It was the early days when Dave Avran had started to volunteer at an animal shelter. One day he reported for duty at the office and the manager was busy.

“Go amuse yourself for ten minutes and come back” the manager barked at him. Dave wondered if the manager had Rottweiler blood as he made his way out.

He wandered around, and ended up at the back of the office far from the normal animal enclosures. There was a single large cage with six really sad and pathetic looking dogs in it.

Then a pair of eyes locked on him. And he could not look away. Save me, the eyes implored, save me. No sound. No barking. Just those eyes speaking directly to him.

“Oi! You are not supposed to be in this section. This is out of bounds. Can’t you read?” asked the manager gruffly. “I want to adopt that dog, please” Dave said, pointing to the pair of eyes.

The manager’s voice softened. “Cannot lah” he said. “These are PTS cases. In very bad shape.”

“That one spoke to me. I want to save him, please,” Dave said.

The manager changed tactics to dissuade him. “That’s a female. A Maltese. Pedigrees will cost you a donation of RM350” he said. Dave pulled out his wallet.

When the manager saw that Dave was dead serious, the manger became very helpful and not only allowed him to adopt her but gave him the contacts of a vet and RAW diet supplier. He also called Dave every week to check on the dog’s progress.

Dave named her Dawn as she was literally saved from death and given a new dawn.

She grew healthy, recovered and went on to star in her own play at the Actor’s Studio to raise funds for animal welfare. She is nine years old, and the sweetest and most loving dog.

Those eyes? Dave and Dawn still have long silent conversations.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PET: FMT Lifestyle readers are invited to send in pictures (landscape format) and a short video (if any) of their furry, scaly or feathery friends to [email protected]. Don’t forget to include details like your pet’s name, age, breed and a short story about them.