She first met Champ in 2018 while back in her hometown. “I saw him right in front of my house. He just stood there, watching me,” she told FMT Lifestyle.
At the time, Kavitha, a single mother, was going through a particularly difficult period.
“I was facing a really hard time financially. I had lost my job, had no savings, and was struggling to support my child’s education,” the 46-year-old said.
With those challenges, adopting a dog, especially while living in an apartment in the city, was the last thing on her mind.
“According to the people in the neighbourhood there, Champ had six siblings. Some of the puppies starved to death, while others were hit by vehicles. So Champ was left all alone,” she revealed.
The security guard and a few neighbours urged her to take him in. “They told me that this dog would bring ‘ong’ – good luck,” she said. Kavitha said his appearance caught people’s attention – entirely black, except for his four white paws.
Still hesitant, Kavitha initially decided against adoption. Instead, she bought a cage, food, and medicine for him. A few days later, two of the same men approached her, asking for RM10 to buy a lottery ticket. Though annoyed, she handed over the money.
“On the day I was leaving for KL, the two uncles came to me and handed me RM18,000 in cash – their winnings. They said, ‘See, I told you this puppy would bring you luck.’”
That was all the convincing she needed. Kavitha brought Champ home with her, and the first few months were filled with joy.
“Champ was so adorable, and slowly I came out of my depressed state. His presence is just magical,” she said.
Soon after, things began to fall into place for Kavitha as she landed a job. Champ on the other hand, quickly became the heart of the family.
“We took him with us everywhere we went. Whenever I came home from work, the first thing Champ did was bring his green toy to play.”
But just six months later, things took a devastating turn. Champ was diagnosed with cancer, a transmissible venereal tumour (TVT).
“My daughter and I cried day and night. It was unbearable to see him howling in pain,” she said. “Many doctors told us that his chances of survival were very small.”
Despite the odds, Kavitha refused to give up, spending more than RM20,000 on his treatment. “Champ is everything to us, especially because he came into my life when I had no one,” she said.
After going from clinic to clinic, she finally found a breakthrough with a veterinary clinic in Puchong. Years of treatment later, Champ is now cancer-free. Although he has lost his eyesight, his spirit remains unshaken.
“He loves going ‘jalan-jalan’ in the car and he’ll never give up his seat next to the driver,” she said with a laugh.
Now living in a home with five dogs, Champ shares a special bond with another rescue named Lucky. “Lucky always makes sure Champ is beside her during walks,” Kavitha said.
Looking back, she believes the name “Champ” couldn’t be more fitting.
“He carries a story of resilience. Even after illness, dogs don’t dwell on the past – they just keep loving, trusting, and living in the moment.”
Recently, Champ faced yet another setback when he was paralysed for months, but once again, he pulled through and is now walking.
“Champ isn’t just a dog – he’s a survivor,” Kavitha shared.
This article was written by Theevya Ragu @ FMT Lifestyle. Read more pet stories here.
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