Animal Life

These are the names of the 6 lucky animals who have been chosen to go to Germany and who have started a new life last week. Each of them has his/her own sad story which has just turned into a happy ending one.

Leo is a beautiful but very shy male, who needs lots of attention and training. We tried to socialize him the best we could but time and knowledge just wasn’t enough when we had so many animals to tend to.

In Germany he will get all these and more: a loving family with time for playing and walking in the woods. We are sure that he already is the most beautiful dog in his village.

Tasha’s story is amazing: she had been probably abandoned in the field outside the city where she couldn’t find any food so that when Oti found her she was a walking skeleton. As is this wasn’t enough, she had also fallen ill with distemper, a very bad disease which kills 9 out of 10 dogs and leaves the surviving ones crippled or with permanent neurological damage. Tasha was no exception: she survived the disease with intensive tratment but her back legs remained weak. However, this did not stop Tasha from leading a normal life as a wonderful dog, and, as if she knew that her life is a miracle, she runs and plays and cuddles like any dog would. She has a sweet nature and it is impossible not to fall in love with her. Germany is her chance of getting the best medical assistance there is. Oti, her foster mom thought long about giving her away but in the end she decided that Tasha would have a longer, healthier life in Germany.

During her recovery, Tasha made friends with Susi, a small kitten born with several birth defects. Just like two kids making friends in the hospital they got through surgeries, seizures and treatments. Today they are still together in Germany and we have news that they are dping great! We already have news that they are doing wonderful!

Hinky was found nearly dead by the side of the road after being run over by a car. She was given zero chance of surviving as she had a broken diaphragm which prevented her from breathing, a broken back leg, several injuries and a lighter form of parvo virus.

And then, surprisingly, Hinki made it, after countless days and nights which Sorana, Roland and our vets spend treating her! She larned to walk again, play, chase cats and became one of the many Animal Life dogs who escaped death. Hinky has already found a new family and her new name is Tinka!

Masha and Bella have been with Animal Life for a long time: Masha for one year and Bella for almost three!

Masha was one of the many puppies Bogdan found in the dumpster next to his appartment building. If he hadn’t taken them home, they would probably have not survived the streets: the cars, hunger and cruelty. Masha was adopted in Sibiu but, as in many cases, brought back to us when she grew up. And, just as it happens in fairy tales, Masha’s sweet nature gave her a second chance in life. She now has a happy life!

Bella came to us three years ago when the local dog pound was shut down. She, as many other dogs, were supposed to be euthanized of left to die of starvation because the facility had no solution for the last remaining dogs there. This is how she and many other dogs came to us.

She proved to be a wonderful, playful dog who even helped to save other dogs lives: she “donated” blood to save Tasha and other dogs who were treated for distemper! As a happy coincidence we had the chance to take them together to their new families! Bella’s new name is Peggy and her best friend is a cat. Her new family has already taken her to the vet and they are very pleased with her!

And now, a few words about the person who has made all of this possible: her name is Nicola and for our dogs she is an angel in disguise. She drove 12 hours on a terrible blizzard to pick up our dogs and bring them home! She is the one who always manages to find families for our dogs, even if she has a full time job. She has earned our sincere gratitude and respect. Special people are hard to find so it’s even more important to tell them how great they are whenever we have the chance. Thank you Nicola!

Here are some pictures of one of the nicest places there are: it is Sorana and Roland’s new home. Sorana and Roland are two Animal Life members who have been of tremendous help for us over the time. At the moment they live in Germany, where they started their own organization, because they feel the need to continue their work with animals. Their future plans include a safe haven for retired horses and donkeys, programs for children and many more. We can’t wait to hear news from them!

They have made their home a place for animals who had no chances of surviving otherwise.

Thank you for having us at your home, thank you for the wonderful time! We miss you already and wish you only happy days with your animals!

We thank the new proud owner! We are sure he will fall in love with him just as we did! There still are four puppies looking for a home!

As you all know, some of our dogs have found homes in Germany, and today (May 16th, 2009) we have just received news from their “foster mom”, Nicola:

• Tzuki is the family chief so she will attend a dog school soon.

• Rita, whose family owns a farm is the village star, her mom calls on Nicola on a regular basis to thank her for such a wonderful companion.

• Shorty has been on a trip to the sea in Holland where she entertained everyone as it was her first experience with water.

• Lady had some medical problems but she is fine and gets all the love and attention she deserves.

• And Minnie… these images speak for themselves.

We are looking forward to new happy endings! Every animal deserves one!

Mutzard is his new name. We used to call him “the blond kitten”. He stayed with us for close to six months before being taken to… no, not Finland, but Bucharest, where he is enjoying a whole 100 square meters of apartment, several climbing toys and hiding places and his owners computer!

According to George he is the funniest and most beautiful thing that ever walked through his door, and judging after the 11579 pictures he sent us (just kidding, only about 50) we believe him! Thank you George!

When I took him from the cats enclosure it was because he kept escaping through the fence: this is how skinny he was. Somebody had found him on the road and nearly run him over as he was too weak to run away.

Elena, the lady who takes care of our animals, said at that time that she will do her best and if he is lucky enough he might survive. Now he is the clown of the family and his favorite game is terrorizing my older cat and smashing flower pots.

This is her first letter, sent by Nicola, her foster mom, who has done a great job finding a new family for Rita:

Hello, this is Rita!

Oh my God, that was some trip! The drivers looked exhausted. I got right out of my cage and on the sofa which is… hmmm, quite comfi! I also got a snack and free access to the mini bar! It smells really nice in the kitchen, coming from the stove. The lady with the silver camera, who is chasing me trying to take photos, has brought me some yummy stuff from over there. Yummy, I want more!

Now I am stuffed and tired, I took a leak and I am preparing for the cuddling program. Man, I’m really tired, I’m gonna go to sleep on the couch. Good night, see you tomorrow!

The dreams of the first night in a foreign country should come true…

Love, Rita

In the meanwhile Rita has been renamed to “Laika” by her new owners, and lives happily ever after at the farm, surrounded by many other human and animal friends. They say a picture is worth a thousand words:

And this is Rita back in the days when she used to hang out with Cry Baby, in Romania:

Dia is one of the small dogs who has been staying with us for months, and Kitty is one of the kittens found in a dumpster, before it even had its eyes open. Kitty has been mothered by Puty, who also had her own kittens but proved to be a loving mom for Kitty too. Now they are safe and well.

Dia and Kitty, together with the Nicolau family who also have chicken, pigeons and who take care of any poor soul who needs saving.

Puty is living with Erika Tante, an elderly lady, who will soon put her on a diet J.

Do you remember the “Pilot”, the dog hit by a car in November? Well, it seems that after all, that was the luckiest day in his life because he got adopted by Ema, our foster mom, who fell in love with him after all the hard work involved by his treatment. Now he is walking and jumping again and following Ema everywhere. Thank you Dr. Gheoca and Dr. Liviu and thank you Ema!

Gogoşica, translated “little donut”, has been with Animal Life since 2006. She was found foraging for food and trying to avoid cars nearby a gas station, and, because of her very small size (she fits in a handbag and weights about 6 kg) would have probably been a sure victim of hard traffic and abuse.

Even though she has a really sweet character, we weren’t able to find her a home, maybe because she was already a bit old, or maybe because she just didn’t look like any of the breeds many people would like to own. However, her luck just turned as she will live her life in a warm, loving home, provided by our friends in Finland, Hemlösa hundars vänner.

We want to thank our Finnish friends for doing a difficult, but probably one of the most rewarding jobs in the world: changing the lives of our dogs for the better. Thank you again for bringing hope and help to our dogs!

Animal Life


NEWS & PICS OF GOGOŞICA’S NEW LIFE IN FINLAND


Hello!

Finally I found some time to sit down and write a thing or two about Gogoşica, or Titi, as I renamed her. Titi is now a completely different dog from that I got home in October. Titi was then very scared and apathic, but has now grown to be the most wonderful and happiest dog in the world! Titi is a dream dog! She is quiet when she is home alone with her friend, the chihuahua. She doesn’t bark at other dogs on our walks, she loves to cuttle and get exercise. She can also walk without a leash - she doesn’t go anywhere.

Titi loves the snow the most. She jumps in it and makes tunnels. Sometimes I wonder if she actually is 7 years old - she behaves like a puppy.

Titi and my mother’s dog, 8-year old Maisa, are best friends. They love to play with each other. Titi also plays alone with all her toys and she loves chewing bones. Titi had worms when she arrived in Finland but with two kinds of treatment it passed. Otherwise she has been healthy.

I haven’t observed any traumas, but she is quite afraid of men and she is deadly sacred of people’s feet. I can’t understand how someone could hurt a lovely dog like this.

We are doing great! I’m for ever thankful that you brought me together with Titi. She’s the sweetest girl and a brave guardian. Thank you!

Here are some pictures of her.

Regards,

Ronja, Titi and Sami

Hi. My name is Terry. I don’t know how I received this name. Or, better yet, I don’t know who baptized me. I hear people all the time crying out for me, Terry!, Terry!… I can move my tale, so they will know that I hear them. But I can`t see them. I am blind.

One day, as I was trying to work my way out of the cold streets of Sibiu, someone grabbed me and took me in a warm place. A little noisy but warm. Later on, I found out it’s called a car. From there, I was taken to a place with many other dogs. At first, I was a little bit frightened, but it worked out just fine.

Then came that day, when I was taken on a journey on what they call a plane: some kind of a giant noisy bird. For me it was the most rewarding trip of my life. It took me in a place very, very cold, as I heard on the airport it’s called Finland. But you can feel the cold only when you’re outside. Which is not my case anymore. As blind as I am, now I have a family. I’m no longer cold and hungry and I’m beginning to see my life gray, rather than the old black. Now I’m working on my Finnish skills, but I hope I won’t forget Romanian neither. After all, it’s my birth place and I’m still a proud Romanian dog.


Love you all!
Terry, the Finn


PS: here are some pictures with me, before and after moving to my new home.