A struggle for a life
For 13 years now I live in
I realize I have seen too many animals suffering during all these years that I live my happy life here.
Within 2 months upon my arrival in
After settling down with Moekie, stray dog Flodder joined us.
Border Collie and lost soul, seriously beaten up, full of wounds, fishing wire cut in her ears, 2 broken front paws and terribly afraid of people (you wonder why).
No one could get near to her but finally I managed to catch her with a piece of
A month later my third doggie came into the scene, Woef, a black stray Lab.
He decided to move into my garden for a while and made himself comfortable by flirting the ladies.
He blackmailed me pretending he was dying in the geraniums, or, he would lie in front of my car each time I was off to work
As you can understand, Woef also found himself a home!!
I will try to keep the story as short as possible, too many stories I could tell.
Moekie and Woef disappeared in the most peculiar way, most probably stolen from the house, Flodder gave birth to 4 Sheltie puppies, and ended up poisoned by a neighbour farmer; she died on my driveway.
From the 4 puppies I kept 2; Kleintje and Karydaki.
Kleintje got hit by a speeding car, the driver was so drunk he couldnt see where he was going: Kleintje died in front of my eyes, torn in pieces, a dogs life shattered, including mine.
Karydakis life after that turned into the most protected life any one can ever have; no minute has she been out of my sight, every step made is registered by me, daytime hours are spent at the office and the night times are spent next to my bed, preferably in it!
Karydaki is 11 years old now and sharing her life for the last 6 years with Ukkie; mix Terrier/ King Charles spaniel, crazy as a crazy thing can be and with a heart of gold.
Unfortunately in most places in
Most dogs end up being poisoned, run over by cars, drowned, thrown on the street or they simply get shot.
I have seen too many cats and dogs lying dead on the road, torn in pieces and run over, over and over again, until nothing remains of them but stains on the asphalt.
Going to the police to report a missing dog will turn you into the village idiot.
To report a stray animal, sick or wounded, will turn at the end into you ending up looking after it, and, paying the costs that come with it.
Over the last 12 years I took care of too many strays.
I have put several of them to sleep because they were too sick to survive; my life here has been surrounded with stray dogs continuously.
(Last year I ended up with Rika, a stray of 6 months young who, in spite of being a puppy herself, gave birth to 9 puppies in my bedroom
a mad adventure!!)
I have been driving stray dogs around all over the country myself since hardly any animal shelter is able to help you out.
They simply dont have the finances or availability (see support animals shelters).
The government does not support animal welfare, or, when it does, it either provides an insufficient amount of money or, it withdraws the funds so the shelters have to survive on their own costs, public donations and charity.
Most worrying is the lack of education when it comes down to educating children about pets and the responsibilities that come with them, although I believe things are getting a bit better lately.
Unfortunately there are still some villages where you will find young kids throwing cats with their heads against the wall, pulling nails out or doing other disgusting tortures that would make the Nazis frown.
I honestly dare to say that I am not exaggerating by telling you children bark at my car sometimes, seeing me and the dogs in it together...
When I finally happen to find a child that is not afraid of my dogs, and that even wants to cuddle them, mothers go completely hysteric and shout to their children not to touch the animal cos you get terrible diseases and then you die...
13 years in
I love the nations people, they are friendly and hospitable, I find they still have a heart for humanity, as where else in
Therefore I can not understand their harsh regime and attitude towards animals...
In
But to be honest, thank god, not all the Cypriots are like that.
I know quit a few actually that have a big heart for animals, they are absolutely dedicated to their animals; they would do anything to keep them safe and happy!
Unfortunately still 70% of the Cypriots are the opposite and this is something that, I believe, should change.
My heart for dogs is too big, it contains too much love and I will always help dogs in distress out.
I care more for animals then for human beings; I just grew to love them more.
I have learned from them like no human being could educate me.
Their innocence, their loyalty, their art to forgive
.how much we still have to learn, how small we still are!
As from the 1st of May 2004,
As from an animals point of view:
