This is a long wait any person can tolerate let alone a house. However, this was Irma’s situation, as she was a small dog who started her life in a trash bin on the island of Crete in Greece. Irma and her two brothers were only four weeks old when they were extracted from a trash bin by rescuers from a non-profit named George Stray Dogs (GSD), who specialized in assisting stray dogs in Heraklion. It wasn’t likely that they would have a happy outcome since puppy abandonment occurs all too frequently in Greece alone, a place that has three million stray dogs and cats. According to a GSD animal shelter representative named Susanne Toivonen, “The most common reason for abandonment is that locals don’t spay their dogs, but let them roam the streets, causing the females to become pregnant and give birth to unwanted puppies. These puppies are then abandoned in trash cans and on the streets to survive on their own.”
Irma’s initial experience with hope came when she was adopted as a young dog. However, eight months later, Irma finds herself being returned to the animal shelter – her adopted family having claimed that she had grown too large, while in fact, Irma only weighed 13 kilograms. This setback and many others would signal the beginning of Irma’s extended stay at GSD, where up to 130 dogs at a time waited to be adopted into their permanent homes. According to research, dogs staying in shelters for longer periods tend to experience emotional difficulties such as stress and aggression to a greater extent than their short-staying companions.
Irma, however, was not so lucky. The years simply passed for Irma. She was able to see other dogs filter in and out of her life and even her own brother’s time in the shelter lasted well over a decade until he passed away. The death of Irma’s brother was Irma’s adoption savior though, as Toivonen had now already adopted two puppies and two senior dogs that came from Crete. “I decided not to let Irma suffer the same fate as her brother so I adopted her myself,” she said. “Every dog should experience a home before they leave this world.”
The trip from Crete to Helsinki was more than just a change in scenery; it was a metamorphosis. Irma’s new life is all about park walks, couch naps, and undemanding companionship. Soon, Irma will join Toivonen’s team of therapy dogs as a therapy dog herself, helping children in what is becoming an ever-evolving industry in animal-assisted social work. Rescue dogs, seniors in particular, make excellent therapy animals. Their own experiences with survival and perseverance speak volumes to those in need. As Toivonen illustrates, “My rescue dogs’ stories have been very empowering to my clients because it gives them hope that life can still change for the better.”
It’s clear that the joy that comes with adopting an old dog is not limited to the other end of the leash. Many dogs that are considered old will inject a level of serenity and gratitude into the home that will result in one of the greatest joys that an individual will ever experience. “Senior dogs are so gentle, wise and grateful and the bond you create with them is something very special,” Toivonen said. “I can’t recommend enough to give an older dog a chance they will give back a thousandfold what you give to them.” This is supported by the evidence from several researchers who agree that dogs that are adopted from shelters will carry attributes that will increase the adopter’s physical and mental well-being by reducing anxiety and even motivating the individual to participate in physically active behaviors.
Irma’s case also illustrates the struggle that Greece is faced with regarding managing its large population of stray animals. New legislation involving compulsory sterilization and a nationwide adoption registration system have recently been introduced in a bid to control animal abandonment and boost adoption levels. While such legislation, and the provision of funding for shelters, are designed to provide a solution for problems such as those faced by Irma, it is also important for kind gestures such as Toivonen’s, involving adoption, to work towards a similar solution.
The moment she was pulled from the garbage, Irma’s life has been a testament to survival. Now, in her warm home in Finland, Irma is a survivor not only in her own life, but a healer ready to help those around her discover a pathway to hope.
