Dear Lorena,
I don’t know where to start; there is so much to say about you. Well actually, the first word that comes to mind is gentleness: You were so incredibly meek and gentle.
It was in 2009 that we picked you up at the airport to foster you until you found your forever home – which turned out to be ours… When you came, you were already old and fighting an inoperable cancer tumor. You were physically and mentally worn out, abused by your hunter owner and kicked out when no longer useful. Tierhilfe Fuerteventura saved you from being killed in the local “shelter” and the Wittwer family, who runs the Finca Esquinzo for old and neglected dogs, nursed you back into life until you were fit to travel to Germany.
Every morning you would greet me in your own special way: Nudging me ever so gently from behind until I would turn around to pat you. Somehow you were always standing right behind or next to me, keeping in touch.
Never, ever did you get grumpy, let alone aggressive. You were quiet, so much that we never even learnt what your voice sounded like. Everybody here treated you respectfully and enjoyed your calm and gentle ways. It would have been unthinkable to displace you once again. Ours was your forever home.
I am deeply grateful for the years that we had your company. It was a great honor to have you here. R.I.P.
Thanks once again to Heike Ebert and the Wittwer family, who saved this precious dog! And thank you, Aart, for taking these photos which so aptly reflect the special relationship between Lorena and me.