Around the end of the Spring I called my Sis and I asked her a question: are we going to see those dog orphans or not? Of course we are, but first I should ask where I should go, when we can go and if we are still needed at all.
I wrote to Duncsi, whom I talked to at the excursion with vizslas, to tell her that if our free time is still needed, we would offer it for the sake of the Futrinka street dogs. Of course it is needed! There’s always a need for volunteers, not many people go to the animal shelter, so every help is appreciated. He sent me the weekend schedule, who’s going to be there, and the contacts, so everything. First we thought of Saturday afternoon. Léna and Orsi were the first team members, who we could meet and who showed us everything. They were just so nice to us and they treated every dog with such adoration, that we could hardly believe it. We were impressed, so we decided after the first five minutes that we’re going to be Futrinka street volunteers for a long time

Let me tell a few words about the organization. The exact name of it is: Futrinka Street Dog Protection and Dog Freetime Organization. Honestly, I don’t even know where I should begin. I got so many experiences from this team, and I’m not just thinking of the dogs, but of the members, too, that my thoughts are just zigzagging around. I don’t want to leave out anything. Nevertheless, I will do so But no problem, I’m going to add more in later stories. I just want others to feel the enthusiasm, fight and joy I got from this position.

Basically it’s about rescuing dachshunds, Hungarian vizslas and Danish hounds. They/We have fought for a long time for mixture breeds having no chance, who were either too old or one-eyed or were waiting for their death, dogs who needed education, dogs of all sorts who were classified as having no chance. As it has turned out recently, there’s no money for saving them. They have no support, no background, no one really wants them, it simply doesn’t work. Even if everyone fights for the dogs exceeding his own limits, there are fantastic rescues, night commandoes, a million miles of travelling for one poor, miserable dog, walking and cleaning up in snow, in frost or in heat, rendez-vous with the vet in the middle of the night…
But I’ll tell everything in it’s own time. Let’s get back to the first and most impressive day. Léna and Orsi were at the hound section, as they adore those giants, and we were with the vizslas. The girls showed us the dog shelter, they introduced us every dog by name, they told us their daily schedule, and we talked a lot. And then, Léna smiled a telling smile, let’s play with the vizslas Zsófi and I stood outside, in the yard, the gate was open, and the dog was supposed to come out on it… One dog??? There were at least 5 vizsla clowns, who were running towards us, simperingly, jumping and being happy. It was so wonderful, that I get goose bumps even now, when I think of it. They were so cute as they fought for a single petting, they carried the ball, they showed their bellies asking us to scratch it. In the meantime the girls told us one by one how did each dog get there… I won’t tell all the details, it was harrowing. But I still remember the first team, which made a rainbow above my head that afternoon: Karak, the funny old gentleman, who was jumping around as if he didn’t have a white moustache. Koma (=Buddy), the king of the swimming pools, who just couldn’t get rid of the ball, and who got scratched all his body parts. Vándor (=Vanderer), who couldn’t find an owner for a long time for no reason, since he was such a cute dog! Venyige, Zoo, Yo-yo, who ended up being my ultimate favourite.

Yo-yo was brought to this place from the dog shelter of Debrecen, in February 2010. It was only his whitish muzzle that showed his age. But in fact it was nothing but a maniac ballplayer and a mutter machine He was my favourite among the old folks, we were in harmony. It became clear to me quite soon that he adores apples. I always brought him some apple cut in pieces, whenever I went there, so we had our afternoon snack together on the yard. He was waiting for the the little pieces sitting, and whenever he didn’t get them as fast as he wanted, he came closer, muttering and slobbering Because we’ve spent so much time together, he felt like it was time to seal our friendship, I was sitting on the floor, he was pacing up and down, and once he got behind me and peed on me. That’s it, now I’m Yo-yo’s. I’ve been waiting for so long for him to find a dog owner, since it is hard to find someone who is willing to adopt an old dog, if not impossible. But as Winter came, he had luck, and a German family picked him, my little soft fur old boy. He got to a wonderful place, and they adore him, and I adore them, too, because they offer him a warm home, just like one he deserves

So we got stucked here, and we became rich in experiences, we fell in love with the whole thing and we realized that we actually loved shoveling shit, sprinkling water, walking, playing in the mud, walking around covered with sulliva up to our necks, and kissing stinky, simpering dogs. So I’d like to say thanks right here to all the boys and girls who’ve been workin full-heartedly at the Futrinka street, to the leaders for their neverending power, with which they lead the whole thing, to Léna and Orsi for the first day and to those many dogs, who presented us with their friendship and love. The pleasure was mine

Zsu