According to Lucky, there is a big difference between being a stray dog in Romania and living the good life with Pål in Bergen.
Meet Lucky – and Pål, the caring employee
This is the story about the seven small puppies that, thanks to a caring Omega-employee, can live safely in their new loving homes in USA, Great Britain and Norway. Lucky is pleased to have become a Bergen-citizen.
Pål Venås was recently on assignment for Westcon in Romania. The rig he was supposed to enter was delayed and he decided to make himself familiar with the area during the wait. This was when he discovered what would change his stay in Romania.
Lost and homeless
- I found two lost and homeless puppies in between the bushes. The cold and wet fall had come to Romania too, and the puppies looked like they were ready to give in. They were about to die a painful death, says Pål.
But that was the situation before Pål found them. Together with two caring people from a British company and two from an American one, Pål took care of the puppies. They brought them to one of the site offices and made them a box to shelter them from the weather.
Two turned into seven
The day after, the two puppies had turned into three. Someone had seen what the five puppy rescuers did, and in turn came with another addition to the newly created kennel. A bigger, Alsatian dog was now able to enjoy the warmth and protection of the shelter too.
- It was a little touching to see how the newcomer started caring for the puppies. It took responsibility for the puppies and made sure they were inside the box when the rain started pouring down, even though this meant that it had to stay outside to block the dire weather conditions.
During the next couple of days the three dogs eventually turned into seven, and several workers on the project became engaged with rescuing the homeless dogs. Some used their time off work to create a proper fenced enclosure where the puppies would be safe.
The caring men – and some objectors
Pål's son, Emil (11) has got a good friend in Lucky.
- There is a soft spot within all of us. Even big and tough men participated and picked up the puppies to give them some cuddling and warmth, Pål says. However, they also met some resistance.
- There were enough people who worked against us and wanted us to discontinue the whole dog rescue project, some said it was simply because they hated dogs.
But Pål and his dog rescuing team could not be stopped. They would not leave the dogs be, because that would have meant a certain death for all of them, instead they chose to do what they described as the necessary thing to do in order to save them.
Microchip and certification
- We contacted a veterinarian who examined the puppies. They were checked for diseases and given essential vaccines. They were marked with a microchip, registered and received their own certificates. After some time, we found people who were willing to give the dogs a new start; the Romanian stray dogs have now become American, British and one became a Norwegian citizen.
Pål contacted the Food Inspection Agency in Norway to ask permission to bring Lucky home to Norway. He was advised not to do so, but not refused. It was mainly the possibility of diseases that made the Food Inspection Agency sceptical, but because a veterinarian had already examined Lucky and the other puppies, permission was given to bring Lucky to Norway.
Thumbs up
- It took a thirteen hour-long flight before they both received welcoming hugs at home. The thumbs up were given immediately for Lucky to be a part of the family. Even the cat accepted the newcomer, although concealing his joy well, says Pål Venås, who has already started training the new Bergen citizen. Lucky is the name.