This is the story of Ara (whose shelter name was Flossie). She spent most of her young life being used for breeding. When her owner had no more use for her they gave her to Vera. So in Dec 2023 she began living in Vera’s shelter. Here is Aras story as told in “her own words”…..

Ara’s Story… as told by Ara

Hello my true name is Ara, I was kindly given my shelter name by Debra Humphreys. For many years I bred and bred to produce puppies that I never saw again although I was a good mum. Then one day I was placed in a van driven from my home, I was handed to a complete stranger, who I later learned was my saviour Vera Nela Andric Osmic . I remember watching the van drive off, my heart broke. I’m a German Shepherd, so I’m loyal to my dying day.
This is where my story starts, I sat in the back of the car amongst the dog food, my heart was broken we drove for a while, the door opened and the stranger gently coaxed me out, I ran around sniffing looking for something that was a familiar smell, noise nothing, my heart broke again,
Time passed, I settled in to life in the shelter. I made new friends, Emily Baxter, Holly, Della, only to name a few, I’m really good with the puppies, but I have had plenty of practice, life was good, but I still looked for my owner I’m loyal after all I’m a German Shepherd.
Then one day was different. I was taken from the shelter, MY HOME!! I was put in a strange kennel, once again I’m very unsure, I’m going forward, I’m getting in that van, (it may take me home maybe?). Its been a long, hard journey, I’m tired, I’m scared, I’m fed up, we stop again, out I get, not another strange kennel, I’m getting more and more unsure, in we go, I remember my manners, I’m fussed, I’m fed, I’m bathed, I’m left to rest, gosh I’m tired, little did I know my new life was about to start.

Time waits for no dog, not even me. I was 7 years old when I left Bosnia, I’m writing this a year later, from my new home. I’ve turned 8 now, I live in Shropshire, out in the countryside. I’ve found a home, not always easy for older dogs, but I guess I’m one of the lucky ones. The day I sat in the back of Vera Nela Andric Osmic’s truck, surrounded by dog food, was a stepping stone to my new life. So let me tell you a bit about my new life, I arrived nervous and timid, which in fairness didn’t last long. Mum slept downstairs with me so I wasn’t on my own, I slept by her side, which made me feel safe, I used to kiss her in the night just to check she was ok, in fairness I still do that now a year on, I guess it’s just my thing. Eventually my confidence grew, I eventually made it upstairs, where I sleep now. My confidence also grew around the car and the vehicles, as you know I was handed over and watched my long time owner drive away. Heartbroken at the time, I decided in my wisdom not to get in the car, or the vans, I just didn’t want to be taken away again. I was happy in the garden, walking in the fields, I made such a fuss refusing, pulling away from the situation, so each day after much coaxing I was placed in the car, guess what each time I returned home, which was massive relief for a dog like me, this fear has passed now I hop happily in and out of the car because you know what I’m always coming home.
My freedom was taken away from me recently, we found a lump, Mum and Dad were heartbroken I was taken to the vets, by the way my nickname is princess at the vets, I feel you need to know that. The operation was booked for me, Mum and Dad told me whatever the outcome it will be ok, they wouldn’t’ swap a single minute of knowing me and loving me, so forward we went supported by the DNV team, Mandy Griffiths, and family, I started my recovery and waited and waited for the results, 10 days passed, we got the news we were hoping for, wow thank goodness for that, I am not ready to give up on life yet! Happy to say my freedom has returned, you will never know what that means to a dog like me.

So I think to end this story about me Miss Ara Flossie Princess you need to know, about me, I’m happy, I love to run free, my best friend is Mango he’s a Chihuahua but that’s ok I still love him, I found a loving home, I am still loyal but loyalties have changed to my new Mum and Dad, it’s not always easy to rescue but with time and patience we get there, Dad and Mum and I will never forget Vera Nela Andric Osmic’s kindness of taking me in, we will never forget DNV team that brought us all together, so Thank you to all of you from me. Miss Ara Flossie Princess Morris