Just can’t say “good bye”

I am starting this campaign to try to ensure that my 3 “kids” are able to return to the UK with me in August.

Initially when I made the decision to return home, I thought that I would try to find new homes for them and leave them here, but this decision weighed so heavily in my heart, I had to find a “plan B”.

My three kids (two girls and a boy) aged 12, 9 and 5 are a little different to the normal “kid” as they each have four legs and a tail – yes, they are dogs. None are pedigrees, just run of the mill street dogs that I found, took pity on and adopted.

Rosie in 2004 – had actually been taken off the streets by the city dogcatchers and was on death row at the city kennel. The dogs there are only kept for a short time before they are destroyed so she was one of the lucky ones. She was thin, ragged, and in very poor shape, but after just a few months she blossomed into the dog she is now. I am often asked what breed she is, and I have great pleasure in saying “Mongrel” – it confuses the Brazilians!

Minnie arrived in 2006. One of four puppies born on a derelict piece of land with 2 sisters and 1 brother. The thing that attracted me to her was the fact that she could leap like a kangaroo despite her short stumpy legs and her enormous ears. She has always been a very timid little dog and is extremely wary of people, but for me she is my shadow, wherever I go in the house, she is there behind me.

Fred arrived in 2011. Abandoned and when I found him he was waiting in front of a supermarket door in the hope that somebody may accidentally drop a piece of filet or a sausage that he could rapidly take and enjoy. On May 24 2013, he disappeared and despite putting notices around the neighborhood and pacing the streets looking for him I had no luck. I sadly gave up, thinking that either he had been run over or been taken, as he is a handsome boy. On August 31 2015, I was preparing to go out when I heard a whining noise. I didn’t pay too much attention, and just thought that it was the neighbors dog. When I left the house who was standing in front of my gate, but Fred! TWO YEARS AND THREE MONTHS LATER HE HAD RETURNED.

After almost 14 years in Brazil I have to go home. I am almost 56 years old and can finally see the reality that I do not have a future here. I have survived, and it has been tough, but it is time to go back and try to make something of the rest of my life. But how can I say good bye to these three creatures that have quite simply become my family? I can’t, I just can’t and hence my appeal on GGF.

The costs involved, include: veterinary bills (vaccinations, blood tests, certification of clean bill of health – all officially translated into English); 3 crates for the journey, transportation costs and finally handling costs by authorities in the UK. My campaign is based in British Pounds as GGF does not work with the Brazilian Currency. One of my best friends, based in London is helping me to administer this campaign, which is why although I am still in Brazil, any donations will be received through the UK.

It is no small amount and I have been overwhelmed by the costs involved but what with having to finalize all of my own affairs in this country, I simply do not have the funds for this.

I would finally like to add that if I were fortunate enough to exceed my target value, this extra money will be given to the Battersea Dogs Home in London – an extremely worthy charitable organization that has over 300 dogs in its care.

I am appealing to the international community as a ‘parent’ to my three dogs. Whatever you can do to help, would be so very much appreciated, not only by me, but by Rosie, Minnie and Fred too. This family would like to stay together!