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 This column received an email from David Barnes, who was originally with G.A.W.F. in London, which we would like to share with you. David was active in animal welfare in Greece, and was instrumental in getting the grant for The Haven in Malia.
He writes that after the Olympic Games everything seemed to go to pieces in Greece as far as animal welfare in concerned. This so called ban on moving dogs overseas condemned many to death or worse. There is a Greek lady behind this ban, but nobody knows for sure why she is doing this. He goes on to say he read in Gaynor's newsletter that she has closed her kennels (The Haven) and that he is not surprised, as it is almost impossible to provide a shelter for dogs within Greece, and, with the foreign-run shelters cut back, by the government, it looks very bleak.
David went on to say that many village mayors throughout the country have built kennels to house strays, according to the new law, but if the one I saw in Trikala is anything to go by, then God help the poor creatures. They had 200 dogs in 50 tiny kennels. They don’t get homed, just added too. He says that it was two years since he last saw these kennels. .
The solutions are long term and will cost money, and David is not optimistic. However, if everyone does their bit, and if people going home from holidays can rescue a dog, every bit helps.
There are still people here doing wonderful work for animals, and they need all the help and support they can get.
Sabienne's story: Ines Leeuw, a Vet in the Hania shelter, tells us of Sabienne, a little female dog who was brought into the shelter more dead than alive. She had been tortured, her shoulder mangled, set on fire, and shot. It looked hopeless, but they were determined to save her life.
"I operated on her, and she came through this ordeal, and began to recover," Ines said. "However, she had a set-back and another operation was needed, and I decided to take her to Germany and do it there. It went well, and while recovering, Ralf Suhr, a member of the Noah's Ark board, fell in love with her. Sabienne is now called Hazel, and lives happily ever after, with her doting, caring owner.
'Bite' Back: Does your cat bite when he plays? Respond as a cat: hiss at him. Or scream in painful agony; he'll stop (though he might not play with you for a long while). A reader told us she had a cat that accidentally drew blood while they were playing – she put her arm up to his nose and rubbed the droplets of blood against him, and he never bit her again.
Illegal Alien: There are many illegal alien problems everywhere, but here's a new one. A four-legged illegal alien captured by the U.S. Border Patrol in Arizona has been granted what amounts to unconditional amnesty. A 3-month-old puppy picked up last week with a group of illegal aliens, faced immediate deportation after no one claimed ownership. Fortunately, a local volunteer decided to take the puppy home to his three young children. Volunteers believe the puppy, who appears to be half-coyote, survived the journey from Mexico to the United States by eating field mice and drinking water found in the sparse desert.
Gournes dog days: The Heraklion Canine Society is holding its 2nd International Dog Show on Sunday, Sept. 24, in the Exhibition Centre in Gournes. Showing begins for visitors at 9:30 A.M., with the final competition starting at 3 P.M. An international panel of five judges, from Italy, Germany and Finland, as well as Greece, will select the best dogs in eight classes: Baby (3-6 months); Puppy (6-9 months); Junior (9-18 months); Intermediate (15-24 months); Open (15 months and over); Working (15 months and over); Champion (15 months and over) and Veterans (8 years and over). Officials said that this year's show promises to be bigger than last year's, when 130 dogs, representing 40 different breeds, competed. There were also 25 dogs, mostly Cretan Hounds, that got their recognition status. For further information on tickets call the society (www.koh.gr) at 2810 211003 or e-mail to:
info@koh.gr.
On a final note: Some friends found a stray young mother dog, who had been hit on her leg, and took her to Rania the Vet in Poros. After treatment, Dorothea, from the Iraklion Demos, took her to be sterilized. Unfortunately, it is Iraklion's policy to put dogs back on the street after sterilization if no one comes for
them. Anyone interested in adopting this fine pet and save it from an uncertain life in the streets of Iraklion should contact this column.
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