Bart, whom I call Scooby-Doo, is a big, soft, and cuddly teddy bear who sees the world much like a child does: with a mix of fear and great curiosity. Bart has been passed from hand to hand, never finding a place where he was loved as unconditionally, loyally, and sincerely as he loves. He grew up in a quiet corner of Lithuania, living a simple life, seeing only the few meters of space allowed by people who viewed dogs as mere objects of convenience. But when Bart needed care, effort, and attention, the easiest solution was chosen – to get rid of him.

This is how Bart ended up all the way in Finland. Unfortunately, even there, his fate was not much brighter – he was moved from one home to another, over and over again. Why? Because Bart is a dog who simply cannot and should not be left alone. Understandably, this was challenging for both Bart and the people who tried to help him. He still has a lot to learn: to understand that the world outside the home can be safe, that his person is someone he can rely on in difficult situations, and that he will never be abandoned again.

And so, Bart returned to Lithuania and has now been living with us for two weeks. In this short time, we had our piece of challenges with him. From the very first moment, our lady of the house, Grande, decided she didn’t like Bart – she’d have rather eaten him than welcomed him into our home. As a result, Bart had to live separately from the rest of the household. This was as you already know extremely hard for him. You can imagine how thrilled we all were when after few days Lady Grande finally decided to accept this clumsy Scooby-Doo into her home – and even her bed!

Like many rescue dogs, Bart initially struggled to sleep through the night and during the day followed me everywhere. Yet, to my surprise, he calmed down remarkably quickly. Within a week, he adapted to our daily and nightly routine. And although he still shadows me constantly, he now occasionally lets me go to the bathroom alone. 😊

At the moment, Bart is gradually getting acquainted with our cats, Karlosas and Smilga. Initially the felines upset by the newcomer’s lack of manners, temporarily relocated to the shed. But we know their abssence won’t last forever, and sooner or later, friendships will blossom. After all, those who persevere always win!

Bart is a wonderful, friendly, and affectionate dog. However, he’s still learning the rules of the world. Due to a lack of proper socialization in the past, he reacts sensitively to environmental triggers such as cars, bicycles, or people who seem unusual to him. Additionally, he struggles to control his emotions – when he gets excited, he reacts impulsively. He hasn’t yet learned how to calm himself down in such situations or that his human can help him navigate through challenges.

Our goal, while Bart stays with us, is to provide him with a cozy and safe home environment,  to calm his nervous system by establishing a stable routine and meeting his needs. We also aim to support his recovery through joyful walks in nature and other adventures. Step by step, we will introduce Bart to various triggers and teach him how to self-regulate safely, without being a risk to himself or others.

At the moment, Bart has 200,- allocated. If you believe in our approach and what we do, we kindly ask for your contribution towards his care and training. Every bit of your support makes a difference.

Thank you for your kindness! ❤️