“Tragic Loss: Singaporean Climber’s Dog Dies on the Same Day He Goes Missing on Mt. Everest”

SINGAPORE: A local animal rescue group has reported the heartbreaking news that a dog named Latte, fostered by Shrinivas Sainis Dattatraya, vomited blood on the same day the Singaporean mountain climber went missing after summiting Mount Everest. Unfortunately, Latte has since passed away.

It has been three weeks since the 39-year-old climber disappeared. On May 19, Shrinivas contacted his wife, Sushma Soma, via satellite phone to inform her that he had reached the summit. However, he expressed concern about his descent, indicating that he might be suffering from high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), a potentially life-threatening condition caused by exposure to high altitudes. During his descent, he became separated from his teammates, while the accompanying sherpas managed to return safely.

On the same day, the ‘Chained Dog Awareness in Singapore’ (CDAS) Facebook page revealed that Shrinivas and Sushma had been fostering Latte for two years. Despite undergoing a blood test that showed no serious issues, Latte’s health took a sudden turn for the worse on May 19. After vomiting blood and experiencing a seizure, the dog was diagnosed with third-stage renal failure, and vets discovered a suspected adrenal tumor.

Numerous animal lover groups attempted to raise funds online for Latte’s surgery, estimated at S$10,000, with the operation scheduled for June 9. Tragically, her health declined sharply days before the surgery, leading caregivers to make the difficult decision to euthanize her on June 6 to end her suffering.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Sushma reflected on Latte’s difficult past, stating that the dog had been locked in a small bathroom by her former owner before being rescued. Sushma shared how her husband’s unwavering love transformed Latte’s life: “Latte was around much longer than that, but she truly only LIVED after Shri came into her life.”

She added, “It was painful to let her go, but also profoundly beautiful to experience how her life was so closely intertwined with Shri’s. As I look at my empty home now, I feel full knowing how much love our hearts afforded each other.”