In 2013, we befriended an innocent soul called ERMIS, through meeting a Germany lady by the name of Theresa. ERMIS was a barrel dog. What more could I say. A chain no longer than one metre and living conditions were absolutely appalling. The weather in Greece can be bitterly cold and very wet. For ERMIS, his shelter was an outdoor metal barrel, which many times, was surrounded by water. Day in, day out, we passed and gave him food. I was scared of him. I looked into his eyes many times and tried to reach out to him. Why were people so cruel I wondered? He had no friends and definitely no social interaction either. One thing I certainly knew was ERMIS had to be saved, but how?
We met Theresa casually one day in October '13. She was coming out of the bank and we were passing the bank. She had a house in Ermioni which she hadn't visited for over 10 years. In the past, when she had visited, it appeared she cared and re-homed many stray dogs. She was passionate about them. We became acquainted and she wanted to rescue not one dog from Ermioni, but many of them. She kept referring to a good friend of hers in Germany by the name of Melanie, who was looking for a huge house, with land, to re-home all these stray dogs that Theresa was going to take back with her. Sadly, Theresa went back to Germany and all the logistics of the animals was left to us.. However, as time went by, we learnt that Theresa did not have any facilitates to re-home any of the stray dogs that had been prepared for travel. She was too frail, too weak and basically didn't have the finances. This was a huge set back, because these dogs could not be dumped back on the street. They had to go.
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| My angel Melanie |
I became more involved with Melanie, as the departure date to Germany had been set for these dogs. But they had no homes to go to as previously discussed with Theresa. However, as time went by, Melanie was able to find a suitable charity in Germany, who helped and offered to re-home these dogs. Melanie was superb. She was my angel, because without her, this mission would not have happened. She had been a good friend of Theresa's for 30 years or more. She knew her capabilities and sadly these dogs definitely could not go to her. Instead they would go to a private charity in Germany, to which Melanie made a huge donation. From there, they would be re-homed. These were the easy ones to group for travel, as they had played and roamed the streets of Ermioni together.
With ERMIS it was going to be very different. He was still on a chain and I had to get the owners to agree in letting him go. Yes he did have owners, who basically didn't care about him. But this was reality in Greece. Some animals are loved and yet for some, it is a harrowing time for them. I had to save him, but how was I going to get him away? I spoke to the owner, who basically was going to think about my request. Why think about something, when in my mind it was the best thing for ERMIS. The owners weren't giving him the love he deserved, he wasn't getting fed, nothing was in his favour and it was very sad seeing him like this. He was even beaten.
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| ERMIS and his little son JUNIOR |
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| Off to Athens |
Luckily a day passed and the owners agreed, at which point I knew I had to act quickly, otherwise the owners might have demanded some money from me. There was already a plan in place and that was he would go to a private pension in Athens, to develop his social skills and give him the love and care he so deserved. However, what I noticed prior to taking ERMIS was that JUNIOR was chained up very close to ERMIS. This was father and son being together. I walked away and didn't think anything more of this. I just thought that JUNIOR was there to give ERMIS a little company prior to his departure.
The scheduled day, which was a Wednesday arrived. It was the day ERMIS would be going to Athens. How would he react? Would he go obediently into a dog box? He would be scared, that was for sure. We met Alexandros from the pension at the owners. The owner helped with getting ERMIS into the dog box. Harsh words and a kick up the backside, what else was ERMIS supposed to do? Oh I really did feel sorry for him. I couldn't cuddle him either, because he was afraid of me, and I was afraid of him too.
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| ERMIS with his girlfriend |
He arrived at the pension and was given food. So hungry he was, that he immediately gobbled 3 kgs of meat and could have eaten more. From this pension, he was cared for, loved and his social skills were developed. He stayed at the pension, until the day came when he was ready to go to a forever loving home. As time went by, it was confirmed that ERMIS had been harmed, as he had some wounds on his head. He was scared of noises and he hated the sight of shovels. He got on well with other female dogs, but not male dogs. He was fine on a lead, but could not go running alone. We knew with all this information, that he would not be safe with children, unless they were strictly supervised. He also made friends with another female dog, which was nice to read and see.
After a couple of months at the pension with Alexandros and his wife, ERMIS was ready to move. Move where? To a permanent home of course. But who would take him? Who would give him the chance he so deserved? He wasn't the best looking dog either, but he was an innocent soul, who needed help. I tried endlessly to try and find hope for him. But I learnt he wouldn't be welcomed in Germany due to his breed. But no-one could define his breed, not even the professional vets!!! This was another set back. I had a friend in Holland, who I wrote to asking for help. She was nice and has been very helpful to me over the years. She did say it wouldn't be easy, but everything was possible. I then learnt of a charity in Austria, who helped dogs in need. I contacted them and yes they would help me. Because of the language issue, it was left up to my guardian angel Melanie to do all the communicating.
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| THE JOURNEY |
The day came when he would be finally flying to his new home in Austria. Sunday 30 March '14 and there was excitement all round. His journey and that of his escort was paid for by Melanie. Even for a journey like this, the transformation in ERMIS was remarkable. He appeared to be a normal dog, in opposed to being a scared dog. All aboard the aircraft and off they went. Silvana from the pension escorted him, which was nice, because it meant when he got to Austria, there would be familiarity.
He arrived to Austria and received a lot of attention. At the time, this was so nice to hear, because in Greece, his life had been horrible. Someone loving a dog like ERMIS and sincere people wanting to help ERMIS was overwhelming. Now his life is one of freedom, with other dogs, with horses, with smaller animals, space to run around in, and food. No more barrel and chain for this rescued stray from Ermioni, Greece. A new home will be found for him, with a loving family. Not immediately, but after a short period, no doubt.
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
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