Hier ist jetzt übrigens mein Aufsatz über Aaron - ein glatter 2er!
My Foster Dog Aaron
One of the oldest relationships between man and animals is that with dogs. For thousands of years already humans have been surrounding themselves with dogs and probably not only dog owners but also other people will understand at least partially the importance of that relationship. As for me the relation with a particular dog is especially important I want to tell you about him. His name is Aaron.
Aaron is a five-year-old healthy and agile crossbreed between Labrador retriever and Kleiner Munsterlander and in many respects an average dog. However, there is one thing that might distinguish him from other dogs in the eyes of most people: although I am his main attachment figure he is not actually my dog. He also is not my mothers, fathers or brothers dog, for that matter. If anyone would claim ownership of Aaron, that would be the animal shelter in Vosendorf, south of Vienna, which is where he lives.
So, why would anyone want to care for a dog and not take it home? In my case the explanation is simple. I live in a hall of residence where the keeping of pets is prohibited. Since, however, from childhood days I had always wanted a dog but never was lucky enough to have one, I started to look for possible alternatives and found one: the Betreuungspatenprojekt at the animal shelter in Vosendorf. This scheme enables people, who for some reason cannot have a dog for themselves, to sponsor a dog, to start taking care of it, taking it for walks and working on its re-socialisation.
In January I saw Aaron for the first time. As he was sitting there in his kennel, looking at me with his shy, yet somehow trusting eyes it was love at first sight. What I especially liked about him was, that he did not seem to be as edgy as animal shelter dogs normally tend to be in their kennels and as I have a weakness for Labrador retrievers anyway I was also attracted by his appearance. While he was calmly sitting at the kennel door at first, his behaviour changed rapidly when I entered for the first time. Initially he became quite agitated over the fact that someone had stepped into his territory followed by an increased cautiousness and nervousness that resulted in him taking a step back, whenever I took one forward. That was when I made the decision. I must help this dog which has innocently been let down by someone and thereby lost its faith in humankind, these were my thoughts.
That was when I started taking care of Aaron. Now I go to Vosendorf about two to three times a week to visit him and slowly but surely he is making progress. Whereas in the beginning he flinched when I moved but a finger he is now happily welcoming me whenever I come, tailwagging and licking my face. Also, in situations that he classifies as dangerous, he comes to me and snuggles up against my leg, another sign for me that he is regaining trust in human beings.
Strangely enough, it was not only me who has helped Aaron to get a better opinion of humankind, it also happened the other way round. While in previous times I had tended towards seeing the species Homo sapiens as rather selfish and only concerned about their own wellbeing, meeting people who also sponsor dogs at the animal shelter has virtually turned my image of humankind around. In the last two months, in exchange for helping him, Aaron has made me a much happier being than I was before, he has even helped me to change my lifestyle towards healthier ways and I am simply enthusiastic about having discovered the existence of a mutuality like this.
There is one good reason that Aarons regaining trust in human beings is so important to me, that I want him to get as social as he is endearing: ultimately I am looking forward to finding him a loving and caring family that is affectionate and has got plenty of time and so manages to give Aaron back all the love and attention that he voluntarily offers first. And of course it would be good for Aaron to find that family as soon as possible as at the moment the future of the animal shelter of Vosendorf seems to be somewhat uncertain.
To sum up, I can only say that I am absolutely happy to be spending time with Aaron and that he has considerably brightened up my life. It is true: dogs can enrich our lives to a great extent and if you are an animal lover and looking for more happiness, better health and satisfaction, adopting or sponsoring a lovable pooch could just be the right thing for you.
lg,
Bernhard
... habens mir's durchgehen lassen!
