At the age of three, the dog Bruno is already an almost hopeless case: he was kept in a kennel for years. Now his joints are completely gone. The Thiem family is not deterred: They drive 600 kilometers just to get to know the Old English Bulldog.
Photo: RTL
“Dog professional” Martin Rütter deals with a particularly serious case of neglect in the current episode of “Die Unvermittelbare” (Sundays on RTL): Because English Bulldog Bruno is almost a hopeless case at the age of three. The male has not had it easy in his life so far, as animal shelter manager Britta Merkel from Haßberge tells. There, Bruno has been waiting for a new opportunity for a year: “He came to us because he was kept in the kennel for more than three years and was sometimes chained.”
Due to his strange gait, Bruno is immediately checked over by a specialist – with devastating results. Bruno’s musculoskeletal system is totally gone: hips, elbows, carpal joints and cervical vertebrae are deformed – whether this is due to the non-animal welfare-compliant posture or mistreatment can no longer be determined.
Photo: RTL
Dog Bruno is “a good-hearted guy”
Martin Rütter is shocked: “All in all, the situation of these flat noses and Old English Bulldogs is already a catastrophe anyway: you can see that he can hardly breathe. But then the whole musculoskeletal system is in the bucket. Who wants a dog like that?” , he asks.
The problem: When he was diagnosed, it was clear that the new owners would have to face a lot of costs: Bruno needs regular physiotherapy for his broken joints and the painkillers are not cheap either. In addition: The life expectancy of the male is reduced due to his poor state of health. Martin Rütter: “The fact that Bruno won’t grow old is exactly the knockout criterion for people.” Animal shelter manager Britta still hopes that Bruno will get a chance: “He’s a good-hearted guy!”
Martin Rütter: “This is the only way to get serious mediation”
Then the good news: Sandra, Tobias and Ida Thiem really want to get to know Bruno. They even put up with the long journey from their home in Lübeck to Bavaria – 600 kilometers. “He just seems totally friendly and I just want to cuddle him,” says Sandra. Martin Rütter is happy “that anyone applied at all” for the sick dog.
As soon as they get to know each other, Bruno throws himself on the grass and lets the Thiems stroke him with relish. “That’s exactly what we were thinking of,” they say happily. They would prefer to pack up Bruno right away. But it’s not going that fast, says animal shelter manager Britta: “We don’t do that as a matter of principle. I think it’s important that the family council meets again. Of course I’d also like to see how things are going at home.”
Martin Rütter confirms that this approach is exactly right – not only for the “unplaceable”: “You can’t go to an animal shelter and say: ‘I’ll take this one with me!’ The fact that many questions are asked and you have to come several times is part of a serious mediation.”
“Of course, from a dog’s point of view, all this is completely meaningless”
But there is no turning back for the Thiems: Hardly back home, they stock up on dog toys, and their daughter Ida is already painting pictures with Bruno. A “Welcome” garland and colorful balloons adorn the house when the big day arrives: Britta takes Bruno to his new home. “Of course, from a dog’s point of view all this is completely meaningless,” says the “dog professional” with a smile, “but from a human point of view it’s a sign: you want to say that a new family member is moving in, and that’s nice.”
After a seven-hour drive from Bavaria to the far north, animal shelter manager Britta and Bruno finally arrive at the family. When she sees Bruno, tears flow immediately from Mum Sandra. When inspecting the house, Britta has to smile briefly: “That’s his basket? It’s a bit XS!” She says. The Thiems slightly misjudged the dimensions of the berth for Bruno. Britta recommends a larger orthopedic bed for the male, but the decision is clear: Bruno can stay with the family: “He’s already deeply rooted in my heart,” says Sandra Thiem, happy about the happy ending for the “unplaceable”.
