Blacky
and his story
as a Serbian street dog
From the perspective of Gut Aiderbichl
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
Blacky is one of the numerous strays in this world. His suffering and the suffering of many other stray dogs could be avoided if dog owners could decide to neuter him. Or, if their dog is injured, to take him to the vet. Why does neutering fail? Why does medical help for the animals fail? Because of the local availability of vets, because of money and perhaps also the mentality?
What it means to be a street dog in Serbia
Stray dogs and cats are brutally abused on the streets and in backyards in Serbia. Arranged fights between dogs are ubiquitous in Serbia. Old and injured dogs are discarded or killed because they are no longer of any use. The dogs are kept on chains that are far too short in backyards, where they are exposed to the elements day and night. The animals are denied the important social contact with other dogs (source: Rainbow Rescue association).
The Rainbow Rescue association helps abused street dogs in Serbia. The placement of abused dogs from Serbia and their re-socialization is very important to Rainbow Rescue.They also helped Blacky.
Blacky, probably a Croatian shepherd dog, has a deep black coat and the saddest dog eyes in the world. He was rescued from a catastrophic situation by Rainbow Rescue. At the time of rescue, Blacky was about two years old and had only three and a half legs. He had allegedly been hit by a car, but his wounds had not been treated by a vet. He was living in a box outside.
Unfortunately, Blacky can't tell us himself what actually happened to him. He probably has the Croatian shepherd dog in his blood, a breed that is very popular throughout the Balkans. These dogs are loyal and people-oriented, and they want to do everything right for their humans. Perhaps the original owner had intended to turn Blacky into a working dog? For reasons unknown, but perhaps because of the serious injury sustained in a car accident, Blacky was "sorted out"? Blacky can't give us an answer.
Blacky was taken to the vet by his rescuers. The condition of his battered body was terrible: the spine was compressed, the amputated leg was severely inflamed, the skull bone was broken - what kind of pain had Blacky had to endure so far? Despite good medical care, Blacky will probably never be able to walk again and will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. As winter was approaching, he could not stay at the foster home in Serbia for this reason. At the last moment, a trip could be organized and Blacky is now safe in Iffeldorf and is being lovingly cared for.
Happy ending
Blacky is well tolerated by humans and dogs in Iffeldorf
Ialways call the device a "dog porter" - a wheelchair construction, with which dogswhose legs are injured and immobile, walk briskly and full of joie de vivre.
Blacky's story makes us sad, but the animal itself helps us to turn a sad life story into a future-oriented, good story. Blacky lets himself be stroked, enjoys his new life in Iffeldorf and is also socialized with his fellow animals. And there is always plenty of love for his humans. If his eyes could speak, they would be telling all his rescuers in Serbia and at Gut Aiderbichl would want to say "thank you".
Nature is my religion. The earth is my church. Love for every living being is my faith.
~ Unknown
Blacky should enjoy his life, and he should make it, everything sad and and cruel things from his past behind him to behind him. It is always important to look forward and give life a chance.
Sincerely, your Gisela
