Tootsie

Last week I found another dog, a little puppy just sitting on the sidewalk waiting to be taken in and loved. I couldn’t resist. I knew right away it was a good idea because Albi bonded with him, playing the role of big brother and protecting him. Unfortunately “Tootsie” had a flea problem. I took him to the vet and she gave me some medicine for him, and I continued to shampoo him with a special medicine over the next few days.  
Last night, I woke up at 3 AM because I heard Albi barking. I thought someone was in my yard so I took my flashlight and knife and prepared for the worst. Albi was barking at Tootsie, who was hiding under the leaves of one of the trees. I thought maybe Albi was just trying to play, or that perhaps Tootsie was holding one of his toys. Little did I know what would happen in a few hours…
This morning I woke up and Tootsie was outside by his house, sleeping. He seemed very lethargic and when I tried to give him some food he wouldn’t even open his mouth. His eyes were glazed and his gums and tongue were white. I took him to the vet where I have taken Albi for his shots. She just stood there, asked what was wrong, and continued to help other customers. At this point Tootsie’s breathing was short and he seemed very weak. Ervin met me there, and he said he knew of another vet that would help. So we left (and I don’t think she is really a vet btw, because she proceeded to take a book out and try to look up what could possibly be wrong with the puppy), and walked to another vet “farmacie” – that is what they are labeled here, as most of them just sell medicine for animals. The man there told us about a dog and cat specialist in Elbasan that is from France, located near the castle, which was about a 10-minute walk. The clock was ticking.
Upon arrival, the vet was not there. Tootsie was starting to groan, obviously in a lot of pain. The vet’s wife came out from next door, and said that her son would go look for his father. So we waited. About 10 minutes later and after I banged on the window and yelled, “Please help, this dog is dying!!” the daughter of the vet opened the door. I laid Tootsie on the table, and waited yet another 10 minutes for the vet to show up. Unfortunately, it was too late. The poor little pup lost his fight, and died in my arms.

Brothers

Tootsie had parasites, and the first “vet” that I had gone to last week told me to bring him back in a week to get his vaccines. Who knows if he would have made it if he had gotten those vaccines sooner? However, for one week in his short life, Tootsie had a big brother, a yard, and even a little house. He played with toys and drank milk and ate food. He experienced love.

What good comes of this? Well, in talking to the vet from France I discovered that he has written a project to propose for the city of Elbasan to address the treatment of dogs. The project would help to spay female dogs to reduce sickness and help with the large dog population here – the majority of which are not taken care of, and many are eventually shot. He told me that my care for little Tootsie is very admirable and that he would love to work with an American Peace Corps volunteer to help change the views of the people in regards to animal cruelty and help save dogs’ lives. He also is taking care of burying Tootsie in a proper place. RIP Tootsie, you will not be forgotten.

"Are you looking to buy a new pair of shoes?"

Each day here in Albania, you never know what you might encounter. In the past 2 weeks, I have seen Albi dig up 6 eggs from the ground and eat them (it was quite the sight, every time I thought he was done, he’d find another one), I walked right over a full set of teeth on the ground on my way to work (?), found a turtle and baby turtles in my yard (see photo), and walked by a cat in full rigor mortis lying on top of a pile of bricks and rubble. I also got flagged down while I was running by a girl around my age who told me she has seen me running and wants to join me (such a rewarding feeling to provide women here the chance to do things for themselves and for their health).

One of the most interesting events though, occurred on a Sunday afternoon while running errands. I had been out for a while and of course was sweating profusely (there aren’t many moments here in August that one ISN’T sweating) Out of the blue, I heard a man say “Are you looking to buy a new pair of shoes”? Since it’s not usual to hear people speaking English, I was taken aback. After a short conversation, we went to have a coffee. Turns out it was one of the most interesting and enlightening coffee breaks that I have had here.

The man was born in Elbasan, and he was in the second group of students that were taught English at the University of Tirana. He went on to be one of the first teachers of English in Elbasan, and started teaching at Alexander Xhuvani University in 1965.
He has traveled to America to visit New York State University at Fredonia, where he was offered a job to teach English for one year. He said the people at the University were the most welcoming people he had ever met. They opened their arms out to him.

At 68 years old, he said that when you get to be his age, you do a lot of looking back. His dad owned the first olive oil factory in Elbasan, and was a very serious man who never smiled…the first time he saw him smile was when he held his first grandchild. But his dad made his living and strived to do well to pave the way for his children.

He is proud of the fact that in his life he has taught thousands of students to speak English, and they have gone on to do great things, some even in America. He has received many letters from his former students thanking him for teaching them English and giving them the opportunity to live rich and fulfilling lives. 

He also is fluent in Russian, Swedish, English, Italian, German, and Albanian. His views as a native Albanian were very inspiring, because of his passion for education, literature, and being true and honest in his life. It is well worth having a coffee with any Albanian who should ask. You never know what wonderful people you will meet, and what their past holds that you can learn something from.

This week in the office

As part of the local government in Elbasan, the office of Economic Development partners with non-governmental organizations and other local government offices throughout Albania to work on projects that enhance the community. This week I was able to work on a few projects – one that has the potential to provide a cleaner environment in Elbasan and the other a case study for a USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) conference, where a total of 25 government offices will present best practices.

The environment project is part of a cross-border initiative with Macedonia – if the grant application is approved we will develop a campaign to raise awareness in the city of Elbasan about the effects of littering/pollution. Unfortunately, Elbasan (and most other cities/villages in Albania) have a major trash problem – citizens throw trash on the ground and in the rivers with no regard for the effects. The grant will also cover signs and garbage bins throughout the city, along with continuous awareness education. What a great opportunity to serve the cause of environmental protection, and to help create a higher quality of life for the people here.

The case study is Elbasan’s Social Area Plan – Elbasan is the first city in Albania to have such a plan, which aims to analyze the socio-economic situation of the most exposed social groups to poverty and social exclusion, to identify reasons of the situation; to propose interventions at social and economic levels to improve the situation; and to seek planning of needs for financial and human resources to face the related costs. As part of the plan a new office was opened at the Department of Social Care of the Municipality, which allows for constant follow–up of the problems of all the vulnerable groups, such as disabled people, minors, women, the elderly, and minorities.

Working on these projects serves as a reminder why I have chosen to commit to be a Peace Corps Volunteer for the next two years. I can not only build capacity of the people in my areas of expertise, but I can contribute and be a witness to the transformation of a government and country that faced the fall of Communism in 1992 and the crisis of the pyramid investment schemes in 1997. Today Albania is a part of NATO and is working to become a part of the European Union. There is much promise here…