I went there the same afternoon and although I found the dog walking aimlessly around the fields, he didn't allow me to get closer than 30m from him. After chasing or trying to trap him for more than 2 hours we (the workers and I) had to leave because it got dark and there was no point continuing. But, I was able to assess the situation; the dog had no chance to survive on his own. He would have died slowly from dehydration and/or starvation. I felt as desperate as the workers who called me there, who told me that they could not sleep at night thinking of that poor dog.

The next day, Tuesday, I couldn't go again. But, 2 of our volunteers who live in the area tried for most of the day to find the dog, but they had no luck.

This morning, Wednesday, I started early and I carried with me one of the traps just sent to us from the US. I was lucky to spot the dog quickly. I tried several times to approach him and to follow him, but that was fruitless. Finally, after I studied for a couple of hours his pattern of movement, I set up the trap in a suitable spot and went away. Two hours later and after several visits to the trap site, I became the happiest animal welfare worker on earth. The dog was in the trap and I was literally screaming from joy. However, I could not even “dream” of what I was to see when I got closer to the trap. Please look at the photos.

With the help of some passers by, I loaded the trap with the dog into my car and drove to the vet. Once there, the vet and his helper tried to remove the mouth tie which was embedded into the flesh about 1cm deep. Then we discovered that there was an even worse wound at the lower part of the neck, caused by a series of electrical cords (acting as a “collar”), so tight that in parts, they were embedded about 2 cm in the flesh. I cannot really describe the size of the injury ... but from the photos, you will get an idea of the cruelty suffered by this dog.

The happy ending of the story is even better. Although the dog had obviously been without food and water for at least 10 days, his vital organs (liver and kidneys) are not damaged. He was immediately started with IV fluids, because any attempt to drink water would damage his kidneys due to the severe dehydration he had suffered. Also, as I was told, it would have been dangerous for his system to receive direct food. So we tested the function of his jaw by giving him a special paste to lick. I cried when he started licking our fingers with the outmost lust for this trace of food. It was such an emotional moment that everybody at the clinic put a little of the paste on his/her finger just to feel this poor dog licking it ... an unbelievable feeling. Finally I left him at the clinic for a rest. It will be a slow process to get him used regular food and water and of course, fight the infections from his wounds. The vet was very optimistic about him. He considers it a miracle that he is still in such a good shape. We all agreed to call him Phoenix. He is about only about 1.5 years old.

Heidi, I must send my most heartfelt thanks to you and everybody at Bow Wow. You guys managed to send the traps just in time for this task. Even if Phoenix is the only animal these traps will ever save, it was more than worth the effort and the expense you put into this. THANK YOU SO MUCH....

Phoenix is still very thin, but I was told that he eats large quantities of food; in fact everything they put in front of him.  His fur is also looking healthier and shiny and the latest blood tests were normal. On Monday, the wound on his neck will be stitched and then he will be ready to move out of the clinic...."

Dimitris