In a plastic bag to the animal shelter
Welcome Ornella and Oskar
Whoever decides to bring a puppy into their home as a new family member is clearly saying “yes” to an exciting journey that owners and dogs will embark on together. There is a lot to consider and choosing a dog can be a difficult challenge.
We at Gut Aiderbichl therefore advise you to think carefully about whether you feel up to the lifelong responsibility of an animal before getting a dog. Which breed suits you? Should it be a dog from animal welfare or from a breeder? A puppy or an older animal?
Take a closer look at the breeder
If you decide to buy a dog from a breeder, you should make sure that the breeder is reputable and not fall back on “bargains” from the internet. These “cheap dogs” from Eastern Europe have often been bred and raised under devastating circumstances. This is often referred to as deprivation damage (deprivation of stimulation). These dogs struggle with the consequences for the rest of their lives and react fearfully or even aggressively to many impressions.
The development of puppies
We are familiar with these problems from our work with street dogs in Romania. Many of the little puppies have already received the building blocks of their behaviour in their mother’s womb. Even after they are born, they learn everything from their mother. If their mother is afraid of men, the puppies adopt this behaviour without really knowing why. The rule of thumb says: stressed mothers also have stress-prone children. It is not uncommon for puppies to be found alone on the streets of Romania at a time when they need their mothers the most. This is what happened to the two puppies Oskar and Ornella.
Rescue in a plastic bag
Young people found the two on the road near Bucharest – hungry, thirsty and full of fear. The teenagers had the presence of mind to provide the puppies with food and water. As the boys had nothing else available, they put the two puppies in a plastic bag and brought it to our animal shelter by bike.
Development of the puppies
Ornella and Oskar are currently in their imprinting phase, during which they are constantly learning new things. During this time, the mother would introduce the most important educational steps to her puppies. “The mother dog intervenes, for example, if her children play too wildly with each other and express pain. She regulates this with calmness and a confident demeanour,” explains Anita Hartner.
We are aware that we cannot give our two protégés the maternal care they deserve and need. However, we will do everything we can to give them as much as possible along the way. The chance of a beautiful, balanced life in Austria, Germany or Switzerland – that is what we wish for Ornella and Oskar.
