Saving Ellie
Ellie is one of many dogs who were once cherished pets but found themselves abandoned on the streets due to the introduction of banned breed legislation in Turkey.
This legislation led to the abandonment of numerous dogs, including those that did not meet the specific criteria to be classified as pit bulls.
Even breeds like boxers were rejected.
This unfortunate situation arose because many people either chose not to or were unable to comply with the legal requirements associated with the banned breed legislation.
When Ellie first arrived in our care, she was incredibly thin and appeared very anxious.
It seemed that she had either been neglected by her previous owner or had somehow managed to survive on the streets for some time.
Given her gentle nature and lack of street smarts, I suspect it was more likely neglect rather than street survival.
Aside from having internal and external parasites, Ellie was generally in good health and just needed a proper feeding plan to help her gain weight.
In the photo, she's wrapped in a dressing gown for warmth. We never bathe dogs when they first arrive, as it can hinder their recovery and doesn't aid in their adjustment process.
We prefer to wait until they've settled in and feel comfortable with us. If a bath is absolutely necessary under veterinary advice, we let the vet handle it, using a mild sedative to ensure dogs remains calm and unafraid.
In the early days, Ellie's diet was carefully managed with small, frequent meals throughout the day.
This cautious approach was crucial because allowing a starving dog to eat large amounts at once can be detrimental to its digestive system.
A sudden surge of nutrients can overwhelm the dog's body, potentially leading to severe issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, or even food bloat.
These health problems can be dangerous and required careful management to ensure Ellie's safe recovery and well-being.
Under veterinary guidance, Ellie's meals gradually increased in size and decreased in frequency, helping her return to a normal eating pattern.
Even though she continued to eat eagerly, we were assured that she wouldn't harm herself in the process.
Saving Ellie was one of our early rescues, an experience that will always remain close to my heart.
Observing her gradual transformation as she gained weight and began to interact with the other dogs brought immense joy.
Rescue work is undeniably stressful, filled with both rewarding and challenging days, and there are moments so painful that they take your breath away.
However, successes like Ellie's are invaluable. Dogs like her inspire us to persevere, reminding us that there's always a chance to turn a dog's life around.