These days, my life seems to revolve around the loss of my dogs. I’m cleaning out their basket and I was about to toss the remaining food, but my girlfriend suggested to save the food and bring it to the animal rescue organization here in Vienna as they are always happy with such gifts. So I’m finding out about animal rescue station here in Vienna.

While browsing the net, follow news-item came to my attention:

october 5, 2008 - Burgenland.

137 Puppy dogs stowed in boxes, whining and moaning – this dog-transport was pulled from traffic by police in Burgenland. The puppies were about to be transported in agony for 2.600 kilometres from Slovakia to Spain. Their destiny is now in hands of authorities…

The vehicle was found during routine check in the village ‘Loipersdorf’. Not only serious technical problems were found - from the back of the truck, heartbraking whining was heard from 137 puppy dogs. „Transportation documents stated that the dogbabies were age 17 to 18 weeks. The real age of these dogs was not more than maximum 6 weeks.” Stated the chief of traffic control.

The destiny for all puppies is a matter of juristic law and lies in hands of the president of state Burgenland. The authorities have to decide if the dogs remain in possession with the state (animal care) or if they have to be returned to the Slovak owner. Legally, the owner does not have to fear serious consequences as he only faces possible charges for document fraud.

Mass-producing dogs is a practice, well known as ‘dog mafia’, a multi million business. A dog with good pedigree is known to be worth up to 1.000 EUR.

What struck me in this situation is the fact that there is a possible chance that all dogs will have to be returned to the owner, so be transported into Spain once more. It seems that authorities are dealing with this situation in their own ruleset and bound by local laws.

In any case: these examples of animal(NON-)care make me mad! Very mad!

This seems to me a matter for international government line-up. If incidents like these remain like they are: just a plain ‘incident’, hardliner animalcare activities will continue to grow in this society! Of course, there needs also to done much about ‘customer awareness’; these stories need to be told and people who want to find a dog should know about these mafia practices. Unfortunately awareness will not be enough, as there is always a (substantial) price tag. And the pricetag is interesting enough for the scruples dealer with no- or low moral….

Besides that: who can resist a puppy face?……

Puppy face

(source: http://www.tierheim.at/front_content.php?idcat=135&idart=272)

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It’s only a month ago (07/09) that I had to decide for Terra to stop the agony, suffering without any expectation of recovery. Now I’m facing the same terrible decision for Raaki! 13-and-a-half years of shared compassion and love, abruptly broken by human mind. I call it my ‘responsibility’, but only because I’m not aware of a word with even deeper meaning…. I made up my mind last Monday, after several weeks of Raaki’s suffering. Just like Terra, she too has sustained health problems due to her age.

To me, this ‘responsibility’ is an extreme dilemma. The live and wellbeing of Terra and Raaki have always been my most important goal. At the moment where they stepped into my life, life changed and has been molded to meet that goal. It was never a sacrifice, only a blessing. And now, I feel obliged to decide for euthanasia for the same sake of wellbeing!?

It’s not horrible, only because I know this is the right way.

In this ordeal, I have been very fortunate. I have found a new, bright, supportive mind with whom I can share these difficult events. But it seems that our connection goes way beyond! Last Tuesday, she met at our place and I was able to introduce her in real life to Raaki, subject in many of my stories! Our connection has grown over past weeks to a level where it grew very important to me to make this possible. It’s probably a psychological importance to myself, but then again: is this a promise to new opportunities????

That will be a whole different story! I will save that for a next time..

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