The two kitchen areas are next for cleaning, so I decide to boil the testicles while I am working in the area. The resultant pong is truly horrendous, and every fly in the neighbourhood drops in to see what this delicious concoction might be and can they get some of it. I beat a hasty retreat, leaving the noisome mess bubbling on the stove whilst we break for coffee. A family turn up with cans of dog food. They tour the pens and fuss the dogs, then bath two pups. One takes exception, making a bid to escape and causing mayhem as it runs around the yard with us in hot (literally) pursuit. The bath is not popular but the strokes and cuddles on being rubbed down and dried make it all worthwhile. A dog walk is proposed and they head off down the valley but return pretty quickly, the dogs have decided that enough is enough and it is far too hot to be going anywhere. Having spent a couple of hours with us our visitors leave having made a generous donation of 100 Tl and a promise to look at our Facebook page. All very welcome.
Half the day is gone. Lunch is a sandwich, eaten outside under the brollies.Individual animals are discussed. A tag dog is ready to go back on the streets and two new animals are coming in. One of the new arrivals was seen out on the street by a holiday maker who is interested in taking the dog to Germany. If this does happen then the dog will need to go through several months of preparation before it can be flown out of TRNC and it may well go into private boarding during that time – freeing up some valuable space for another needy dog. Quite a few are rehomed in this way. The other incomer is a very large Kangal/St Bernard Cross, a pretty, gentle bitch abandoned on the streets. It is possible that someone may home her, or maybe we can find a sponsor.
Another four packs of pasta are boiled up. The preparation room now holds dustbins full of food and it is time to feed the dogs. Bowls (many well chewed) are filled and taken out. I stand in the pens that I am working on as the occupants eat to make sure that war doesn’t break out, also giving the animals some fuss and the once over for ticks and fleas. Some dogs like to have their food placed up on top of their kennels, others cheerfully amble from dish to dish, sampling everyone else’s as well as their own. There is no animosity, everyone gets enough to eat. The bowls are washed up and the residue of gravy, bread and vegetables cleaned off the prep room floor. Empty food bins are hosed out and the testicles, now cooked and cooled are chopped up and gleefully welcomed by the puppies for their second meal of the day. Yummy!!
As the afternoon wears on the vans with the vet run returns, the food delivery from the hotels is picked up by members of the team
Last job – clean the loo. Make sure it is fresh and nice for the staff and visitors the following day. The team have closed up the pens, made sure that the security cameras are on and the gates to the walks are locked. We have had people breaking in, vandalising the compounds and upsetting animals. A pointer bitch, due to go to the UK, was stolen. We think this may have been because she was a rare breed and somebody may have had hopes of pups. She had been spayed. She has never been found despite offers of rewards. I put all my mops in water and disinfectant, do a last minute waterbowl check. Pat a head and rub a proffered tummy.
Back on the van. The return journey is a mirror image of the morning. My own three dogs race around the corner of the house to greet me, three lucky little animals who all came to us from the Centre. I throw my clothes in for washing, shower and sit down to a peaceful evening. One dog hops up beside me on the settee and puts her nose on my knee. It has been a busy day, ten hours from end to end, but worth every moment for the pleasure of seeing vulnerable animals well cared for.
