Our dogs: an update

Many of our friends have asked after Leo and Nebbia, our Maremma sheepdogs who arrived from Italy in January to provide protection to our different species of poultry in the monastery garden.
 
Young Leo (now nearly 8 months old, big, strong and still growing) has certainly shown all the qualities of a puppy – exploring the boundaries (and cutting himself badly once in so doing) and escaping the garden through any possible opening (but always returning) as well as playing boisterously with the monks at every opportunity.
 
Our adult female, Nebbia, lives a more paced life, joining readily in the nightly activities of warning-off predators and barking at passers-by during the day, but otherwise resting and waiting for her stomach to be stroked whenever possible.

​Both, alas, have displayed a taste for eggs, which has necessitated the reinforcement of the breeding pens for the birds as a temporary measure (which sometimes fails in the face of large, intelligent dogs) and which has necessitated the purchase of new, solid internal fencing for the garden to avoid further incursions.
 
But both have fulfilled their job-description perfectly. Since their arrival there have been no poultry losses whatsoever to nightly four-legged predators nor to daytime winged ones. And they are a splendid addition to the monastic family with lovely temperaments and adding much to our daily routine, and especially to our walks in the woods, which they love exploring with us whenever possible. 

​Unfortunately, Nebbia, who has become much fitter and slimmer since her arrival, recently ruptured a ligament in her left knee — probably in chasing around the garden at night. This necessitated two nights in a specialist veterinary hospital for the insertion of a plate to reconnect the bones in her knee. For her recuperation (a minimum of two months) we have had quickly to create a small, secure enclose in the garden and are, of course, having to take her to the vet frequently for the changing of dressings, the removal of stitches, check-ups on her progress, etc.
 
Leo pined terribly during her absence and whilst he is much happier now, he is having to deal with being locked out from her run: he is now too big and far too playful to be allowed to jump on her and cause any further damage.

Nebbia’s misfortune, and the thorough professional specialist treatment she has been given, has—to put it mildly—rather shocked us financially. The costs to date are around the total amount we raised for the purchase of the dogs and the construction of their kennel, etc. (approx. 3k euro). We hesitate to establish a specific fundraiser to meet these expenses, but any possible help with them would be a true blessing.
 
Please God, Nebbia will make a good recovery in the coming months and be ready to become a mother to a litter of beautiful puppies in the autumn. We promise a further update then.
 
Thank you for your interest and thank you also for your help. God bless you.