“Treated as dirt every day, but only one soft caress, a little bit of attention… and you’ll receive their unconditional love, unbelievable!” (Nicole)

“A life without animals is like living without light. Let us be the bright spot in the life of these dogs in Bosnia.” How privileged I feel that I have been able to meet such beautiful people on this trip, my Dutch companions as well as the Bosnian volunteers. I deeply respect every one of them and hope to see them again soon! (Nicole)

So well said!!

Last week I went on a trip to Bihac, Bosnia with the Animal Foundation Bosnia for a campaign to spay/neuter 500 stray animals. And to make a photo documentary about it all.

In our team were 22 passionate animal lovers. That passion was well needed because it happened to be an impressive campaign. Impressive because of the large number of stray dogs that were planned to be spayed/neutered, impressive because of all the emotions going on.

Up front I couldn’t imagine what the trip would be like, except that it would be hectic. Thought we had to go out and search for stray animals. The opposite is true. Wherever you look there is always a stray dog in sight. And as soon as you have seen one the dogs won’t let go of you.

The campaign was also very emotional. Everybody worked so hard, as a close team. Almost all stray dogs are adorable. It is very emotional to know that these sweet babies go back to the streets again after recovery of the surgery. But that is like it is.

Coming time I’ll share more photos and stories of the trip. For now some quotes and feelings from the team surrounded by the sweet dogs of Bihac.

“Life, but times 10.” (Suze)

“Life is living love, being love.” (Lisa)

“A supermarket without food is like a bitch with pups.”
“To stay fit it is recommended to take a cold shower… “(Iris)

“An emotional rollercoaster, but it was worth every penny.” (Vivian)

And Fred mentioned so many that I can’t leave one out:
“Repairing stuff is nice, but catching dogs is really cool!”
“I feared for the team to fall apart by all the troubles we encountered, but it only made the team stronger.”
“I’m so happy that I was able to be a part of that!”
“Got more fascination for photography and film, can’t wait to learn more and practice next trip.”
“Everything for the dogs.”
“I’m proud that we are handling the problem at the core.”
“A hotel without booze is like a dog with balls.”
“Order 22 pizzas and get 13, welcome to Bosnia.”

And my own quote? Here it is.
“Besides getting to know beautiful people and having met gorgeous dogs I have also got to know myself all over again. It was a unique and priceless experience.”

Oh! Yes! Important to mention. We didn’t make the 500 dogs, but got to 345. That is awesome!

Only four nights to go for the big moment. I’ll go on my way to Bihac, Bosnia, together with a group of awesome people with The Animal Foundation Bosnia for a campaign to neuter stray animals. I look forward to Saturday, with a little tingling feeling. Excited, because I don’t know what I’ll encounter, but with a big hunch.

“increasing number of butterflies”

Some people who I spoke too think it is a holiday trip. I know for sure that that won’t be the case. Too much suffering and animal cruelty I’ll be witness of.

Last post before departure is from Suze Steenbergen, member of the board of the foundation and process manager.

“Counting down till departure, but counting the increasing number of butterflies in our bellies!

Less than a week to go, we’ll leave with more than 20 people to Bihac, Bosnia. An international group of motivated and enthusiastic volunteers from The Netherlands, the US, Belgium and Bosnia is more than ready.

The Bosnian Animal Foundation will undertake its largest challenge till now. With an estimate of at least 500 animals to be neutered and spayed this will be the largest project ever. With 10 years of experience that must be a piece of cake. However every time again it is exciting with lots of obstacles to seek out.

Also this time there seemed to be no end to the discomfort, problems and obstacles. Every success in preparations brought the project more within reach. And now time has come. After three years of struggle and more than three months of hard work the moment is so close it seems unreal.

Medication has been stocked, the aid cargo has arrived, location has been rented, the storage is full, bags are packed. There is still one thing that really gets us overexcited: the dogs!

How on earth do we get 500 dogs, and cats, to our operating tables? Will we be successful? We may have got wonderful stuff, professional traps and catchpoles, but will we be trustworthy to the animals? Will they accept the come-on of fresh fish? We have to cross our fingers for good weather, without rain, because rain will make the animals take shelter. We have to hope for hungry animals, who can’t stay away from a delicious bite and that get into the trap easily.

Most of all we have to be positive! It will definitely be a success, won’t it? It won’t be out of lack of effort that’s for sure!

After the trip we’ll let you know the outcome. Our adventures can also be followed in our Facebook group Stichting Dierenopvang Bosnie.

And while we’re at it, please write 29^th September 2012 in your diary. Ten years of helping Bosnian animals isn’t an easy achievement. So it is time to celebrate! More information about the party can be found at Animal Foundation Bosnia.”

During the campaign in Bosnia I’ll try to post some shots on Facebook or Instagram. If you like to be kept posted, keep an eye on this blog or follow me on Facebook.

English version here >>

Een tijdje geleden kwam ik in contact met Suze Steenbergen van Stichting Dierenopvang Bosnië. In een leuk gesprek brainstormden we over wat ik voor de Stichting zou kunnen betekenen. Nu heb ik altijd al een zwak gehad voor zwerfdieren, ik heb tenslotte zelf een paar zwerfkatten geadopteerd, dus dat ik iets wilde doen stond eigenlijk al vast voor het gesprek met Suze plaatsvond.

In april 2012 zal ik meegaan naar Bosnië om een mooie fotoreportage te maken van het werk van Stichting Dierenopvang Bosnië aldaar. Natuurlijk heeft de Stichting ook een mooie link op mijn website gekregen. Suze wordt ‘gastblogger’ op mijn weblog en wie weet wat er nog meer gaat volgen.

Hier volgt de eerste gastbijdrage van Suze.

Bosnië in beeld!

Een kleine 1500 kilometer verwijderd van Nederland, het lijkt ver weg, maar binnen een dag zit je er. Bosnië! Nog steeds herstellende van een zeer intense oorlog, waar veel levens verloren gingen. Afschuwelijk menselijk leed, jarenlange onderdrukking, met een verwoest land en volk als resultaat.

2002, het moment dat iemand eindelijk ziet dat niet alleen de mensen lijden onder de verwoestende oorlog, maar ook de dieren.

2012, het tienjarig jubileum van Stichting Dierenopvang Bosnië. Een jaar waar we met trots terug kijken op heel veel successen, maar nog meer verliezen. Een jaar waarin we ons realiseren zullen dat er nu van omkeren geen sprake meer is, we moeten door, voor de dieren in Bosnië. Wij kunnen ons “leger” niet terughalen, wij moeten juist nu doorpakken.

Langzamerhand begint de zon door te breken.

De samenwerking met de Verenigde Naties, IFAW en Dogs Trust Engeland is een feit, we gaan er voor. Ons enige doel is een beter bestaan voor de gezelschapsdieren in Bosnië, en dan vooral de dieren op straat. Door middel van educatie projecten en sterilisatiecampagnes proberen we een echte verandering teweeg te brengen in de manier waarop er wordt omgegaan met zwerfdieren en de alsmaar groeiende populatie. Langzamerhand, na 10 jaar investeren, begint de zon door te breken.

A while ago I met Suze  Steenbergen from the Bosnian Animal Foundation. During a lovely meeting we talked about what I could contribute to the foundation. I have always had a weakness for stray animals, I have adopted a few stray cats myself, so that I would do something was clear even before the meeting took place.

I will be part of the team that will visit Bosnia in April 2012 to do a photo documentary about the work of the foundation in Bosnia. A link to the website of the foundation also has found a spot on my site. Suze is going to be a regular guest blogger and who knows what other beautiful things will happen.

Here is Suze’s first contribution.

Bosnia in the picture!

About 1500 kilometers from The Netherlands, it seems far, but you will be there in a day. Bosnia! Still recovering from an intense war, in which a lot of lives were lost. A destroyed country and nation as a result to horrible human suffering and years of suppression.

2002, at last the moment that someone sees not only the human suffering from the devastating war but also notices the suffering of the animals.

2012, the ten year anniversary of the Bosnian Animal Foundation. A year of reminiscing the successes with pride, but even more the losses. A year of realizing that there is no going back, only forward, for the animals in Bosnia. We cannot retrieve our ‘troops’; we have to persevere.

Slowly the sun is peaking out

De cooperation with the United Nations, IFAW en Dogs Trust (UK) is a fact. We are good to go. Our goal is a better existence for pets in Bosnia and especially the animals in the streets. By means of educational projects en neutering campaigns we try to bring a change in the way stray animals are handled and the continuously growing animal population. Slowly, after an investment of ten years, the sun is peaking out.

For us this is more than enough reason to ask for more attention for the position of stray animals in this forgotten country! Jolanda will help us with that and that is what makes us proud already!

For more information about the work of the foundation please visit www.hondenopvang.com

Suze Steenbergen

I hope that Suze’s story has touched your heart. Regardless my input there is a lot more help needed. I hope you may consider being a part in contributing to the Bosnian Animal Foundation. Every ‘drop’ is important.