A Doggie Tale of Tin Tin the Beautiful
Last
Year In January, I was relaxing on my veranda when my neighbor
appeared. In his arms he clutched a small, white puppy which
he gently placed in my lap. It looked so cute with its white coat, brown
eyes and pink tongue. "Do you like it", my neighbor asked -- already
knowing how I would answer. "It's yours then!" he continued. I was
startled that he was offering this little creature to me but I was also
immediately in love with this tiny bundle of white fur. My neighbor told
me that the puppy had been in his garden for the past four days now and
that no one had come asking or looking for it. "You can give it a good
home", was my neighbor's parting comment as he headed back to his own
house.
And so I did! I decided to call her "Tintin" because she was just
as lovable as that famous French cartoon character. Next step was a visit
to a veterinarian for a full examination, parvo vaccinations and so on.
"A fine dog" was the vet's opinion. Back at home she had a thorough
bath, sweet, calm and trusting throughout, and I could admire the result.
A typical Thai "Ridgeback" dog of the best kind and absolutely
as white as the driven snow. 
Sadly, our happiness was not to last because after a couple of weeks a boy, unknown to me, came and claimed Tintin as his dog. I did not believe him because I'd already checked with all of my neighbors, gardens and village guards if they knew anyone who'd lost a dog. So I did not give her up but, next day Tintin went missing and I searched frantically for her in every corner I could think of. The village security guards eventually confirmed that they'd seen a boy, on a motorcycle, speeding off with Tintin inside his jacket. I was heartbroken.
After about two months she was back in the compound again. But at that time it was time for me to go home to Sweden for vacation and I did not want to go through all that again.
To my surprise, towards the end of March, Tintin reappeared in the area but, as I was about to depart for holidays in my native Sweden, I didn't have the opportunity to readopt my little friend. The Fates were against us as, having returned from Sweden in August, I obtained another dog (Popeye!) - and Tintin was suddenly in my garden again. In fact, she was in everyone's garden, roaming as a stray, but particularly in mine as she knew her way in past the fence. What a dilemma; I now had Popeye and couldn't care for two dogs.
As it happened, I had some visitors from Sweden towards the end of November -- and Tintin claimed their attention. She would come daily to my garden and cry if anyone attempted to send her "home." My guests fell in love with Tintin, as I had done and determined to take her back to Sweden. Some searching eventually located the boy who once said he owned Tintin. "Take her", he said as was no longer interested in caring for this endearing animal.
I
was so happy for Tintin, and my visitors, but now came the bureaucratic
task of "exporting" Tintin to her new home in Sweden. Swedish authorities
required that Tintin had all vaccinations and a Health Certificate and
a Swedish Import Certificate - and an identification number tattooed in
her ear (96021V). Tattoo parlors were not welcoming to Tintin as a customer
but the Chiangmai Kennel Club had the job completed in no time. Next,
Thai Airways Cargo Division paperwork and clearance from the Thai quarantine
office for the export of live animals. Tintin's "enroute" airliner
home had to be a fiberglass kennel (not easy to find in Chiangmai!) but,
eventually, everyone was satisfied. Tintin was ready to fly off to her
first temporary "home" in Sweden - Manlotens Quarantine Station
where she would be a guest for four months. Sweden, being rabies free,
is obliged to quarantine all incoming dogs for this period.
The big day came last 7 th of February when Tintin, well settled in her fiberglass kennel complete with bed toys, took off for Stockholm and Manlotens Quarantine Station. Presently, she is doing well, is much admired by the Station's staff and is due to be discharged on 7th June. I will be there to greet Tintin, give her a cuddle and say, formally, "Welcome to Stockholm". I wonder if any dog from Thailand has ever emigrated to Sweden?? And they say it's a dog's life!!
General History of Ridgeback breed
Rhodesian ridgeback also called African Lion Dog, South African hound dog breed characterized by a narrow band of hair that grows forward along its back, against the direction of the rest of the coat. The ridge is inherited from a half-wild Hottentot hunting dog, which, by breeding with various European dogs, formed the stock that gave rise to the Rhodesian ridgeback. Typically strong, active, and of great endurance, the Rhodesian ridgeback is a trim, short-haired dog, with hanging ears and a glossy, yellowish- to reddish-brown coat. It stands 24 to 27 inches (61 to 69 centimetres) and weighs 65 to 75 pounds (30 to 34 kilograms). A versatile dog, it has distinguished itself as a hunter (especially of lions), as a guard, and as a companion
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January 27 2008