This is a story where you're not the only one crying. Civilization is crying, society as a whole. What we are allowing, what things do institutions turn a blind eye to.

Đon and Medo were puppies owned by a bad person. We sent the video showing him hitting them with a plank when they were still puppies to the veterinary inspectorate. As is often the case in small communities where everyone knows everyone, the veterinarian, upon arriving on the scene, concluded that the dogs were in good body condition and were “just” not microchipped. He ordered them to be microchipped, the owner insisted both dogs were male, so he had them chipped with male names: Đon and Medo.

A few months later, we found Đon and Medo in a canal 6 km from their house. Medo was female (the owner was an alcoholic and didn't know, the inspector didn't check) and had an open fracture on her leg, one of her eyes was severely injured (the injury was mechanical, probably from the blows with the plank, which the inspector also didn't notice), and Đon…. Đon stayed by her side the whole time, licking her head and wounds and not moving. They were both shaking; it was November, and they were injured in a ditch… Medo was immediately transported to a veterinary clinic in Osijek where she had successful surgery, and Đon came to our shelter.

He's still here. He has been with us for almost two years—an incredibly loving boy craving human closeness and cuddles, trusting people unconditionally despite everything he's been through. We love him and have been training him to be the perfect house pet. He's playful, smart, affectionate, friendly with dogs and people and walks well on a leash.

He's more than ready to start a much better life. Abuse at a young age and then life in a shelter—the worst possible option for a dog. Do you think it's time for Đon to finally be happy?