Sue writes to Simona Mikulikova, a breeder of Black Russian Terriers, who is now taking care of Enzo for the next five months.
Dear Simona Mikulikova,
I am writing in the hope that you may understand English, or be able to have someone to translate for you.
I live in Melbourne, Australia, and I am a good friend of Atia Protivinska, who is now living in Sydney, Australia. She had to flee from Brno to Australia last February, and was forced to leave her beloved Airedale, Enzo, behind.
I have been working with Atia, and with many people all over the world, to find a way to bring Enzo back to Australia. We are all involved with Airedale Rescue groups.
Last week, we learned that Enzo has come to live with you.
Atia is very anxious that Enzo is very well cared for while he lives with you. We are very grateful that you seem to like Enzo very much, and that he will live in your home with you, and not in the kennels.
Atia is very worried that he will not survive very well if he had to be in kennels. Enzo has been in a very distressed state for nearly six months, and has been depressed & withdrawn.
I would be very very grateful if you are able to tell me how he is now, with you.
Also, Atia & I will be working together to bring him home to Australia, and we will be very grateful also if you are able to assist in the Quarantine Protocol that is required to be followed. Atia is very familiar with the procedures, and I understand that her vet in Brno is also familiar with these requirements.
He will need to remain in your care for five months, have the necessary blood tests & vaccinations, and then we will make the arrangements to fly him to Sydney, Australia, at the end of this year.
I am delighted to find your website and to see what beautiful Black Russian Terriers you are breeding. They are very handsome. The puppy photographs are lovely, and the adult dogs look wonderful.
If you are able to send me a reply, and assure us that Enzo is settling into your home, that would be wonderful. Atia loves him very very dearly, and it has added greatly to her very serious problems, that she had to leave him in Brno.
I look forward to hearing from you, I hope you will forgive me that I can only write in English.
Photograph courtesy of Simona Mikulikova
On 25 July, Sue receives this reply:
Dear Sue Forrester,
My name is Natalia and I'm the best friend of Simona Mikuliková. Simona is not speaking English and that is why I'm writting to you. I'm not speaking English very good, but I hope, that we will understand to each other.
And now about Enzo. Like you can see on todays photo's Enzo feels at home. He really feels very fine!! He has very good character, he likes short gaming, but mostly he likes sleeping in agreeable cold foyer of Simona's house (it's as hot as hell here). Simona very [much] likes him. She told me,that Enzo is very kind dog, even & graceful. He very [much] likes caresses. Enzo is living with Simona & her family in their house ([the] other dogs Simona has permanently outside) and Enzo goes for walks separately from the other dogs (they are still too young & [wild]).
Enzo is eating food absolutely without any problems - poultry solid or pastes with dog's-meat (it's his favourite meal).
Of course we are able to help you with needed documentation for Enzo's transport home.
Please, write on my e-mail address, anyway I'm must translate your every one letter to Simona.
Photograph courtesy of Simona Mikulikova
So on 27 July, Sue is able to write: Update on Enzo in Czech Republic . . . HAPPY !!! (oh and a bit long)
Dear everyone,
I have to apologise for the huge gap in writing to the lists to bring you the best possible news about Our Enzo.
Even this note is likely to be brief, as I've been scuttled by a ghastly virus since last Sunday (which happened to be our annual Airedale Bush Picnic at Old Iron Park, home of Margaret River, bred by Anne & Ron Sorraghan).
After six days, I don't feel any better, but the doctor I saw yesterday (and believe me, I just NEVER get sick) gave me some stuff which frankly only makes me feel worse. So my bed is a very attractive thing at present. Even if I do have to share it with a few others.
As soon as I am able, I'll put the detail together in consecutive days since Enzo's story began. There is a vast amount of detail but you may not want to know all of that!. The past couple of weeks have been a web of threads, some leading to further progress, others to a dead end. But the vital thing is that we HAVE MADE PROGRESS.
Best of all, Enzo is safe, loved, well-cared-for and there is no reason why (barring unexpected events) we will not be bringing him home to Sydney in either late December 2006 or very early January 2007. He is in good health, eating well, relaxed and very content. He clearly knows he is loved.
In brief, a lovely generous breeder of Black Russian Terriers, Simona Mikulikova, who lives only 20km from Brno, is willingly providing him with a five-star home. More on that later, but he could not be in better hands and we now have some photos to prove it.
I wrote to Simona on Saturday last week, not having a clue if she could read English but hoping a friend might help. On Tuesday, the most exciting email sat there in my Inbox, written by Simona's best friend Natalie. I have copied both letters, mine first, followed by hers, to give you a picture as best as I can. Simona also has a website (which was how I came to find her address details) and you may like to take a look at these GIANT canines HERE
Do I have to tell you that Atia is just beyond ecstatic - this is the first thing that has gone remotely 'right' in her life for a very long time.
Atia is destitute, not a penny nor a cent to fall back on. No furniture, no beds, nothing. A trained teacher, she has (in the midst of much stress) embarked on a Counseling Course which, she hopes, will enable a reasonable living to be made. I have to say that if anyone has a clue about doing it tough, and thereby identifying with distressed people, it will be Atia.
We know we will be facing large expenses towards the end of the year, in addition to finding at least some contribution to Enzo' board and lodging. I've sent some money up to her already (with a couple of little Airedale charms to let her know that Enzo is there on her shoulder).
Already many people have written privately, asking if we need some funds. Until I was certain of where we were going, I have gratefully accepted but just 'put it on hold' for the moment.
Now that the path is clear ahead, with five months quarantine to be served in CR, (to late December) and a final one month in Sydney (January) there is every expectation that Atia and Enzo will be reunited in February 2007.
I can guarantee you'll hear the cheers from here.
And very special gratitude to Peter Mortensen in Denmark for finding two possible homes for him, if we could not succeed in bringing him back to Oz; . . .
. . . to Kirk Nims in Michigan, USA for phone calls & positive action which would have placed him in an ATRA home under Kirk's eagle eye; . . .
. . . and to Sanna Rosell in England, who has offered free quarantine for six months, plus willingness to handle the paperwork.
You are all generous beyond words.
We have sifted through the options, selecting the one that reunites Enzo & Atia with least disturbance to Enzo, for five months anyway. And he is living in a home, not out in the kennels, which Atia was terrified would be the end of him.
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Photograph courtesy of Lynn O'Shaughnessy |
Oh - one last thing before I crawl off to bed . . . I sent Enzo's photos to Lynn O'Shaughnessy (President of ATRA - Airedale Terrier Rescue & Adoption) two days ago. Straight back came a note to say he is one of three Senior Airedales on the 2007 'Seniors Rule!' Calendar!
Hugs to the best Airedale Family in the Universe! |
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