The Dimona-Ranana dogs

I received a call from the Ranana volunteer that all four dogs have been adopted! What a relief.

From Dimona to Ranana

The Dimona vet made arrangements with the Ranana vet to take some dogs where they would have a better chance of being adopted. Bernie and I agreed to transport the dogs by train. It is a long train ride and it requires transferring twice. Also, the train doesn't go to Ranana, so we had to receive a ride by car from a volunteer in Ranana for the last leg of the journey.
Bernie and I arrived bright and early at the Dimona shelter equipped with 4 leashes and 4 small muzzles. We had agreed to take 4 small dogs. I had a backpack and Bernie had a cloth shopping bag in which to carry the dogs.
The first dog the vet picked was a German Shepherd. So much for the small dog theory. The 10 month old German Shepherd was so excited at being released from it's cage that it wrapped it's front paws around Bernie's arm. It's dew claw was sharp and Bernie was badly scratched. The injury looked ugly and bled quite a bit. Bernie's main concern was having the dog's nails clipped, but the vet was more concerned about bandaging him. I asked him to allow her to bandage the wound as it won't look good to be bleeding on the train.
The next dog chosen was a medium sized brown and white shepherd. Sorry I don't have a photo of this one. It was even more skittish than most shepherds. I thought, "Oh boy, this is going to be more difficult than I thought." It was soon apparent that the German Shepherd had to remain by itself and couldn't be with other dogs. I asked Bernie if he thought we would be okay traveling separately. The third dog was a quiet brown dog. The vet had one more muzzle and she looked at me. I said "Catan?" Meaning small in Hebrew. She came out of the shelter with a small black dog. Finally, a dog that I could fit in the backpack.
So, I had one dog in the backpack on my frontside and one dog on leash on each hand and Bernie had the German Shepherd.
The Dimona dog catcher drove us to the train station and off we went. Fortunately, the Dimona station is quiet. We were able to board the train early and settle in with the dogs. The vet came to make sure we were on the train and to say good bye to the dogs.
At the Beer Sheva University station, we needed to transfer trains. There is a large gap in the stairwell between the train and the station platform. The German Shepherd refused to cross it. Bernie picked the dog up and fell on his knees onto the platform. He didn't loose his grip on the dog and luckily didn't hurt himself.
My two dogs on the leashes were small enough that I could drag them across the gap and onto the platform. I also had to drag the shepherd down the stairs. The train to Tel Aviv was more crowded.

From Dimona to Tel Aviv -- May

I was asked if I could help with transport. A couple had seen this photo on the Internet and wanted to adopt the little dog in the front of the cage.

I took the bus from Beer Sheva to Dimona, a 45 minute ride. The vet at Dimona released the dog after giving her injections and a microchip. We only had a home for the one dog. I had to leave the other 2 there along with all the dogs and puppies in the other cages. This dog was 3 or 4 years old, but the couple still wanted to adopt her. I had a muzzle and leash and I walked the dog out of the shelter across a field. She peed and we arrived at the bus stop. I placed her in my backpack with her head sticking out of the top. It was pouring rain.

While we waited for the bus, a taxi pulled up with one passenger. Sometimes, taxi drivers don't like to take dogs, but he stopped for us anyway. We jumped into the back seat.

The taxi driver dropped us off at the Beer Sheva Central Bus Station. We went for a walk and she peed and pooped. What a good dog. We met our friend the dog rescuer who was also taking a dog to be fostered in Tel Aviv. The four of us boarded the bus to Tel Aviv.

It is an hour and a half bus ride and the little dog slept most of the way on the bus.

When we arrived at the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station, a young couple came running up to us. They were very happy to see their dog in person. We talked for a bit and then they walked away with the dog in their arms. As I was waiting for the bus home, I saw them drive off in the car. The young woman was in the passenger seat and their new family member was on her lap looking out the window.

It is very rare to be able to see a dog from shelter to the arms of new owners in the same day when only supplying transport. It was quite an honor.

Concert for Beer Sheva Loves Animals

The organization, Beer Sheva Loves Animals, held a concert for a fund raiser. Most of the members are college students. The performers were well known and it was very special for them to perform together in Beer Sheva. They were animal advocates themselves.
At first, I was just going to buy a ticket in order to make a donation, but I was not planning to attend the concert. Then, the animal rescue woman encouraged me to attend. She and a friend picked me up in a car and we drove to the Old City in Beer Sheva to attend the concert.
All of the music and announcements and comedy were in Hebrew, except for one song. But, I was still able to enjoy the music and the sounds of the Hebrew and especially the reactions of the audience. Most of the board members came up and greeted me warmly in English. They made me feel very welcome.
Most of the people attending were on the board for Beer Sheva loves animals or were foster volunteers for the organization. It was wonderful to see them relaxing and having fun because I know how hard they work for animal advocacy the rest of the time.
I had been concerned about feeling out of place due to my age as well, but the first performer was a woman my age. She sang and played acoustic guitar beautifully.

White Shepherd

A white shepherd was found running loose in the dog rescuer's neighborhood.
She made several calls and was able to find a temporary foster home for the dog. She also advertised the dog on the internet. One Beer Sheva loves Animals volunteer agreed to keep the dog for two days until I would have time to transport it.

Another volunteer foster in Tel Aviv agreed to take the dog. Meanwhile, someone was interested in adopting the dog. It was decided that I would transport the dog by train from Beer Sheva to Tel Aviv. The foster in Tel Aviv would pick the dog up at the train station and take it home. The potential adopter could then contact the Tel Aviv foster for adoption.

Beer Sheva Loves Animals Meeting

Last night, Bernie and I attended our first Beer Sheva loves Animals meeting. They have a Facebook page, so you can add them on there.
The living room was crowded with 30 young people, mostly University students. The founder of the group spoke about how three of them met to begin this non profit group devoted to animal care in Beer Sheva. The room was full of positive energy and dedication to animals. Since our Hebrew skills are pitiful, one of the volunteers sat with us and translated the entire meeting.

Bus Station Dog

Bernie and I travel to Jerusalem three times a week to attend Ulpan. We catch a bus from the Beer Sheva Central Bus Station at 6 AM. One morning, a black shepherd showed up at the station. He was begging from the soldiers who were waiting to board the bus. After not receiving anything from them, he laid down in the bus lane. The bus was due in a few minutes.
Bernie and I couldn't stand watching this dog and wanted to do something.
I had a lead in my purse. I just happen to carry dog treats, a lead, and a muzzle in my purse at all times. I told Bernie he could try to put the lead on the dog, but to be careful. Some dogs freak if you put something around their necks. He easy got the lead on the dog and the dog followed him. The only thing we could think of was to call the dog rescuer we know in town. But, it was 6 AM and not everybody is as crazy as we are and is up at that hour.
I decided that I would take responsibility for the dog and that it was more important for Bernie to go to Hebrew class. So, I walked out of the bus station with the dog on a lead.