Dog with a Heart of Gold - Macho Horlicks

Name: Horlicks
Gender : Male
Age : 1 year +
Size : Mid Size
Cross Breed
Good with people and childen

Horlicks’s story

Handsome Horlicks – Our Macho dog with a soft heart. Horlicks was found abandoned, left behind by his owners. At that time, in September 2008 there were two very good looking male dogs we were feeding in the wild. We call him Horlicks to distinguish him from the other darker brown dog, Milo.

Unfortunately for Horlicks, he arrived at a time when Milo was the alpha dog in the pack and Horlicks was not allowed in as Milo could not tolerate another alpha dog. And when Milo was later rescued from the wilds, Patches the hound lookalike took over the pack and again Horlicks was left out.

Horlicks is big boned and mustard brown in color. He has an extremely cute pink nose and one can imagine how sweet and adorable he must have looked as a puppy. The vet has commented with his colouring, bone structure and docility, Horlicks could have some Retriever blood in him.

Yes. Horlicks is good natured, has a wonderful temperament and is docile. He is an alpha male, a leader, which aggravates the other alpha male dogs but with the females and dogs who does not confront, Horlicks actually gets along very well with them. Many times he is not the aggressor but due to his size, the other dogs usually throw down the gauntlet.

Perhaps the other males are threatened by his size or demeanor, we don’t know as we are not canines but towards people, Horlicks is the sweetest dog with the cutest pink nose. Children can go up to kiss that nose with no fear and Horlicks would reward you with his big licks and wagging tail.

When we took him to the vet to have him checked out, there was no need to use a muzzle or harness. This is unusual when dealing with a stray male dog but the vet confidently told us he trusted this dog and in fact urged us to find a home for him as he was what we call a “Keeper”. A dog for keeps that is what Horlicks is.

Horlicks when we first met him
in late September 2008

Shame on his owners who gave up on him because this one is a Gem. For a while we thought we had lost Horlicks to poachers as he disappeared for a couple of months. Late September was the last time we saw him, and he had a bad wound on his back. We had tried adding medicine into his food then as he would accept food from us but after a few feeds, he suddenly disappeared. We kept looking and asking about him but nobody knew where Horlicks went. When he reappeared sometime in December near the place where Blackie and her pups were born, we were surprised that he is still alive, a lot thinner and very tired and sad but still alive. And with his wonderful personality and temperament he made the impossible happen. He even made friends with the guards there, men from a different culture who have never socialised with dogs before.

And this coming from a dog who has been so badly mishandled and abused by men. The bad wound at the back of his spine has been confirmed as a burnt mark by the vet. Yes Horlicks has been burnt and the scar at the back is a grim reminder how men have been cruel to him. He could have taken the aggressive route and become fierce and distrustful of people but he chose the gentle route. He forgave his cruel tormentors and instead influenced people to love him, people who otherwise would not even go near a dog, much less pat and cuddle him. These guards ended up being his friends and they loved him very much. He touched their hearts and they started buying kibbles and even a ball so they could play with Horlicks. Amazing dog! wonders never cease.

Horlicks’ burnt injury. It took a long time to treat
this wound. A scar remains. Poor Horlicks.

The guards told us how devoted Horlicks was, he would follow them when they did their rounds, lay down on the floor beside them when they took nap. And when they told us how he carried food into the jungle to give to Blackie and her pups, we were astounded. How does a dog know how to do that. But these are not make believe stories. These are facts as told by men who do not lie as they have no experience with dogs. They told us how Horlicks would not eat his bun and instead grabbed it and ran into the forest, into the direction of Blackie’s nest. And how the next while, he came out of the field followed by the pups and frolicked with them, playing with them, the surrogate uncle. They also told us how smart Horlicks was, he would take the box of kibbles we left for him, after eating half and carried the rest carefully with his mouth and back into the forest for the pups. If we had not seen the box missing, we would not have asked the guards.

Horlicks thrives on pats and cuddles. He is such a friendly dog with
Such docility that children are not afraid of him.

The guards told us how devoted Horlicks was, he would follow them when they did their rounds, lay down on the floor beside them when they took nap. And when they told us how he carried food into the jungle to give to Blackie and her pups, we were astounded. How does a dog know how to do that. But these are not make believe stories. These are facts as told by men who do not lie as they have no experience with dogs. They told us how Horlicks would not eat his bun and instead grabbed it and ran into the forest, into the direction of Blackie’s nest. And how the next while, he came out of the field followed by the pups and frolicked with them, playing with them, the surrogate uncle. They also told us how smart Horlicks was, he would take the box of kibbles we left for him, after eating half and carried the rest carefully with his mouth and back into the forest for the pups. If we had not seen the box missing, we would not have asked the guards.

Yes, Horlicks has a heart of gold. He knows how to take care of the pups and he knows what is like not to have love and attention. Perhaps it is because he was a pup once and had a lot of love and play then from his owners that he transfers what he has experienced to the pups. He is a really intelligent dog in what he does. Not many dogs understand the word “Packing food for someone else” yet Horlicks has characterise that dogs are not just creatures who cannot think. They are more than that, perhaps even more than most people.

Horlicks smiles for the camera

Horlicks, we know will make an excellent family dog. He is quiet and well behaved. We hardly hear him bark when we visit him a the Kennels. A dog with few words except when necessary but certainly one to be reckoned with.

You feel safe with Horlicks around. He is Big, Strong and Friendly.

Read more of Horlicks in our earlier write up in our blog :

http://homelessinseletar.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html - Feeding Programme & Macho Dog with a Soft

http://homelessinseletar.blogspot.com/2009_01_01_archive.html- Still looking for homes

If you would like to adopt Horlicks, pls contact 98383820 or email

anaterry@singnet.com.sg or homelessinseletar@yahoo.com.sg