Tonka

Tonka's story

A few months had passed, I missed my old hunting dog Sir Laky who I had to let go on goodfriday 2015, I started to help in the local pet-shelter again. In September a little crazy annoying dog came in from Gran Canaria, Kora, not yet one year old, she barked and barked, did not care about people. There was no eye contact only restlessness. She had been found on the streets as a pup and was adopted on Gran Canaria. Only the animal rescue people found out she was held in a car garage. Being partner with our pet-shelter, she was taken here, I walked - or ran - often with her. Then being asked if I wanted to adopt her. I still missed Sir Laky dearly and she was young, I never had a young dog before. End of October I took her for a test to my flat. And surprisingly, after a few minutes there was a totally different dog. She was calm, sat down when I said so, she even looked at me straight. She laid down on an armchair, looked at me and fell asleep. I had to take her back, the minute we left the car she was old "Kora" again. Restless, barking, running. I took her for another test home, to make sure it wasnt a one off. And, as one can guess, she already had taken my heart. In December 2015 Kora started a new life. She was now called Tonka and moved in with me. so I had this little brown dog with me who just wanted to be loved and to please. Three months on she felt safe with me and again something changed. The traumata from being kept in a dark garage with no socialization during her first few months deeply affected her. She barked at bicycles, skateboards, scooters, men with bags or caps, other dogs, people with other dogs. All of a sudden she seemed to hate everything whenever we were outside. It got so bad I even got bruises because she wanted to bite thru the leash but in her rage got my arm instead. Sitting at home crying, I just did not know what to do, she licked my face. Inside she was the most peaceful dog. With the help of a hunting dog forum in the internet I found a very friendly and competent dog trainer. She was the best happening to us then. After half a year of very hard work for me and Tonka, it got a little better. No more bruises. Little by little things got better, walks outside were possible with just little freak-outs - really depending on just me. Fair enough we never ever got to like e-scooters or skateboards but it did not matter. my 9-lives-bullet-proof-dog After these starts in her life, we settled. And still... - she got hit by a car when she got out of her harness autmn 2016 an ran around on the street, but survived with traumata and bruises without even broken rips. - she played with a branch and it seemd to have pierced her throat, but she ony had bit her lip - she had a swollen side of her neck, it was "only" a bristle-like tip on the husks of grasses/cereals - she had two sarkoma (one on her belly, one on her shoulder) removed within 6 months in 2024 - beginning of 2025 she could not walk propper , the suspected torn ligament turned out to be athritis and spondylosis but it was treated and it got better. my 9-lives-bullet-proof dog - until march 2026 -two lumps on her head, antibiotics did not work so they were to be removed The blood tests showed that her liver levels were not okay, and there was a tumor in her spleen. After a few weeks of a liver diet and regular check-ups, her spleen and two lumps were removed. We were carefull and took it very easy. Everything seemed fine. She developed blood anemia, which can happen after this kind of operation. Infusions helped her feel better. She was the happy lively dog again we knew. Until the day she collapsed and couldn't get back up. We were referred to the University Veterinary Clinic in Hannover. Whatever it took! She underwent a CT scan. The vet told us they had found a tumor near her heart and many tiny metastases in her lungs. The tumor was diverting blood into the pericardial sac, which was why she had fainted. It all seemed so incredibly unfair. She had fought through everything and seemed to be doing so well. And all of this had happened within just about ten days of her last check-up, when her blood levels, ultrasound, and heart had all been checked. The fluid around her heart was drained, and we were able to take her home. For the day. For 36 hours, until the appointment with our vet. Of course, we hoped there might still be a solution. But even during the night, Tonka was breathing heavily as the fluid around her heart began to build up again. We had one full day together, as close to the end as we could have ever imagined, filled with chips and burgers, cheese, and all the sweets she loved. Deep down, we knew there would be no other option than to let her go that evening. She wouldn't survive another night, let alone the one-hour drive to the university clinic. We walked through most of her favorite places. She was allowed to eat whatever she wanted. Looking back now, nothing seems like it could ever have been enough. On the evening of August 24th, we had to let her go. Our hearts were broken.