Jackie the dog lost one of his owners to Covid-19—and nearly lost his own life after authorities planned to put him down. But now that the rest of the family have recovered from the virus, the Alsatian is finally home again.
The first member of Jackie’s family to be diagnosed with the coronavirus was a 45-year-old nurse who worked at Yangon’s International SOS Clinic. Then her two children, teenage niece, and 47-year-old husband, a township administrator in Bago’s Paukkhaung township, all tested positive.
After two days of being treated in intensive care at Pyay General Hospital, the father tragically died on April 8 of respiratory failure with septicaemia, one of the symptoms of Covid-19.
To make matters worse, Bago’s regional minister told media that, with no one to look after the pet, two-year-old Jackie would have to be euthanised. Enter Aung Moe Kyaw, the founder of stray down shelter Anada Myitta in Pyay township and the hero of this story.
As the eight-year-old daughter, 10-year-old son, and 18-year-old niece moved from Pyay hospital to be with their mother at Waibargyi hospital in Yangon, Aung Moe Kyaw quickly requested permission from the authorities to rescue the dog.
He then camped out in the jungle with Jackie due to quarantine restrictions, reported 7Day News, and made video calls to the family before moving the pet to a friend’s home.
Now fully recovered, the family expressed their gratitude, according to the outlet, as Jackie was returned yesterday, to be with them once more.
