Natural instinct or malicious aggression?

Flora had no way of knowing the difference. All she knew was that she was alone, on a mountain, and completely at the mercy of whatever found her first.

Livestock guardian dogs are traditionally used throughout Romania, especially in forest and mountain areas, to protect sheep from attacks by bears and wolves. These powerful sheepdogs patrol their territory without any human command, driven by a fierce instinct to defend their herd from anything that comes near.

Toward smaller animals and other dogs, they show no mercy. They are territorial, powerful, and built to fight. A small dog caught in their path stands almost no chance.

And so, when we spotted Flora, abandoned on a Romanian mountain peak without any protection, we knew we had to step in and save her before it was too late.

In the area where we found her, livestock guardian dogs have already killed many small and medium-sized dogs, sometimes even when their owners were standing right there. Flora was in real danger. At any moment, a deadly encounter could happen. We rushed her to the shelter as fast as we could.

Flora is temporarily being fostered by a member of our team. She is safe and warm, no longer a stray and no longer in danger.

Soon, Flora will have a full vet check-up to make sure she is as healthy as she is happy. But right now, this tiny bundle of friendliness is simply enjoying what every dog deserves from day one. Safety. Love. And a full stomach.

Without supporters who help us find and rescue dogs like Flora before the worst happens, her story might have ended very differently on that mountain. Thank you for making rescues like hers possible.