Jerry - An adoptable dog from Nepal

Meet Jerry

FOHA gets hundreds of requests on a weekly basis to help dogs in need.  The majority of the dogs we help are from local areas but sometimes a call for help comes from unexpected places.  In FOHA’s 40 years of rescue work, the one thing we have found is that dog lovers are a determined group and know no boundaries.  And that’s where Jerry’s story starts…half a world away in Nepal.

It was about a year ago when a very kind woman found this abused and abandoned terrier mix down the street from her house, dumped among the overwhelming number of street dogs in Kathmandu, Nepal.  While she was stationed there due to family/work circumstances, she had taken it upon herself to keep an eye on the dogs in her neighborhood and quickly developed a soft spot for Jerry.  He did not fit in with the street pack and was beaten up often.  At first he would not approach his new friend, for humans had not proven kind to him in the past, but during an illness he finally relented to her gentle coaxing and took that ride to the vet for treatment.  She came back day after day to look after Jerry, take him to the vet, soothe his pain but had no way to get him into a home….yet.  Despite being injured in fights, getting ill from the conditions and trying to be chased away by some unfriendly local people – Jerry refused to give up or leave.  He was counting on his new friend who had shown such kindness over the year.  It turns out he is a good judge of character because she was ready to move mountains to be worthy of his trust. 

After a year of looking after Jerry and countless efforts to find him a local home, Jerry’s friend was being transferred to another country.  It was time to act and she found an ally in a like-minded family from the U.S., who happened to have adopted their sweet dog from FOHA before they moved to Nepal for work.  As they were also facing a relocation and a dog that wouldn’t accept another dog in their house – it was time to call in reinforcements.  She sent a plea to FOHA to see if we would take responsibility for Jerry if they could just get him to the U.S.   It didn’t take long for a consensus to form that we just had to help this dog.  If he had this kind of support, the tenacity to survive, and a willingness to trust people…he deserved a chance.  Without a safe location, he was not likely to survive among the street dogs and if he did, the street dogs of Kathmandu are often poisoned by local officials which is a slow, painful death.  He needed us.  His life depended on it.

Once they had the “yes” from FOHA, this group of global rescuers flew into motion.  Directing the rescue from her new location in Africa, his friend never lost sight of Jerry.  His new ally in Nepal worked diligently to get all of the paperwork in order and get him scheduled for a flight to Dulles.  In record time, he was scheduled for his flight to the U.S., set to arrive on July 3rd.  When the day came, his U.S. ally brought Jerry and all the paperwork to the airport, put him in his crate and wished him luck.  He was in for a long trip.  The next 29 hours he spent in his crate flying around the globe to meet the strangers that were going to now be in charge of his destiny.  Those 29 hours his friend (now in Africa), his U.S. ally in Nepal and all of the FOHA volunteers spent worrying. 

A welcome party of FOHA volunteers, including Jerry’s new foster family, was anxiously waiting for his arrival.  Tracking the flight on cell phones and combing the cargo area for any sight of him.  Then we got word that he was here.  Just a little more paperwork and he would be free to head to his new foster home for some comfort.  We worried that he would be scared – many dogs we receive are scared of transport and arrive growling or dirty from being in a crate.  Not our Jerry, he was the picture of calm.  He greeted us calmly and sweetly, ready to go for a walk since he clearly made sure to keep his crate clean despite a 29 hour flight.  He seems to know that the people he has are all here to help him.  He spent time moving from one new friend to the next…eager to meet each new person.  He has adjusted to his new foster home wonderfully.  Given his background, it’s not a surprise that he is in hunting mode with the chipmunks and squirrels in his backyard and is a bit distrustful of other dogs.  He is learning quickly to live with the laid back dog in the foster family’s home, but he’s still figuring out whether the other dogs he meets on walks can be trusted.  What is surprising, is that Jerry has quickly adapted to living in a home and is very loving and trusting with his family. 

There is one more leg on Jerry’s journey though.  He still needs a permanent family of his very own.  He would do best as an only dog or with a laid back dog that he can get used to over time.  He loves to have a backyard to explore on his own and has become accustomed to leashed walks to check out the neighborhood.  He is very calm around people and we are still watching his personality blossom as he relaxes into the easy life.  To see the pictures/video and more detail of Jerry’s journey, check out These Dogs blog. 

A HUGE thank you goes out to Jerry’s global family for making it possible to help this sweet dog.  We already love him.  This amazing street dog from Nepal has taught us all a lesson in trust and determination.  And we will not let him down.   

To adopt Jerry, fill out an on-line application at www.foha.org