December 2017
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Mid December 2017, a week before Christmas Eve, it's the holiday season. During this time most people are per-occupied with their preparations for the nearing holiday. Schools are closed and children meet up with their friends.You can feel the expectation for this holy celebration everywhere.
The feeding spots in Trusesti are only sporadically monitored during this time. That's why Anca tries to regularly visit these feeding spots to make sure that the strays are cared for. At the fringes of Trusesti is a parking lot that has been regularly used by residents to dump their unwanted pets. It's the last feeding spot on Anca's route.
A lot of these dogs are already known to her .
Like the black fluffy male dog with his white beard, will always be near the feeding spot to not miss any “delivery” of dry food. Of course it also includes some pets.
And of course the black female dog ,that one day was caught up in an accident and left with a broken leg. The fracture had grown together without medical intervention, causing her to only be able to walk on three of her legs, since the fourth one ended up crippled. Anca has been trying to get her to gain trust in her, but without success. This female dog is just too scared and cautious towards humans and doesn't let herself be touched. All Anca can do in that situation is to make her life a bit easier with dry food.
Next up is the feeding spots near Trusesti's children's home and Anca's workplace.
The home children, as well as Cristina and Otilia care for the stray cats and dogs in the area. Not only do the kids provide “their” animals regularly with food and check them for injuries or sickness, they also spend time with them. They're cuddled and played with, so that they tend to be friendly and people-oriented.
This is the home of the three female dogs named Sheep, Smiley, Gipsy
and one male cat named Spanache since their puppyhood.
ca. born 2016
ca. born 2016
ca. born end of 2016
ca. born 2013
All three of them are extraordinarily friendly and playful towards people and get along well with their fellow dogs. Even cats are accepted as cuddle partners. Gipsy is the smallest one, her shoulder height touching around knee-height. Sheep and Smiley are just a bit taller.
All three dogs have of course been castrated and are ready to leave the country, if there were people that would want to give them a new forever home – a foster situation would also be possible.
Spanache the school cat is cuddly and sweet towards humans. He also doesn't mind his fellow felines or dogs. He would be overjoyed if he could find a safe home with the option to explore the outdoors.
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But just “caring for” isn't enough for the kids from the children's home. They want to support the stray dogs with more. This gave Anca an idea and she brought a “Craft-Project” to life. With donated colourful papers the kids make elaborate cards that are available for purchase. (If you're interested, please check under “Campaigns/ Postcards Trusesti”)
All revenue generated from these sales is going to be benefiting the dogs in Trusesti in shape of food, according to the children's wish.
In April 2017 an older man asked Anca for help to support the castration of his five female dogs. (See: report April 2017) We decided to visit this man and his dogs to get an update on his situation. All five dogs are in good health and the man is keeping his promises. He provides “his” dogs as good as he can with food. This small pack has grown with an additional young dog, that is going to be castrated soon.
Of course Anca thought of bringing several bags of dry food with her, to continue her support for Ion.
A lot of Anca's work is made up of educational work and persuasion. This includes many residents in Trusesti. Some of them have now castrated their dogs and cats or provide for feeding spots. Anca visits these “helpers” regularly to bring food or check on the health of the animals, or administer medication against ticks.
On the outskirts of Trusesti is a parking lot that is used by residents to dump their unloved and superfluous dogs. This is the last feeding spot on Anca's route. Most of the dogs there are rusting and will come if she calls for them. Food is being distributed and Anca takes a very good look at every single dog and treats them with flea and tick remedies.
This time around every single dog got a Christmas present -a small chewing bone. Anca immediately notices a young female dog that didn't seem to have been living here all that long. Of course this young lady also got her own chewing bone.
While most of the dogs disappeared into the nearby woods or fields with their present, she decided to stay with us. Her delight over her present was so big, that she practically danced around us while wagging her tail. She kept looking towards us, holding up her chewing bone to show it off. Her behavior was so heartbreaking and at the same time heartwarming that we decided to take her with us.
Cami, this is the name Anca gave her, is now living in the shelter and waiting to find her own family.
More information about Cami can be found here.
* You can enlarge the photos with one click
