Meet Nina – a little abandoned street dog who stole my heart on the first night in Serbia. Here she is in the doorway of a new shop.
At the end of April 2011 Jean and Lindy visited the sanctuary in Nis, Serbia run by Jelena. It was a thoroughly empowering and humbling experience. We saw for ourselves the sad, hard reality of the life of animals in Serbia and we met the most amazing people who are devoting themselves to helping the dogs and cats.
Lindy and I had been feeding the street dogs in the city centre when I noticed this little dog all curled up in the doorway. The street dogs were heartbreakingly friendly and just wanted to follow us home! They have learnt they must appeal to humans for scraps in order to survive.
When inevitably I turned to Jelena and asked if there was any chance of us taking her to the shelter, she said there was no space. With the shelter so full, Jelena must prioritise and take the ones that are sick, injured or dumped at the shelter.
In spite of all our efforts to shake her off, this little dog found us every time! After much anxious discussion the taxi arrived to collect us and we braced ourselves to say goodbye to this dear little girl. Our worried looks must have been too much for Jelena as she just bent down, swept her up and marched her off to the taxi. Thus started a journey which we hoped was to bring Nina to the UK. Thanks to dear Nancy (www.straydogs.be), Nina was to stay in Belgium for 6 months prior to coming to England.
The dogs at Jelena’s shelter are fed daily on soaked bread. This is not donated-it has to be paid for! From time to time Jelena receives ‘stuff’ from the local slaughterhouse. This is free but she has to pay a driver to go and collect. Understandably this is not a job many people would want to do! This is cooked in a big old steam boiler (spot the cat on top where it is still warm) and mixed with the bread. The only tinned or dried dog food is sent by us and Nancy from Belgium. We try and arrange regular deliveries, but this is not always possible. Due to two generous donations just before we left the UK, we were able to purchase sacks of dry food from the local pet shop, including Pedigree chum junior food to help all those little babies struggling to survive.
Lindy and I had filled our suitcases with dog food, medicines, wormers, frontline and treats. We gave each dog in the shelter (400+) a chew. Nothing really prepares you for the reality of the situation at the sanctuary but apart from one or two exceptions all the dogs were friendly and just wanted to lick you, they all beg to be friends, they all want a home. Each one of those beautiful dogs is special, through the cruelty and indifference of people they have found themselves injured, sick or abandoned.
They all need more – good food, frontline for fleas and ticks, money to pay the vet bills. It is a huge task but we are committed to these wonderful animals and actually it is great to see the difference we are making.
Ivan the vet now visits the sanctuary on a regular basis, he was treating a poor injured puppy and vaccinating puppies whilst we were there, he is a good man and waits for his money! Slowly all the old, crumbling kennels are being replaced by well constructed and colourful kennels. Dogs are trusted not to run away or fight, and the half grown puppies lounge around in the dust, happy for the day as the next day it may rain and the shelter will be a sea of mud!
We also visited the shelter run by Jelena’s friend Sasha. He cares for around 150 dogs, all living together in one large group. Apart from the occasional squabble, the dogs all seem happy.
Thank you dear supporters, with your help we can carry on making change happen and helping each special dog and cat to have a better life. Lindy and I have returned with so many memories, made so many friends (lots of whom are dogs and cats), and are even more determined to help this poor, struggling country to open its heart to animals.
On 1st June, 2011 Nina had started her journey to her new home with me when she collapsed and died, we believe it was heat stroke or a heart attack. The three other dogs in the van with her were all OK. I find it hard to write these words. I cannot believe this has happened. I was so longing for this sweet little dog who had captured my heart on the streets of Serbia. Dear Nina, rest in peace, how I loved you!
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world: indeed it’s the only thing that
ever has”
How you can help…
Jean raises funds and operates an ebay shop specifically to raise money for the animals in Serbia and Bulgaria. – http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tail-Wags-Shop. You can contact Jean at jean.birdvegg@btinternet.com. Cheques can be sent to Jean Bird, 7 Cedar Close, Kibworth, Leicestershire LE8 OHY and made payable to Harborough Animal Concern. For all enquiries regarding donations of food/wormers etc, please contact Lindy – Linda@penguin-shipping.co.uk – 07803 198634.
Please visit Serbia’s animals at www.serbiananimals.plus.com.
For all the weary little paws that walk the earth today
No related posts.
Dear David, Wendy and everyone – many besos for doing this for the Serbian Animals, it really is so kind of you, I am really touched by it, thank you with all my heart.
Blessings
Jean
SOS for Serbian Animals