It's been a long time since I have written in my blog, as I have been very busy with certain causes, but I must spare some time to write about a particular Romanian Dog we are rescuing RIGHT NOW!!
This little girl was found dumped out in the forest in Romania and has been alone very frightened for weeks. A kind local dog saviour called Nanu Madalina has been feeding her and travelling 30km a night to check on her. When I saw the little dog's photos and what this girl has been doing for her I knew that something had to be done.
I know there are thousands of dogs which need rescuing, but saving even one makes a difference - just one life saved is worth one thousand words…….I could not go to sleep at night thinking of her shivering out there alone, probably once cared for in someone's warm house.
I decided that I must try and find her a home. After a few days, a kind animal-loving friend in the USA agreed to take her on. The dog is currently being rescued from the forest and taken into a special foster home in Romania where she will have her rabies vaccination and have her passport prepared to travel to the UK in January along with a few other Romanian strays.
The Romanian Animal Aid charity has been extremely helpful with all of this and will be driving her over with other adoptees via ferry in France to the UK. I will then take over and prepare her for her flight to the USA.
I really wish I could help more. I do hope that I will be able to help more like her in the future, I really do. Stay posted for updates on her exciting journey and rescue.
Thankyou to the following people who have all grouped together to make this possible:
Nanu Madalina
Kendra from Romanian Animal Aid
Rachel Cara Harshman
Victoria Eisermann
Peace, Anneka x
World Animal day at Colchester Zoo Sat 3rd Oct 2010
This year I was invited up to Colchester Zoo to enjoy World Animal Day festivities alongside all of their keepers and animals.
Despite the freezing weather, I was introduced to a wide array of endangered and much loved animals including an Amur Leopard, Amur Tigers, Komodo Dragons, sea lions, Crocodiles, Moon Bears and of course...Timber Wolves.
I interviewed many of the staff live over the microphone in order to share my experiences with the general public. I learned about the conservation work the zoo is heavily involved in. It is shocking to learn that there are only about 30-35 Amur Leopards left in the wild, so Colchester's breeding programme seemed a very important priority.
I was also touched at the fact that not only did they house Moon Bears, they would explain to the public about how these innocent creatures are used in the Far east for their bile, which is a torturous and horrific procedure (look it up!) I have demonstrated outside embassies many a time on behalf of the Moon Bears, so it was good to see a Zoo so open to educate and discuss with the public about these controversial animal practices.
I was also shown their new ideas on animal training. At first, I thought, 'Oh no, training animals', but found out how beneficial their programme is, as it was implemented in order to teach the animals where to move voluntarily in order to allow the keepers to be able to safely handle and touch them for medical emergencies. I was astounded how they had managed this with their large female Komodo Dragon. She allowed them to stroke her all over her body, examine her feet and 'teeth'. She even closed her eyes like a dog as one keeper did this, as she trusted him so much.
The wolves were gorgeous and I would have liked to have spent much more time with them, as these wolves were extremely timid to people. I would have loved to be able to have hung around and bonded with them over time. Perhaps when they have some more pups, they may consider doing this with me...
All in all, a lovely day with some caring and wonderful keepers. I don't usually support zoos, as I generally don't agree with captive animals; however exceptions must be made in our current state, as zoos may be one of the only ways of preserving rare and endangered species and helping them get back on their feet. I also believe that meeting animals at zoos educates young children about saving the planet. Perhaps we may be able to inspire some budding conservationist to follow this path into a highly rewarding and much needed career. And believe you me, the way the world is right now, we need all the good guys we can get.
Peace,
Anneka Svenska
Macmillan Dog Show
by Wildlife Presenter Anneka Svenska
Tuesday 30th June saw a wonderful colourful array of posh pooches parade their stuff around The Royal Hospital Gardens, Chelsea, London, all in for a great cause – The Macmillan Cancer Trust, a wonderful charity set up to help alleviate the suffering of terminal cancer sufferers via the work of amazing nurses, doctors and palliative care. Macmillan is famous for this annual dog day which helps raise much needed money via this wonderfully fun dog show to help bring joy where there is often sadness.
I was invited to judge alongside a wonderful host of famous faces including Dexter Fletcher star of Hotel Babylon; our very own English rose, Felicity Kendall, Britain’s Next Top Model judge and milliner to the stars - Louis Mariette; Marc Abraham, onscreen vet on Paul O’Grady Show; ex model Jilly Johnson and her matching spotty Great Dane, and Fashionista Trinny Woodall.
It was a wonderfully hot day and the sun was pounding down. Lots of money was raised for the charity from all the various dog classes as well as face painting, bouncy castle, dog paraphernalia. Incredibly glamorous Chelsea ladies with heels and sunglasses paraded around the ring all day alongside some gorgeously glam-glam doggies.
I judged the Best Fancy Dress class alongside friend Louis Mariette. It was a tough contest as all the dogs looked amazing, but the winner came down to two pugs dressed as Marie Antoinette, wigs and all, and a fabulous cowgirl. Other eccentric classes included The ‘Loveliest lead and heels’, A ‘Bit of Ruff’ for mixed breeds, ‘Dog with the Waggiest Tail’, ‘Hound about Town’ and ‘The best 6 legs’, for owners and pooches to show off their slender pins in.
The charity managed to raise upwards from a staggering 28K at the end of the day, so all in all it was a very worthwhile and extremely colourful event. I am sure to return next year along with my large wolfy malamute Valdez, who managed to sleep for most of the time I was there.
For more information on The Macmillan Trust, please visit: www.macmillan.org.uk