Keen to know more about Melo and Mephyu, the two guardians of Arakan Nature Lodge, Ueli Morgenthaler has kindly provided us with the following text and images.
First, let us introduce you to their mother, Miss Kway Lay. During pregnancy, Miss Kway Lay was injured twice; in the first accident she lost one leg and in the second, her stomach was badly injured. Below you’ll find some documentation created by Ueli and his friends, which enabled Miss Kway Lay to relocate from Yangon to Dala and give birth to her litter of puppies.
Unfortunately for Miss Kway Lay, all of the puppies except one contracted canine distemper, a contagious and serious viral illness with no known cure. Mephyu, Arakan Nature Lodge’s “bold barker” was the only puppy not to catch it.
The virus nearly took Melo’s life also, but thanks to Ueli and his team’s around the clock care, he was able to fight through the epileptic fits and high fever.
Having escaped Yangon’s busy streets and beaten a disease that sees few survivors, it is no wonder that Melo and Mephyu remain so close to this day. Having met them at Arakan Nature Lodge, it’s quite clear them make a great team; Melo keeps a watch out for other dogs and Mephyu (with her friendly bark) never fails to let the reception team know that a new guest has arrived.
A happy and healthy Melo, as captured in February 2018.
If there wasn’t already enough reasons to stay at Myanmar’s first true eco resort, now you have another.