Have You Heard the Saying “Ugly as a Dog”?

Do you know that feeling, when you see a dog on the street and fall in love with it? At first sight, at the first touch of its fur. People who know me say it happens to me three times a day. But that is not quite true. I really do love all dogs, I find at least a couple of seconds for each one, to stroke it and tell it that it is a “beautiful dog”. And every one of them is beautiful to me, and special in its own way. I have never managed to understand that silly saying: “Ugly as a dog”. Even as a little girl it bothered me a lot, because I honestly have never seen an ugly dog. They all have the soul of an angel and eyes full of warmth, if you know how to look into them the right way.

I named her LEPA (Beautiful)…. The moment I saw her, I knew, that was the right name for her. . It was a sunny December day. I was walking my dogs along the Zemun quay and I saw her. Lying on the grass, in the sun, smiling, looking happy. I had never seen such an unusual dog. A brown head like a German Shepherd's, a grey-black body like a German Pointer's. A thick coat, like a shepherd's…. And the eyes… That was the moment I fell in love… I knew straight away she was a female. Warm brown eyes framed with “eyeliner” looked at me in a friendly way. She played with my dogs and went on her way. I only managed to take her picture and post the photos.

All winter I did not see her, nor did anyone post about her on social media. March came, sunshine, the first fine days after a long, cold winter. And of course a walk along the sunny Zemun quay was the only option for such a lovely day. Almost in the same spot as three months earlier, I saw my Lepa…. I don't know whether she recognised us, but she came straight over to cuddle and greet us. And behind her came three males, growling at me, circling around her. She fends them off, then lies down, visibly tired. Somehow I manage to chase them away… I pour her some water and give her some kibble (which I always have in my bag). She ate and dozed off right away. When I set off home she followed us. She walked us home. I tried to get her into the yard, she would not come in. When I tried to put a lead on her she got scared and ran off.

I assumed she had mated… My heart ached. I think: she is big, she will have a lot of puppies, 10, maybe even more. I shudder at the thought. Alone on the street with that many babies… what sadness! She would watch them die under cars, at the hands of evil people, of inhuman people. That is the horror and nightmare of every abandoned, unspayed female. I knew I had to find her and help her as best I could. And I found her, with the help of people who love, truly love animals and care for them. She was found, spayed, vaccinated, and had shelter and care while she recovered from the operation. She became a city dog… My Lepa, with the most beautiful eyes…

I promised her I would find her the best home, the one she never had. People who will love her and see how special and beautiful she is. Yes, I will find her a home!

Author: Dijana Lazić