There are many dogs in Thailand named Loong, and I am one of them. The name means lonely or lost, but if you thought it was an exaggeration of the word long, as in “I’ve waited such a loong time to find a home,” that would be apt too. I’m a lovely 6-year-old mixed-breed Thai girl, and with my good temperament, nice black and tan coat, and perfect size, you’d think someone would have adopted me by now. Nope! But all of that is set to change once I arrive in Chicago on May 4. I won’t be lost or lonely anymore!
I was was born on the resort island of Phuket. In March of 2013, when I was still an adolescent puppy, I was in a bad accident that broke my right front leg and left me with a head injury causing temporary blindness. Two kind tourists discovered me whimpering on the side of a busy road and brought me to a vet for treatment. Dogs weren’t allowed at their condo, so they traveled 6 hours to another Thai island called Koh Samui in order to bring me to Elisabeth Feigl’s sanctuary, Elfe’s World, where they knew I would be safe and well-cared for.
In time, my vision returned to normal, and my leg healed very well. My Phuket friends have visited me at Elfe’s at least once a year, and have graciously sponsored my care. I have not 1, but 3 fairy godparents, who have kept me from losing hope. I love walks through the tropical vegetation, and I love Elfe and my other caretakers even more. I greet each visitor and volunteer with affection and appreciate any love I get back. I’m a sweet pea (that’s what Elfe says).
There are almost 700 dogs at Elfe’s World—young and old, big and small, gentle and spirited. Some were rescued from smugglers in the dog meat trade, others were brought to Elfe sick or injured like me, and more were saved from lives of abuse and neglect. Mostly we all get along well, but from time to time “the mean girls” gang up on me. It’s no fun getting chased and bitten, so this is one part of my life I won’t miss!
More than anything, I crave people to call my own. I’ve done very well with individual dogs at Elfe’s, but since I have never had anything of my own, it may take a little while to learn that it’s safe to share my new bounty. My brand new world—a family, a house, leash walks, cars!—will likely be overwhelming at first. It boosts my confidence to know that my learning will be accompanied by patience and much positive reinforcement. I aim to please! With you cheering me on, I’ll figure everything out in due time, and our journey together will be full of wondrous discoveries and great rewards. Elfe says I truly deserve a wonderful home, and she will be so thankful when I find one.
Here’s a video of me and my fellow traveler Lotus, relaxing in Bangkok before our flight:
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If you are interested in adopting LOONG please contact Dawn Trimmel at info@istreetdog.com. You can also find our adoption application here. Your application must be approved before scheduling a meet and greet.