What the Gurk?

WHo we are

Gurky, aka Gurk, is our special child. A totally deranged Crested, who inherited crappy genetics, together with being inbred, that left him with serious issues. He turned our life (scroll all the way down for more about us, the humans) upside-down, and yet, we are grateful for him. He tested our boundaries for sure (we know many people would not have bothered putting up with his many frantic behaviors), but he made us more aware, knowledgeable, resilient and we believe, better human beings. He opened our eyes on the dog business, made us look behind the deceitful curtain of reputable breeders, dog shows and led us to its darkest coverts, from puppy mills to death rows in shelters. OK, let me elaborate…

My obsession with dogs started almost fifteen years ago, when I followed my husband to the United States for his career. I had always been an animal lover, unlike my parents, to my great disadvantage. And I already had a soft spot for the special ones, only I had no idea it would become such a calling. I became a cat mom when I was an adult, more self-sufficient and thus better fitting the lifestyle of a working girl. Anyway, this big move to another country made me unable to work because of my visa status, so I finally had plenty of time for a more demanding furry kid (although my family would have preferred that we conceived a two-legged instead). So, long story short, we welcomed Wallace, our beloved Cavalier King Charles and shortly after, Charlotte, our crazy mini Poodle. The only problem was that I did it all wrong, innocently buying them online from breeders that, I thought, looked decent on the surface. The whole process made me question their integrity: Charlotte was sent to us before she was 8 weeks old, with a falsified birthdate on the health certificate so that she could legally fly, just to get rid of her asap and although Wallace was fine at first, he started having several genetic disorders, the major one being heart failure (he sadly passed way too early at 7.5 years old). So I became a sleuth, investigating every suspicous ad and realized the crookedness of so-called breeders. This started my adventure in rescue, reaching out to the most damaged little beings of this sickening business, especially Chihuahuas since they were an easy target being so tiny and trendy (the most euthanized breed in the States after Pitbulls, victims of humans misunderstanding their needs for the most part). Quite open-minding to say the least. This finally led me to create my own rescue organization once back in Europe with all of our crew. Chichi Factory Rescue became a sanctuary for senior and special needs dogs. A haven of rest lost in the countryside of Normandy, France (after having escaped the stress-inducing Parisian life).

Amazing you’ll say! Yes, but very hard on your system. Not just because dealing with sick, disabled, incontinent, unstable, senile dogs is no picnic, or because witnessing the never-ending abuse and neglect is so very revolting, but mostly because the rescue world is also quite shabby. Yes, you heard right, just as the humankind can be ugly. Bad faith, jealousy, big egos, deceit, recklessness and let’s be honest, psychotic behaviors, too many started in rescue with probaly good intentions, yet something along the way made them switch and become erratic. So I did my thing on my own and it ended up weighing way too much on my shoulders. With around 30 little pack members at one point, caring for them 24/7, bearing illnesses and deaths despite going above and beyond to provide the best care, enduring criticism from friends and family that couldn’t grasp why I would “ruin” my life for this cause, unable to leave the house for more than an hour or two, let alone take any vacation, seeing all of our savings go to the dogs, I definitely reached my limit… But it made me tougher and helped me reassess myself, once again. Even if I quit the organization after a few years of good service, I continued my purpose in the shadow, on a smaller scale, retrieving sanity, because being in this confusing rescue world can indeed make you lose your mind and bruise you badly.

So where does Gurk stand in all that mess? And what the heck does “I am Gurk” mean? Well, that’s a question I think everyone can ask themselves. Who are we, what defines us? Gurky started in life with rather restrictive issues, although he was supposed to be a prefect epitome of his breed and be a champion. Yeah, welcome to the malfunctioning breeding world! I cannot imagine the damage if he had ended up with a show breeder, not only would it have increased his neurosis, but the litters produced would have been a tragic snowball effect, leaving each pup with a future fraught with pitfalls. Gurky is a weirdo, but we looked beyond that quirky trait and tried to help him being as balanced as possible. Only later did we realize how his genetics were a poisoned chalice, making him lose an eye and becoming completely blind (lens luxation). A rescue in disguise. But nothing stops him, he is another kind of champion for overcoming all of his problems. And he who went berserk when passing dogs in the streets of Paris, welcomed each new rescued dog with respect and even showed them the ropes. This all proves how resilient dogs can be and how they can change with the right guidance. This is what “I am Gurk” is all about. Being tough despite the obstacles and looking beyond appearances. A dedication to the devoted pet parents who are responsible, sensible, genuine, aware and have a heart larger than life. A “Gurk” thinks outside the box, doesn’t give up when things get rough, even reaches out when an animal is in need, with a preference for one that others will rather overlook (too sick, too old, too ugly, too loony, in short, too much of a burden), because they care. People who give second chances. Who put up with their dog’s health or behavioral issues no matter what, until the end. Who will do whatever it takes to give them the best life, which sometimes means putting theirs on the side or at least, adjusting it. Who are not afraid of other’s stinkeye because their dog looks different, of their relatives’ comments because they devote most of their time to their furry kid (some even omitted having “real” kids, bummer!), who don’t lap up everything even knowleadgeable animal people (vets, trainers, behaviorists, breeders, influencers, rescuers) say and make their own mind up, because each story has two sides, each situation requires to weigh up the pros and cons, each dog is different and if we listen well, and use our brain wisely, we are best suited to know what is right for our pets. Not so complicated when you think about it, but it does require to be open-minded, honest and have a good amount of savvy. Because we also should know our limits, when to do some soul-searching and take our distance should things get out of control. I did learn overtime that it was indeed a smart move. It’s so easy to lose grip, especially when your emotions are put to the test. Those fully immersed in dog rescue know that too well. Just like any dedicated parent of a pet with issues does. Stay true to yourself and it should all be fine. After all, a Gurk can overcome anything! With our hectic life, becoming Gurks helped us center ourselves despite the challenges of such an endeavour and we are quite proud to be fervent supporters of the Gurk family :)!

WHy seniors & special needs?

I dont’ really know why I am so drawn to cats and dogs that are different. The unwanted, the sick, the old, the disabled, the weirdo, they’re the ones that pull on my heartstrings. Maybe because there is an irrepressible nursing instinct in me, or because I can’t stand injustice and the abuse of the innocent in general, the irresponsibility of many people toward their pet, or also because these one-of-a-kind furry beings give me a sense of purpose. Giving them another chance when others neglected, abused or abandoned them, is the best feeling there is. And especially the ones that need a little extra care, who depend on you even more. Maybe I like to feel special, because the love and trust they give you in return in truly extraordinary. Or also because I like things to be complicated, spice up my life… No matter the explanation, this is now the fuel I need to be happy and, believe it or not, balanced.

Rescuing dogs with issues is not a piece of cake, that’s for sure. I got peed and pooped on, growled at, bitten, spent nights worrying for a very sick dog, days struggling with a traumatized one to find the right rehabilitating approach, kept asking myself if this is the appropriate medication, supplement, diet, overall care for their health problems, cried because I came too late or was worn out after enduring too many deaths in a row. I made mistakes, reassessed and tried again. But it was so worthwhile, because I also worked wonders and received priceless signs of gratitude like kisses, gleaming stares, a scared pup coming for a pet, a senior smiling, a sick one showing relief, a nutcase finding peace. I know for many of those to whom we lent a paw, hadn’t we been there, they would have been dead. And that idea just gives me the creeps. Just like knowing there are so many who don’t have the chance of having someone looking beyond their issues or differences. Or someone who genuinely cares for them, and not just because saying you rescued is hip and end up thowing in the towel once it becomes more challenging than anticipated. Many people won’t get why others can make sacrifices for their pets, spend so much money for their well-being, give them so much love, but you know what, never mind, it’s what you do for them that matters most and what you believe is right. Your four-legged kid knows and is appreciative. Just make sure you think about yourself too and don’t get stuck in a quicksand. I know I pushed my limits a little far and even if I owned up to it and resurfaced, this whole adventure left imprinted scars. Even if life is far from being a bed of roses, mine was sprinkled with a little too many thorns…

The truth about show breeders, puppy mills and rescuers

Alright, don’t get on your soapbox because you see some kind of comparison between the three. The only common link is that it involves human beings, with all their upsides and dark sides. Some do good while others, well, not so much, even if they started in what seemed like a good deed in the first place. Sadly in this world, nothing’s black or white. Here comes my take on it.

Show breeders are supposedly lovers of the breed they try to perfect, according to the standard, selecting their best specimen to show and breed. Well, that’s in theroy. While many I guess really love and respect their dogs (that are more producers than pets truthfully, since once they have had enough litters, they need to make space for the new generation and are rehomed), others just use them for fame and greed, without much consideration. What about those who push the experiment to the extreme, leaving dogs with disabilities, like breathing problems with that non-existent nose, mobility issues because of distorted legs, serious congenital defects like hydrocephalus, syringomyelia, heart failure, etc.? Those who have a champion who carries a debilitating gene that still sires many litters because, well, he has a title and they might as well take full advantage of it? Or those who mate a female with her direct brother or even own father (inbreeding), to allegedly highlight a desired trait, leaving a future generation of retards? Those who poison their rival’s dog to topple competition? Those who cull newborns because they don’t have a specific characteristic of the breed (like the ridge on a Rhodesian Ridgeback for instance)? Or those who shine in the ring but hide a sordid reality, their numerous dogs living in filthy kennels, being deprived of food and good care, even mistreated, bred one heat cycle after the other until they die? Nooo, not show breeders! Yes, some have been convicted of animal cruelty and were even back in the ring shortly after, surfing on slacking rules and using politics to their advantage. Upsetting when you scratch the glittery surface a little, right? Well, keep reading, you won’t be disappointed.

So what about puppy mills? Can we even call these creatures “breeders” when they actually run a factory that manufactures living products in large quantites? There is nothing humane in this process, dogs are just random goods they use until they don’t function well anymore, for pure profit. Even if some commercial breeders pride themselves of having clean pens, green runs, enough staff to take care of dozens of inmates, who they assure are happy and well taken-care of, most of these facilities are hell for the poor innocent beings stuck in there. They are stacked in filthy cages with wired bottoms that hurt and deform their paws, without enough space to roam, very often either kept outdoors all year long (not sheltered from the heat or cold) or in a squalid barn, without any light or enough fresh air. The adults never leave their prison, sentenced to breed for life, driven mad by the lack of exercise and positive interaction, and of course, good care. The puppies are transported to puppy stores, very often in inadequate trucks where some of them die before reaching the window displays, many without proper vaccination, which leaves them with parvo or any other life-threatening illness once they are in the arms of their delighted new owners (when they are not kept in the backroom because they are indeed too sick to be shown, which would get the store quite a bad reputation, damn it). Other puppies are sold online, showcased in an ad saying they come from a loving family-owned farmhouse, with a picture where they’re sitting on a sofa or blanket, oh so cute! This is actually a lame staging and was the first and sole moment of that pup out of his/her cage. But if you look closely, you can tell by his/her stance that something is wrong. Wrong is an understatement. The environment is so toxic that the less resistant ones get attacked, get sick or just shut down, waiting for the end that will be their only relief. Too many die without ever having had the chance of feeling love and comfort. Those who are luckily rescued are so damaged physically and psychologically they will most likely drag the trauma of their years of incarceration forever. This is what the “adopt don’t shop” motto means. When you decide to add a new member to your family, do your research, don’t be a part of the problem and give these crooked breeders a reason to surf the wave. If you really prefer a breeder (by the way, there are plenty of cute puppies and balanced adults for adoption also), go see the environement the dogs live in, the parents and make sure it is a respectable person who cares about the dogs. Don’t buy online and have the pup shipped to you, you’ll most definitely be supporting a puppy mill or backyard breeder’s despicable scheming. If you want to adopt, you’ll not only change a life, but save another one also, because one dog out of a shelter or off the list of a rescue organization makes space for another one in need. With patience, love and consitent training, any dog can turn around. And well, rescued dogs are not all necessarily damaged, so if you’re not up for such a challenge, you can for sure find one that will be a better fit for you, there are so many to choose from, unfortunately. But if you wanna avoid any bad surprise, you better screen shelters and rescue organizations as well because they’re not all as legit as they pretend to be.

Aaahhh, rescuers… They have a heart of gold and a head well screwed on despite all the harshness they witness… Well, that’s what I thought when I decided to create a legit non-profit dog rescue organization and partner with other advocates to join forces. Except once I mingled with many of them, my beliefs slowly fell apart. Never judge a book by its cover! Ok, again, don’t flame me because I’m giving you my point of view. Believe me, I’m not trying to tarnish the rescue world in general, what kind of hypocrite would I be?! It’s just that I did get a good taste of it that left me nauseous. Why? Because again, too many unhinged people take part in ruining good deeds. It is of course more than honorable to save animals and want to give them a better life, except some have a different idea of what that means. And are very often misleading, unscrupulous and even pernicious. While many who volunteer to save animals are more than honorable, sadly the ones who make this endeavour rhyme with nonsense are often the ones in plain sight and thus, tar all the others with the same brush. There are those who are just in rescue to be regarded as heroes and shine on social media, who show whatever makes them look amazing (often times twisting the facts in their favor, just a tad), omitting the details that may put them in the shade. Others are such smartasses who spread wrong guidance (unintentionally for the morons, on purpose for the psychos) and spit on others, just to look knowledgeable and secretly convince themselves they’re truly better than everyone. Some are dangerously uneducated and put the lives of those they rescue at risk. Others are just spiteful, world-weary and end up mistreating the innocent animals they once saved from a similar abusive environment. I’m not inventing, that’s the harsh reality behind many closed doors! Believe me, I’m the first appalled by it. There are so many stories of dogs found living in horrid conditions once they are rescued from their rescuer’s home (quite nonsensical), either amongst detritus (hoarding situations) or blatantly mistreated. I personnally got acquainted with the president of an orgaization, who had emotional issues and although she was well-known in the field, she was intentionnally neglecting the dogs she didn’t like, letting sick and senior dogs sleeping outside so that they would not soil the house, stopping a treatment so that they would cross the rainbow bridge earlier than foreseen, and even administering fatal drugs to get rid of them (she was also a vet nurse who had access to anything), did mother nature not do her job properly… She prided herself in caring for the most special needs, many saved from euthanasia, so she devilishly thought she had an almighty right on their fate. Monstrosity in all its glory. Others were just reckless (or stupid, or both), not screening families properly and as a result, dogs were found abandoned in the streets again, were lost and got run over by a car, severly attacked by the other dog of the household, or even giving birth to yet another litter because the organization didn’t find it appropriate to get them fixed before the adoption… And I’m not even mentioning those who were buying dogs (from breeders, auctions or other individuals) and then came up with tragic stories to make people weep and get more donations (to then be able to buy other ones, a scheming rotation). Those who did nothing else than slandering others on social media, ganging up against one another, disclosing (often misconstrued) details of the lives of those who once volunteered for them, trashing the doings of another organization (usually one they jealously envied) just to bring them down. Yep, welcome to the rescue world, where most people should rescue themselves before using animals as a therapeutic remedy for their troubles! This is mostly why I decided to quit the organization, to flee this toxic environment and continue in the shadow, not wanting to be assimilitated to such malfunctioning individuals. It was hard enough to deal with the emotional strain of caring for the most wrecked dogs, victims of maniacs, I didn’t have the courage to face more dismay. Maybe it was a weak move, but losing my sanity was not an option.

So, is there any hope you’ll ask? Don’t be disheartened, there are still sane and truthful people involved in rescue, you just have to find them. Be smart, read between the lines, and in the end, keep in my mind that animals didn’t choose to end up with the wrong people, being rescued by a dodgy organization or being thrown in a corrupted shelter. How they are presented to you may be biased, look beyond appearances. I personally think that getting any animal out of the claws of a shaky situation is worth a little hassle with unbalanced humans. But again, it’s just my opinion!

Why spay & neuter?

First, obviously, to avoid any unwanted litter. There are enough animals on this planet, no need to fill the shelters. You cannot control their future, so they may end up behind bars or worse, being euthanized because nobody wants them. Some have been loved and cherished until a mishap changed their fate dramatically. Also, don’t believe your pet should be bred at least once, it’s a total misconception! Females won’t be frustrated being deprived of their motherly “instinct”, and a male’s personality won’t change if you neuter him before he could mate! And please, don’t do it as a hobby or to make ends meet. You never know what the destiny of the precious puppies you bring to this world will look like, no matter how cautiously you choose their new family. Be responsible for dog’s sake!

Second, it avoids many health issues. Infections like pyometras (uterine infections) and mammary tumors (that may lead to cancer) in females, not to mention gettig rid ot the heat cycles and the unwanted stress related to it. In males, it prevents prostate and testicular cancer. By getting rid of these hormones, cats and dogs live a longer and healthier life! And don’t be scared of the procedure, there are of course risks like any surgery, but they are rare. Make sure the vet performs a thorough exam beforehand (a blood test is a must for seniors) to make sure your pet is healthy enough to undergo an anesthesia and well, the surgery itself. Of all the fragile and senior dogs we’ve had spayed and neutered, we never had any issues. Plus, they will only get fat because of lack of exercise and bad food (we had obese dogs that were not fixed)!

Third, it reduces potential behavioral problems. Hormones play ticks on the brain of sensitive dogs, and in fact, even the most balanced ones. They may get aggressive due to the frustration of being unable to mate and get into fights (or event direct the anger toward you), try any shtick to escape and potentially have an accident while roaming the streets or get lost, mark their territory or hump your leg or anything they can reach, which can be quite embarrassing, make walks a nightmare because your female is in heat and attracts potential lovers or your male smells a lady miles away… They also have trouble concentrating and thus, will not respond to you at all. The before and after was night and day for so many dogs we welcomed that were not fixed. Some were uncontrollable, obsessed or just uneasy. After the surgery, it was finally possible for them to relax, concentrate, be much more balanced and enjoy life to the fullest.

Gurky was the worst with his deranged brain, each outing was a pain in the neck, losing his mind over anything and worried all the time. He sometimes looked mike a madman, his head spinning around and foam coming out of his mouth, possessed by some kinky demon, scaring everyone crossing our path (and giving me a stern look in passing), about to kick any butt that was on his tracks (that also included provocative objects standing on the streets, threatening strollers coming at us, deceptive dogs dressed up as rambunctious small kids, yup, told you he was losing it!)… Once he was neutered, he eventually calmed down, didn’t see as many threats on his walks and was able to listen to me (before his brain was just too distracted to say the least). Alleluia! He definitely felt much better (me too by the way) and more himself, still a little disturbed but much more manageable.

Bonnie was found in streets and once I was able to untangle the mystery (both of her muddle of furry knots and past history), I was told she had been rehomed several times, mostly because she kept escaping. Was it more because she was unspayed or because she never felt at home? Either way, she never tried to flee when she moved with us. She arrived in a poor shape, went into heat once she started to feel better, so we had to wait a little before she could get spayed. In all that time, she never showed any desire to leave the house.

Hope this all convinces you, because spaying and neutering does save lives!

SGV Photography

If you wanna know more about the humans of our pack, it is composed of a man, Nicolas, and his wife, Stephanie, who have been sharing an eventful life for now 20 years, moved countless times, from Switzerland to Virgnia, Houston, TX to Paris, France, then from Normandy to back to Switzerland, and finally ending up in New York City. Although Nicolas never dreamed of being married to a rescue advocate and have only furry kids, he has always supported my passion and devotion (except maybe when he stepped in a turd in the morning or when we just couldn’t envision a little getaway because of the organization, then he did curse me a little). After all, I was always willing to follow him anywhere for his career, moving away from our friends and family, so I needed some tlc too. He’s the brain of the house, I am more of the heart. We can’t function well one without the other.

Besides rescuing dogs, I also take pictures… of dogs! Not just dogs in fact, cats as well ;). OK, I do escape from my sweet obsession and let my soul wonder, try to capture the magic of this world, atmospheres, those moments you wish would last forever. A shadow play, an impression, a feeling. I am inspired by the unusual, the ephemeral, the beauty of the ugliness, unique lights, special moods. I hope to make people travel, dream, ignite emotion when they come across one of my images. You probably guessed, I am an incurable dreamer.

I now primarily volunteer for rescue organizations, taking pictures of their adoptable cats and dogs and of course, take many shots of my crew to hopefully promote responsible pet parenting and the adoption of special needs and seniors. I also sell some of my pictures through stock photo platforms like Getty & RooM.

I’ve never been very good at marketing myself, but I’m working on it! You can see more of my work on www.sgvphotography.com