End-of-Life Love
Donation protected
End-of-Life Love for Street Dogs of Bulgaria
Every country has it's street dog story. Bulgaria, where I visited in 2014, is no different. Thousands of dogs suffer on the streets every day after they have been abandoned, either because they are ill, pregnant or people simply do not want them anymore. Most street dogs are hungry and many are sick and injured. Old and infirm dogs are the most vulnerable: they are the lowest down in any street 'pack' – which means they are often the most hungry, thin and sick. At the end of their days old street dogs live a sad life of suffering.
There is however hope for some old street dogs in Bulgaria. In 2014 in a tiny village in North Eastern Bulgaria I visited a neutering and rescue centre that was then in its infancy and has since blossomed into a non-government organisation StreetheartsBG (see https://streetheartsbg.com for a closer look at their work). At the centre I met a beautiful, albeit mangy, puppy named Poppy, whom had freshly arrived herself. She was timid and still showing ill effects from her life on the streets. She received the best care and rehabilitation possible from Anthony and Emma Smith who run StreetheartsBG. That visit inspires me today to fundraise for StreetheartsBG and Poppy's old pals.
StreetheartsBG key aim is to reduce the street dog population by neutering street dogs and working with local dog owners to educate and facilitate neutering their pets. To date they have neutered over 607 dogs and over 118 cats. However many dogs can not be returned to the streets because they have existing medical conditions or injuries, or because they are old. Where possible StreetheartsBG rehabilitates, trains and re-homes these dogs with loving families.
The dogs nobody wants to adopt:
Unfortunately, some dogs face the reality of not finding adoptive homes because they are old and/or they have existing medical or behavioural conditions.
The good news is that StreetheartsBG is committed to caring for these old and infirm dogs 'til the end of their days at their centre in Glushka, near Dryanovo Bulgaria.
The log cabin: an old dogs' dream:
StreetheartsBG would love to give these old and infirm dogs the comfortable relaxed quality of life they deserve at the end of their days by building them their own cosy wooden cabin where they can quietly live, away from the hustle and bustle of the centres other dogs.
The cost of building this cabin is $4,000. Anthony will build the cabin himself – but they need funds for the basic building materials. You kind souls can contribute by funding:
Cement ($3 per 20kg bag, we will need 100 bags) - $300
Gravel for mixing concrete (6 tonnes) $71
Sand for mixing concrete (6 tonnes) $71
Wood - $713
Insulation - $477
Roofing- tiles 2nd hand $0.29 each, we will need 1000 - $1,192
Floor tiles - $417
Fencing - $745
Screws and sundries - $238
StreetheartsBG would love to build the cabin for these old dogs before the harsh Bulgarian winter sets in: temperatures regularly drop to -30 degrees Celsius.
What this cabin will mean to these old dogs:
The cabin will create a comfortable secure home for up to 10 dogs. Complete with a fire, dog beds, rugs, blankets and sofas, the cabin will be fully insulated to keep these old and infirm dogs warm throughout the harsh Bulgarian winters.
This special cabin will also have an important second function. A scared puppy or dog will be able to spend time with these old dogs in a safe, calm and secure space. This will help to rehabilitate a fearful pup who will gain love, learning and confidence from these older dogs. There will also be a radio in the cabin to help scared pups and dogs get used to noises they will encounter in a family home.
Scared dogs need to know that people are not a threat. Emma aims to move her administration time into this cabin so she can spend time with the scared pups and dogs – and also give extra comfort and attention to the old and infirm dogs – adding even more quality to their lives.
The future:
StreetheartsBG was recently donated a caravan where volunteers will be able to stay at the centre. It is hoped that volunteers will choose to spend some of their time in this special cabin giving comfort and quality of life to these old, infirm and scared dogs.
What am I doing?
In 2014, I wouldn't dare call myself a "runner". It's safe to say that back then, the furthest I had run in one go was an excruciating 5 miles. I do know I had dreams of trail running long distances. It's difficult not to dream such things whilst in the Bulgarian countryside, accompanied by energetic canines grateful for new found love.
In the way that Emma and Anthony’s dog-rescue journey has evolved, so has my running. And so, as I embark on the most difficult test of my body, and psyche, in the form of a 100 mile mountain endurance race in Los Angeles, I am appealing to all of you, so that you may provide me motivation for those moments where I may find myself doubting myself. Fuel for the fire to shove me towards that finish-line, but really, a generous gift to a group of Bulgarian dogs that have already been gifted a chance at a better life at the hands of Street Hearts BG, and those street dogs that have yet to cross paths with these two generous souls. Here is the link the the site with all of the information about the race http://www.ac100.com/ So please if you cannot donate then share and help to make the dream become a reality. Every little helps the dogs.
Every country has it's street dog story. Bulgaria, where I visited in 2014, is no different. Thousands of dogs suffer on the streets every day after they have been abandoned, either because they are ill, pregnant or people simply do not want them anymore. Most street dogs are hungry and many are sick and injured. Old and infirm dogs are the most vulnerable: they are the lowest down in any street 'pack' – which means they are often the most hungry, thin and sick. At the end of their days old street dogs live a sad life of suffering.
There is however hope for some old street dogs in Bulgaria. In 2014 in a tiny village in North Eastern Bulgaria I visited a neutering and rescue centre that was then in its infancy and has since blossomed into a non-government organisation StreetheartsBG (see https://streetheartsbg.com for a closer look at their work). At the centre I met a beautiful, albeit mangy, puppy named Poppy, whom had freshly arrived herself. She was timid and still showing ill effects from her life on the streets. She received the best care and rehabilitation possible from Anthony and Emma Smith who run StreetheartsBG. That visit inspires me today to fundraise for StreetheartsBG and Poppy's old pals.
StreetheartsBG key aim is to reduce the street dog population by neutering street dogs and working with local dog owners to educate and facilitate neutering their pets. To date they have neutered over 607 dogs and over 118 cats. However many dogs can not be returned to the streets because they have existing medical conditions or injuries, or because they are old. Where possible StreetheartsBG rehabilitates, trains and re-homes these dogs with loving families.
The dogs nobody wants to adopt:
Unfortunately, some dogs face the reality of not finding adoptive homes because they are old and/or they have existing medical or behavioural conditions.
The good news is that StreetheartsBG is committed to caring for these old and infirm dogs 'til the end of their days at their centre in Glushka, near Dryanovo Bulgaria.
The log cabin: an old dogs' dream:
StreetheartsBG would love to give these old and infirm dogs the comfortable relaxed quality of life they deserve at the end of their days by building them their own cosy wooden cabin where they can quietly live, away from the hustle and bustle of the centres other dogs.
The cost of building this cabin is $4,000. Anthony will build the cabin himself – but they need funds for the basic building materials. You kind souls can contribute by funding:
Cement ($3 per 20kg bag, we will need 100 bags) - $300
Gravel for mixing concrete (6 tonnes) $71
Sand for mixing concrete (6 tonnes) $71
Wood - $713
Insulation - $477
Roofing- tiles 2nd hand $0.29 each, we will need 1000 - $1,192
Floor tiles - $417
Fencing - $745
Screws and sundries - $238
StreetheartsBG would love to build the cabin for these old dogs before the harsh Bulgarian winter sets in: temperatures regularly drop to -30 degrees Celsius.
What this cabin will mean to these old dogs:
The cabin will create a comfortable secure home for up to 10 dogs. Complete with a fire, dog beds, rugs, blankets and sofas, the cabin will be fully insulated to keep these old and infirm dogs warm throughout the harsh Bulgarian winters.
This special cabin will also have an important second function. A scared puppy or dog will be able to spend time with these old dogs in a safe, calm and secure space. This will help to rehabilitate a fearful pup who will gain love, learning and confidence from these older dogs. There will also be a radio in the cabin to help scared pups and dogs get used to noises they will encounter in a family home.
Scared dogs need to know that people are not a threat. Emma aims to move her administration time into this cabin so she can spend time with the scared pups and dogs – and also give extra comfort and attention to the old and infirm dogs – adding even more quality to their lives.
The future:
StreetheartsBG was recently donated a caravan where volunteers will be able to stay at the centre. It is hoped that volunteers will choose to spend some of their time in this special cabin giving comfort and quality of life to these old, infirm and scared dogs.
What am I doing?
In 2014, I wouldn't dare call myself a "runner". It's safe to say that back then, the furthest I had run in one go was an excruciating 5 miles. I do know I had dreams of trail running long distances. It's difficult not to dream such things whilst in the Bulgarian countryside, accompanied by energetic canines grateful for new found love.
In the way that Emma and Anthony’s dog-rescue journey has evolved, so has my running. And so, as I embark on the most difficult test of my body, and psyche, in the form of a 100 mile mountain endurance race in Los Angeles, I am appealing to all of you, so that you may provide me motivation for those moments where I may find myself doubting myself. Fuel for the fire to shove me towards that finish-line, but really, a generous gift to a group of Bulgarian dogs that have already been gifted a chance at a better life at the hands of Street Hearts BG, and those street dogs that have yet to cross paths with these two generous souls. Here is the link the the site with all of the information about the race http://www.ac100.com/ So please if you cannot donate then share and help to make the dream become a reality. Every little helps the dogs.
Organizer
Morris De La Roca
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
