Rudozem Street Dog Rescue

Sean Austin has kindly offered us the use of his prperty near Veliko Turnovo, for helping animals.

Kerry and Kosta will be going there tomorrow (17th October 2010). Before they can take any dogs, they will be building kennels and pens. Kerry will update here.

(Veliko Turnovo)

Kerry and Kosta won't have internet for a few days yet. Once she does have connection, she will have plenty of news and pictures to upload.

A British couple are taking a dog to them on Tuesday. George was taken in by the couple after he had been shot. They suspect that he was originally intended as a guard dog as his ears have been cut off.

Today a gypsy lady went to the house and asked Kerry if she could help her with a little dog that had a very matted coat. The dog was also covered in ticks and had an eye infection. The lady said she had recently acquired the dog from someone who kept it chained up all the time. Kerry cut all the knots from the dogs coat, treated it for ticks and fleas and put eye drops in the dogs eyes. The lady was very grateful.

It hasn't taken long for word to get around that there is someone who can help with dogs

25th Oct ( VT)

We (Kosta and Kerry) arrived in V.T on the 16th Oct. We were excited and tired and couldn't wait to see the house which Sean Austin is very kindly letting us stay here to look after the dogs. We stopped at the shop and asked for directions to the house. The woman their said we wouldn't be able to go to the house and sent us to another woman. She explained to us that the house had been broken into and after a phone call to the mayor it was decided that we shouldn't go there and that we would stay at hers for the night. On the 17th we finally got to see the house which was not quite as bad as we had been imagining. Sassy and Phoebe were also adopted that day. We took them to Veliko Turnovo to meet their new owner Sarah. They had a play, cuddle and a feed in the car before their journey to their new home in Varna. The next day we got the water connected. We still had nothing to cook on so we made a little BBQ out of a few old house bricks and a roof tile. Since then its being very busy, cleaning the house, clearing the garden, trying to get everything ready for the arrival of the dogs. Kosta's mum and dad came to help us which has been a blessing. We now have electricity, hot water, a shower, a cooker, a wood burner and soon we will have an indoor toilet. The kittens have settled in brilliantly and are a very mischevious little pair. Not that we are complaining! Will have more updates and pictures very soon.

27th Oct (, VT)

Today George, our first dog arrived from Plovdiv. He was very happy to see us and as soon as we let him into the garden he was running around, wagging his tail and was more than happy to show me and Kosta the tricks that he knows. Bonny and Karl, the people who rescued George stayed for a coffee and seemed very happy that George will be staying with us until he is found a forever home. After they left Kosta was out in the rain doing things around the garden but George wouldn't go into his hut, he stayed by Kosta's side the whole time. Despite his ears being cut off he is a very loving dog and will make someone very happy.

30th Oct , Veliko Turnovo)

Today Kosta and Liam arrived with Big Dog, Oscar, Jessie, Yoda and Felix. Big Dog had a roam around the garden before settling down inside with us for the night. We let the kittens out to meet him and later on let Felix and Yoda out to meet them all. Big Dog iks great with the cats but they are still a bit wary of him. Jessie and Oscar spent the night in their new pen. We took them on a long walk and they both seem to be settling in fine. George and Big Dog met briefly. We will introduce them to each other a little more each day and take them walks together to see how they get on. Felix and Yoda are both fine. Felix a bit quite but I am sure he will come round and start to like his new surroundings.

5th Nov  VT)

Today Kosta arrived with Freddy, Acorn, Robin, Pepsi, Hana and Nova from Rudozem. He had to stop at Kurdjali to meet Elena Petkova to pick up a little labrador puppy from a vet there who has been breeding and selling puppies. He couldn't sell this as he has a deformed front leg and he was going to kill him. When Kosta stopped at a petrol station he saw a very small, skinny puppy who was completely alone. As soon as he spoke to her she rolled over onto her back. He couldn't leave her there and she was covered in ticks and fleas so she is now here with us too. I have added pictures of the new puppies to the group but haven't been able to take pictures because it is so dark here. I will upload pictures in the morning. Everyone is good and all the cats and dogs are great!

18th November ( VT)

Today we took in a dog who was going to be dumped in the nearest town and left to fend for himself. When we first approached him he was scared of us and seemed very reluctant to come near us. The man told us just to take him by the lead and that he would follow. He has a very big wound on his neck from being chained up for so long. It will need to be kept clean as it already appears to be infected. After about 10 minutes he was a different dog already. Coming up to us for a fuss, rolling onto his back for us to rub his belly and jumping up at us. He must have suffered physical abuse aswell as when I raised my hand to stroke him he flinched and yelped. He will soon learn that no one will hurt him again. The man told us that his name is Rex and he is about 2 and a half years old.

All the dogs and cats are fine. The cats think they own the house amd are always up to mischief. Einstein and Kosy are two very happy little puppies with their guardians George and Bigdog to keep them safe. Jessie and Oscar are great. They look forward to them taking US for a walk. Becks has settled in really well with Robin, Freddy and Acorn, who are all settled, happy dogs. Nova, Pepsi and Hana have also settled in great here. Liam is still here helping us. He will be going back to Rudozem on Saturday when Kosta goes back to get more dogs.

24th November , VT)

Today Kosta arrived with Mac, Tommy, Henry, Roma and Tiny Tim. They were all fine after the journey and had a good long run and play in the garden. Tiny Tim is with Felix, Yoda, Sevdaline and Winnie. He was a bit unsure of his new surroundings at first but is settling down well. All the dogs and cats are doing great. I have uploaded pictures of the new arrivals and will have more soon

2nd December ( VT)

Today me and Kosta went to Veliko Turnovo to collect a puppy that Sarah and Robin found. Sarah and Robin are the couple that adopted the cats Sassy and Phoebe. We got the puppy home and he soon made friends with the other dogs. He may be a little pup but he never stopped playing from the moment he saw the other two, Einstein and Kosy. He is now fast asleep in Bigdogs bed.

23rd December , VT)

Yesterday we were asked if we could take in 5 small puppies and their mother. The man who told us about them said that they were going to be dumped. We went round to get them but there was only a young boy at the time who was scared to let us take them incase he got in trouble. He told us to go back round today. When Kosta went to pick them up there were only 3 of the 5 puppies left. They are very small, covered in fleas and also have worms. With the snow here there is no way they would have survived on the streets. Their mother is also very thin and was so scared of us at first. We have been reassuring her all night and slowly she is coming round. They also had another dog there who was also very thin and covered in fleas. They have all been fed and the puppies have been bathed and are now settled with their mum next to the wood burner.

30th December ( VT)

Today me and Kosta were at the closest town to us. Outside the supermarket I saw I young male dog. He looked a mess so I kneeled down and called him. Him came running over and lay on his back in front of me. He was so thin and his long coat is matted, very dirty and he is covered in fleas. He has a scar all around his neck from an embedded chain which is still healing. He has had some food, been treated for fleas and for now is in the pen next to Banner keeping him company until it is warm enough to bath him and try to get the knots out of his coat. But for now he is safe. All other dogs and cats are doing great. Despite it being cold they all love the snow.

14th January ( VT)

Yesterday we took Einstein, Kosy, Becks and Kenny to Veliko Turnovo to the vets for their vaccinations and Bigdog for his booster. Today we took Jessie to be spayed. At first we thought to take Oscar and Banner aswell today, Oscar for his blood test and Banner for his vaccination but we didn't think it would be fair them stuck in the van while we waited for Jessie. We were all a bit nervous waiting for Jessie to come out as we weren't sure if the vets would do a good job or not. All doubts have been pushed aside. They did an excellent job and Jessie seems to be comfortable, a bit sore and groggy but she even managed to climb into the back of the van herself. We will now take Banner to be vaccinated on Monday and will wait for when Jessie is feeling better to go for their bloodtests.

24th January ( VT)

Today we were supposed to be taking Jessie back to the vets to get her stitches out. Due to all the snow we have had here we couldn't risk driving all the way to VT on the icy roads so removed the stitches here. Jessie was fantastic and didn't move the whole time I was taking them out. As soon as the snow clears we will be taking Jessie and Oscar for their blood tests and Banner and Noelle for their vaccinations.

7th February ( VT)

Today we took Jessie and Oscar for their rabies blood tests. They both behaved brilliantly and even the vet commented on what good dogs they both were. The blood samples will be sent away and as soon as the vet knows the results he will let us know. The five cats (Winnie, Sevdaline, Yoda, Felix and Tiny Tim) will be taken to be castrated this week. They have started 'calling' and we don't want any wandering off. We have noticed that Oscar has started to lose weight. We watch him when he eats and he always finishes it. We asked the vet today what he thought it could be and he said that he would do tests on him next week after Kosta returns from Rudozem. He will be taking Mac, Freddy and Pepsi back to Rudozem to go to their adopted homes in Holland. The vet also said that Oscars teeth needed cleaning and he will also be doing that next week.

12th February ( VT)

Last night Kosta arrived back from Rudozem with Liam and Luke. They bought with them Yasmin and Blossom, the two female cats from Rudozem, and Laura, a friends dog. He is going away to work in Turkey and his mother and sister won't go out to feed or water her, they just threw bread out of the window for her. She is a very friendly, loving dog with a temprament very much like that of Cassie's. Laura is also part Karakachan. We had a phone call this morning from a woman who had found a young male Pekingese dumped in a parking lot. She took him to the vet to have him treated from parasites and for him to also have his vaccinations. The woman said that unfortunately she can't keep him as she has 3 rescue dogs of her own and 4 would just be too many. She asked if we would be able to take him in and of course we couldn't say no. Kosta and Liam have set off to meet the woman and bring the little boy home.

14th February ( VT)

Today we had a phone call from a Scottish woman. She has to return to Britain and unfortunately isn't able to take her two dogs with her. She was heartbroken but wanted to know that her dogs would be cared and looked after and she couldn't find anyone who she trusted to give them a home. The vet in VT gave her our number and she asked if we would be able to take them in and rehome them. Of course we said yes. She brought them to us and was in tears as she had to say goodbye. She had rescued them 3 years ago as puppies in Bulgaria. The girl (Scruffy) has been spayed and the boy (Rusty) has been neutered. They are both up to date on vaccinations and in very good condition.

28th February

Kosta had to take Suma back to the vets today as her wound was looking infected. The vet has given her an antibiotic injection and said that she should be ok.

He took Yasmin to the vets aswell as we were hoping that the vet there might be able to find out why she has re-occurring problems with her mouth. The vet checked her mouth and most of her teeth have been smashed. He did confirm that she is quite an old cat. Tomorrow she has to go back for surgery and most, if not all of her teeth will be removed. Hopefully once the pain of the surgery has gone she will be a lot better and just have a diet of soft food.

29th February (VT)
Today we took Yasmin and Oscar to the vets. Oscars teeth were in very bad condition and just needed a good clean. Yasmin had a tiny bit of fish bone stuck in her gum which had obviously been there a while. It had caused a terrible infection in her gums and had made most of her teeth fall out. The vet had to remove the bone and a further two teeth. Yasmin looks so much better already. She has started cleaning herself and is alot more happier and active. She has no problems drinking and manages the soft food just fine.

26th March (VT)

Yesterday we had a phone call from the woman who found Dylan saying that she had found a very thin dog and was on her way to the vets with her. She asked us if we would be able to care for the dog and there are no other organisations around that she trusts. The dog (Now called Elizabeth) stayed at the vets over night and we went to collect her this morning. We were shocked at her condition, nothing more than skin and bones. She is eating and drinking and has alreadybeen exploring the garden. We also heard today that Ruby's rabies blood test had came back clear, meaning she is ok to travel to the UK. All the dogs and cats are doing great. Glad of the spring and the sunshine after the winter.

12th April (VT)

Today a lovely English woman came to see the dogs from a nearby village. She lives in Bulgaria and wanted a dog to keep her company as she has no one else out here. She was round most of the morning and has fallen in love with Henry, Toshko and Tiny Tim. She was spending time with them, taking them for walks and in the end decided that two dogs are better than one and why not have a cat too. They will be going to their new home on Monday and are close by so that we will always be able to check on them. A lovely woman and they will be going to a wonderful home