Alma story

Alma was a street dog from Galati. She survived on the streets, was beaten by people and severely wounded. When she yelled because of pains in the night, she was beaten by some again as she was “disturbing”.

Later, a lady made Alma a tiny improvised “doghouse” at the ground floor of a block with apartments. One of neighbors was beating Alma with every opportunity, open the enclosure to make Alma “escape”….on one occasion, she was almost killed by a car, one time she was poisoned apparently by the same neighbor.

Alma remained alive because of her savor angel but with emotional wounds growing.

The family “protecting” Alma had a tragic situation: the husband of Alma’angel had a brain illness and they both must leave to Italy for specialized treatment and recovery. Alma future was at risk, as there would have been no chances to remain in the same area without being abused.

Alma’ protector called ROLDA and told us her story, they admitted that this dog is difficult, not trusting especially men, not safe around other smaller dogs, a little “wild”. We accepted Alma in the small shelter because her story was so sad and because there were no other alternatives for this senior dog. Where to go as nobody would accept such a difficult character like her’s.

Photo: I am in Heaven....

Alma mom brought her to the clinic with tears in her eyes, asked me to give my word that this dog will not be put back in streets, no matter how difficult she is. She helped ROLDA for a while with food costs, then move to Italy for medical family problems.

At first Alma yelled in the kennels all night long, the small shelter neighbors start complaining. Alma try to bite Flori hand when she went closed to lift her. For sure she seem a difficult dog.

Time passing….neighbors unhappy. We decided to leave Alma out day and night. She became to my surprise best buddy of Dony, they run together all day, Dony was stealing bones and extra cookies in his mouth and give them all to Alma. That was so emotional to see.

Alma was all day near Dony and “adopted” him as “her mama boy”. But she hated cats and small dogs. If any dog was out of the running spaces, Alma was there trying to bite. If a cat was near Dony, Alma was jumping to hurt the cat.

Alma disliked leash, staying in a tiny space, accepting people closer, letting people touch her was too much to ask.

Months passing, Alma became a real danger for weaker and small dogs from shelter.

We moved her at the large shelter, where she shared the kennel with big size dogs. Alma didn’t liked at all to be catch, transported in cage, living in cage. She disliked the man working at the large shelter and refuse to eat for few days.

Alma accepted that this is happening to her but her eyes were looking sad.

Photo: I am a cool girl or what?!

When it seemed to be no hopes for this dog’ future to change, apart for making her life as good as possible in a shelter, Betzy J.  show up. She was interested in particular to have a dog like Alma, she patiently learn all Alma’s issues and she continue to be very anxious to take and lover her forever.

All these photos speak themselves about Alma present life with Betzy family in Norway. From an unwanted and abused stray, later a difficult senior imprisoned to a loyal companion. How many dare to dream that high?

Photo: First car ride in Norway!!!

Photo: Alma and Betzy outside Oslo airport.

Help ROLDA to look after more seniors dogs like Alma: