The Birkett-Smith Animal Sanctuary

Viva For Vivi! Our hearts are smiling today and we know those of you that have followed Vivi's rescue will smile too because this is the first time we have looked into those beautiful eyes and had them look confidently back at us....Vivi is out of hiding! For those of you that don't know Vivi's story here is a some backstory so that you can understand todays celebration. Vivi arrived at the sanctuary in June this year for some major rehabilitation and a permanent home with us. Vivi was very sadly the victim of horrific sexual abuse and sustained violence; the hell she came from is too disturbing to even recount and for her safety and the safety of her rescuers, her past will remain in the past. Suffice to say it is a miracle she survived but survive she did and she was saved by a dedicated group of angels who can never be thanked enough. Her physical injuries were repaired but her mental scars are deep and unbelievably painful, she was completely shut down and traumatised to the point that all she wanted to do was hide away from the world. She is terrified of everything, the outdoors, cars, people, being touched and defecates and urinates when approached especially by men understandably. Before she arrived, Joy and Dave worked quickly to create a special area for her in the house under the stairs where she could be quiet and alone whilst still being close to Joy and where there would be no danger of her even hearing a male voice. She immmediately went into hiding in her new den on arrival and she is one of the worst behaviourally effected dogs we have ever seen. Just watching her and imagining the hell she had suffered turned our insides out but Joy knew she could help her... You can read more of her story here: Vivi's Story Its been baby steps all the way since June but love and Joy's patient, no demands rehabilitation has won out. Vivi is now out and about upstairs and on the landing. She is giving full on eye contact, moving about happily in the daylight....up and down and even in and out of doors. Her trust levels have improved and she pops out to the courtyard with Joy, moving around and becoming interested both in what Joy is doing and in the wider area. She no longer feels the need...

And Quiet Celebrations from us! Vivi has been out and about again this morning! This has been going on for a week or so now *grins* To those that don't know Vivi's story it may not seem much so lets give you a little painful potted history.. Vivi arrived at the sanctuary in June this year for some major rehabilitation and a permanent home with us. Vivi was very sadly the victim of horrific sexual abuse and sustained violence; the hell she came from is too disturbing to even recount and for her safety and the safety of her rescuers, her past will remain in the past. Suffice to say it is a miracle she survived but survive she did and she was saved by a dedicated group of angels who can never be thanked enough. Her physical injuries were repaired but her mental scars are deep and unbelievably painful, she was completely shut down and traumatised to the point that all she wanted to do was hide away from the world. She is terrified of everything, the outdoors, cars, people, being touched and defecates and urinates when approached especially by men understandably. Before she arrived, Joy and Dave worked quickly to create a special area for her in the house under the stairs where she could be quiet and alone whilst still being close to Joy and where there would be no danger of her even hearing a male voice. She immmediately went into hiding in her new den on arrival and she is one of the worst behaviourally effected dogs we have ever seen. Just watching her and imagining the hell she had suffered turned our insides out but Joy knew she could help her... You can read her full story here Vivi's Story And so here we are today...back to the baby steps and Vivi's brave first steps out and about during the day just to investigate, at her own pace and in her own time. Joy pretends that she is invisible (hence the quality of the pictures) and as long as Vivi thinks she is unnoticed she is gradually becoming braver with the help of the pack who all sense that she needs them.  She has had different helpers on her journey to come out from under the stairs from little Gordon initially, then Alfred and Neggie and now Hock who is a very confident boy and helps her move about in front of...