Dogs are marvellous creatures! We all knew that before, but sometimes we are
reminded...(by Pia Haake, pia@chanshund.com)
Zibi, Elza, Draka, Trufla, Mela, Wolt, Ludka and Murka have arrived safely in
Sweden! On Tuesday February 19, Monica, Ingrid and Pia went from Nynäshamn to
Gdansk by ferry to meet Tomasz, who had taken all dogs by car the 350
kilometres from Warszawa. Thank you Tomasz! Together with Tomasz we take the
dogs out for a last walk on Polish soil, and they soon start sniffing around
and do the things dogs do - but Zibi is sulking and will not leave his kennel
This time we do not have a car and live in the belief that there will be an elevator... Ha ha ha; forget it! - We are boarding on deck six (?!?!) and will have to take turns on the stairs, carrying kennels and dogs; Ingrid with three dogs on leash, Monica carrying Elza, who refuses to walk the stairs and me with two kennels... Well, you can all imagine it can’t you?!... At last we did arrive safely in our cabins though!!! Sweating and giggling from nervous tension we all gather in the same cabin. The dogs wag their tails apprehensively; drink a lot of water and sniff around for a while, but being very tired from all the travelling they soon find themselves a cosy corner to curl up in. We have brought dog blankets, so everyone can find their own place; Ludka picks one of the kennels. Wolt takes up most of the floor and is soon fast asleep. Murka and Trufla find themselves one corner each and Elza blocks the door to the toilet. Draka and Mela seem to prefer the beds; hmmm... hello! - no dogs in the beds, please!
All quiet - time for coffee
Zibi has been sulking in his kennel all this time; door open; after a while when all is quiet, he slowly comes out... - when he discovers all his friends from EMIR he is overjoyed and starts running around - and of course all dogs join in! Draka is happy someone is doing something at last... Time to take dogs to deck eight where dogs can be taken to do their number ones and number twos... Some dogs do both but Zibi prefers the floor in the cabin - luckily we are prepared with both paper and cleaning stuff!
The dogs sleep all through the night, but at half past six it is time to make a move; up to deck eight again... Elza will still not walk the stairs, but Monica is strong!
All dogs get a chewy stick to busy themselves with - much appreciated! Breakfast for humans is next on the agenda!
Back in Nynäshamn there is the same procedure with stairs again... but this time a friendly Polish man helps me with the kennels. He is curious about the dogs and when we tell him about the adoption scheme in Sweden he makes a thumbs-up sign!
In the arrivals hall we are greeted by the new families - prepared with cameras and smiling; smiling in that special way that people do when waiting for a special dog...
A bit of confusion as people try to find their dog - luckily everyone seem to be happy with their special dog! So, all is well and the dogs behave wonderfully - they walk their new humans outside for a while; dogs sniffing and humans chuckling :-)
In eight cars we drive to Hagsätra where veterinary surgeon Kent-Erik Binnermark will examine the dogs. There is something very moving with this long succession of cars and all these people involved in these lovely dogs...
At the vets some minor ailments are recorded; Trufla has some trouble with her behind; Bursitis Paranalis and an antibiotic is prescribed. Melas left knee has a tendency to slip the joint, and the scales show that Ludka’s weight is now 11.9 kilograms - Weight Reduction Diet for Ludka!!!
All papers are in order and the dogs get new humans by written agreements. Everyone goes to their new homes and the honourable mission of bringing these lovely dogs to Sweden is accomplished and we are very happy! Dogs are marvellous creatures and all of you who have adopted these marvellous creatures are marvellous too!!!
