25. July 2024Viernes is now called Ambra – the amber-colored one

First of all, a big thank you to all the staff at Tierschutzverein-Europa, especially to Ines Bohrer, who provided us with great support during the placement and will continue to do so if necessary.

Born (approx. 03.2020) in Spain, we have had this beautiful longleg in our family since mid-September 2023.

The placement (via Ines Bohrer) went very well and was completely unproblematic and very cooperative. When my wife and our neighbor drove to our yard with Ambra on the afternoon of the handover day, I saw an extremely anxious dog cowering on the back seat of the car. Ambra had of course had the long journey from Spain and the drive home from Emmendingen – another 400 km – in her bones. Everything and everyone was strange and new, the dog was completely exhausted and overwhelmed by everything.

She was quite thin (weighing about 20 kg) and her coat was not in good condition.

As happy as I was about her arrival, it was also clear that everything would take a lot of time and patience.

I carefully got her out of the car and we walked a few meters to pee etc.

Then we were reunited with our two dogs, which went very smoothly – only about 15 seconds of barking. (A small Podenca-Andaluz (2 yrs.) and our old lady (10 yrs.) a Podenca-Galgo mix.

In addition to her fear, Ambra brought three other challenges with her: firstly, the leishmaniasis titre was not clear, so we had no certainty (yet) as to whether there was anything dormant. Secondly, Ambra was not house-trained, which meant that we often had to take her out at the beginning and had to mop in the living room several times. (I.S.v. Shit happens)
Thirdly, Ambra has a deformity of unclear origin on her right hind leg. However, she obviously has no restrictions or problems with it.

Ambra has now been with us for 10 months.

On the one hand, there are many great changes, she has become much stronger and more self-confident outside, her whole posture shows this very clearly. When we go out, she usually barks a lot first so that everyone knows she’s coming.

If she is not busy on the walk, Lola, the little podenca, is left out

played. When the long-legged Ambra asks Lola to play, I can hardly get enough of it, it’s so much fun! And then they tussle extensively.

Ambra currently weighs approx. 26 kg, has become considerably stronger and could almost knock my socks off with my almost 118 kg if she really gets going.

One small drawback is that we can only walk the dogs on a lead, as there is no fenced-in dog meadow here, but there is plenty of game.

However, the fears that Ambra brought with her from her old life are very deep-seated, her experiences in Spain were probably too hard and violent before she was taken into the shelter there. Even after 10 months, we obviously still need a lot of time and patience so that she can continue to thaw out and develop trust. It is interesting to note that Ambra showed less fear towards women than towards men from the very beginning. This probably reflects her experience of violence with mainly men (in Spain).

There are (still) so many situations where Ambra is very scared. But: the sofa has become her safe place. She can allow and enjoy cuddles on the sofa.

All in all, we have not regretted our decision to take Ambra on board for a single moment, but it takes a lot of patience to …

In April, Lola had eaten poison in our village and almost died. We managed to get her through with emergency services, the vet and the vet. Now our old Topita is ill with an intestinal infection, joint pain and restricted mobility. As she can no longer keep up with the pace and stamina of the others, we usually have to walk her separately.

So it remains “exciting” …

Ambra-00 still in Spain

Ambra-01 in the car on handover day 16.09.2023

Ambra-02 18.09.23 – arrived

Ambra-02b on a walk – 19.09.23

Ambra-03 walking the dog – the malposition on the right rear leg is recognizable

Ambra-04 going for a walk – someone is coming towards us …

Ambra-05 Ambra – a portrait

Ambra-06 in the grass – Sept. 23

Ambra-07 Oct. 23 – in the forest

Ambra-08 Oct. 23 – in profile

Ambra-09 Oct. 23 – very attentive in the field

Ambra-10 Dec. 23 – it was cold outside, so in a sweater

Ambra-19 01.24 – on the meadow on a long leash

Ambra-20 01.24 – in the meadow (2)

Ambra-25 Cuddling – on the sofa

Ambra-28 03.24 – Scuffle on the sofa (1)

Ambra-30 03.24 – Scuffle on the sofa (2)

Ambra-31 03.24 – Scuffle on the sofa (3)

Ambra-33 03.24 – Scuffle on the sofa (4)

Ambra-34 03.24 – … this look …

Ambra-35 two podis in the seat at the bench – always everything in view (!)

Ambra-37 Ambra doing one of her favorite things: looking out of the window

Ambra-38 07.24 – at the cemetery

Ambra-39 07.24 – on a walk in the woods