Burnt dog

Even though money is pretty tight at the moment, I am always on the look out for potential land, as my long term plan it to create a safe haven for the welfare of my Greek Strays.  The land where most of our strays are is not safe at all.  With the horrible neighbour and the shepherd, anything is possible in our absence.  Each day we go, I am always thinking the worse and that is they might all be poisoned!!!!!

Anyway a few days ago, I went to investigate a piece of land, which seemed to be hidden by trees.  Lovely location, but not suitable.  Before I left, something caught my eye.  It was a thick brown belt which intrigued me.  Inspecting closer, it appeared to be round something.  Sadly, it was round an animal that had its front legs folded under.  This belt was securely tied around, so that the poor animal had no chance of escaping.  Oh the sadness in my heart.  The pain I felt and this was an area that I was looking at land.  With seeing this, there was no way, I would consider this.  Anyway from behind, I thought it might have been a couple of puppies, but when I got to the front, it was a dog.  Sheer utter heartbreaking was this sight, as the dog had been burnt!!!!  Bloody hell, this cruelty to animals has to stop.  What was it with people that made them harm innocent helpless poor souls?  

I thought about giving someone the benefit of the doubt.  Maybe the dog had died and someone tried to dispose of it, but no-one buckles the legs of an animal without having intentions of causing pain. 

Eight years of still living here in Greece, I can never get immune to the heartbreak of animals.  I just love them too much.

https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays?ref=hl
https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays/app_362564237108797
http://www.ermioni.info/content/animal-welfare
http://www.ermioni.info/things-to-know/greekstrays-donations

HISSER

Poor HISSER has a tumour and it doesn't look good.  The vet started some chemo which has worked on dogs, but never been tried on cats, so HISSER was the first.  After the first session, we thought 'great, a slight improvement', so proceeded with the second session.  This was pretty traumatic, as a vein couldn't be found, so 3 attempts were made and finally a vein found.  Second course was administered, but after a few days, no improvements at all.  So we made the decision to stop this treatment and he is just on a steroid tablet instead.    HISSER is eating and doesn't appear to be in too much pain, but when we see and feel enough is enough, he will be put to sleep.  The vet will await our instructions as to when that day comes.

He is one of our oldest strays and GreekSTRAYS only have a life span of approximately18 months, so he has done well considering he is about 6 years of age.  We gave him this name because in the early days, he was so vicious, hissed and spat.  There was no way we could get close to him.  Over the years, he has had a good life being in our care, but as a stray, people have been cruel to him.

Not the best looking cat, but has turned out to be a loyal cat and doesn't wander off.  Sadly though, being in the field, when it rains, he doesn't go for shelter.  He just sits and gets wet.  Poor boy.  But we love him dearly and will give him as much chance as possible, until the day comes when we know enoughs enough!!!

https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays?ref=hl
https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays/app_362564237108797
http://www.ermioni.info/content/animal-welfare
http://www.ermioni.info/things-to-know/greekstrays-donations

CORNFLAKE sad news

Good by CORNFLAKE

The 3 of them together

A week or so ago we had to say a fond farewell to one of our cereal girlies, called CORNFLAKE.  All three furry loveable sisters, who were rescued from bins and who we love so dearly.  She ran ahead of us as we arrived to feed.  Then collapsed and died in our arms. Shock, horror, sadness.  Why this happened we don't know and will never know whether she had a serious medical condition or what. One becomes so attached to animals, even though they are feral.  They become so much part of your life, that when they go, it seems like 

your world has fallen apart.  

"No farewell words were spoken, no time to say good bye. You were gone before we knew, and only God knows why".  RIP little Cornflake.  You will be missed.  xxxxx

https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays?ref=hl

https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays/app_362564237108797

http://www.ermioni.info/things-to-know/greekstrays-donations?cat=Animal%20Welfare

http://www.ermioni.info/content/animal-welfare

PRETZEL finally re-homed

This fine handsome young man, was finally re-homed last month.  He joined Marie and her family in Sweden, who love PRETZEL so much.  He was rescued from the backstreets of Ermioni as a kitten.  Because it was difficult in finding a flight escort for Sweden, his departure was delayed.  Now I can confidently say that PRETZEL is enjoying his new home and new life.  From the day PRETZEL was posted onto the social sites, Marie fell in love with him immediately.  He is such a loving boy, but like most GreekSTRAYS, he has been used to the open fields.  None of the GreekSTRAYS have the luxury of warmth, or the indoors.  They are just used to the open fields.  When it rains, they get wet, when the sun is shining, they play and roll around in the long grasses.  Sadly they are not safe, as the local neighbours adjacent are very cruel.  This is why I am so happy, that finally PRETZEL is one that is safe from cruelty, enjoying love, the warmth and more.  Pet transportation can be traumatic, for pet and for owner, but everything can be achieved, if the right escorts are found and right homes are found.  Thank you Marie for loving him and giving him the forever loving home, he so deserves.

https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays?ref=hl

https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays/app_362564237108797

http://www.ermioni.info/content/animal-welfare

http://www.ermioni.info/things-to-know/greekstrays-donations?cat=Animal%20Welfare

LUCY finally re-homed

Time for stretching her legs

Towards the end of January this year, LUCY, our gentle GreekSTRAY started her journey by road to her forever, loving home.........Germany. It was a very sad day, because LUCY was such a beautiful stray dog, that just appeared from nowhere.  She lived in the field together with all the stray pussycats and was their protector.  But because of the hostility and cruelty from the adjacent Greek neighbours, it was important to find a home for her.  Posting her on the social sites, was pretty easy, but waiting for interests took a little longer than anticipated.   There are so many, all looking for homes for strays.  Finally a loving home was found.  A very kind person by the name of Eddy Althoff, was interested, and because he has always homed older strays, he loved LUCY and hoped she would get on with his other adopted stray girl.  

Good bye LUCY

We didn't know how she would react in the car for the long journey, but she was as good as gold.  We waited a short while at Corinth and then the transport came.  Eddy wanted her to fly, but because of her weight and the confusion with the airlines, it was agreed that she would go by road.  When we saw all the other little rescued doggies, it was quite sad, but happy, because homes had been found for them.  LUCY had never been in a cage before and she was very reluctant to enter the cage.  But after a little persuasion, in she went.  Off they went and we just stood there crying.  

Home for the next couple of days

A couple of days later we knew she was to arrive at agreed destination.  Anxiously, we and Eddy waited for news of her arrival.  Once we heard that she had been reunited with her new owners, it was sheer relief.  We have spoken to Eddy on a few occasions and the news has always been good.  She has settled which is amazing.  LUCY's life is now beginning, with a loving family, who will spoil her rotten.  She so deserves this and I am so happy.

My sincere thanks go to Eddy for his kindness for taking LUCY, also for funding the whole of this operation.  Looking after so many strays, is financially draining for us, but the work has to continue.  I hope to report of many more happy stories in the future.


http://www.ermioni.info/content/animal-welfare
http://www.ermioni.info/things-to-know/greekstrays-donations?cat=Animal%20Welfare
https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays
https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays/app_362564237108797

MAXIMUS - Big white dog

6 December '12

26 January '13

For those that read my post of the big white dog that we rescued 6 December '12, who was found half dead, starved on the roadside, will be surprised at the progress that has been made by this fighter.  As you know, another day and he would have died.  With our swift action and our support of rescuing him, MAXIMUS was given a chance.  Did we ever think that 6 weeks later we would see a difference?  Did we ever think that there would be hope for him?  It brings tears to my eyes, knowing what we did helped him!!!  I do believe that there is hope for every animal, but it needs the help and support of people.

When we visited him in January, I was crying with happiness, as MAXIMUS had made so much progress, thanks to the carers.  Going round wagging his little tail and playing with the other pussy cats was so delightful to watch.  Did I ever think I would see him behave this way?  Did I ever think he would make the progress he has made?  Secretly, deep down, I knew he would survive and the reasons were that he was given a chance by loving people.  

My thanks go sincerely to Isabella Hillmayr and her team, of Save a Greek Stray in Athens who have looked after him, nursed him and cared for him over these last few weeks, and Huize Zwerfhond who have the responsibility and the financial burden of close to 6,000 Euros for his next phase.  Without them, MAXIMUS wouldn't be what he is today!!!!!

No MAXIMUS is not out of danger yet.  He still has to have operations, followed by physiotherapy, but the kindness shown to this fighter has been amazing.  At some point in February, he will be going to Holland, where another charity is taking over, to make him better.  When all of this is over, he definitely will make someone a wonderful dog.

https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays/app_362564237108797
http://www.ermioni.info/content/animal-welfare
https://www.facebook.com/Greekstrays
http://www.ermioni.info/things-to-know/greekstrays-donations?cat=Animal%20Welfare