Happy ending

The trip to Germany was a long one, but Rosy was patient. She showed so much trust, because she knew I would only put her through all this if it was for a good reason. Plus I'm sure she remembered I had promised her a happy ending :) Curled up on the back seat of the car for 25 hours, she waited.

Calm and patient

I treasured every moment of that trip, knowing that it was our first and last one together.

Somewhere in the forests of the Czech Republic

Rosy's new home is some 90 km outside Hamburg in a magical place in the middle of green meadows. As we were driving across the area, I was astonished by its beauty. Having lived in much drier parts of Europe for the last 17 years, I had forgotten how many shades of green there are ... I was looking around and thinking: what a wonderful place for Rosy to spend the rest of her life.

Odette was not expecting us so fast, so when we arrived, we just climbed the stairs leading to her yard and home quietly. 

Leading Rosy home

The first thing I noticed was a bowl of water and a basket with soft blankets prepared for Rosy. Rosy noticed them, too, and she went straight to her bowl.

Already feeling (like) home

The noise in the yard alarmed Odette and she came out to see us all for the first time. But it was their moment, not ours. Observing her first encounter with Rosy was a very precious moment for me. The connection between the two was instant. I knew right away that I was witnessing something wonderful.

The first encounter

A few words about Odette. We met online and we chatted a lot before meeting face to face. I already knew that she was probably the most unconventional person I had ever met. I also sensed that she was the best adoptive parent choice for Rosy. An artist and a spiritual healer with unique sensitivities when it comes to animal rights ... Do I have to say more? Odette has a banner saying "Freedom for humans and animals" in her garden. Quoting a friend: "a match made in heaven".

"Freedom for humans and animals"

We spent a few beautiful days in Germany with Odette and Rosy.

At a restaurant

Quality time 

One of the highlights of our stay was a local arts festival in which Odette participated with her art.

Rosy's first art exhibition

A really touching moment was when during a concert intermission, Odette got on stage and started talking to the audience. I couldn't understand much (or rather I couldn't understand a thing), but I could hear my name and Rosy's name in between the German words. Odette briefly told the people gathered there our story and then invited me on stage to say a couple of words. It was a great opportunity to tell them about the fate of many stray dogs in Greece and to thank Odette for opening her heart and home. Rosy was just one of so many Greek strays and what we did was merely a drop in the ocean, but it did make a world of difference in her life, and that's what counts.

Arts festival - speaking to the audience

I watched Rosy in her new environment. I was happy to see how comfortable she felt. Of course, there still is lots of work to be done; Rosy didn't leave her trauma behind when she travelled to Germany. But time, patience and perseverance that Odette is already offering Rosy will heal all the old wounds and will make it all so worthwhile! 

A new beginning

Feeling comfy :)

I thought saying goodbye would be so damn hard. But it wasn't, really. In fact, it felt good. It felt good because I knew I could never offer Rosy what Odette offered her. She offered her home and peace of mind that Rosy needed more than I had imagined. I had offered Rosy my love, but I couldn't make her mine.

See you soon <3

I would like to thank my partner, Dimitris, for helping me help Rosy all those months and for never ever questioning my sanity (I hope ;) ), not even when I told him that we were going to drive 2060 km to give Rosy that happy ending, and another 2060 km to get back home without her. Thank you. It wouldn't have been possible without you <3

Dimitris and Rosy

P.S.
Rosy's name in Greek sounds more like Rosie rather than Rosy, but I opted for the latter spelling consciously. I believed that this story would be a rosy one with a happy ending. A truly rosy tale.

Changes, changes, changes :)

Months ago, I gave Rosy a promise; a promise that she would never be stray again. My heart broke over and over again every time people, even those involved in helping stray animals, told me I might have to give up on her. The chances for finding a home for her were just too slim ... Find a place, a neighborhood, a village, I was told, and start taking her to that place, so that she gets used to being there. And when she is ready, and you are ready ... Of course, I knew I would never be ready for this!

A few months ago, in yet another desperate attempt to find a solution, I started scrolling down my Facebook friends list: 1171 people, friends and "friends", and not a single one able to help? Anyone? Anywhere? I stopped when I reached Ilona's name. Ilona used to live in Greece, so she knows very well how serious the problem of stray animals is in this country. Some years ago she moved to Germany where she started her own cat hotel. I also knew she had her own dogs and I thought she probably knew other dog lovers. And she did! Through Ilona, I met Odette. Rosy's story and her melancholic eyes moved Odette and, after careful consideration, she decided to adopt her :)

After some research it was decided that I would drive Rosy to her new home, so I needed to make sure she knows how to behave in a car. I started taking her for short car rides and for walks.

I thought it was just the matter of days and we would be on the road, but no! More complications occurred - Odette broke her wrist! So now we have to wait until her wrist heals and she can welcome Rosy in her life.   

Rosy has been a stray for many months, so it is only natural that she lacks basic savoir vivre :) The most important issue is that she jumps on you (and she is not really that tiny) when she is happy to see you. I didn't want to put Odette's freshly healed wrist in danger, so Rosy is traveling to Vasilis, a dog trainer for a few weeks.

Bathed and brushed, she is ready for a new start and willing to learn!

With Mocha, chilling before the trip. On the road.

Isn't she beautiful?

Odette will call her Liberté. Let' make it Rosy-Liberté for now ;)

Thank you

Today, on World Stray Animals Day, I would like to thank all those people who have helped me keep Rosy off the streets over the past few months. 

Maria Marilita 
Michał Gede 
Julie Raikou 
Barbara Hoskins Sakamoto 
Eva Kalaitzidou 
Natasha Jarnot
Kiki Ballanos
Maria Triandafillidou 
Fani Tsouliou 
Konrad Dutkowski 

Your help has allowed me to stop thinking about the financial strain and focus on looking for solutions. 

Rosy in spring

Spring is here :)

First Donation

The first donation for Rosy is a fact :) Thank you, Maria <3

The bond

Remember the bond I was afraid to create? Kind of failed :)

Regular visits

Visiting Rosy has become a weekly routine for me and the kids. We are happy to see that she has put on weight, and that she is full of energy and in good health.

Every time we go, we stay for a while, we watch her play with the other dogs and we play with her.

We promise to be there in seven days again and we go away. 

Till next time, Rosy

Next time we go, we need to pay for another month, we need to get her a new collar, and a bag of dog food. Wanna help?

At the dog hotel

When I first realized that the hopes of an adoption and a happy ending had just faded, I panicked and I felt totally helpless. And I was.

Fortunately, I was not all alone in this. With the help of people who cared, I found a place where Rosy could stay until I came up with a more permanent solution. I didn't hesitate a moment, although I knew that it meant commitment, both emotional and financial, for an indefinite period of time.

We left Rosy at the hotel on 4 December 2017. The panicked look in her eyes was the reflection of the confusion in her life.  

Still skinny

At the hotel, she was given the name "Rosy". Remember the bond I was afraid to create... 

There, Rosy is safe. She has her own space and her own bowl of food and water. She has dog-friends to play with and somebody to cater for her basic needs. It's a good place, but it's not a home. It's a hotel. Not sure if I can give enough love to last for the whole week to come when I visit with the kids every Friday. 

Rosy tales: timeline

End of July 2017
Rosy gets abandoned in a quiet neighborhood in the suburbs of Thessaloniki, Greece. She climbs into one of the yards and prepares herself a cozy nest where, a couple of days later, malnourished and exhausted, she gives birth to seven (seven!) beautiful puppies.

Exhausted mum

Three of Rosy's babies

Beginning of August 2017
Almost everybody in the neighborhood surrenders to puppy cuteness. As a result, both the mummy and her babies receive attention, food and water. Relieved, the dog mum starts feeling like home.

Mid-August 2017
The neighbors start getting annoyed by the presence of the dog family. Intensive efforts to start homes for the puppies begin.

End of August 2017
The puppies find homes/yards and the mum is left on her own. The food left out for her is less and less, the isn't always fresh water in her bowl. I visit as often as I can. I leave food, check if she has fresh water. I even give her a bath.

Clean and looking good :)

September 2017
Rosy gets collected by ΣΥΠΠΑΖΑΘ, a Stray Animal Protection Welfare Organisation of Eastern Thessaloniki. She gets neutered and, to the great disappointment of many in the neighborhood, she returns "home". She happily wags her tail at people who no longer want her there.


Mid-October 2017
Rosy eats something that puts her life at risk. I find her in a bad condition when I go to visit. She doesn't even lift her head to look at me, when on other days she would run to greet me as soon as she saw my car in the distance.

Sick

I take her to the vet. After a few days on a drip and no signs of improvement, she gets collected by ΣΥΠΠΑΖΑΘ again. This time she will have to stay longer. She doesn't eat, doesn't drink much, and demonstrates suspicious symptoms of poisoning. Whenever I call to ask about her progress, they refer to her as "the dog in good health that doesn't eat or drink". That's because her results are good and biologically there is nothing wrong. She struggles her way back into life for over a month. She survives. A bag of bones, but she survives. Diagnosis: food poisoning. Conclusion: her old place is no longer safe for her. I don't have much time. I know that very soon they will call to inform me that she will be discharged from the clinic where ΣΥΠΠΑΖΑΘ placed her and that they will ask me: "Where should we drop her off?".


End of November 2017
The day has come. I am informed that Rosy has started eating and drinking, and that she can survive outside the clinic now. Although skinny and weak, she can be now reintegrated into the streets; anywhere within the borders of the municipality, I am informed. If I don’t tell them where to drop her off, I might never see her again. If I don’t want that, I have to either assign a spot where she is to be reintegrated, somewhere convenient for me, so that I know where she lives as a stray and I can go and see her from time to time, or tell them the address of her future home. These are my options.


29 November 2017
A miracle. A colleague gets me in touch with a man who wants to adopt Rosy. I'm the happiest person on earth. We arrange for the adoption to take place two days later, on 1 December 2017, in the evening.


30 November 2017
I call ΣΥΠΠΑΖΑΘ and tell them the great news. They commit to take Rosy to the doctor again for the last check, and we agree that they will bring her to my place on the morning of 1 December, the adoption day.


1 December 2017
Rosy arrives. Skinny, weak, and totally confused, with an expressionless gaze.

Bag of bones

Deep down, though, I know she must be happy to see me. We take a selfie :)

Adoption day

Seeing how depressed she is, I don't want to leave her on her own for hours until I take her to her new home. So, I invite her to my place. Mocha greets her happily.

Welcome, stranger

Cookie is blissfully unaware of the presence of a stranger on our balcony.

Let sleeping dogs (and a cat) lie

Curled up

In the evening I drop her with her new family. I'm convinced that things can only get better now.

2 December 2017
Noon. I receive a phone call: "Do you accept returns?" My blood freezes. We arrange that he will bring her back the next day.

3 December 2017
She is with me again. This time, really happy to see me. I hug her and she puts her head on my shoulder; it weighs a hundred kilos. I swear I can hear a sigh of relief. I look at her and I think: "What am I going to do with you ...?"



To be continued

Rosy is one of many

Stray dogs were a very common sight in every corner of Greece even before the crisis. Some sources report that there were 1,5 million strays in 2011. The number has apparently doubled since then and it keeps growing exponentially day by day, as only a few of the strays get neutered. But I wouldn't blame it all on the crisis. It's more about the typical Greek mentality when it comes to animals. And don't misunderstand me: I love Greece and I know a great bunch of fantastic Greeks.

Some strays are born in the street, others get abandoned because their owners either get tired of the responsibility or can't afford to keep a pet anymore. Most strays are friendly and don't pose any danger. But they do form packs and some people consider them a threat and they want the alleged threat removed. But where to and by whom?

The methods used by the relevant municipal organisation are pretty much ineffective. When strays become undesirable in one neighborhood, they get relocated to another one where they have to get adjusted to the new reality, make new people-friends who would feed them and offer a bowl of water, and try to deal with local strays which do not necessarily welcome newcomers. Sometimes, dogs try to return to their old neighborhoods and get run over by cars on their journey back home.

If the municipality does not respond, the residents often take matters into their own hands. Poisoning of strays is widespread throughout Greece and it occurs on a daily basis. These cases are rarely, if ever, investigated, and after the first shock of seeing corpses in parks or in the streets, people simply move on. Just a fact of life, isn’t it? The dead animal bodies get picked up by garbage trucks and life goes on. Well, our life, not theirs.

Millions of foreign tourists visit Greece every year. Many of them are shocked by the sight of strays around hotels, tavernas and holiday resorts. Most of them leave and forget ... But there are quite a few who don’t leave alone, but carry a furry friend with them back home. They #adoptagreekstray. The average lifespan of a Greek stray roaming the streets is 2 years. These people make it longer.

Back to my Rosy. Her life was put at risk in the fall 2017, but I chose not to look the other way. She is alive today because I didn't give up on her. With the financial help of a couple of friends, I could afford to have her hospitalized. With the help of others, she was placed in a dog pansion. I need more help to keep her there, safe. But more than anything else, Rosy needs a home.