Three dogs, one promise: ‘I won’t leave you’

For 29-year-old Deserê Willemse, a South African who currently lives and works in Vietnam, her three poodles, Lulu, Dusty and Minh, are not just pets; they are her family, her comfort in a foreign country and her “children” to whom she promised a better life.

Due to unforeseen challenges with her work permit, she has to return to South Africa earlier than expected. Now she faces an enormous financial challenge to bring her dogs back with her.

The thought of leaving her three bundles of love behind in Vietnam is “simply unthinkable” for Willemse. Willemse says she can “under no circumstances” leave them to their own fate, especially because she knows about the unapproachable life that defenseless animals lead in parts of this country.

“Although there are many people in Vietnam who take good care of their animals, there are also extremely harsh realities. Many dogs are tied to chains, kept in small cages or do not receive the necessary care. In addition, there are still places where dogs and cats are stolen and sold for the meat market. This upsets me tremendously.”

She says the thought of leaving them behind in Vietnam feels like “betrayal” to her faithful companions.

“For me they are not just ‘dogs’. They are three lives for which I have accepted responsibility and they trust me. I have taken each of them out of difficult circumstances and promise them that they will be safe.”

The thought of leaving her three bundles of love behind in Vietnam is “simply unthinkable” for Willemse. (Photo: Provided)

‘We are family’

The road to Willemse’s “little family” began at different times and in different ways. She remembers when she saw the first poodle, Lulu, on 30 November 2022 on a sweltering day of more than 40 °C at a pet shop.

“Lulu was lying outside in a small cage without food or water and didn’t move at all. I told myself if she was still there when I drove back after work, I had to help her. When I passed by again later, she was in the same position.

“I bought her, and when I picked her up, I could feel how hot her little body was. She could barely stand up straight. She was shaking her head back and forth and started throwing up. I immediately took her to a vet. She was severely dehydrated with severe infection in both her ears.”

Less than a year later, on 10 September 2023, she found Dusty on the street. He was lost and abandoned, emaciated, neglected and his hair a tangled nest of fleas, ticks and scabies.

“I just picked him up in my arms and rushed straight to the vet. It was heartbreaking to see how they had to shave off all his hair to get to his raw, inflamed skin. He was so fragile that he had to receive intensive treatment for days, before there was some life in his eyes again.”

The youngest member of their family, Minh, ended up in Willemse’s care in June last year, after her previous owner could no longer look after her due to personal circumstances. Minh was depressed and stopped eating.

“She belonged to one of my Vietnamese teaching assistants. After the birth of her baby, she could no longer give the same time and attention to Minh. She asked me to take her in, because she knew how much I love animals. Meanwhile, Minh had stopped eating, was very thin and appeared depressed. I also immediately took her to the vet.”

Minh. (Photo: Provided)

Willemse says there was one overwhelming feeling with all three dogs that she simply couldn’t ignore. “They needed someone and I couldn’t just look away. Each one came into my life at a different time and in a different way and each time something in my heart said they were meant to be with me.”

The poodles are completely different from each other and for Willemse “this makes them extremely special”.

Lulu is emotional, but smart. “She is incredibly loving and always wants to be close to me. She understands people’s emotions very well and knows immediately when someone feels sad or sick. Then she presses her head against you or comes to lie tight against you like a hug. She likes to get the most attention and actually thinks she is the boss of everyone.”

Dusty is silly and energetic. “He is always ready to play, jump around on the bed or suddenly get ‘zoomies’ around the house. He may not be the most serious thinker, but he is full of personality. His great talent is his innocent ‘puppy eyes’ with which he melts people’s hearts.”

Minh is the playful and slightly naughty one. “At first she only understood Vietnamese and was not used to a lot of love or attention. Today she is much more open and happy. She enjoys playtime, likes to pull Dusty’s ears when he doesn’t want to play along, and now enjoys love – but on her own terms.”

Willemse describes them as a “little family” that is inseparable and cherishes each other’s company above all else. “They sleep together, play together, sometimes fight like brothers and sisters and constantly seek each other’s company. Each one came from difficult situations, but together they found a safe home and a family.”

Lulu, Minh and Dusty. (Photo: Provided)

‘Anchor in the Strange’

For Willemse, the dogs were her anchor in a country where she often felt alone. The language difference in Vietnam makes it difficult to build friendships and she often has to rely on translation programs to get everyday tasks done.

“Living alone in a foreign country brings many challenges. I have been away from my family and good friends in South Africa for years, and there are times when the longing becomes very heavy.

“My three puppies became my anchor in moments when the silence in the house became too great. They are the reason why I laugh after a long, exhausting work day. I talk to them as if they were my children, and they always listen without any judgment. In a foreign country where you often feel alone, they make my house feel like home.”

Race against time (and money)

Due to sudden changes in Vietnam’s work permit regulations for foreigners, Willemse may have to leave the country by August. However, the cost of taking the three dogs along is astronomical.

“The estimated amount to get Lulu, Dusty and Minh safely to South Africa is between R180 000 and R210 000. This includes everything from vaccinations and rabies blood tests to international flights, export permits and quarantine costs in South Africa.”

If she can collect the money, a new life awaits the poodles in Despatch, near Port Elizabeth. “We currently live in a three-story house without a garden. I take them for walks twice a day, but Vietnam’s heat makes it difficult. Some days it’s simply too hot for long walks and I’m always worried about heat exhaustion or burnt paws.”

Deserê Willemse with Dusty and Lulu. (Photo: Provided)

She says that in South Africa, their daily life will eventually offer much more freedom and natural space than they currently have. “I am looking forward to something very simple but very special: to see them running freely and happily in a large, green yard. In Despatch, they will have a large garden with grass, space and fresh air. I am looking forward to seeing how they can just be dogs – digging holes, running around and lying in the sun.”

“I’m also looking forward to taking them to the sea for the first time. I wonder how they will react to the sand and waves…

Willemse has already started, but has not yet been able to collect nearly enough money to realize this dream. In the meantime, she also launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to try to help with the rest.

It’s a huge amount and Willemse realizes it. However, she emphasizes that international pet transport involves very strict requirements.

“I need the money to cover, among other things, international flight costs for all three dogs, as well as special transport crates that must meet airline requirements. The money will also cover microchips, vaccinations including rabies, and blood tests that must be sent to international laboratories.

“Furthermore, export permits from Vietnam and import permits for South Africa are required, along with additional medical examinations. Costs for quarantine in South Africa for one to two weeks are also included, as well as local transport or flights from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth. Finally, provision is made for possible unexpected administrative or logistical expenses.”

Willemse can hardly imagine what will happen if she cannot collect the money in time.

“I don’t know what will happen to my babies if I can’t take them home with me… To be honest, that’s the thought that keeps me awake most at night. It will be absolutely devastating.

“I promised them that they are safe and that they will always stay with me – where they belong. If I can’t raise enough money, it will feel like I’m letting them down, even though I know I’ve tried everything.”

If the worst happens, she will have to find suitable homes for the three dogs. But it’s going to be hard.

“It is not easy to find people who will accept three sensitive, attached dogs with the same love and long-term responsibility. They are used to a safe life where they stay indoors, sleep on the bed with me and are treated like family.”

Poodles are also a demanding breed that needs continuous care to stay healthy and comfortable. “They need to be shaved, bathed and brushed regularly. If this doesn’t happen, the fur becomes caked, dirty and uncomfortable. It can be very hard for them in hot and humid weather.”

Dusty and Lulu. (Photo: Provided)

Poodles are also very people-oriented and emotionally dependent on love and contact.

“They thrive when they are part of a family. Without it, they can become anxious, depressed or withdrawn. I saw for myself how Lulu, Dusty and Minh changed when they were safe and received attention and love. That’s why I know how big the difference is between just surviving and really living.”

Willemse says her biggest fear is that they could be separated from each other, or end up in homes where they are not understood or appreciated.

“I fear that they will suffer emotionally, because they are incredibly attached to me and to each other.”

For her, fundraising is not about comfort or luxury, but about responsibility and survival.

“It’s about three lives that have already had a difficult start, and my attempt to make sure they get the safe and loving future they deserve.”

They are used to a safe life where they stay indoors, sleep on the bed and are treated like family. (Photo: Provided)