Clear
the arena, here I am – Spook the survival artist - and I wish you much fun with
my performance.
Not so
long ago, I was born on the beautiful island of Thassos and already at the
first breath I knew I had to live and be something special, and this wish has
come true.
My other
siblings were unfortunately too weak and did not make it, but I struggled to
get big and strong and I'm still here!
I had
the great fortune to be fostered by Tanja and Joop and this was my first step
to a small survival artist. I have very large ears and have from the beginning carefully
listened to what Tanja whispered in my ear. I need to grow big and strong, the
world is very exciting and if I found the strength I could be a big star on the
arena of life.
That
sounded good to me and I began to explore the world. I played around like a madman
and played with everything that was not nailed down.
One day
I played the most exciting game of Catch me if you can and ran around. A
temporary shelter dog wanted to play with me and ran after me and caught me
playfully with his mouth. Unfortunately, his game was a little too rough and a
few teeth pressed hard in my tummy.
I myself
thought it was not so bad, especially since I had no pain. Neither my playmate
because he happily licked my big ears. But Tanja, my foster mother, found the
resulting bumps on my belly not at all funny. So whether I wanted or not, I was
put in a transport box to an unknown man in a room that smelled weird and Tanja
put me on a huge, shiny table. She reassured me and said that this man heals
animals, he wants to look at your wounds. I was very much astonished, but I
trusted Tanja.
The guy
took me gently out and looked at my belly. Hmm, this does not look so good, the
little bugger gets an injection.
Aaaah, an
injection, ladies and gentlemen, do you remember your first injection? Cruel is
that! I looked sideways and the stinging thing came closer and closer and then
pierced me. Miauuuuuuuw
I slowly
got a very large hematoma on my belly and could not heal without the help of this
man. Oh no, if that should be done more often, I have to invent something. Maybe
I should ask my friend the shelter dog if he wants to play with this strange
man and then not let him go, so I do not have to undergo this again.
But soon
Tanja put me gently back in the box. I was tired and heard their conversation -
apparently it was still about me - only as a murmur in the distance.
That I
was really sick, I actually did not notice. Tanja and Joop were so sweet to me,
that I wanted more and more of their attention. It made me strong and soon I
was back on my feet and jumped through the garden.
But
something was wrong. My belly was a little hard, as hard as the leather that I
sometimes used to bite and also I didn't like the color of my belly. Black
spots I had enough in my fur and more I did not want because white is my
favorite color.
Because
of the hematoma my skin did not get enough blood in the vanes. Strangely, it
did not hurt me. The days passed and I was lovingly cared for again, and I
could even sleep in the house. Unfortunately I was not allowed on the
beautiful, soft sofa, but a nice box with blanket was okay for me.
Tanja
whispered in my ear that she could not get up at night to let me go to the
toilet and she showed me a place where I could do it before bedtime. I learned
quickly and it suited me well because I could also sleep all night. It is much
too dark out there, and as I said, black is not my colour.
My dead
skin began to peel off, so ... I had to go to that man again who put me on my
back to have a look. He didn't like the looks of it: yes hello, me neither
!!!!! Wiseguy ... so I got another injection and my belly was sprayed with a
strange-smelling stuff.
Unfortunately,
a very large piece of skin has fallen of and there is still a small piece of
black on my belly, but I hold on! Because I want to live and with the help of
my dear foster parents, the cute dogs, whose boisterous language I slowly learn
and the other cats: hopping Threeleg, Purrie, Redeye, the other I still haven't
named - there are so many, but that will come.
Today I
have to go back to that funny guy. Tanja whispered to me that he just has to
check to see if he needs to pierce me again, this time to sew my skin together.
But who wants to be a survival artist, will have to face this and I will do
that too!
When I'm
finally healthy again, I'm really going to start a circus, and I will be the
survival artist, who along with his animal friends will be celebrating a cool
party on the arena of life. I'm already looking forward to it. But now first to
my foster mother who calls me, then I will be cuddled again. You have no idea
how much I like that!
I am Spook,
not a ghost, but a survival artist!
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The
history of Spook shows that ACT not only provides help for dogs, but also for
the many cats on Thassos who need help. Many are losing the battle for
survival. Therefore, sterilization is so important.
Spook is
also an example of how important our work is and that it pays to respect the
animal, to help it and maybe sometimes pave their path, so that they can enter
the arena of life.
Thank
you!
