Hurray! Third weekend in a row this year, all dogs from all cages have been walked!
Admirations to all volunteers who took the courage and came, despite the negative temperatures. Actually, the weather was ideal for walks – sunny and warm J And the mood was, as always, cheerful – lots of laughter, lots of smiles, many new faces, many happy dogs, lots of chatting, and most of all – running.

I believe that I speak on behalf of everyone, when I say that the only thing missing was… a snow-plough! After the two days of constant snowfall, the territory of the shelter was a total hell… snow pits, holes, ice… it was a test, for us, the volunteers, to keep up with the pace of the dogs, to walk in the snow-drifts, to be able to stand, and to somehow remain with dry feet. But how could we complain, when the dogs, compared to us, were more than satisfied by the winter setting. They were wallowing in the snow, eating it, bathing in it, digging in it and playing with such a great pleasure, that we felt bad grumbling, and decided to behave like children as well by making a small snow-ball fight.

And this way, cage by cage, dog after dog, until we reached the cherished last cage number 21 and it was time to go home. And all of a sudden we realized its now even 4pm… we had reached such a fast speed inertia and played with such enthusiasm with our furry friends, that we wondered who else to take out so that we can remain in this idyllic situation J far from problems of life, serious people and the beginning of the new week. But, unfortunately, everything good ends, sooner or later. This is why, we would be expecting you next weekend again for new adventures and fun!

We are extremely happy to inform you that a transport with 22 dogs, most of whom have spent each over a year at the shelter has safely arrived in Germany! Our kindest regards to our colleagues at Tierhilfe Sofia who helped these dogs find a chance for a happy future.

As you know – the dogs who get a chance to go for adoption abroad are the puppies and good-looking youngsters. The older dogs, the handicapped animals, the black dogs are very difficult to place not only here in Bulgaria, they have very little chance and are rarely wanted. This is the reason we are so excited about this group of 22 animals – they are not those tipical attractive ones, this is the group of the outcasts.

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We begin this story with Mata – a sweet-tempered former pet who was brought to us by the Municipal dog-catchers for neutering. When they unloaded her at the clinic we were shocked to find she had a crushed leg. She couldn’t step on it and when we brought her in for x-rays it appeared she had to have an amputation. Thanks to the generous help you sent for another dog in need – Bata, Mata received help immedeatly. Her leg was amputated and just a few days later she was already bouncing about happily.

Mata is a wonderful girl who deserves to have the most loving home. And she will finally be loved!

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We love Baloo, but he will not be missed at all. It has been years of effort to find this gentle giant a good home. Large and aging Baloo has been offered to every single contact we had abroad, but no one deared take him in. He seemed to large, he seemed too old of age, he seemed to unattractive…

Baloo is from the first group of dogs we transferred from Seslavci. He had been locked there for over a year when we took him. This means that the poor boy has spent over 3 years in cages, waiting for love… This wait is over now. That’s it for Baloo. From now on – he will be taken care of!

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Benny, Gora and Lucia are three attractive young ladies – very pretty, very friendly, also very young and very sweet.

Why they have remained in the shelter for a year without any inquiries is a mistery to wich we don’t have the anwer.

What’s more important is that these ladies will be happily rehomed in Germany in 3… 2… 1… NOW! 

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These veterans are not only veterans in the shelter, they are veterans of life itself. Lewie, Thea and Dara are three old dogs who would have most likely spent the last years of their lives in the Old dog Nurcery, slowly fading away without a single inquiry or interest from anyone.

Dara we picked up from Seslavci, where she was nearly eaten by her hungry inmates.
Thea was the dog of an old man – she was discareded by his relatives when he passed.
Lewie has been with us for two years, he was abandoned by his owners at Seslavci.

* * *

Sweethearts Alex and Meggie have been with us ever since they can remember, but they have both seen how cruel humans can be…

Alex was dumped to be drowned in the river as an unwanted puppy. She was the survivor.

Meggie was born in a home and then threwn out, together with her 4 sisters. At the age of 3 months they were neutered at the municipal shelter and were slowly dieing when we crossed paths. All 5 have grown into sweet and good-looking dogs and are now big girls. Meggie is the first one to be rehomed.

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Karo and Nera – can you distinguish them from one another?

You’d be surprised, but these two are not related. Although both have amazing temperaments and are extremely sweet and easy-going they have not been asked for quite a long time now. Why? Because they are black.

Karo is 1,5 years old and he was raised in the shelter. His mother’s owners dumped him in a box together with his siblings, thus “taking care of it”… We can only guess how many more od Karo’s brothers and sisters have had to face the uncertain future of the streets…

Nera is a 3 year old lady. We took her from the municipal shelter of Seslavci where she had been taken in with her puppies. All her puppies had died and she was just a walking skeleton. She has been in Bogrov from the summer of 2010 – noone had ever noticed her…

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These are two of the very first nurcing mothers we took in – Alli and Brava. Both these ladies have been with us since the spring of 2010. All their puppies have been rehomed, but there was not a single interest in the mommies. No matter how good and friendly they are – dogs like them become simply invisible to prospective owners in the shelter environment.

It is a small miracle that these girls have found loving homes – they will be surely making their new families very proud! Because they are truly wonderful dogs.

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Now these three are simply the MOST adorable creatures! How in the world is it possible that noone wanted them?!

Izzy was abandoned on a parking lot as a little puppy. She was the size of a tiny kitten when we picked her up and has since then been with us.
Kathy is the most sweet and loving fluffy girl. She was a pet who had a hard time making it on the street when her owners kicked her out.
Jeanie is a pincher mix – a tiny lady who should have been rehomed a 100 times till now, but… wasn’t. Well, she is now!

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“Shy” – a word that equals a lifelong sentance for a shelter dog. But not this time! Not for Hawk! How this happened is a mistery, really… By all odds Hawk should have grown up in the shelter not knowing anything about a loving home. Instead he will soon be very “glucklich” with his new German family!

Hawk will be thinking of his sweet sister Bettany that he left behind in the shelter. She is a gentle, calm and loving little girl who also deserves a chance…

* * *

Do you know what Sully, Seal and Naomi have in common? They are INVISIBLE!
What do you mean – you can see them? You can see them now, on photos, sure. But we can tell you for sure – these 3 become completely invisible at the shelter.

Sully and Seal are a brother and a sister, they came to Bogrov as tiny abandoned puppies over a year ago. Sweet Naomi also has a dearly loved brother, but he was not among the lucky few, young sweetheart Butch stayed behind.

* * *
Would you be able to recognize Terry’s After/Before photos if you didn’t know it was him?

Terry is one of the 6 dogs we took from the Municipal pound of Seslavci - they were to be euthanised for their skin-desease. After their treatment the dogs have only to hope for loving owners. For now it is only Terry that’s had the good news.

* * *

So, this is it! A group of wonderful dogs who would have most likely never had the chance of a loving home.We are very, very happy to know they are safe and cared for.

Once again we thank the Tierhilfe Sofia team. We also want to thank our boys Peter and Valko for driving the dogs safely to their destination – great job guys, despite the horrid weather.

Unfortunately we couldn’t find a sponsor for this journey, and were still lacking a part of the summe on the departure day. We didn’t want to leave these sweethearts here – it was their chance of a lifetime, so we had to borrow 700E to be able to complete this trip. If you would like to help us pay back the friend who answered our distress call, please donate for “transport” at our donation page. Thank you!

Benny, Gora and Lucia are three attractive young ladies – very pretty, very friendly, also very young and very sweet.

Hurray! Hurray! Hurray! For all those brave and affectionate volunteers, who didn’t get scared by the bad, snowy and cold weather but in spite of it came in the shelter and helped us walk ALL 500 little beasts. It was another active, fun, different, happy and unforgettable weekend for the inhabitants of the Bogrov shelter. And you are responsible for this – our priceless volunteers who come and help us week after week by all means – donations, food, socializing by walking, with love.

On Sunday we also had a children invasion in the shelter which made our day even more radiant and smiling. Seeing how children communicate with animals, find mutual language and have fun together is precious! And when all this is accompanied with the necessary parental guidance and senile mothers, well… you left us speechless! We hope for more families like these – united, responsible and loving animals.

Thank you, for not forgetting our tailed sweeties! They have only you, and are always with sharpened ears, waiting to hear the steps behind the corner coming closer – a sound that for them means – “They are here! Time for walks!”

Special thanks to Ilina and Metodi, who brought a whole cardboard box of biscuits and stayed until late on Saturday to help with walks, and to Ivaylo Nedkov, for the help to the senior volunteers on Sunday, helping for two.

Despite the expectations for a frosty week, we hope to see you this weekend in Bogrov, so that we can warm up many dog’s hearts together!

For our tailed friends, last Thursday was wonderful. Because it was not a weekday like all the others. It was the day when 12 students from the Anglo-American school in Sofia visited our shelter, spreading lots of love, tenderness and affection to the Bogrovians. The dogs spent two full hours with games, playing tag, sliding on the ice, falling and getting up with a smile. Over and over again until it was time to go.

The 500 inhabitants of the shelter, however, would not be sad for long, because very soon the students would be back for new adventures and walks. Thank you, dear children! That you grow with love and respect to animals and give a good example to others of your age.
We are looking forward to see you again!

Dear friends, this weekend at the Bogrov shelter was one of a kind! All the volunteers were exceptionaly zealous, energetic and easy to work with. For the first time this year we walked ALL the dogs in the shelter. We also managed to photograph 4 full cages of dogs, had some laughs, spoiled some doggies and warmed up by a made-up fire.

Your four- and three-legged friends at the Bogrov shelter thank you from the bootom of their hearts. Thank you for your love that they feel weekend after weekend, for the ray of light you bring into their lonely days.

Both we and the dogs hope to see you again soon, because every minute spent with a friend is a true gift for our little gog-orphans.

Special thanks to Polly Samokovlieva and Venelin Iliev who made so many photos!
Specal regards and SEE YOU SOON to the volunteers of TIME HEROES, it is fabulous to get organized volunteer groups like this!

See you next week, until then – if you don’t have tails, make sure to wag your smile!