The dark path of dog Sissi
Happy ending at a special care place in Carinthia
At the end of October last year, Markus Leitner, administrator of Gut Aiderbichl Köglerhof in Carinthia, received an excited call from his shepherd. He was very upset and told him that his dog had injured his little daughter, because she had walked past the dog while it was eating. The tragedy ended with the little girl having to go to the hospital. One thing was clear to the father: the dog had to go.
The black, white and brown spitz mongrel, Sissi, needed a new home immediately. The shearer was desperate and Markus consulted with Dieter Ehrengruber on how to help the man and also the dog.
The trip went to Gut Aiderbichl Carinthia
Sissi did not have a balanced behaviour. She had probably often been left to her own devices, had roamed around the village and did not really have a caregiver. Being on her own was actually normal for her. So, she came to the Carinthian dog group, which unfortunately brought a very difficult and unsatisfactory situation for the dogs and also the dog carers.
A special care place for Sissi should be found
Sissi was a good nine years old when we took her over. She was not socialised, which made things difficult. How was she supposed to build up trust with humans? She hadn't really had much contact with people.
"You can't beat anything into the animals, but you can stroke some things out of them". (Astrid Lindgren)
Would it work?
Sissi became calmer with each visit and visibly enjoyed the lady's visits. At some point, we made the decision that Sissi was ready for her new home. A special foster home contract was signed and the lady, her daughter and the dog were very happy that Sissi could move in with them. From then on, a new, balanced life began for her with lots of love and cuddles and she feels more comfortable every day.
Hopefully, time will heal the wounds of the little girl Sissi snapped at. Let us wish her the strength and confidence to want to pet a dog again one day. Let us also wish the father to cope with his fear and worries about his little daughter. Maybe he will be able to forgive the dog one day...
