiful long ago passed dog Nikki Noodles. She was my first rescue from Thailand and it is ten years ago today that she passed away from cancer at approx. 13/14 years old. She adopted me on Chaweng beach in Koh Samui in 1998, a fair few years before there were any real sanctuaries in Thailand, Soi Dog did not even exist at the time. I had spent a lot of time in Asia and always resisted bringing a dog back, mostly because I didn't think it was possible at the time but Nikki so ingratiated herself with me it was hard to think of leaving her behind. When I did have to leave after a month on the island she ran after my taxi as I was leaving and it was there and then I decided I had to get her back by hook or by crook. So, I went home and borrowed some money off a non-doggy friend who thought I was mad but went along with it. It was the days of the horrendous 6 months in quarantine and there was no getting past that one. A few weeks later I flew back to Thailand with a friend and we headed back to the island. I had Thai friends, who also thought I was mad, looking out for her so I knew she was still there and safe. So, with the help of a lovely shipper in Bangkok who loved dogs, we got her to the airport, it was touch and go even at the end with the paperwork but after a stressful few days it all got sorted and we put her on a plane. I flew back after her as I wanted to make sure she got on the plane and the quarantine kennels picked her up at the other end. The six months in quarantine was not nice for her but you could visit and as she was getting mange quite badly, leaving her in Thailand would have meant she was just another bald stray that people shied away from or kicked. She lived a very happy 12 years with me and my English rescue Ella, who was old and died a year and a half after she arrived and then for a few years with Mildred the house rabbit who was her partner in crime. She was the most amazing and intelligent and calm dog who everyone said was so well trained but in fact I did absolutely no training with her and she just picked everything up instinctively. She was my gateway to rescue and she started my journey into rescue and so in a way when she chased after my taxi, so long ago she not only saved herself but a whole load of other dogs as well, so that is her legacy. After she died I went to Baan Unrak Animal Sanctuary in Thailand to help Gemma Ashford and the rest followed on from there. I cant believe it is ten years ago already. So, to my beautiful Nikki Noodles, wherever you may be, hoping we one day meet again
