The Story of Teddy Edward - formerly Dunde
Teddy Edward today
There were 35 of them, crammed into the house. Neglected, with dirty matted coats, hungry, frightened. Some of them were sick or wounded. The males were not castrated, the females not sterilised. So when they were on heat, you can just imagine. And the noise ... and the smell!
Neighbours complained. Nothing happened. They complained again. And again. Eventually the animal protection police had to do something about it. So they took them all to the killing station, because that is the law. Fortunately the volunteers there got in touch with the various shelters, including the Refugio. Fabienne to the rescue and the luck of five little misfits turned.
Among the five were one with a nasty tumour and one who had lost a leg. That was Dunde, now Teddy Edward. No one knows how it happened and when, though the vet is certain it isn't a birth defect. There was at some time an amputation. All five were gentle little creatures who immediately relaxed and offered licks and cuddles. In their little doggie minds they knew they were safe now.
I was the jackpot winner. I adopted Dunde, now called Teddy Edward.
For practical reasons, few dogs are adopted into the UK. The cost of airfares, the lack of volunteers on the ground to do the home visits etc. Fortunately for me I had been a volunteer and visitor for many years and my circumstances, regarding home conditions etc., were known. I had even done a couple of home visits in the UK when on a few occasions there was a need.
Six weeks after our first meeting, during which time the lucky little fellow was fostered by Fabienne, my brother drove me out to Holland to pick him up. It must have been confusing - from the hoarding house to the killing station, to the Refugio, to Fabienne's, on an airplane to meet people he didn't know, then a long non-stop car journey under the sea to a strange place and a new language. All within six months or so.
But he's a stoic little chap. I came to realise that his default mechanism is just to stay still and quiet and to accept everything that comes his way without drawing attention to himself. He didn't bark for months and months. He followed me everywhere, and still does though on occasion he will wait upstairs for as much as five minutes before I find my shadow at my heels.
There was one exception to the stoicism. When he first arrived, and for much of the first year he was very reactive to other dogs when on the lead. This was a problem but after a few sessions of basic training I found Hannah, a very experienced trainer, who is also a vet. She runs regular 'Re-hab' sessions, both one to one and in groups. It took a while but now everyone remarks about how calm Teddy is around other dogs, compared to before. I'm not sure why he reacted. Hannah remarked that if he never saw another dog he's be perfectly happy. And I agree. He prefers not to engage, which is totally understandable, given his background.
I know I am one of many who just wishes they could talk, who would dearly love to know their stories. And who marvel at the fact that our little and big rescues are so grateful, so loving after the dreadful things most of them have experienced. I am convinced that Teddy had a home once upon a time. He is so obedient, understood sit and stay and wait very quickly and someone must have paid for that amputation. I doubt the people hoarding him could have or would have done. Maybe he was taken to the vet and never picked up. Who knows.
But now he has his forever home and everyone adores him. He is well known in the village and everyone remarks on how good he is and how beautiful. He remains calm and sweet and accepting. He loves the car and walks, he has had overnight stays with my brother. I can take him to coffee shops and pubs, he's come on weekends away with me, and he has been to London, in the car, in a train and has been in a bus and a taxi!!!
This is just one story of one little dog. There are more than 22,000 other stories, thanks to Fabienne and Dirk, and all the helpers, volunteers, sponsors, students, vets and sympathisers over the last 21 years. All will be slightly different, but all will tell of rescue from misery and danger. Of love and care and devotion. More than 22,000 souls who learnt what love is. Thank you from me, Teddy Edward and all the others.
Some more photos ...
On arrival at the Refugio
With Fabienne at Malaga airport.
With me at Einhoven airport
At home!
Daily walk in the fields
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