VIDEO: Street dog rescued from Philippine typhoon now in forever home in Ontario

One year ago a street dog in the Philippines was clinging to life as floodwaters rose around her during a super typhoon.

The dog, an Aspin named Yen, was soaking wet and terrified and the world watched, first in horror and then in amazement in a video that went viral when a hero named Hans risked his life and swam across the raging river to rescue her.

Today, Yen – with a modified new name of ‘Ren’ – is safe in her forever home in the small community of Norwood, east of Peterborough.

Despite Yen’s internet fame, new fur baby mom Jess Scholey said her family wasn’t aware of the dog’s story or even actively looking for a second dog when they made the decision to adopt.

The only thing they were sure of was they wanted an Aspin – the indigenous street dog of the Philippines – thanks to husband Brandon’s travels in the Asian country.

“Brandon travels often for work and has spent a lot of time in the Philippines in particular. Throughout his travels there, he came to have a special appreciation for the resident dogs known as the Askal, or Aspin,” Scholey said. “Once it was decided that we wanted to adopt an Aspin, we sought out local shelters in Manila and found the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).”

The family got in touch and answered a questionnaire, and then a video-call interview was arranged.

“During that interview, we were introduced to a few dogs including Yen. On his next visit to the Philippines, Brandon visited the shelter and interacted with several of their rescued dogs. Yen stood out immediately for her calm, quiet demeanour and beautiful Askal traits, and after some time walking her around the shelter grounds the decision was quickly made that she was the one.”

Scholey, who fronts Oshawa rock band Far From Infamy when she isn’t looking after her daughter Casper and their other dog Calvin, said the process was relatively painless and simply required filling out a few forms, participate in a phone interview and a couple of in-person visits from Brandon on his business trips.

“Brandon arranged them around his work/travel schedule and stayed in touch with the shelter staff regularly via WhatsApp. He coordinated specifically with a volunteer named Bing who was extremely helpful,” Scholey said. “Bing and her colleagues went out of their way to help with requirements like obtaining pre-travel health check and proof of rabies vaccination -required for import to Canada – and securing an export permit from the Bureau of Animal Industry in the Philippines.”

The adoption cost paid to the shelter was just the equivalent of $25 CAD, plus another $25 for microchipping and the cost of a pet carrier to transport Yen. The only real cost, she said, was the $550 cost for the flight.

“Arrangements with the airline were a little bit tricky as not all flights accept live animals and even those that do will not guarantee a spot until 24-48 hours before the flight, and even then it’s not a sure thing. Brandon made those arrangements directly with Philippine Airlines, meaning it wasn’t until about 30 hours prior to boarding his flight home that it was confirmed Yen could come along.”

At the end of his business trip and with her spot confirmed, Brandon Scholey went to the shelter, paid the fees, posed with Yen for pictures with the staff, thanked them, and headed for the airport. After some shuffling around and inspection by local authorities at Manila airport, Yen was loaded onto the same flight Brandon was taking back to Canada (though she had to ride in the cargo hold).

“Casper and I didn’t know Yen was coming home on that trip. I had an idea she might, but Brandon didn’t say a word,” Jess Scholey said. “I found out when I pulled up to the pickup area at Pearson and found Brandon standing there with Yen at his heel.”

The reaction to the adoption has been extremely positive on social media, with congratulations coming from both sides of the world and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) also chimed in with a big thank you.

“A huge thanks from our whole team to you and your family, Jess, for opening your heart to her. Thank you for giving her the life she deserves!”

“Her incredible story from rescue all the way to finally finding a home is truly one for the books! And to all the heroes who choose compassion every day – this one’s for you!”

PAWS said they spoke to Hans Pati, the hero on that fateful day one year ago when the floodwater were threatening to carry Yen out to sea, and Pati said he was “overjoyed” to know the dog he saved was no “living her best life.”

“We’ll never forget his courage, because that split-second decision to save a life without hesitation changed everything for Yen,” PAWS said on Facebook. “It was his kindness, his compassion, and his heroism – all for this one dog – that gave her this second chance.”

Jess Scholey returned the appreciation. “Huge thank you to PAWS for taking such great care of her before she found her forever home with us, and especially Hans who saved her life.”

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”

Yen before the adoption

The name change from Yen to Ren was also partly in honour of Pati, and partly to remember the circumstances of the rescue.

“Casper said she’d like Yen to be called Rainbow instead, which seems apt given her story  – she survived near drowning in a flood from heavy rains, thanks to a heroic act by a thoughtful citizen – but Rainbow is a bit too different from Yen, so we shortened it to Ren – which signifies compassion and empathy, in honor of her rescuer, Hans, and all the people who helped her. “

The family said Ren is adjusting very well to the move halfway across the globe and from a life on the streets to a cozy doggy bed in a loving home.

“She took a few days to figure out what was happening and start to trust that she gets to stay here. She was apprehensive the first couple of times we put her back in the car to visit friends, as though she thought her visit was over and she was in for a 16-hour flight back to the shelter,” Jess Scholey said. “She seems less confused and more comfortable each day – though she took it all in stride from the start. She made fast friends with our other dog, Calvin, and the two play together all day, and she greets all three of us every morning with tail wags and kisses.”

“She’s a sweetheart of a dog with a loving, playful, loyal, and protective spirit for which her breed is known. Winter in Canada will be interesting for Ren, and our friends in the tropical Philippines worry about her ability to cope, but she’s clearly resilient and we expect her to tackle it with classic adventurous spirit – along with a warm sweater, and cozy nights by the wood stove.”

“We couldn’t be happier with her. She’s just the best!

For those who would like to donate to the shelter in the Philippines, here’s the link: The Philippine Animal Welfare Society • PAWS

Watch Yen’s rescue story here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CH8UeaQ8C/?mibextid=wwXIfr