From M’sia to Switzerland, Cai Cai finds her happy ending

Cai Cai’s life today looks very different from the one she once knew on the streets of Malaysia. The former stray now lives with her forever family in Switzerland.

It all began with a post from animal rescuer Shan of “Woof My Roof”, a grassroots initiative in Selangor.

Shan found Cai Cai as a puppy on the streets of Kapar with her siblings, took her in and nursed her back to health before looking for a permanent home.

With her golden eyes, beige coat and pointy ears, Cai Cai soon caught the attention of Melanie Dehnert.

Since 2024, the rescue’s journey has been documented on the Instagram page Pawsitive Cai Cai, created by Melanie from Cai Cai’s point of view.

Through adorable and often hilarious photos and videos, the page has attracted more than 2,500 followers who have watched Cai Cai grow from a shy puppy into a much-loved family dog, as well as her move from Malaysia to Switzerland.

Originally from Germany, Melanie was living in Malaysia for seven years with her husband before welcoming their son in 2022. Two years later Cai Cai joined their family.

“When I actually met her, it wasn’t the typical movie scene where the dog runs towards you, wags her tail and starts licking you,” Melanie said. “She was very shy and sceptical, but at the same time curious.”

Melanie gave Cai Cai time to adjust, and a two-week trial soon turned into a permanent adoption.

Life with this rescue was not without its challenges. Noisy environments could send her into flight mode, while unfamiliar places made her anxious. Even the sound of metal shutter gates frightened her.

“Slowly, with a lot of patience, she became more confident. Her dog friends and spending time at the dog park helped her enormously,” said Melanie.

When the family later decided to return to Europe, leaving Cai Cai behind was not an option. “She had become part of our family, and families move together.”

Preparing the anxious Cai Cai for the journey took some work. She underwent crate training, worked with a dog trainer as well as a pet communicator to help make the trip overseas less stressful.

Cai Cai travelled from Malaysia to Germany via Istanbul, with the total journey taking about 24 hours.

“I kept her in her crate until we were safely at my parents’ house,” she explained. Melanie was amazed to find Cai Cai completely unfazed when they arrived, with no mess in her crate.

“After that, I took her into the garden. She showed me her typical Cai Cai smile, rolled around in the grass and just seemed happy. That was the moment I finally thought, ‘She made it, she’s okay.’”

Since settling in Switzerland, Cai Cai has discovered the joys of off-leash walks, wide open spaces and, apparently, one particular habit whenever she visits a lake.

“She absolutely loves peeing in the lake,” said Melanie. “We can be there for five minutes and somehow, she will find a way to do it.”

During the first few weeks in Europe, it was just the two of them as Melanie’s husband and son were still back in Malaysia.

“She will come over, put one paw on my arm or my leg, and then just stare deeply into my eyes. That was her funny way of asking for attention.”

But perhaps the biggest change has been seeing Cai Cai become more trusting.

She now enjoys being petted, sleeps close to Melanie and can even tackle experiences that once seemed impossible, including crossing a suspension bridge while on a hike.

Through “Pawsitive Cai Cai”, Melanie hopes others will see that rescue dogs are not defined by their past.

“I would love to show people that rescue dogs can be wonderful family dogs. She lives with our son, she travels with us, she goes to cafés, explores new places and is part of everything we do,” she said.

Cai Cai’s story is a reminder of just how much one rescue can change a dog’s life.

“Seeing a dog who once struggled just to leave the house now running freely through fields is something I don’t think I’ll ever take for granted.”

Follow ‘Pawsitive Cai Cai’ on Instagram.

This article was written by Theevya Ragu @ FMT Lifestyle. Read more pet stories here.

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