I was asked if I could have a homeless dog as a temporary guest over the holidays, and since I wasn’t going anywhere or having any other guests, I accepted.
This particular doggie has a sad story (don’t they all!): his owners took him to the vet only when he was seriously ill and it’s a miracle he survived that long without medical care. But when these people realized he was going to need medicines, better care, better food and more attention (!?) they decided to not pick him up from the vet. So the vet surrendered him to Cantinho de Milú (Dogs of Portugal) with the hope that they could find him a good permanent home. While this non-profit organization does a fantastic job, it was difficult to provide somewhere very warm, with special meals and medication over the holidays, so that’s why they asked me.
I went to pick him up, just a bag of bones. I couldn’t believe he was even able to walk with absolutely no muscles in his little body. And still so nice and friendly to everyone, even though most humans must have let him down all his life. Brought him home together with prescribed medication, special diet food and a new collar. He was totally fine in the car, not nervous or stressed at all, and seemed to trust me from the first moment.
The first week he was like a newborn baby, just eating and sleeping. He could muster just enough strength to make it up onto the couch, but not jumping back down. It sounded like a bag of bones hit the floor as he literally crashed down. (He still thought that was totally worth it though and we had some quality sofa-time over Christmas).
He had a healthy appetite, but you can’t let a dog in this condition eat all they want, or they will overwhelm the system and get even more sick. So, only starting with smaller meals and gradually increasing the portions. He was always cold. With no subcutaneous fat he couldn’t keep warm, so he wanted to be under a blanket on the sofa in between meals. I let him wear a doggie coat, so he wouldn’t be to cold outside. He had to go outside, for obvious reasons, several times a day.
I gave him toys but he just looked confused. He watched Akleja and her friend Maya play with the toys, but it was like he didn’t understand. Or he was perhaps still too weak to have energy for playtime.
Now, it’s been 4 weeks, and the transformation is unbelievable! He looks a lot healthier, he plays and runs and socializes a lot. He is a happy little fellow and he’s learning some of the finer details about being a proper indoor house dog.
His former owners had never had him vaccinated, neutered or basically trained, so all of that has to be done now. He wasn’t in shape to have any of that done before, while being so weak and underweight.
There are many ways you can support this organization: donate money (you can name a dog), donate food, blankets or dog equipment. But best of all is of course to find a loving home for one of the many wonderful dogs that are abandoned by cold-hearted, callous people. That’s the one thing any dog really needs and deserves: a good home with caring people.
Livet på landet - och i utlandet 