Their smiling faces say it all ❤️
Published on March 15, 2024 at 4:37 PM
For the past four years or so, Buket Özgünlü has dedicated her life to rescuing and caring for stray dogs through her nonprofit Paws Holding on to Life Association.
At her sanctuary in Turkey, Özgünlü cares for 560 dogs — most of whom have disabilities that make life on the streets impossible.
“They were all rescued,” Özgünlü told The Dodo. “The majority of them are paralyzed. Some have been shot, beaten, abandoned. All of them have a past.”
But thanks to Özgünlü, they all now have a future, too.
“Since my father is disabled, I give more priority to disabled dogs,” she said. “They need us more. I try to take care of them as much as possible.”
Life on Paws Holding on to Life Association’s countryside sanctuary is a peaceful and happy place for the pups, with plenty of room to play and explore in their wheelchairs. But recently, Özgünlü conceived of a new way to add even more enrichment to their lives — allowing them access to new sights and sounds.
Fashioning some barrels with wheels and stringing them in a line, Özgünlü built a “dog train.”
And with that, the pups could now ride in style:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4dor8fI-sD/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=810&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedodo.com&rp=%2Fdaily-dodo%2Fwoman-builds-dog-train-to-take-disabled-rescue-pups-on-little-adventures%3Futm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3Ddodo%26fbclid%3DIwY2xjawNV4IRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF6eWRqTHVCaXdEZG#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A2530.800000011921%2C%22ls%22%3A2031.4000000059605%2C%22le%22%3A2035.2000000178814%7D
“I’d actually been thinking about doing such a project for a long time,” Özgünlü said. “I was very happy that I did.”
Seeing the pups’ joyful faces as they mosey through town in their custom dog train, they’re clearly happy that she did it, too.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4fNP0SIrma/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=810&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedodo.com&rp=%2Fdaily-dodo%2Fwoman-builds-dog-train-to-take-disabled-rescue-pups-on-little-adventures%3Futm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3Ddodo%26fbclid%3DIwY2xjawNV4IRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF6eWRqTHVCaXdEZG#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A2535.4000000059605%2C%22ls%22%3A2031.4000000059605%2C%22le%22%3A2035.2000000178814%7D
As exciting as the dogs find these these little adventures beyond their sanctuary’s borders, they aren’t alone in that feeling. Wherever the dog train travels, Özgünlü and her pups are met with smiles and waves from people seeing them passing by.
“Many people like it, and it makes me even happier,” Özgünlü said.
The shining souls of all those former stray dogs, once forgotten or overlooked, are now impossible to miss.
In some ways, showing such love and dedication to the happiness of needy dogs is a thankless task for Özgünlü and others so committed to that cause — but the sight of their happy faces and wagging tails is a reward all its own.
“I know very well how much they need it,” Özgünlü said.
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Her Kitten Wouldn’t Stop Crying — Then She Realized She Was Missing Someone
“From the moment she arrived, she cried nonstop.”
Last year, Vivian Powers decided to foster a kitten named Sissy through a shelter in Germany. Powers noticed Sissy was the most fearful of her litter and wanted to give the cat a chance to relax in a home environment.
But as soon as Sissy got home, Powers could tell something was wrong.
“From the moment she arrived, she cried nonstop,” Powers told The Dodo.
Powers, being a caring foster mama, tried everything she could to make Sissy feel better. But nothing was helping.
“Then, one day, I played a video of cats meowing, and suddenly, she stopped crying,” Powers said. “She poked her head out, alert and curious. That’s when I realized she’s a cat’s cat. She needed a cat friend.”
Powers decided to return to the shelter to get a friend for Sissy. She paid a visit to Sissy’s littermates and discovered something shocking — Sissy’s brother, Toto, had gotten sick.
Toto had developed FIP (feline infectious peritonitis), which, as Powers explains, is “a serious, often fatal illness caused by a mutation of feline coronavirus.” Until very recently, there was no treatment for FIP. Because the FIP medication is so new, shelters in Germany aren’t allowed to administer it.
Powers had recently lost one of her foster cats named Mowgli to FIP, which had left her devastated. Powers was determined for Toto to get the second chance Mowgli never got. If not for Sissy, that wouldn’t have been possible.
“I never would have gone back to the shelter if it wasn’t for her crying,” Powers said.
Powers wasn’t sure how she’d be able to help Toto without medication. But then a miracle happened — a kind stranger who’d heard about Toto’s story decided to donate the FIP medication Toto needed if Powers agreed to take care of him. Of course, Powers didn’t hesitate to accept the offer.
As Toto started his treatment, he began to feel a bit better, but it wasn’t enough, he was still struggling. Powers, willing to try anything to get him feeling better, reached out to her dog’s physical therapist for help. The physical therapist massaged Toto and did laser therapy on him, which helped drain some of his fluid buildup — and saved his life.
As Toto’s physical therapist was working with him, they developed a deep bond. She decided to adopt the cat and see his treatment journey through.
“It’s such a beautiful relationship,” Powers said. “She knew he was sick and she loved him anyway.”
As for Sissy, Powers was amazed by how Toto’s presence helped her come out of her shell. Before long, Powers realized she was ready for a forever home. Sissy was adopted by a loving family and bonded quickly with her new sister, Iska, with whom she loves to cuddle.
“What was really beautiful about this journey is that while Sissy brought Toto into my life, they each followed their own unique path in foster care,” Powers said.
Thanks to Powers, both Sissy and Toto have found perfect homes and Toto is feeling better every day, something no one thought was possible.
“It began with playing with his favorite spiral toys, then came the meowing, and now he’s full of zoomies,” Powers said.
To keep up with Sissy, Toto and Powers’ other animals, you can follow her on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.
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