Saving Toffee & Her Puppies
The shelter manager received an early morning call & knew she had to act swiftly. A female dog, heavy with milk & several puppies were living in the area & it was not a safe place for them to be.
There is a growing hostility toward dogs sadly which meant that the mother dog and her puppies were in imminent danger. The fear that they might be taken to an area where dog culling was occurring or poisoned was a threat that could not be ignored.
With a dedicated team, the manager set out to locate the vulnerable family. Guided by the caller's description, they sped through the streets, driven by the urgency to protect the mother and her little ones. The situation was tense; the manager's heart raced with the knowledge that every moment counted.
When they arrived at the location, they found the mother dog, clearly tired but resolute in her instinct to shield her puppies. Her eyes, a mix of worry and courage, met the manager's, who approached with gentle assurance.
The team is always prepared, equipped with catch poles and dog crates, and they are adept at handling these tools with both skill and care.
Their approach to capturing stray dogs is swift and efficient, minimizing stress and discomfort.
Whenever possible, they choose to win the dogs' trust, as this method is the gentlest way to transition them from streets to shelter safety.
This process involves a combination of patience, tempting food, gentle words, soft tones, and welcoming body language, which almost invariably succeeds.
Luckily, mama dog quickly understood that the team meant her no harm and willingly allowed herself to be gently placed into the ambulance along with her pups.
Back at the shelter, the mother and her puppies were placed in a private paddock to settle in.
The manager has a remarkable approach with the dogs and never imposes anything on them right away.
Transitioning from what a dog perceives as a safe nest to the hustle and bustle of a large, busy shelter can be overwhelming.
The manager understands this and refrains from adding any pressure. A quick visual check and minimal handling can reveal any immediate concerns, while baths, parasite treatments, and similar actions can be postponed for a few days until everyone has acclimated.
In some situations, the presence of numerous dogs can cause anxiety and worry for mothers, even when the other dogs are far from a private kennel or paddock.
In such cases, the shelter project may not be the best environment, and finding a foster home becomes necessary.
This can pose a significant challenge, especially in a country where there are few individuals willing to take in a single dog, let alone a mother dog with her litter.
It's not uncommon to see the shelter manager caring for several dogs in her own home.
Fortunately, in this instance, the family felt completely at ease in their new surroundings. In the video, you can observe the puppies taking an afternoon nap, their tummies contentedly full of milk.
I find myself deeply concerned about the uncertain future that lies ahead for our little family.
The current climate in Turkey is not favourable for dogs, and it's heart breaking to witness the animosity directed towards these innocent creatures.
They never chose to be born on the streets or to be abandoned by those who should have cared for them.
The new restrictions and bans on adoptions have only added to the challenge of finding homes for Toffee and her puppies.
Despite these difficulties, there's a silver lining in knowing they are currently safe in a no-kill shelter. We hold onto hope and resilience, knowing that together, we will find a way forward
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Michelle x