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Adopt Wodan

Male · Adult · 5 years

Wodan came to us after both of his owners passed away. This significant event left clear traces: when he arrived, Wodan was very scared and withdrawn. Thanks to the love, calmness and patience of our volunteers, we see him slowly coming out of his shell. When Wodan gets the time to get used to new people, he shows how much he can enjoy human contact. He seeks proximity with his trusted people and increasingly shows his playful side. He is clearly owner-oriented, but does need clear boundaries and structure. Wodan is food-oriented, which is handy to work with him, although this needs to be done in moderation. When he arrived, he clearly had excess weight and we are currently working to help him lose weight in a healthy way. In his previous home, Wodan lived with other dogs. Nothing is known about his interaction with cats. For him, we are looking for a quiet, low-stimulation home, where he can continue to blossom at his own pace and where people understand his sensitivity. Wodan needs a stable environment with patient people who give him time, guide him with a gentle but clear hand, and let him grow in confidence. In the right home, he will develop into a loyal, affectionate dog.

Read original (nl)

Wodan kwam bij ons binnen nadat zijn baasjes beiden overleden waren. Deze ingrijpende gebeurtenis liet duidelijk zijn sporen na: bij aankomst was Wodan erg bang en teruggetrokken. Dankzij de liefde, rust en het geduld van onze vrijwilligers zien we hem stap voor stap uit zijn schulp komen. Wanneer Wodan de tijd krijgt om te wennen aan nieuwe mensen, toont hij hoe hard hij kan genieten van menselijk contact. Hij zoekt nabijheid bij zijn vertrouwde personen en laat steeds vaker ook zijn speelse kant zien. Hij is duidelijk baasgericht, maar heeft wel nood aan duidelijke grenzen en structuur. Wodan is snoepgericht, wat handig is om met hem te werken, al moet dit met mate gebeuren. Bij aankomst had hij duidelijk overgewicht en we zijn momenteel bezig om zijn gewicht op een gezonde manier te laten dalen. In zijn vorige thuissituatie leefde Wodan samen met andere honden. Over zijn omgang met katten is niets gekend. Voor hem zoeken we een rustige, prikkelarme thuis, waar hij verder mag openbloeien op zijn eigen tempo en waar men begrip heeft voor zijn gevoeligheid. Wodan heeft nood aan een stabiele omgeving met geduldige mensen die hem de tijd geven, hem begeleiden met zachte maar duidelijke hand en hem laten groeien in vertrouwen. In de juiste thuis zal hij zich ontpoppen tot een trouwe, aanhankelijke hond.

Size
Large
Age
Adult · 5 years
Location
🇧🇪Mechelen
Shelter
Dierenbescherming Mechelen
Living with Wodan
  • Neutered
  • Good with dogs
  • Good with cats
  • Good with kids
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Cared for by Dierenbescherming Mechelen · Mechelen

Listed 1 month ago

Bringing Wodan home

What you'll need for Wodan 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.

    View on Amazon
    €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.

    View on Amazon
    €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 Wodan

What life with Wodan looks like

Wodan is a large adult dog waiting at Dierenbescherming Mechelen in Mechelen.

An adult dog fits most household rhythms once the first couple of weeks of adjustment pass. A larger dog like this one needs daily off-leash time when possible — a fenced yard or regular access to safe walking trails. Plan a "decompression fortnight" — quiet routine, no visitors, no off-leash adventures — to let them settle.

🇧🇪Adopting from Belgium

Belgian shelters operate under regional law (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels each have their own rules). All adoptions include the Eurochip, vaccinations, and a stewardship contract. Several Flemish shelters partner with Dutch and German rescue networks.

Mechelen, Belgium browse more dogs in Belgium.

Frequently asked

Adopting Wodan, answered.

How do I contact the shelter about Wodan?
Use the phone, email, or website link in the sidebar of this page. Dierenbescherming Mechelen handles screening and the adoption contract directly — TailHarbor doesn't broker the conversation. When you reach out, mention you saw Wodan on TailHarbor so they know which animal you're asking about.
Can I adopt Wodan if I live in another country?
Yes, in most cases. Rescues across Europe routinely place animals abroad — Dierenbescherming Mechelen 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 Wodan 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 Wodan 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 Dierenbescherming Mechelen early rather than rehoming privately; they know Wodan 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 (NL). 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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