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Adopt Peter

Mixed Breed · Unknown · Senior · 14 years

– SOS – for a homeless dog. On the evening of May 23rd, I received a call as a representative of Tierhilfe Franken: On the other end was an excited woman who was on her way by car from Nuremberg to her weekend property near Hersbruck. While walking next to the B14, she noticed a man who was dragging his dog, which apparently could no longer walk, more or less behind him. She bravely stopped to take a closer look. The man was an intoxicated homeless person; the huge, old dog was a pitiful sight: the paws and soles bloody and raw to the flesh, the joints of the hind legs bloodied and open from being dragged. The entire eye area was swollen and infected. After a few sentences, he handed her the dog and walked away. His destination was Regensburg. Immediately, the dog " Peter " was treated by a veterinarian. He was completely dehydrated and drank huge amounts of water. When I first saw the animal, I was shocked. This poor, old, large, black dog was in the worst condition I have seen in my 10-year animal protection career: the skin marked by mange, partly open and bald. Total muscle loss in the hind legs due to poor nutrition. Even my own guard dog, whom I took in at the age of 14, was better off then. You only see such a picture in Eastern or Third World countries. Fortunately, along with the brave finder and helper, a solution was found that allowed the loving, old dog to stay on the property with the weekend house for the summer months. Daily care was organized by the local acquaintances and the environment of the association. After a week, a first small positive balance can be drawn. The open wounds are healing, although slowly. The joy of living in his head can be felt. Everyone who has met him so far is overwhelmed by how Peter fights and how positive energy radiates from him. I want to live – this is how the laughter of the old teeth and the tail wagging can be interpreted when he is addressed or petted. Overjoyed, he lies in the mowed grass and shows the people present his bald belly. Peter urinates spread-legged like a girl; in between, he tries like a real man to lift his leg, which usually only works for a few seconds due to lack of strength. You should see him! We wish for Peter some small financial support, or a sponsorship.

Read original (de)

– SOS – für einen Pennerhund Am Abend des 23. Mai erreichte mich als Vertreterin der Tierhilfe Franken folgender Anruf: Am anderen Ende war eine aufgeregte Frau, welche mit dem Auto von Nürnberg zu ihrem Wochenendgrundstück Nähe Hersbruck unterwegs war. Auf dem Fußweg neben der B14 wurde sie auf einen Mann aufmerksam, der seinen Hund, welcher offensichtlich nicht mehr konnte, mehr oder weniger hinter sich herschleifte. Beherzt hielt sie an um sich die Sache näher anzuschauen. Der Mann war ein angetrunkener Penner; der riesengroße, alte Hund ein Bild des Jammers und des Elends: Die Pfoten und die Ballen blutig und wund bis auf`s rohe Fleisch, die Gelenke der Hinterläufe vom Hinterherziehen blutig und offen. Die gesamte Augenpartie eigroß entzündet und vereitert. Nach einigen Sätzen überließ er ihr den Hund und lief weiter. Sein Ziel war Regensburg. Sofort wurde der Hund „Peter“ tierärztlich versorgt. Dieser war völlig ausgetrocknet und trank riesige Mengen an Wasser. Als ich das Tier das erste Mal sah, war ich geschockt. Dieser arme, alte, große, schwarze Hund war in der Konstitution und vom Zustand das Schlimmste, was ich in meiner 10-jährigen Tierschutzlaufbahn gesehen habe: Die Haut von Räude gezeichnet, teilweise offen und kahl. Totaler Muskelschwund an den Hinterläufen mangels schlechter Ernährung. Selbst mein Kettenhund, welchen ich im Alter von 14 Jahren übernahm war damals besser beieinander. Ein solches Bild sieht man sonst nur in Ost- oder Drittländern. Glücklicherweise fand man zusammen mit der mutigen Finder- und Helferin eine Lösung, daß der liebevolle, alte Hund in den Sommermonaten auf dem Grundstück samt Wochenendhaus vorerst bleiben kann. Eine tägliche Versorgung aus dem örtlichen Bekanntenkreis und dem Umfeld des Vereines wurde organisiert. Nach einer Woche, kann eine erste kleine positive Bilanz gezogen werden. Die offenen Stellen heilen, wenn auch langsam. Die Lebensfreude in seinem Kopf kann man spüren. Jeder der ihn bisher kennen lernte ist hin und weg, wie Peter kämpft und welche positive Energie vom ihm ausgeht. Ich will leben – so ist das Lachen der alten Zähne und das Schwanzwedeln zu interpretieren, wenn man ihn anspricht oder streichelt. Überglücklich liegt er im gemähten Rasen und zeigt den Anwesenden seinen kahlen Bauch. Peter pinkelt breitbeinig wie ein Mädchen; dazwischen versucht er wie ein echter Mann das Bein zu heben, was mangels Kräften meist nur für Sekunden gelingt. Sie müssten ihn sehen! Wir wünschen uns für Peter eine kleine finanzielle Unterstützung, oder eine Patenschaft. Die

Size
Small
Age
Senior · 14 years
Location
🇩🇪Lauf
Shelter
Tierhilfe Franken e.V.
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Cared for by Tierhilfe Franken e.V. · LaufLearn about Mixed Breed

Listed 3 weeks ago

Bringing Peter home

What you'll need for Peter in week one.

Hand-picked · prices indicative

  1. 01
    Required by most shelters

    Trixie Transport Box

    Sturdy plastic carrier — what most shelters require for pickup.

    View on Amazon
    €35–45
  2. 02
    Editor's pick

    Folding Wire Crate

    First-week safe space. Shelter dogs settle faster with a crate.

    View on Amazon
    €50–80
  3. 03
    Legal · EU

    Car Seatbelt Tether

    Legally required in most EU countries for transporting dogs.

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    €8–12
  4. 04

    Adaptil Calming Spray

    Dog-specific pheromone diffuser. Worth it for the trip home.

    View on Amazon
    €18–25
  5. 05

    Orthopaedic Dog Bed

    Worth the upgrade — rescues often have joint issues from kennels.

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    €30–60
  6. 06
    Safer than a collar

    Padded Y-Front Harness

    Escape-proof for spooky rescues. Safer than a collar in week one.

    View on Amazon
    €20–35

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About Peter

What life with Peter looks like

Peter is a small senior mixed breed dog waiting at Tierhilfe Franken e.V. in Lauf.

Senior dogs settle in faster than younger ones. They want a soft bed, predictable meals, and short, sniff-heavy walks rather than runs. Many senior rescues bond deeply within weeks because they understand exactly how good a stable home is. Expect occasional vet visits for joint or dental care.

🇩🇪Adopting from Germany

German rescues typically require an in-person home visit (Vorkontrolle) or detailed video home check before approving adoption. Animals leave the shelter sterilized, microchipped, and with a valid EU pet passport. Adoption fees usually fall between €250 and €450, covering veterinary preparation.

Lauf, Germany browse more dogs in Germany.

Frequently asked

Adopting Peter, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Peter?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Tierhilfe Franken e.V. handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Peter on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Peter if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Tierhilfe Franken e.V. will tell you what they need (EU pet passport, rabies titer, transport coordination) and whether they handle transport themselves or refer you to a partner. Plan for an extra €100–€350 in transport costs depending on distance.
Is Peter already vetted, vaccinated, and chipped?
Most dogs on TailHarbor leave their shelter with sterilization, current vaccinations, microchip ID, and an EU pet passport included in the adoption fee. The vet status on this page reflects what the shelter has reported — ask them directly if you need details on specific vaccines, recent bloodwork, or chronic conditions.
What happens if Peter isn't the right fit?
Every reputable rescue accepts an animal back if the adoption genuinely doesn't work — that's part of the standard contract. Talk it through with Tierhilfe Franken e.V. early rather than rehoming privately; they know Peter and can place them more successfully than a second-hand listing can.
Why does the description sometimes read awkwardly?
TailHarbor translates shelter descriptions into English from the source language (DE). Translation is imperfect — names of streets, donors, and shelter-specific terms occasionally slip through unidiomatically. For the cleanest read, click the source link to see the shelter's original page.
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