GreekSTRAYS

26 April 2014

ERMIS the barrel dog finally arrived in Austria

ERMIS the barrel dog

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.

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.

ERMIS and his little son JUNIOR

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.

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.

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

19 December 2013

BLACK JACK SHOT DEAD!!!!!

BLACKJACK the black and white dog

Life for any animal in Greece is very stressful, traumatic, painful and very sad indeed. A lonely existance with much hatred towards them. Yet there are so many compassionate people that do try and make a difference to the plight of these helpless souls. You see them sat on the road side, you see them wandering the streets, you start to think about when they will get food or water, or who might give them their next meal. Some are pathetically thin and probably do in many cases die. Some can be saved, but for others, it comes at a time which is much too late.

He had friends

The dogs in towns and villages generally stick together and the same applies to my small town of Ermioni. Besides pussy cats, I have befriended many, had some sterilized, tried to care for as many as possible, but sometimes things happen which are totally beyond your control. One such incident happened in the early hours of Thursday 19 December '13. BLACK JACK was shot dead!!!!! Two shots were made to this innocent soul, which hit his vital organs. He had no chance whatsoever. Sadly this is Greece. It is not an excuse, but even if the culprit is found, nothing will be done and no prosecutions will take place. Poor soul. He was sadly shot by a shot gun and the cartridges were removed from the dead animal to avoid any evidence being left.

SHOT DEAD WITH A SHOT GUN

I remember a couple of months ago, as I was waiting at the harbour front with some dogs, waiting to take them to the vets, because they were about 4 lucky ones, that had new homes waiting for them in Germany, a motorbike rode along the road and BLACK JACK together with his friends charged after this bike. This is natural to see.

Many dogs chase after cars and motor bikes, probably they think that their owners are inside. For some unknown reason, the biker stopped and got off his bike and was enraged. His daughter was totally disgusted with her fathers' actions, that she walked to school. Anyway, I was still waiting for the pickup to come and collect the doggies for the vet. What I saw next was horrifying. The biker had come back with a large metal rope type lasso and was charging towards BLACK JACK. I shouted at this arse hole and said NO!!!! BLACK JACK was behind me and the man was in front of me. Naturally he went away, but I sensed at some point he would return. Was he the culprit? No-one will ever know.

RIP BLACK JACK . . . YOU DID NOT DESERVE TO BE SHOT!!!!

I LOVED YOU SO MUCH AND YOU WILL BE MISSED xxxxxx

06 November 2013

Goodbye BARNEY - TRIXIE - BOUBO - ARGOS - ELENI . . .

Towards the end of October, 5 doggies were rescued from Ermioni, Greece. Plans were in place for transporting them to Germany at some point in November. Some might express an opinion and say that this is not the answer, but as far as I am concerned, it is the only answer, otherwise there is chance of them being harmed, poisoned or starved. They now have chance of a loving home, a loving family, food, warmth and much more. In an ideal world, maybe it would be far better to leave them where they were, but only with a planned feeding programme in place. Sadly this would never happen, because of lack of commitment from individuals. Equally Greek winters can be bitterly cold and wet for the strays.

Early November, the day arrived and it was all systems go. They might have lived together on leads in a garden, but putting them in a car and travelling with them, one really didn’t know what might happen. It poured it down with rain, which dampened the spirits. One by one, into the back of the jeep they went. Lots of biting and barking was going on amongst themselves. The space really wasn’t suitable. But we were assured that the transport was going to be big enough. Sadly it wasn’t. There was no turning back either.

The first part of driving was from Porto Heli to Patras, followed by boat from Patras to Ancona. A journey of cold weather, with very strong winds. Such a long boring journey, with facilities on board, but how did the doggies feel? They were in the upstairs part of the boat, protected from the cruel cold weather. Probably pretty comfortable too. Once the boat docked at Ancona, it was the start of the long journey to Munich. Overall, it was pretty emotional seeing them hugged and loved by their new owners. This made the long journey, so worthwhile in every way.

01 November 2013

Cat neutering . . .

I have been fortunate, as due to my work with GreekSTRAYS within my region and my active networking, I learnt of a European vet who wanted a new challenge in Greece, which would turn into a long term project. Naturally I wanted it to be my region. Who wouldn't? We communicated for a few weeks and luckily for me, we started our working relationship at the beginning of November, which for me was superb, as there are so many animals that need neutering/sterilizing and castrating, besides medical attention.

However, my problems are that I don't have anywhere suitable for these operations to take place. Some friends offer their homes, then I am turned away. With this, I am reluctant to ask further. It is up to me to find somewhere suitable. Equally I don't have suitable recovery places for doggies for post-op care. But I am not one to give up, so with careful planning, we decided and agreed that our first session would focus on the needs of the cat. Cat neutering to be precise and this would take place in an open field. No electricity and no running water. Thankfully, on this particular weekend, the weather was just glorious. It is surprising what one can do with a gas burner and a pressure cooker. The day didn't start without any hiccups either. A person who said would help, wasn't contactable, so that delayed things. But never mind, we managed. In total, 42 cats were neutered, which is a huge help to control the over population of the furry friends.

21 October 2013

Neutering more pussy cats in the open field . . .

Over the years of living in Greece, we have organised annual cat neutering as a result of our passion, for the welfare of strays. In some cases we have had charity vets visit 3 times per year, which has been a huge help. With this, it has allowed us to accomplish neutering over 400 feral cats. We originally used the local vet during the early days, but because all our activities are self-funded, it become hugely expensive. Sadly though, many locals might not agree to neutering any animal, however, when one walks past waste-bins and hears the tiny me-ows of kittens, or when one sees starving kittens being abused, kicked, sprayed, stoned, poisoned or thrown into the sea, then neutering is the only solution to stop unwanted kittens and hopefully stop this type of behaviour. Equally when you hear tiny yelps and find new born puppies, which are past saving, it is very upsetting indeed. For animal lovers, sights like these are heartbreaking, and keep many visitors away from Greece.

Neutering cats is one of the most important steps in reducing overpopulation. A single unneutered female cat and her kittens can produce hundreds of kittens in just a few years. Neutering a cat, male or female, will mean that the cat will be healthier, have less chance of getting uterine infections (pyometra), or breast cancer, and virtually no risk of any sexually transmitted diseases. They become cleaner, territorial, calmer, less aggressive and less likely to go wandering for a partner 'on heat'. If you see any cat with the top part of its left ear clipped, then you know it has been neutered. Food, water, love and care will always be welcomed by these little furry friends.

Sadly over the last 12 months, I have not received any opportunities for visiting charity vets, and really don't know the reasons why. Hence the reason that over these last 12 months, I have been collecting kittens, kittens and more kittens!! Rescued from bins, barely alive and only just few hours old, it can't continue. I have written to many to see if I can get help from someone or somewhere. Nothing positive came back, until the day I helped a German couple, who were on holiday here and rescued a half dead puppy. I helped them, together with a German charity.

From this day, this very kind lady is supporting me with some of my activities, which means I have been able to take between 5 - 10 cats regularly to my local vet for neutering. Not many, but it does help the cause. However, things have progressed even further. I am now in discussions with an organisation in Holland, who wish to be involved in a long term project somewhere in Greece. Sounds terribly exciting, so who knows what might develop from this.

20 October 2013

Surprises for the innocent souls . . .

One realizes that there are so many kind people in the world who dearly want to help the plight of strays. It is with this, that I am so lucky to have met many of these new friends, and all as a result of our love and devotion towards the helpless innocent souls. Many have pledged their solemn promises to continue helping us with our GreekSTRAYS here in Ermioni, Greece. It truly is hard and very much a huge financial burden, especially when there is hardly any money coming in, naturally as a result of people loosing confidence in Greece. So when parcels, or large consignments arrive, it is hugely an exciting time for us and for the strays. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, the furry friends think Christmas has come early for them. Equally for the short period it gives us a financial breathing space.

ASSEMBLING THE CLIMBING FRAME

With this, I would like to say a huge thank you to all the people who to date have contributed. Either in monetary terms or in terms of sending food, medicines, climbing frame and other items, to which I am so grateful. Anything that comes my way is all for the welfare of the animals. Living in a very nice part of Greece, I do not have the choice of perhaps the capital Athens, so am very limited as to what I can buy. Equally in terms of buying kitten food, there is little choice. At one time, I did have an Amazon wish list, but because they stopped free shipping, sadly the animals surprises started to decline, which was a shame.

We feed many strays and food is always in the car, because if any innocent soul crosses our path, 'it' will get food and water. It might not be much, but at least it will help. With this, I wrote to many pet food companies asking for help. I asked whether they would consider sending me pet food as a donation, or would they consider selling me pet food at cost price. Sadly to date, not one company had the decency to reply back!!!! Maybe because they are so inundated with many requests, I will never know, but my policy is that is doesn't harm being polite. I also think, because I am not a registered charity, people have doubts about my activities. I have seen some comments written, but people do have their own opinions. I do not need to justify my actions at all. Here in Greece, I thought I had found a great person, who worked in a very high position in Pet food logistics. I wrote to him and he gave me names of who I was to address my correspondences to. Again, not one of these professional individuals had the decency to reply. So I am sure with my determination, I will find a door that will open for me.

Over the last few days, I got a huge consignment from a UK charity. With the help of some dear friends, we managed to get it brought down from Athens to Ermioni. The sun was shining, the cats were in their elements, sniffing at all the food, knowing that it was sheer good stuff from the UK. The choice for them is amazing. Equally food for the doggies too. They got an added treat too, because some of the pouches were damaged.

Not only food, but cribs for the winter months and lots of warm blankets. I cannot begin to thank all these kind people. Opening the boxes, one realizes, that other animal lovers also contribute many items to this charity, making everything more possible.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH xxxxx

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

17 October 2013

Sad story of my family . . . ROSIE, BILLY, their 7 babies and HAPPY . . .

ROSIE and her babies

The horrors of living in Greece hits home, when you are faced with situations that you have no control over. Animal welfare is a nightmare, tearful, heartbreaking, frustrating and much more. The tears that are shed are just unbelievable. ROSIE was a female doggy that we had befriended for many months. She was a gentle soul and never caused any problems to anyone. As long as she got food and water, she enjoyed affection and a kiss on the nose. Sadly though, she always appeared pregnant and had her babies, but we never found any of them. I vowed that I would get her sterilized, but the cost was pretty expensive, but there were ways to try and get round this. After her last litter, we still didn't find her puppies. However, one day though, driving up the country lane we saw ROSIE walking down. I just thought that maybe she was just taking a walk. Then on the other hand, I thought she might be moving on to another location, or perhaps to go and be with her puppies, wherever they might be. We continued on our journey as we had an appointment to attend. But on our return down this same country lane, ROSIE was walking up slowly with something in her mouth. It was an animals foot of some sort. The car was turned round and we kept our distance. ROSIE kept stopping and looking round. So we stopped too. Then I jumped out of the car and started to walk a a great distance behind her. Into the fields she took me. Up and over the barbed wire fencing. Bloody me with being scratched to high heaven, but it was worth it, because I think she was taking this leg to her babies. Further through the thicket I ventured, until I came to another open field, which looked pretty secluded. Then I heard the yapping of the babies and saw ROSIE. She came to me and so did her babies. It was such a delight to watch the activity and be part of this. This was her area to protect them and keep them safe. Away from cruelty and hatred.

The puppies were fed daily and on some days you could hear them yapping away. But they were playful little soldiers. On other days, they were nowhere to be seen and that included ROSIE, which was alarming. Anyway things settled down a little. We continued to feed, whilst at the same time being vigilant in case we were spotted. But these were open fields. No houses within the area, so hopefully no-one should bother us, or so we thought. My main concern was to ensure they didn't have Parvos and I wanted to take each of them to the vet to get them checked out. Sadly though, even though they were fed, it was difficult for them to trust us, or come near us. The food was left and slowly one by one they came out to eat, but as soon as a hand was put out to try and stroke, they fled.

No matter what, they deserved a chance and so did ROSIE. My priority was to try and find homes for them and get ROSIE sterilized, which I managed to do with a few donations received. I added more and it was made possible to get her done. Ah the sheer delight of knowing that she would not have any more babies was great. After the operation, she went for post op care for about a couple of weeks and then came back to the open field, which was a huge mistake.

ROSIE waiting at the vets

I will never forget the day we took her to the vet. Immediately after, I got a call from him, enraged that ROSIE was full of fleas and ticks and had contaminated his practice. She was a field dog, what was I supposed to do? Wasn't it up to him, to spray her? I wouldn't have minded, but his practice wasn't exactly squeaky clean either. I was taken aback and asked whether he wanted me to go and clean up, but he said no. I apologised and said that this was the first time, he should have advise me that before she was brought in, we had to spray her. His last words to me were "Never again with you". So did this mean he would not help us again? Only time would tell. Sometimes they are so pathetic and need to be in the real world. All the strays that we care for are full of fleas and ticks. They live in the open fields. We do our best with the resources we have and care for them as best as we can. It is not enough, I know, but at least it is better than ignoring their plight.

MY FAMILY

What we didn't realise was that we had a family. BILLY was the dad, ROSIE the mum and their babies. Another puppy was part of this group and he was called HAPPY. Anyway, shortly after ROSIE returned, things changed drastically. My family went missing for a good few days. Something didn't feel right at all in this particular area. It was like an air of cleanliness. Totally empty. My insides just churned away and I felt very sick. Why would they just disappear? Had they been harmed or what? On one of our very early morning feeds, they were spotted miles away from the usual feeding area. Mid morning this particular day, we went searching for them and there was no sign of them at all. So they must wander. As the days passed, they did turn up again, but it was hit and miss. Sometimes they were in the usual spot, other times there was total emptiness. What is noticeable is that when a dog is sterilized a red collar is put on with an ID number and contact number. This collar had been removed.

HAPPY

Nothing prepared us for what was to happen further and the pain still lives inside me today. We went to feed as usual, under the big tree, but noticed HAPPY didn't come bouncing up like usual. He was probably about 4/5 month old and such a delight. Full of energy, full of life and deserved a home. I went down to him and noticed he didn't stand up. I put food down and saw that he ate, so I wasn't too alarmed, but then I noticed some wounds on him and when I tried to touch him, he yelped in pain. This didn't look too good for this soldier, so it was a case of getting him into the car as best as possible and off to the vets. Various options were discussed of what might be with happy or what might not be, but it depending on the X-Ray results. Within a few minutes, we were given these and it was disbelief. His poor little spine had been shattered in 4 places. There was no hope for this soldier and no chance whatsoever. I sobbed and sobbed my little heart out. It couldn't be true, but it was. He had been harmed, viciously!!!! As a result he was put to sleep. I kissed the brave soldier and prayed that the angels would care for him now. He didn't deserve any of this cruelty. Why I will never understand.

A few days later after finishing feeding, we were walking back to the car when a Greek lady stopped and starting chuntering about problems with dogs. She couldn't speak English and we couldn't speak Greek, but we understood. I just shouted at her and said she and the Greeks were the problem of animal welfare. We were nowhere near the houses, so what was her problem. Looking back, I think I was enraged with her. Maybe a little overboard, but I couldn't help it. But each day after this, it wasn't the same. HAPPY had gone, what next was waiting for us, I wondered?We had a friend. The local farmer, whose field we thought we were trespassing told us to feed the puppies and doggies closer to his farm, because of FOLAS. Folas is a food that is given to innocent creatures, which effectively is poison. He also said that the Greek people were very cruel towards animals. What a nice farmer he was, but it was much to late for us.

Days had passed and there was no sign of my family. Had this woman done something that we weren't aware off or what? Searching and searching was painful. I posted SOS's on social networking sites, but didn't get any response at all. Did I expect the Greeks to react?

One day, we were driving back from feeding the strays and I noticed in the distance some black things in the field. Was it my imagination or was I hoping to find something? We stopped the car and I jumped out and went into the field searching. I just broke down, because I couldn't believe what I found. Dead puppies. They had been poisoned. Only 2 bodies were ever found, so I am not sure what happened to the rest of my family. This was a bloody living nightmare. They didn't deserve to be poisoned, neither did HAPPY deserve to be beaten horrifically, to shatter his spine in many places. Many times, I in particular feel like running away from the horrors of all of this. But you can't. One has to continue, because there are many more innocent brave soldiers that need our help.

Weeks have now passed and there is still no sign of BILLY or ROSIE. Even though the bins were searched at the time, further bodies have never been found. I only hope and pray that they are still alive and some kind soul has taken them in. With ROISE this is possible, but with BILLY this will not be possible.

Good bye dear friends wherever you might be. Never a day goes by, without me thinking that I might see them again.