In 2013 I have been volunteering for a
charity and NGO in Tanzania called Village to Village. Whilst here I
discovered two dogs locked in dreadful conditions. There names are
Bruno and Egypt. Bruno is an alsation doberman cross and Egypt is a
local breed of some sort. Both are very loyal and loving dogs and I have been lucky enought to spend a lot of time in their company.

When I found them they were in an old
generator house about 3ft by 3ft. They were able to go outside into a
small horseshoe shaped area but this was even smaller than the
concrete box they could get their shade and shelter from. I remember
when I first arrived, a local mentioning dogs and pointing in the
direction of where they were. I thought they were saying they
intended to get some or build a kennel near there perhaps. It was a
few days later I heard a noise and climbed up and behind a water tank
to investigate. There cowering in a tiny space was Bruno, his ears
back and eyes so sad like a child getting into trouble is the only
way I can describe it.  Egypt then appeared and they both sat looking
at me in quite a timid manner. I leaned over and I managed to stroke Egypt, but Bruno did not move from where he was.

In Tanzania people are so afraid of dogs and dogs of people. Especially big dogs and Bruno is the biggest dog in Uchira, a village with a population of around
7000 people. Iv lost count of how many times people have told me that
dogs are not pets here they are for securtity only. I investigated a
little and looked inside where they slept. They had no water supply
and were eating black mouldy unwanted meat and maize flour. They
weren't too thin though and this is more than most dogs get fed here.
Most dogs are forced to scavenge to survive.

The way they behaved made me realise they had been beaten, an they had a knowledge and fear of a hose pipe so no doubt they had been soaked and treat terribly.

I immediately decided I wanted to free
them both and help them somehow. A metal door barricaded with rocks
was blocking the only way in or out of where they were. My  heart
broke as Egypt's nose poked through the only gap in the bottom corner
of the door looking for another stroke I suspect. It dawned on me
that I had to be cautious. I had been warned before arriving here to
be careful of dogs as Tanzania still has many case of rabies.  I
decided not to free them that day but had plans to the next day
whilst I had some people with me.

I discovered that night they had been
kept like that since they were puppies, They are both 2 now. The next
day I removed the door and Egypt came running out and disappeared
into the long grass! Some locals who were with me went after him calling
his name. Bruno was not so eager. I crouched down and went inside
this tiny space. The smell was the first thing that hit me, I couldnt
work out if  it was their food or where they had been to the toilet.
It was so hot in there too. Not as hot as the direct sun but so
stuffy I cant imagine how bad it must have been for them both on
sunny days. Bruno was in the outer part of the enclosure and beofore
I knew it he was stood face to face with me. I was unable to move
properly, I was squatting and my head touched the roof, I was
reluctant to touch the walls with the mess and smell in there also.
At that point in truth I tought I might have gotten myself into
trouble. The locals had told me that Bruno was the biggest baddest
guard dog in the village an now he was staring at me about and inch
or two from my face! He then, to my utter delight, gave me a gentle lick
on my nose! I knew then these two were not the viscious guard dogs the locals thought they were.

I backed out of the enclosure and Bruno
made a run for it too. He ran like a clumbsy new born deer. He was
jumping about in the grass and just looked so happy and so clumbsy
too! I will never forget that sight as long as I live. I watched as
they both played and ran for quite some time. I then realised that
they werent going to be overly keen on coming back! It took nearly
and hour or more to get Egypt to come to me. Egypt  was less timid and more
keen for affection than Bruno. I think as Bruno was the biggest he had recieved the worst treatment. Once Bruno saw Egypt with me he came
cautiously over to us. After countless attempts we managed to get two
ropes around them and tied them to a tree. What I didnt want was them
to run off as they would have no idea how to fend for themselves. I
had a chance to look at them close up. They were covered in sores
from the concrete floor they had spent all of their lives on.

It dawned on me that I had no where to
put them. I washed were they had been living and placed water and
made it as comfortable as I could unitl I could find a new place for
them to live. Putting them back in there was a hard decision and it
broke my heart to do so. Had I not though they would have been
fending for themselves against packs of local strays and a busy road
is about 1km from there so I had no choice but to lock them back
away until i found somewhere new for them to go.

I set about planning and buying what
we needed to make them an enclosure to live in. Thanks to some help
from  some of the locals and also two volunteers who were here to
help with our community projects I got the enclosure built.

Whilst waiting for it to be built we
walked them, the locals thought I was crazy walking two dogs on
ropes. The first time I did I remember Bruno could not move the next
day he had pulled his muscles. Also when we were out walking it was all very bewilidering for them. Bruno was even terrified of a goat at one point bless him. I am happy to say that now they are in their new home.I give them regular tick and flea baths and they are in the most part  much happier
dogs. They always greet me with frantically wagging tails and jump up
for cuddles. Both are very affectionate, Egypt more so. He will pull
at the fence when your near, eager to get some attention. They really
are the best of friends, a team! To give an example, I discovered
whilst walking them that Bruno who is far bigger than Egypt is scared
of motorcycles. Egypt was fine until he saw them scaring Bruno, once
he saw this he now stands guard between Bruno and any motorcycles and
barks frantically until they pass, he then checks Bruno is ok. They
are so loving toward one another. That is just one example of many. 

However it is not a happy ending.. For
all they have more space now I had to leave them in the care of the
locals a few times due to my being ill with Malaria and busy with
some projects I am involved with. Upon returning they often had no
water again and their mess was mounting up. I understand it, in a
place where people are fighting to provide for themselves remembering
to feed and water the dogs takes a back seat. Some dogs here are so
thin you would not believe.

I now fear the worst as I am about to
leave Tanzania for the UK and I feel they will both be locked away
and not cared for again. This is why I have started this page. I have
writtend to many organisations, to hopefully find help. Thanks to the
advice and support of 'TheKrisKellyFoundation' we came to the
conclusion this is the best way to go. I have had offers in the UK to
provide them a home which has been so moving to receive, now it is
just getting them there..

The problem is now the funding
quarantine once I fly them into the UK. I was advsed to reduce the
costs that it will be best to have them microchipped and vaccinated
for rabies in Tanzania. Then Quaranitine is only 3 months and not 6.
The only place to do this is a 16 hour round trip by car so I will be
setting off to do that as soon as possible.

I know KLM can fly them to the UK so
long as I can get two carry cases from somewhere. If anyone has some
I can borrow, please let me know. Or if they can think of a way to
get two in Tazania also.

Quaranitine and airport fees for 3
months is

£2400.00 GBP or $3833.00 USD

The flights are in the range of £250
per dog.

With a loving home waiting for them
back in the UK I am eager to raise the funds needed to help Bruno and
Egypt make their journey there. Where I hope they can live out their lives
in a loving comfortable home with the affection and love they deserve.

Thank you so much for taking the time to look at Bruno and Egypts story

John