Obituary dog Maxime
The cycle of life at Gut Aiderbichl
A "contemporary witness" has passed away
Our faithful Maxime has passed away. The dog we rescued in Romania met a dignified end in France. Maxime had a large tumour in her chest that was causing her enormous pain. To spare her further suffering, we decided to let her go peacefully. In the presence of her trusted carers, she fell asleep at Gut Aiderbichl in France. Her little heart stopped beating forever.
First meeting with Maxime
We couldn’t help but think back to the moment we met this extraordinary dog. It was an incredibly hot July day. The Gut Aiderbichl team was driving along a bumpy road, on their way to an animal welfare organisation that urgently needed help. Ioana Diaconu, who had made it her mission to help street dogs, was caring for 300 dogs here. She looked after the animals almost single-handedly and tried to place as many as possible. This was a challenge – there was no electricity or running water. The dogs only had a small dog kennel to shelter them from the wind and weather. Everything in this shelter, around 15 kilometres from Bucharest, was makeshift. In summer it can get up to 40 degrees. In winter, nights at minus 20 degrees are not uncommon.
Life in Glina
It is an indescribable feeling when 300 dogs bark as soon as strangers enter the premises – depressing, frightening and heartbreaking. During our stay in Glina, we went through a rollercoaster of emotions – gratitude that the dogs were being helped and were safe here, but also despair that a life in a tiny kennel, without hope, can hardly be described as “life”. The looks on the dogs’ faces touched us deeply.
Maxime – A special encounter
This is where we met our Maxime. We immediately noticed her deformed face, but also her friendly manner. Employee Bianca Pöckl remembers: “I reached into the cage and wanted to stroke her. She immediately started licking my hand. She kept putting her head in my hand and looking at me trustingly. I felt as if she was telling me: My fate is in your hands.”
Maxime comes to Gut Aiderbichl
Yes, Maxime had us all hooked. And when Dieter Ehrengruber, Chairman of the Foundation, decided that we had to help here, it was clear – Maxime was to be one of the first dogs to come under the protection of Gut Aiderbichl. In December 2017, the time had come and Maxime was allowed to leave Glina for good. She turned her back on the streets of Romania forever and embarked on a new life.
A new life at Gut Aiderbichl France
At Gut Aiderbichl France, she found refuge, loving care and her own personal happiness. She found her carers Christian and Verena. And she was able to show Aiderbichl sponsors her new kingdom during the sponsor trip.
Maxime’s fulfilled life
Our little Maxime, who had so much bad luck in her life, was very lucky in the end. She was given a life of dignity – a life that we wish for all street dogs in the world.
Farewell to Maxime
Dear Maxime, you were always a loyal friend to us, full of charm and character. You accompanied us for years and showed us that what we were doing in Romania was the right thing to do – even if it was sometimes hard to bear. The cycle has now come full circle for you: Rescue – a fulfilled and dignified life at Gut Aiderbichl France – goodbye forever. Maxime, we would like to thank you that we were able to learn so much from you and that we were able to accompany you on your journey through life. Rest in peace, good friend!
