A little puppy, only four months old, trembled inside a metal crate while witnessing a gruesome sight. A heartless butcher was slaughtering one dog after another to sell their meat. The pitiful dogs wailed in pain, and Sanie felt her skin crawl with fear. She knew she could be next in line any moment. However, an unexpected turn of events occurred that altered the trajectory of her life.
Michael Chour, who founded The Sound of Animals, a charitable organization dedicated to rescuing dogs from the Southeast Asian meat industry, recently visited a slaughterhouse in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. While there, he encountered Sanie and two other dogs being held in confinement. Despite his efforts to convince the owner to release all three animals, Chour was only able to secure Sanie’s freedom. The owner claimed that the other two dogs had already been sold, but could offer no proof to support this assertion. Chour had hoped to save all three dogs, but was grateful for the opportunity to rescue Sanie and give her a chance at a better life.
Upon noticing Sanie’s fearful state, Chour took it upon himself to gain her trust by entering the cage with her. Recounting the experience, Chour explained how Sanie was initially snarling and shaking, but with patience and a gentle approach, he slowly managed to get closer to her. At first, Sanie seemed hesitant when Chour stroked her head, possibly thinking he was a danger to her. However, Chour remained calm and continued speaking softly to her, reassuring her that she was safe. Eventually, Sanie allowed Chour to pick her up and even placed his hand under her tummy.
Chour recounted how Sanie was still frightened when he exited the cage and noticed her gazing at the butcher. However, as he moved away from the man, she clung to him and nestled her head under his. Afterward, Sanie desired to stay as near to Chour as feasible. According to Chour, she hugged him incessantly and even persisted in doing so when he brought her to the vet facility and attempted to place her on the ground.
According to Chour, Sanie had a place she called home in Cambodia prior to being abducted from her family’s property and sold to the meat processing plant. Chour thinks it is improbable that Sanie’s original owner will be traced, but he has made a promise to keep her secure and find her a new permanent residence. Chour explained that Sanie realizes and appreciates the fact that he saved her, and she feels his love. Chour stated that dogs are intelligent and able to perceive what is happening around them. After a veterinary examination, Chour returned Sanie to the Blue Dream shelter where he reunited with other dogs rescued from the meat industry. Chour revealed that he has a buddy at the shelter named Bear, who was also rescued from the slaughterhouse, and will assist Sanie in learning how to trust and love again.
Chour is optimistic that one day, a loving European family will adopt Sanie. He shared that two dogs were shipped to England and are currently living in a blissful state. Chour’s priority is to save dogs from the meat trade, which is why he travels frequently to Cambodia from his residence in Thailand to offer his assistance. Although he acknowledges feeling saddened after observing the situation in Cambodia for five days, he draws strength from Sanie and continues to fight for animal welfare.
