FOR many, Christmas is a time for catching up with family and friends, tree twinkling in the corner and eating and drinking far too much.
Our pets often get in on the action, too, with cute Christmas jumpers and even their own presents to unwrap.
While they might not have a family of their own this Christmas, dogs at one of Romania’s largest independent shelters will still be celebrating the festivities with their extended family – the kind souls who dedicate their lives to caring for them while they wait to find forever homes. Speranta Shelter in Bucharest – which was recently represented by local supporters at Leamington Christmas Tree Festival – cares for more than 500 dogs, most rescued as strays. While temperatures in Bucharest plummet at this time of year, the dogs enjoy a safe and warm place to sleep and to play in the snow when it inevitably begins to fall.
Unlike many European shelters, Speranta rarely rehomes abroad and instead focuses on local adoptions to help tackle the street dog issue in its own country. It also has a no-euthanasia policy and many of the dogs in its shelter are elderly and require long-term care – its oldest residents are more than 20 years old.
Speranta champions a ‘remote adoption’ programme, where supporters can financially sponsor a specific dog for an amount of their choosing. This money helps to fund food, care and medical costs, allowing the dogs to remain in their familiar, secure home while still receiving the love and support of an adopter from afar. Donors receive regular updates, photos and videos of their chosen dog, helping to create a real and lasting long-distance relationship. They can even meet their dog in-person if they visit Romania.
Here’s the stories behind Speranta’s 12 Dogs of Christmas, who won’t have a home this month, but are looking for a virtual adopter of their own.
Bella
Bella’s former owner wanted to remove her injured leg with an axe, but luckily Speranta managed to save her just in time. Her limb needed to be amputated by the shelter’s lead veterinarian, Anca Tomescu, but Bella doesn’t let only having three legs slow her down! She loves nothing more than whizzing around with her friends at the shelter.
Albano
Sweet Albano was found as a puppy in the middle of the road with seven of his siblings. Four had already been killed by vehicles, leaving Albano and his two sisters, Romina and Sofia. Tourists brought the trio to the shelter, where both girls have since been rehomed. However, Albano will probably live out the rest of his life here, undergoing specialist treatment as he is unable to move his back legs. He’s had a new lease of life since being given a wheelchair, and you’ll usually find him causing mischief with the rest of the teenagers!
Cluj
This nine-year-old Malinois was rescued from Cluj in Romania, where he had a difficult life. Despite starting out with an owner who loved him, Cluj, as he was later named, was passed from person to person after his beloved owner died. During that time, he was abandoned, beaten, starved, neglected and hit by a car on at least two occasions. The second road accident destroyed his paw so badly that the leg had to be removed. Despite a sad past, Cluj loves life at the shelter and the team who care for him and let him know that he’s finally safe.
Hera
She may look strong as an ox, but beautiful Hera had a difficult start in life after being kept in unsuitable conditions with a pack of aggressive dogs. When she came to Speranta she was physically and mentally in a bad way, but in the two years she has been at Speranta she has transformed. She is now a proud, brave dog who loves playing with her friends.
Levănțica
This amazing four-year-old girl is the darling of the shelter, and the first one to come running up to say hi when you step through its gates. Levănțica has a neurological disease, but it doesn’t hold her back. She uses an adapted wheelchair which lifts her back legs off the ground so she can run around freely, playing with her friends at Speranta.
Mioara
Three-year-old Mioara used to roam the streets of a village just outside Bucharest. She’s a large dog, which is why locals began to throw stones to try and get her to go away. She was rescued by Speranta, who discovered this girl is a gentle giant and wants nothing more than a bit of fuss. She greets her carers with a trademark bunny hop – especially when they come bearing food!
Agripina
Brave Agripina is a symbol of resilience at Speranta. She was found in a terrible state in an area just outside Bucharest, and while the shelter doesn’t know what happened to her, it’s clear she has experienced some trauma. She is very scared of people, but the team are giving her everything she needs to trust again – time, patience and affection.
Foc
One-year-old Foc is unable to move his back legs and the team still don’t know what happened to him. He was found dragging himself through a cemetery, covered in ticks and open wounds. Now, he’s safe at Speranta and undergoing veterinary and physiotherapy treatment in the hope he can one day walk again.
Raisa
Raisa has suffered some traumatic experiences which have left her timid and cautious. Speranta’s behaviourist is working with her to help her overcome her fears and begin to enjoy life surrounded by love at the shelter.
Soare
One-year-old Soare was rescued from a public dog shelter, which is a house of horrors for all unlucky dogs who end up there. Speranta takes in as many dogs as possible from public shelters, and works to rehabilitate them from this traumatic experience.
Zora
Puppy Zora was hit by a car when she was just six-months-old. She lost one of her legs in the crash, but Speranta managed to save the second limb from amputation. Zora is being given all the rehabilitation she needs at Speranta, and most importantly – a wheelchair so she can still get around.
Bobo
This distinguished older gentleman is 19-years-young. He’s a little bit grumpy, likes his routine, peace and quiet, and his dinner right on time. He isn’t suitable for rehoming, and takes a while to like new people. Luckily, some of the Speranta staff are in his very exclusive circle of trust.
Speranta lead vet Anca Tomescu, who runs the shelter which was founded by her mother more than 20 years ago, said: “We have hundreds of dogs at the shelter who we provide food, warmth, love and medical care for.
“While we try and rehome as many dogs as possible with suitable families in Romania, many dogs will spend the rest of their lives here due to mental and physical injuries, often inflicted on them by humans.
“We are calling on animal lovers to consider monthly sponsorship to support one of our dogs, for an amount of their choosing. Not only is this a great way to have a dog of your own without the physical responsibility, but it also makes the perfect Christmas gift for the dog-lovers in your life!” To sponsor a Speranta dog or find out more, visit sperantashelter.org/donate-for-christmas.
