Help FLOW Come Home

A few weeks ago, while being in Indonesia, I saw a post about a tiny puppy who had been found abandoned in a ditch in the dark.

Something in me immediately said yes.

At first, my intention was simply to foster her while I was here. To give her safety, love, medical care, vaccinations, food, and hopefully help her find a home before I returned to Amsterdam.

But anyone who has spent time in Indonesia knows there are many street dogs here. Shelters are overflowing. Beautiful people are already doing everything they can to rescue, foster, and adopt animals, and still there are simply more dogs than homes available.

I shared posts, asked friends, reached out to communities, hoping someone would fall in love with her.

And everyone did.

But not enough to take her home.

Somewhere along the way, Flow became family.

She is around four months old now. Playful, deeply social, curious, intelligent, affectionate, and always wanting to be close to people. She loves other dogs, loves cuddles, follows me everywhere, and has this softness in her eyes that completely melts my heart.

The deeper truth is that we bonded.

And now the thought of leaving her behind breaks my heart.

Not only because I love her, but because I know what kind of life I can give her.

Back home in Amsterdam, I already have another dog, Kaya, my five year old Yakutian Laika. Our life already revolves around long walks, parks, movement, nature, and dogs. Amsterdam is deeply dog friendly, and I truly believe Flow could have a beautiful, stable, loving life there.

I also know that if I take Flow home, it opens another place for another rescue dog here in Indonesia to eventually receive help too.

The process, however, is long and expensive.

Because Indonesia is considered a high rabies risk country, Flow needs a full medical export procedure before entering Europe safely and legally. This includes multiple vaccinations, a rabies titer test, official paperwork, health certificates, waiting periods, transportation arrangements, and international pet travel costs.

I fly back to Amsterdam on June 10, but Flow cannot travel until approximately three months later because of the mandatory waiting period after her titer test.

The total cost is expected to be around €2,500.

We will also need to find someone traveling from Indonesia to Amsterdam, or somewhere nearby in Europe, around September, so Flow can safely travel accompanied and I can come pick her up.

To be honest, taking Flow home is also a financial leap for me. Veterinary care and pet costs in the Netherlands are very different from Indonesia. Here, a vaccine or treatment can cost €8 to €30. In Amsterdam, those same visits are often €60 to €80 minimum.

And still, I cannot imagine abandoning her now.

One moment that stayed with me deeply happened at the vet. I met another person there who had also rescued a dog from the streets. He said:

“If we all do just a little bit for the general welfare, it helps a lot.”

That stayed with me.

Because Flow has already been helped by kindness. Someone generously contributed toward her first vaccines and future spaying costs. Friends helped spread the word. People shared her story. And every small gesture mattered.

So this is me asking for help to take the next step.

Not because Flow is “just a dog,” but because she is a living being who deserves safety, love, stability, play, warmth, and a future.

And maybe because sometimes love quietly changes our plans.

Funny enough, when I became curious about what mix of breeds she might be, I discovered that she likely carries a strong amount of Dutch Shepherd in her. Dutch Shepherds are known to be intelligent, loyal, sensitive, athletic, and deeply bonded to their humans.

It somehow feels fitting that this little Indonesian street puppy may eventually find her way home to the Netherlands.

If you feel touched by Flow's story and would like to help us bring her home, any contribution, no matter how small, truly helps.

And if you cannot donate, sharing this page means just as much.

With love,

Sandi & Flow