Bringing Sandy (+ Girlfriend) Home
Donation protected
Sandy’s Story
We found Sandy in a graveyard in the Montenegran town of Sutomore last June. It was the last night of our week long holiday and though we had encountered and entertained many of the street dogs during our stay, Sandy stood out as he seemed particularly in need due to his injured leg and obvious state of malnutrition. Then after giving him some attention and food, when we tried to leave, he cried and was clearly begging for his life. Back at the hotel I could not get him out of my mind and having just read Pen Farthing’s book One Dog at a Time, I decided that I could not just walk away. So I got out of bed and went back to the graveyard to take some photos of him and his location. I promised him then that I was going to do what I could to help him.
I then got straight on the internet in search of someone on the ground in Montenegro who could assist me in rescuing Sandy. By the time our flight departed around midday I was in touch with Steph Lee at Stray Aid Montenegro. When I got home I sent her enough money for car rental and the other initial costs of the rescue process. Then I started a Go Fund Me campaign and have raised around another five hundred pounds, which has been spent mostly on medication and foster care over the past few months. Sandy has Leishmaniosis* but has responded well to the medication and is now in a very good foster home where he is well fed and much loved. I am told he has the best of natures and is great with other dogs, especially puppies.
It is now time for me to take the fundraising to the next level. I will put a collection box on the bar at my local pub. I will rally friends and hold events of music, comedy, poetry and art. I will seek the advice of Pen Farthing, who is an ex-soldier famous for rescuing strays from the Helmand province of Afghanistan and who now runs a charity called Nowzad Dogs. I then have a good deal more research to do as to how best to get Sandy over to the UK where I am working on finding him a new home. Thus far I have planted seeds in the minds of some good friends who live down the road from me. They are both retired and have limited mobility. With Sandy’s three good legs in mind I think they would be the perfect match. Also they have a large garden which I have offered to dog proof for them free of charge. Fingers crossed.
Rhys Floyd
Swansea, Wales.
*Leishmaniosis is a Mediterranean disease which is passed on only by a particular type of sand fly native to that area. It does not prohibit him from coming to the UK as there is no danger of other dogs or humans contracting the disease. With a regular dose of allopurinol which is common and cheap, a good diet and a happy home, Sandy can live a long and unaffected life.
p.s. See updates for details of the latest developments. Including the introduction of Sandy's new love interest Izabel (featured in main pic).
We found Sandy in a graveyard in the Montenegran town of Sutomore last June. It was the last night of our week long holiday and though we had encountered and entertained many of the street dogs during our stay, Sandy stood out as he seemed particularly in need due to his injured leg and obvious state of malnutrition. Then after giving him some attention and food, when we tried to leave, he cried and was clearly begging for his life. Back at the hotel I could not get him out of my mind and having just read Pen Farthing’s book One Dog at a Time, I decided that I could not just walk away. So I got out of bed and went back to the graveyard to take some photos of him and his location. I promised him then that I was going to do what I could to help him.
I then got straight on the internet in search of someone on the ground in Montenegro who could assist me in rescuing Sandy. By the time our flight departed around midday I was in touch with Steph Lee at Stray Aid Montenegro. When I got home I sent her enough money for car rental and the other initial costs of the rescue process. Then I started a Go Fund Me campaign and have raised around another five hundred pounds, which has been spent mostly on medication and foster care over the past few months. Sandy has Leishmaniosis* but has responded well to the medication and is now in a very good foster home where he is well fed and much loved. I am told he has the best of natures and is great with other dogs, especially puppies.
It is now time for me to take the fundraising to the next level. I will put a collection box on the bar at my local pub. I will rally friends and hold events of music, comedy, poetry and art. I will seek the advice of Pen Farthing, who is an ex-soldier famous for rescuing strays from the Helmand province of Afghanistan and who now runs a charity called Nowzad Dogs. I then have a good deal more research to do as to how best to get Sandy over to the UK where I am working on finding him a new home. Thus far I have planted seeds in the minds of some good friends who live down the road from me. They are both retired and have limited mobility. With Sandy’s three good legs in mind I think they would be the perfect match. Also they have a large garden which I have offered to dog proof for them free of charge. Fingers crossed.
Rhys Floyd
Swansea, Wales.
*Leishmaniosis is a Mediterranean disease which is passed on only by a particular type of sand fly native to that area. It does not prohibit him from coming to the UK as there is no danger of other dogs or humans contracting the disease. With a regular dose of allopurinol which is common and cheap, a good diet and a happy home, Sandy can live a long and unaffected life.
p.s. See updates for details of the latest developments. Including the introduction of Sandy's new love interest Izabel (featured in main pic).
Organizer
Rhys Void
Organizer
