This traumatised Ukrainian dog who wanted nothing to do with people is now thriving in the shelter

Little is known about Lenny’s past in Ukraine but this dog has surely been through a lot. A victim of the cruel war, he nearly died of his injuries. But his resilience surprised everyone. From wanting nothing to do with people to becoming the star dog of the compound, this rescue pooch is someone his carers will never forget.

Caught in the war

No one knows how long Lenny, a stray dog caught in the cruel war in Ukraine, had been out on the streets. But by the time Dr Courtney Katsur found him wandering into the animal shelter, he was starving and badly injured.

Dr Katsur, a Virginia-based vet, travelled to Ukraine to help thousands of animals who lost their owners and their livelihood due to the cruel Russian invasion. She worked alongside the UK-based grassroots organisation Breaking The Chains to provide animals with food and medical care during her trip. Lenny became one of her favourite patients.

Courtney said:

When I first got there, he was lying next to a heater. He had surgery and did not move for two days and didn't trust anybody.

The incredible transformation

The reasons why Dr Katsur will never forget Lenny is a dramatic transformation he had undergone in such a short time, The Dodo writes. It's hard to believe he wanted nothing to do with people at first.

As Dr Katsur and the other volunteers took the traumatised pup under their care at their shelter compound, their love and dedication started to, little by little, earn his trust. Their hearts melted as they watched the pup warm up to living with people.

Dr Katsur commented:

He jumped and lay in my suitcase. He would jump and lay on my cot to snuggle, when before he didn't even want a human to touch him. He made such a transformation. It was amazing.

A compound dog

Dr Katsur and Breaking The Chains volunteers were incredibly moved by how loving and affectionate Lenny became. And he didn’t just survive but also thrived under their care.

In fact, Lenny has since become ‘the compound dog’. He enjoys living at the shelter, roaming free within the facility, and generally acts like he ‘owns the place’. A true star dog.

More help is needed for animals in Ukraine

Sadly, the devastating war in Ukraine left many pets hungry and looking for food and roof above their heads, and a lot more help is needed to save them.

Dr Katsur, who is back in the US raising money and organising more volunteers, said:

Right now I feel like [we’ve accomplished], like, zero-point-one percent of what needs to be done.

But maybe it wasn't zero after all. Thanks to the joint efforts, there is now a full-time Ukrainian vet at the compound to take care of Lenny and other animals who need help.

You can help out animals in Ukraine by donating to Breaking The Chains’ GoFundMe or Dr Katsur’s GoFundMe.

Sources used:

- The Dodo: 'Ukraine Dog Who Didn’t Trust Anyone Snuggles In Vet’s Suitcase Begging Her To Stay'

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