Enjoying the sights and sounds of Turkey

Today is a ‘no news’ day for the Animalcouriers trip that’s passing through Turkey on the way to Greece, and hoping to reach Bodrum tonight.

In our case, no news is good news! Having a calm day or two gives us a chance to reflect on recent happenings and remember the people who’ve been kind, helpful and thoughtful during challenging times!

For starters, the owners of the dogs — the intrepid band who accompanied us to Mersin got safely back to Famagusta. From the moment we met them at the KAR office as we limped back from our first abortive attempt to enter Turkey, until they left us at Mersin port, entrusting their precious pets to us, we never heard a single grumble or groan! Everyone pulled together for the crossing from Famagusta, organising visits to the notary, new car paperwork, car insurance, permission to take their cars to Turkey — all at lightning speed. Not forgetting Bob and Lynn, who quickly reorganised for their dogs to fly instead, as they couldn’t come to Mersin with us.

During the crossing from Famagusta, there was plenty of good humour and laughter. A quick rethink when we had to leave Janet’s car behind. Willingness to take the dogs onto the ferry’s open deck in the middle of the night on a pitch-black sea. Coping with the long wait at Mersin, when all everyone wanted was a shower and a cold drink. Then the near panic when we thought they might all miss the boat back to Famagusta. Then when it looked like only Diana might have to stay behind, everyone else wanted to support her by staying behind too!

And although some of the bureaucracy came close to making us despair, the willingness of certain individuals to go the extra mile for us kept us going. Eren and his dad from Petical Vets, who put so much effort into the paperwork. The kind port police who watched over the van for us. The lovely member of the ferry crew who gave us a key to the vehicle deck so that we could check on the dogs whenever we wanted. Then at the port the next morning he found courier J, gave her a hug and handed her a bunch of grapes from the mess supplies!

And of course, the exceptionally efficient senior port officer Aynur, who kickstarted all the officials into action. We told Aynur: “We can’t thank you enough. We hope one day someone shows you the kindness you’ve shown us.” “Someone already has,” she replied, “So I know just how you feel.”

Camel in its Sunday best

Off to the shops!

Buying fresh strawberries

Driving through a large banana-growing area. We were tempted to buy some but haven’t got through all the strawberries yet!

Just one of the many handsome mosques we’ve passed

A prayer room at a Total garage

A sprawling old fort

Courier M shows off his dog-wrangling skills, while Jasper, Tink and Roxy do their own thing!

Reo hoping for a treat

Brandy — one ear up, one down

When we pulled in for a comfort break, a street dog came up to see what we were doing. We slipped him a few treats before saying goodbye.

Ginger Nuts at the Denizkizi Hotel

Animalcouriers are enjoying the civilised comforts of the Denizkizi Hotel in North Cyprus. They were especially pleased to be greeted by ‘Ginger Nuts’ — a young ginger tom whose clipped ear indicates he’s had the snip as part of Kyrenia Animal Rescue’s neutering programme for stray cats.

Last week he’d spent quite a bit of time sitting on courier M’s lap (who gave him his name). As soon as he spotted us this time, he came straight over, as if to say, where have you been?

Hello, I’ve missed you!

The telltale clipped left ear

Is this my best side now?

Indulge your love of doodle dogs with a Cyprodoodle!

Many of the dogs rescued by Kyrenia Animal Rescue (KAR) are Cyprus Poodles or include that breed in their makeup. Margaret of KAR has christened them all Cyprodoodles, and many are looking for loving new homes.

Here’s the background on just four of these lovely dogs — all young adults — who’re currently being looked after at the KAR rescue centre. If you have room in your life for a Cyprodoodle, visit the KAR website rehoming page or contact KAR.

Dinky is affectionate, likes to be cuddled and is always ready to put her head on your shoulder — as you can see…

…Dinky came to the shelter in August last year. Although she did get rehomed, her adopter brought her back as they didn’t like dealing with dog hair. She’s a confident dog who stands her ground with other dogs.

Flopsy came to the shelter last September with a burnt mouth, but has made a full recovery. She shadows people she likes and always tries to go home with them! She’s a very loyal dog.

Nixon has been at the shelter since November 2011. No-one knows his background but he’s a very friendly soul.

Friendly Isa was left at the shelter in a box three years ago. The staff have nicknamed her ‘Pogo’ as she jumps up and down on her back legs, as though on a pogo stick!

KAR’s new veterinary clinic needs an autoclave and a centrifuge

A couple of years ago there was a big hike in vet costs which caused a severe drain on KAR’s finances. They realised that if they had their own clinic, focusing on neutering street cats and dogs under their ‘neuter and release’ programme, they could promote animal welfare and save themselves a lot of money.

On moving to their new premises they set up a clinic and started raising funds to pay for equipment. They already have good consulting and operating rooms, and will receive more kit from the UK soon. It’s a fantastic achievement.

Among the equipment they still need are an autoclave and a centrifuge. If you can help with those items or contribute funding towards them, KAR will be very grateful and the animals of North Cyprus will benefit directly.

Then it’s just a question of finding a vet to run the clinic. So far they’ve not been able to find a locally registered vet. They’re considering bringing someone in from abroad but will have to get special permission to do so.

The people at KAR are so determined that they’re bound to overcome this hurdle very soon!

The plaque recording donations

The consulting room

Cat weighing scales — quite possibly the only set in North Cyprus

The operating room — new tables are on their way

The clinic’s grooming kit

Reunions for Szmelowina, Oliver and Archie

Cat Szmelowina and dogs Oliver and Archie had very happy reunions with their families today.

Animalcouriers delivered Szmelowina from Italy to her new home in Birmingham, where her family were absolutely delighted to have her back with them.

Szmelowina peered out curiously at her new neighbourhood, then once indoors, rushed around on a mad exploration.

There was lots of excitement when Oliver reached his new home in Walsall. After a year apart it was an incredible reunion. Lucky Oliver’s new home is above a chip shop — he was taken straight off to meet the lovely staff and doubtless a sausage or two will have gone his way!

Courier S was spoiled with a warm plate of savouries as a gift from Oliver and his family. With four of these yummy cheesy-eggy-crunchy-sesame-topped delicacies already wolfed down, courier S doesn’t think many of them will reach the office!

There was a real party atmosphere when Archie and his family were reunited on the motorway near Birmingham, ready for the last leg of the journey to Hereford. Archie’s a wonderful character and we fully understand why they were all so emotional at being back together.

Last night in Carisio: azaleas, mountains and paddy fields

We stayed at the Hotel Paladini in Carisio in the Piedmont region of Italy. We were treated to beautiful views while walking the dogs, and azaleas in full bloom.

We woke to splendid views of mountains behind the paddy fields — it’s hard to believe how much rice is grown in Italy

Sauntering around our hotel

Beautiful Alex, framed by azaleas — our calendar girl of the trip

Is this my best side?

All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up

Just look at the view, says Pepito

Seen at a Swiss motorway services

Sadly no room on board for these two!

Tracking and tracing the top ten tongues

To mark the 2000th post in the nearly four years Animalcouriers has been blogging, we thought we’d publish photos of the top ten tongues that have turned up on our travels to date.

Here are the names of the animals in question. Can you match the names to the tongues?

In no particular order: Bella, Harry, Canico, Phaidon, Chloe, Lobo, Mojo, Caesar, Miggins, Phaidon — sorry everyone, this last name should have been Phaidra (our bad)

Entirely at our own discretion, we may award a small prize of little or no value to the answer that makes us laugh, gets the list right, or appeals to us in some as yet unknown way! (See our quiz Ts & Cs.)

All entries welcome – be creative if you can’t be correct! Quiz open until midnight BST Friday (19 April) and we’ll announce the results early next week.

Around 100 dogs from Filozoikos have been rehomed

We asked Conrad from the UK-based Friends of Animals — Nea Filadelfia group how many dogs have been rehomed from the Filozoikos Shelter. He estimates around 100 over the past three years, which is pretty impressive.

Conrad had his own Greek rescue dog, called Indexi, who he describes as his ‘very special companion and the best thing I ever did in my life.’ It’s in honour of Indexi, and of Kiki and the other caring people at Filozoikos, that he works so hard with the teams in Greece and the UK to rehome so many of these lovely dogs.

Like Conrad, Kiki is absolutely dedicated to their care and rehoming, and very involved with each dog as an individual. You can see this in these excerpts from an email she sent to Conrad when we collected the latest group of dogs, that he’s shared with us.

“It was a very emotional morning. Most of those dogs were with us very long or were in need as Xenia and Elpida. I remember in the Wagathon Xenia was the first of our dogs that reached the place of the Wagathon wearing a sign saying I’M LOOKING FOR A HOME.

I remember the day we brought Asproula and Yanis and seven other dogs to the shelter, when the man who had them in an abandoned house was killed. I remember how mad I was with the people who abandoned Electra. I remember how desperate I was the day they brought Elpida in after being a family dog for 11 years. I remember Litsa coming skin and bones. I remember the day we collected Kaisaras and his brother and sisters from the dirtiest place you can imagine. They lived beside a dead cat among garbage. Soon after they entered the shelter they developed parvo and Kaisaras’ brother died.

And now they are on the way to loving homes, homes that I could never hope for if it weren’t for you and all the wonderful friends we have in England. I don’t know how I could ever thank you enough. By the way, right now we have only 71 dogs at the shelter. I know the number will soon increase again, but I enjoy the moment.”

And a final word from Martha, another devoted key member of the Filozoikos team, who reported on the dogs’ departure:

“Our beloved dogs had a grooming and their wonderful new bows (made by our great volunteer Ifigenia). We gave them lots of kisses, we were crying, and then they were into the van and on their way to their bright new lives. Our love will be by their side. Thenk you everyone for making it happen.”

Kiki

Conrad

 

A new character joins the cast of ‘Tales from Biddissville’

We asked Jane how the residents of Biddissville have been coping since the sad loss of beloved Officer Oswald. She quickly replied to let us know the latest development:

Rev Ray and Mrs Biddiss are friends with Barbara who dedicates her life to all things Collie. As well as being the leading Collie expert in the whole known universe Barbara also runs the Freedom of Spirit Trust for Border Collies (FOSTBC) in Bingley — a Collie rescue centre where Rev and Mrs Biddiss acquired the small brown loopy one glorifying in the name of Mental Mini.

Rev and Mrs Biddiss visit the sanctuary several times a year to take biscuits and bedding and other treats. They visited yesterday to show Barbara how well Mental Mini’s leg is healing, and to take a huge sack of bedding and, sadly, hundreds of pounds worth of epilepsy medication left over from the untimely demise of dear Officer Oswald.

It was a day of mixed emotions as Mrs Biddiss had already picked up poor Oswald’s ashes from the vet’s and had sobbed uncontrollably over the poor unsuspecting vet’s receptionist (how embarrassing!).

Now Barbara is a shrewd and canny woman and knows a good thing when she sees it, and often tries to slip another Collie into the Biddissville dogmobile when it visits the sanctuary. Rev and Mrs Biddiss were chatting in the office and explaining the medication they had brought when Barbara said (a tad too casually): ‘Have you met Tip?’

Into the office wriggled a small, plain, unremarkable Collie with large soulful brown eyes. If the truth be told he was rather grubby, a bit smelly and an obvious mud magnet. Tip wiggled straight up to Mrs Biddiss, sat himself down between her feet, gazed up into her face with big brown sad eyes and gently licked her face. She put her arms around him and let out a huge contented sigh and kissed his grubby little muzzle.

‘Bugger,’ said Rev Biddiss in a particularly un-vicar kind of way. He realised that he was yet again just a powerless passenger on another one of The Good Lord’s famous stitch-up rides.

Barbara explained that dear little Tip had come into her loving care two years ago at about the age of one, after being beaten and treated most severely. He’s spent the last two years benefiting from Barbara’s Collie wisdom, recovering from his poor start in life and waiting, rather overlooked, for his forever family to adopt him.

Tip was taken out to the car to meet Mental Mini and Sneaky Neaky. Mini did not give him any ‘silent lips’ and Sneaky wagged his tail approvingly. ‘Nice little chap, Mum,’ they said, ‘albeit a bit pongy!!’

‘Great,’ sighed Rev Biddiss, ‘When can we collect him?’

Now, regular readers of the Biddissville stories will know that Rev and Mrs Biddiss like to bestow rather interesting names upon their doggy characters — like Sneaky Neaky the Portuguese Pilfering Pooch and Mental Mini. Quite frankly, Tip as a name doesn’t cut the mustard.

Rev and Mrs Biddiss are both great fans of Snoopy. Other Snoopy fans will know of a character in the Snoopy stories who is small, unassuming, frequently overlooked, unremarkable in all aspects apart from the fact that he is a dirt magnet and is always rather grubby. He glorifies in the name of Pigpen. So a new character will soon be gracing our Biddisville stories: Tippy Pigpen Biddiss. Perfect!!

In fact, Mrs Biddiss fully intends to register him at the vets under that name just for the satisfaction of hearing her very sensible vet calling for ‘Tippy Pigpen Biddiss’ to come into the surgery (little things, Mrs Biddiss, little things!!)

Who knows how his character will turn out or what adventures he will have… stay tuned, folks!!

Tippy Pigpen Biddiss

Simpsons on the sand

On the beach near Russell’s home in Sabinillas we saw some fantastic Simpsons-themed sand sculptures.

Homer

Maggie

Not a Simpsons character as far as we know, but an impressive dragon nonetheless!