Saving Billy
Billy was one of the first rescues, back before the new shelter opened its doors.
This sweet doodle boy, once cherished by a family, had been cruelly abandoned, left to navigate the harsh streets on his own.
He faced the biting cold and gnawing hunger, his once fluffy coat now a tangled mess, riddled with thorns that painfully pierced his skin.
I recall how the shelter manager found him, offering a lifeline by bringing him to the temporary shelter, a place where he could finally find safety and care.
That same week, another little dog named Peggy needed help. She had the same problem. Once, she was cherished by her family, but the novelty wore off, and like Billy, she too was abandoned on the streets to fend for herself.
Neither Billy nor Peggy were neutered, a stark reminder of how easily a stray dog population can establish and grow on the streets.
It is a golden rule at the shelter and DDAA that every dog helped must be spayed and neutered.
This practice is crucial in controlling the stray population and ensuring the health and well-being of each animal.
By spaying and neutering, we not only prevent the birth of unwanted puppies but also contribute to the overall reduction of stray dogs in the community.
It is a responsibility we take seriously, knowing that it makes a significant difference in the lives of these animals and the community at large.
Billy and Peggy found themselves in an unusual but heart warming situation.
Without a proper patient recovery room, they convalesced in a makeshift container room, recovering from their surgeries together.
During their procedures, both had their coats shaved off due to their unruly state, leaving little choice but to start anew.
Despite the unconventional setting, Billy and Peggy formed an unbreakable bond in the spay clinic, becoming the best of friends through their shared experience.
Billy settled into shelter life easily, making friends with all the other dogs very quickly. He was an extremely laid-back little dog with a very happy disposition.
Whether it was playtime or nap time, Billy was always content.
His easy going nature and wagging tail made him a favourite among the shelter staff and visitors alike.
However there was one thing that Billy was not fond of & he avoided it at every opportunity.
Billy was never a fan of haircuts.
The shelter manager makes sure that all the dogs' nails and fur are kept in top-notch condition with regular care, but Billy always found a way to avoid her.
Over time, this became an inside joke with the virtual adopters.
On the days when Nilufer's hair and nails was open, everyone would wonder where Billy was hiding himself away!
Finding homes for dogs in Turkey is extremely challenging, with only 5% of the population owning pets, and most of those preferring to purchase pedigree puppies.
However, Billy was one of the fortunate ones. A wonderful family saw him and immediately fell in love with him.
Naturally, they decided to adopt him.
One of the first things they did with Billy was give him a haircut & with nowhere to hide, he accepted it.
We were so grateful to the family for giving sharing permissions so that we could tell our supporters about Billy’s good news.
Most adopters do not give this permission & we understand why. In a country where there is so much hate towards dogs, particularly now it is not sensible to advertise locations of dogs.
The municipality have taken owned dogs from gardens & owned dogs have been fatally harmed by cruel dog hating people.
Billy is loved beyond measure by his new family. This is such a happy ending for a little dog who experienced great hardship & we could not be more pleased for him.
And by the way, he is still getting those haircuts!