Icaros has been reserved !!!
Faithful Icaros, before he came to us.
This is how our Icaros came to the Refugio. He'd been a family pet, living in a house with kids. A normal enough situation. He was the son's great playmate and was always a cheerful presence around the house. Then one day the removal vans drove up. He didn't understand, nor did he understand the tears of his masters.
A few days later off moved the vans, with his owners and the children. He remained all alone. Home alone. Left behind. From that day on Icaros waited by his front door. He waited there for two long years. In the meantime two more families came to live in the house, one after the other. English people, like his own family. But the door remained shut for Icarus. Nevertheless he did not give up. He thought that they'd come for him. They'd come soon, wouldn't they?
The people in the neighborhood did not love Icaros: he was often kicked or almost hit by cars. He was nearly killed by one of the people in the street, who beat him badly. None of this stopped Icaros waiting faithfully for his owners. Then, a year ago, he disappeared for several days. Nobody had seen him. 'Good!' thought the people. He's gone.' However he hadn't gone. He was found in a nearby gutter, starving, shrunk into himself. He had a broken paw but didn't want to come close to people. From then on he would limp away from them. He'd growl at the few kind people who brought him food. They tried to catch him but couldn't.
Still every morning he'd sit by his old front door, nervously looking around; he became more and more afraid of people, but courageously waited, never giving up the belief that his owners would soon return. Until last week. One of the neighbours who heartily disliked Icarus set his own dangerous dog to scare him. He attacked Icarus but Icaros managed to escape. This infuriated the neighbur who called the killing station. They came with their equipment but he managed to evade them too.
When we heard that, we went to look for him. He was nowhere to be found. It was raining heavily and the wind howled through the small street. We searched and searched until after a while we saw a small white dog lying curled up in the corner of a deserted area. He lay there shivering in the pouring rain, he wouldn't even look at us and all the while the rain drenched him, adding to his misery, his pain and his despair.
We were able to catch him - he was almost defenseless. He screamed at the first touch and wanted to bite us,. He didn't want to come with us but he gave up. He gave himself up and we took him straight to the veterinary clinic. We can't touch him, his confidence is gone, his heart is broken, his body hurts from the insect bites that have become inflamed. His paw hurts because it was broken over a year ago.
Trust and courage is gone. We try to win him back, we try to heal his wounds and his broken soul.
For two years he waited loyally at the door of his home, waiting for his owners who were now living another life. Icaros has never been unfaithful to them, has never forgotten them. The neighbors are content that the dirty dog is finally gone. The sadist who lives in the street is also satisfied.
The intolerance and inhumanity of people surprise me every day. Sympathy is an alien concept for too many people.
Little man, we want to look after you in this cruel world and want to see you become happy again one day. We will work on this. You didn't deserve this, little Icaros, small, faithful Bodeguero.
And now .......... reserved !!!
So much better now - and a well deserved happy ending for this faithful, devoted dog.
Fabienne now writes this:
This is what makes the work we do so beautiful, this is what makes our goals so rewarding when they work out so wonderfully.
Just look, our Icaros is reserved! I'll never forget his rescue: he was lying in the pouring rain, rolled into a ball in the icy wind and rain. He did not want to come with us but he gave in. We put him in the car and we drove like crazy to the emergency clinic. He had a high fever and was given immediate care. And then, today, someone wants to make him happy and give him a warm basket ...
We remain determined, we carry on even though not every day is a bed of roses here. It always gives you a warm feeling when you can save a dog, and find him or her a forever home, knowing the circumstances they came from, knowing that behind each of our poor wretches is a story, a memory, a stamp printed or engraved on our memory.
If you have seen them come to the site, seen them at the vets, watch them leave for their warm basket, you are seeing not only the dog, but also his or her story, their history. The people around us, the adopters, the new owners, see their dog arrive completely restored and are so happy that he or she is saved. They take them home and we are immensely grateful for that, but if people really knew what often precedes that day, it would make a lot of people think differently about us ...
It is so easy to criticize, to condemn us for one mistake, or to be upset if a dog sometimes does not come up to expectations, or maybe has some problems. It's so easy for people who do not know what a rescue involves to question what we do here. Instead of blaming them, we try to respond. Only there are unfortunately always people, regardless of the fact that they profess to be big animal lovers, who can inflict a lot of damage on us and on other organisations - from stupidity, jealousy, abuse of power, lust for destruction, just for fun ...
There are sick spirits everywhere, but people, people you need to rise above it. Look into the mirror of your heart and know who you are and what you do. Think of all the other dogs who cross your path, who fill your life as you fight hard for them, fight to heal their spirits, save them so that you can make them happy. Hang on to that positive force, because then you can get through all the unpleasantness. Let them drag you through the mud. Let them use their sick mind and abuse you. Let them write and insinuate. Leave it all happen ... let it pass. Let it wash over you, for as long as you know who you are, as long as you know what you are doing and keep trying to get the best out of yourself, then it's good.
Miracles you can never live up to, but you know there are so many dogs for whom, together, we have made a difference. Think of those dogs that are cuddled in their warm basket, racing across green meadows, sleeping in a home where love and respect prevail over everything they have endured. The day they leave Spain behind, is the beginning of the rest of their life, and that must be the most beautiful thing. That is our goal. We often regret that it does not always go as we want, but no man nor beast could look into a crystal ball and see what the future will bring, you can only try to do your best.
Together we stand and look at the thousands of people and animals around us who got a chance thanks to volunteers and real animal lovers: #Let us give thanks for this #
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