Adopt a black dog or pussy cat on Black Friday ... in England it lasts over a week ... and don't forget, you can adopt on ANY day of the week 😊

I've missed the actual Black Friday, but in the UK it started last week, even though the actual date is Friday 23rd, but it carries on until the middle of next week!!!! Needless to say that the specific items I wanted are not in the sale. Similar ones, yes. Exactly what I want, no.

However, this post is not about that, it's about our beautiful, wonderful black doggies and pussy cats. It may be Saturday now but, as you can see, in the UK it's not too late for Black Friday 😂

There are a lot of super, charming black dogs and cats in our Refugio. Gudrun suggested that Black Friday would be a brilliant time to showcase them. And Manon has made some lovely little videos. All these lovely creatures so deserve a good and loving home. When you adopt a black dog or cat you will see how true is the expression 'black is beautiful!'

Here they are ... and for more information about each one of them, simply go on the website, click 'Dogs for Adoption' in the menu bar, then fill in the name and that will bring you to their details. It's the same method for cats - click on Cats for Adoption and then fill in the name.

BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL

ADOPT A BLACK DOG OR CAT ON BLACK FRIDAY - OR ANY DAY OF THE WEEK!!!!

AND HERE ARE OUR BEAUTIFUL BLACK CATS

These 9 sweethearts were bought free from the killing station ...

Vichy -     bought free by Nancy Leyers
Tafeta -     bought free by Carmen Rabasa
Dentelle - bought free by Monique Segers
Lin -         bought free by Familie van Beek - Galafat
Tergal -    bought free by G. van Mello
Nylon -    bought free byEvi Van Ranst
Jersey -    bought free by Evy Vermeir
Chupa -    bought free by Angel of the Voiceless
Chups -    bought free by Cheyenne Beckers

Fabienne's dog of the week STUART ...

This sweet, affectionate boy has been waiting for a nice, loving home for more than a year. He likes to cuddle and is good with other dogs and children, ... Who opens his house and heart for the sweetheart and books a ticket to unconditional love for him?

For more information about Stuart please click here

We are their voice 🐕🐕🐈🐈💪💪

Such Happy Endings : Dundi flies home, with Roonie, Copper and Mertens

On Monday 4th November I set off with my brother to drive from Leicester, in the middle of England, to Eindhoven - a round trip journey of 795 miles - to pick up beautiful Dundi at Eindhoven airport the following day. I had met Dundi in September at the Refugio. Now called Teddy Edward - because he looks like a teddy bear (knuffelbeer) - he is the sweetest, quietest most affectionate little dog.

Two of our students, Maud and Ilse, escorted Teddy together with Roonie, Mertens and Copper. It was lovely to see these two sweet girls again. We are so lucky to have such wonderful helpers. It was particularly heartwarming to see that Roonie had found a loving home with adoring adopters, Erik and Sandra. And the same with Copper.'s adopters I had met both these dogs in September and knew their story. And fearful Mertens is now surrounded by love in his new home.

It's always a joyful occasion to see any dog, or cat, find their forever home. But there's an added poignancy when you know something of their history or, indeed, have been personally involved. And even more joyful when one of the darlings is coming home with you. Here you can see their departure from Malaga, arrival in Eindhoven and their sad stories, which have resulted in very very happy endings, thanks to everyone at ACE and the love of their adopters.

The journey begins in Malaga

                          
                                              
      Copper with our lovely students                    Dundi (Teddy) with his other mummy, Fabienne

   

                 Dundi and Martens set off for Eindhoven              








Roonie waits with Kelly at Malaga airport

The arrival in Eindhoven

We did a group photo.  I don't have a copy. If anyone does, I'd love to have it.

  

             What's going on here? Dundi arrives.                 Opening the crates

      

Dundi getting nice attention.

    Dundi/Teddy and Mertens with adopters             Dundi/Teddy - keeping safe

     

 

Teddy - home at last

    

      

   Dundi/Teddy, Mertens, Cooper and Ronnie with their new families

SAD STORIES WITH VERY HAPPY ENDINGS

Roonie's story

 Roonie at the Refugio

I was with Fabienne when she received a series of belligerent phone calls from Roonie's owner. A very aggressive man who insisted that she take Roonie immediately, because he had an inheritance from his father and wanted to travel and was going tomorrow! She had to take him!!!! Now!Despite repeated requests from Fabienne that he send a photo (so often these 'little' dogs turn out to be Pitt Bulls!) it took several requests - in all he phoned her 12 times - before he rudely finally send a photo. This was no little dog, but again not a Pitt Bull. As always in such cases Fabienne acted in the interests of the dog. Roonie arrived next morning, with his owner who was even nastier in person than on the phone. Despite this, the poor dog was so distressed. So you can imagine how delighted I was to discover that Roonie was on the same plane as Teddy and equally delighted to meet his new family. I know he will have such a happy life now.

Copper's Story

  

Copper at the Refugio

I had also met Copper when I was in the Refugio in September. His too was a sad story. Rescued by family about two years ago, he finally had a happy life. But then they had to get back to their country. But their doggie, whom they had saved from the street, had to go. How can people think like this. You take a dog into your home for life. Not just when it suits. But like Rooni, when Copper was handed over his life collapsed. It's hard to know what is worse - the despair and grief of those who have known a home, or the suffering of those who know only fear and abuse. Poor Copper was in a state of panic - where were his family? His family had washed their hands of him, but nevertheless had the cheek to ring up the next day to ask how he was doing. How do you think? But now Copper has a real home again, with a loving couple who won't abandon him.

Mertens' story

Mertens with the student who helped heal his fear

Little Mertens, a beautiful Podenco Maneto, sat in the killing station. Terrified. Waiting for the final injection. When we took him out of that terrible place he couldn't know where he was going. How could he? So he remained petrified with fear. One of our lovely students took charge of him, talked to him, calmed him down. And so gradually he relaxed, which touched our students heart. He remained fearful after his terrible experiences with an unscrupulous hunter and again in the killing station. But love and patience prevails. Mertens stepped out of his crate at the airport with more confidence. And that will only grow with the love that will be showered on him by his adopters.

Dundi's story

   

Dundi on arrival at the Refugio

I first saw Dundi (Teddy) on the website. He looked so woebegone. So bedraggled. His was another horrible story. He had lived in a house where they hoarded dogs and cats. The poor animals lived in their own excrement - utterly neglected. The neighbours complained about the crying and howling but it took a long time before anyone did anything. When the police finally did something they were legally obliged to take them to the killing station. Yet another frightening and horrible experience for them. Fortunately Fabienne and her team were allowed to intervene. Dundi, like the others, was riddled with fleas and ticks, his fur matted, his skin infected. Dundi has only three legs - we don't know when or why it was amputated. It may even have been a birth defect. You'd think that, after such foul treatment these dogs would have been difficult. But nothing could be further from the case. They didn't growl or get angry. They gratefully submitted to being washed and treated, reacting only with wagging tails and doggie kisses. Dundi, now Teddy, has the sweetest character. You'd find it hard to believe he had such a terrible past. He lay quietly in his crate in the car during the long journey back to the UK. He is bright and alert and so very good.

Sadly, virtually every dog adopted from ACE has a similar terrible story.The wonderful news is that for thousands of them, there are happy endings in forever homes. Here I have told the stories of just four dogs. Four dogs who arrived in Eindhoven one Monday, morning to be greeted by their adopters eager to shower them with love. This is what ACE does. Together with brilliant, caring young students, tireless volunteers, compassionate sponsors and supporters Fabienne and her teams rescue dogs and cats in every imaginable state of abuse and neglect. They care for them, love them and find them forever homes.

For Roonie, Copper, Mertens and Dundi/Teddy their horrible experiences are over. They are home. As are many thousands of others who were fortunate enough to be rescued by ACE-Shin. And everyone there is working tirelessly to create more happy endings for all those still waiting, still hoping and still to be rescued.

Some dogs were lucky ....

And we also brought goods to a killing station and came back with a few dear ones ... to the delight of Veerle and Carla .... their laps well filled😉😉

Shelter mom says goodbye to her beloved Belli ....

Belli was flown to Brussels today.

Thanks foster mom for the good care !!

Fabienne's Diary: Why would you euthanise this little dog?

We called her Croqueta. She was taken to a veterinarian to be put to sleep. The reason given for this was that she smelled, could hardly walk, that she was old and worn and that the lady, her owner, did not want her anymore. The vet listened to this while the little dog, barely 9 years old, looked at him and almost shivered out of her body ... She knew what was happening, she felt it. Her boss paid the vet for the euthanasia and left; the veterinarian, on the other hand, wanted to know for sure whether the dog was actually so sick that she had to be put to sleep, and began to examine her.

Croqueta had difficulties but that was mainly due to her overweight. Furthermore, he could not find anything that would be a reason for euthanasia. Croqueta suddenly started giving him lick and cuddled against him. Glad that her boss was gone, and happy with someone who bothered to give her a little attention.

The vet kept the dog with him for a few days and the reality is that Croqueta was not a dog that should have been put down, on the contrary. She ran and played, cuddled, ran up and down the stairs - she was very affectionate. Croqueta is now staying with a foster family, and they have only praise this little thing that lives happily and happily until someone gives her a warm, forever  home. Croqueta is now on a diet, she has lost some weight but needs to lose some more. She is already slimmer and wants to live on, ... For her boss, Croqueta no longer exists, but for us she does and hopefully she has a long and happy life ahead of her. Croqueta deserves a golden basket.

Leko - sentenced to death

He was in the killing station, the pain and the fear shone from his whole body. He had been dropped by his boss and left behind, so that he would never have to give the dog another thought ... problem solved, for those who gave up on him. But this is a life, a dog that also wanted to live.

He was so afraid that we could hardly touch him, ... But thanks to a very gentle treatment and a lot of underwent an emergency operation, it really could not wait a moment longer..

Leko is an endearing dog. From the moment he felt that we meant well, he relaxed, became quieter and calmer. Notwithstanding that the pain must have been terrible. In the clinic he is a beloved sweetie who melts everyone's heart, friendly and open, ... A good dog who certainly should not have had to die in a terrible killing station.

SHIN-dog Chapar and the owners of Slagerij Chris from Zulte busy with "the warmest week".

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

SHIN-dog Chapar and the bosses of Slagerij Chris from Zulte are putting the final touches to the preparations for their action by Shin in the context of De Warmste Week. We already have a thumbs up here for a nice sale of the chocolate dog snacks 😂!

Need inspiration for an action? You will find lots of examples on this website: https://dewarmsteweek.stubru.be/acties