Hello everyone and welcome to our December Newsletter
Meet Minnie
During the madness and hardship of the pandemic, wonderful things still happened. We rescued lots of dogs, and each and every one of them is incredibly special. This precious girl stole the hearts of the entire team at 1 Dog early this year. Minnie was found late at night discarded amongst household rubbish in a plastic bag by a dumpster. We had no idea how long she had been there, but thankfully, someone saw the bag move and checked inside. As they opened the bag, Minnie’s terrified little face looked back. She was lifted out and taken to safety. Minnie was driven to Bistrita the next day and taken to our amazing vet Denisa. Goodness knows what life this tiny girl had endured. We suspect she had been used for breeding, then became too old and therefore had no purpose or value. She was in a terrible state, full of infection, fleas, dehydrated and starving. Minnie was thought to be around 9-10 years old, weighed a tiny 2 kgs, with just 4-5 teeth and could only see through one good eye. It was touch and go for a while, but she wasn’t ready to give up and nor were we. Once recovered, we found her a foster home. This tiny little girl’s zest for life was huge. After a lifetime of neglect, she finally was experiencing how wonderful life could be, enjoying being wanted and loved, having a full tummy and her very own comfortable bed. Now we just had to find her a family of her own. Her new mummy and daddy fell in love with her the second they saw her photo and read her story. She was soon making the long journey from Romanian to Kent in the U.K. She joined her new sister Lucille, also adopted from 1 Dog and was finally home. The final piece of the puzzle was in place. We honestly could not have wished for more for this tiny precious girl, who beat all the odds and is making up for lost time, living the life she always deserved with her very own family, very loved and very happy.
Isn’t Minnie gorgeous
Minnie and her 1 Dog sister Lucille
Happy Tails Shelter
We wanted to keep you updated with all the exciting developments in our shelter in Bistrita, called Happys. Our shelter has served our dogs and us very well over the years by providing a safe and loving sanctuary, giving our dogs time to adjust and to prepare them for their journey to their new lives.
The harsh winters and hot summers of the last five years have taken their toll on some of the outside walls – some of them were quite literally falling apart. Vital work and refurbishment have taken place to repair them, and they are looking much better now.
Work has commenced on building additional outdoor kennels and runs to allow the dogs to be outdoors as much as possible and which will, in turn, allow us to help even more of the dogs that need us so desperately. We can’t wait to see them completed. It is only with your help and support that this is possible, so on behalf of all the dogs, we thank you very much.
Bailey and Martin’s story
Bailey is chilling on the decking
In a challenging year for us all, we wanted to update you on one of our gorgeous dogs Bailey. Sadly as with most of our rescue dogs, we know very little of his past. Bailey was found abandoned in the mountains by our very good friend Lakry last year and brought to our shelter. He was adopted and travelled on our August 2019 Transport to his new family and new life.
What a journey they have shared. Here is what Martin, who adopted Bailey has to say about him and why Bailey rescued him, just as much as he rescued Bailey. This fabulous duo are also part of a search and rescue team, carrying out vital work to reunite lost dogs with their owners.
As a retired guy, you start to look back on your life a bit, and wherever I have been, whatever I’ve done, it is punctuated by dogs I have known and loved. My first dog was Rex, a lab who was rescued by my father, who took him off a person who had beaten him and left him in a yard. Rex became the sixth brother and my best mate. Then there was Rover, a whippet/lab, who would come to rugby training, matches, runs and even rugby tours.
Then came the gap, busy with children, work, building a life. Struggles, survival, mental health issues, then the black hole of PTSD. The light came as a result of sitting in the corner of a trauma care unit, watching a soldier chatting to his invisible dog, enjoying watching his ‘collie’, playing ball and for someone so disturbed, smiling. I said absentmindedly to Adam, the nurse, ‘Why doesn’t someone give him a dog? No one will notice the invisible one then’. Bill Odie, that’s what we call soldiers (Bill Odie- squaddie), got his dog and went out to the world a bit happier and with someone who was prepared to love him, just as he was. I got my dog Charlie a lab/ jack, and for fourteen glorious years, we shared, joined by another rescue, Beau, a black smooth haired lurcher, found by Charlie abandoned and unclaimed. We kayaked, swam, hiked and ran. Charlie and Beau passed over the bridge within months. Life without a dog for me is impossible, it’s like a polo; there is just no centre, nothing in the middle. Due to a chance meeting with a lady who had adopted two Rommies, I learnt of the valuable work of 1 Dog and its inspiring team.
Bailey by the water
Bailey enjoying kayaking with his dad
Bailey has bounced into my life, caring, lovable, excitable, trusting, insisting, wistful and amazingly chatty. I feel charged just being with him. So why? This boy has put his heart in my hands and I in his paws. How does this combination of child, leader, confidant, fur buddy and soul buddy end up in the middle of my heart and I in his? I believe it is about trust, built on kindness, little things building up bit by bit, leading to moments of shared joy.
I could tell you, watching Bailey ride the kayak, or climb the mountain, or swim the lake, or find the lost dog are the best moments. As great as they are, the best is when we sit next to each other shoulder to shoulder watching the sea and, in that moment, we are the best mates each of us could want.
Bailey with his teddy
Donations
Our November transport of 18 lucky dogs arrived safely in the UK. All the dogs are now beginning the next exciting chapter in their lives with their new families. We look forward to following them as they settle into their new lives.
The transport van travelled back to Romania, and we loaded it with all your wonderful donations of dog food, toys, blankets, beds, treats for the dogs and even some cleaning and vet supplies. This was all unloaded and stored safely for the coming months.
Thank you so very much to everyone that contributed to help make sure all the dogs at Happy’s are warm and well fed over the next weeks and months.
On behalf of everyone at 1 Dog At A Time, can we thank you once again for your continued support and we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
