As of: March 30, 2024, 4:07 p.m
By: Anna Kirschner
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What was supposed to be a lovely hiking holiday turns into a nightmare for Danish woman Rikke and her dog Peanut. The help of strangers in Germany is a lifesaver.
Update from March 30th, 3:47 p.m.:
Peanut has had to go through a lot lately. Now hopefully things are looking up again for the furry friend. The Tierschutzengel RheinMain association announced the good news on Facebook: He also survived the second operation well. Nurses roll Peanut out of the operating room with a neck brace, his paws are still bandaged, but his tail is wagging again. “Our brave hero!” is the title of the animal protection association.
This might be the best belated birthday present for owner Rikke, who is celebrating her special day on March 26th on Facebook. With a cake in her hand, she laughs into the camera on the animal welfare association's website. There is also a lot of warmth in the comments. Congratulations and well-wishes for your loved one abound in German, English and Danish.
Peanut survived the operation well, the animal welfare association said on Facebook. © Tierschutzengel RheinMain eV, Animal Protection Frankfurt & Fawn Rescue
The two are now on their way back to their home country of Denmark. The animal protection association thanks all donors for their commitment. It is currently not possible to say whether the costs can be covered because the invoice is not yet available. It will still be a long road to recovery, but Peanut is on the right track, “his spirit is immense,” describes the club. You can clearly see that on the dog.
First report from March 24th, 12:27 p.m.:
Gießen - Rikke and her dog Peanut actually live in the holiday paradise Rømø in Denmark. However, they are currently spending more time than planned in Hesse. Peanut was seriously injured in Germany. How did that happen?
Rikke and Peanut had brought a friend to Germany, writes the Tierschutzengel RheinMain association about the case on its Facebook page. Rikke wanted to use the return journey with her dog as a hiking holiday. While they were traveling near Kastellaun in the Hunsrück (Rhineland-Palatinate) on Tuesday (March 19th), a terrible accident happened. Peanut fell ten meters and broke both of his front legs.
Sweet “Peanut” broke both of his front legs while on a hiking holiday in Germany. © Tierschutzengel RheinMain eV
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That's not all: his cruciate ligaments tore and his lung was punctured. That's why he also suffered from internal bleeding. Owner Rikke later told this editorial team that he jumped out of a window at Kastellaun Castle. She suspects that he couldn't see that there was a steep drop behind it.
High bills for dog surgery: insurance only pays part
Peanut was taken to a vet and later to the Hofheim Animal Clinic. But his owner was faced with the next shock: her insurance did not cover all the costs for treatment and surgery. The insurance company also couldn't step in immediately because they didn't receive the bill in time for the weekend. Since Rikke was unable to pay the costs for intensive care and surgery beforehand, Peanut had to leave the Hofheim animal clinic.
Peanut jumped out of the blue marked window of Kastellaun Castle in the Hunsrück. © Rikke Nelander
Overall, Rikke can expect to spend between 10,000 and 15,000 euros or more for immediate care. Luckily, Peanut's owner met another dog owner at the Hofheim clinic who was able to make contact with the Tierschutzengel RheinMain association. The Tierschutzengel association has launched a call for donations via Facebook. So the club can perhaps go ahead. “Any donations received will be used for Peanut,” write the animal rescuers. “Surplus remains with TierSchutzEngel RheinMain eV for the next case.”
The animal protection angels RheinMain
TierschutzEngel RheinMain eV, based in Karben, was founded in the summer of 2021, according to the association's website. The aim is to secure lost dogs, cats and other animals in order to quickly reunite them with their owners. The association also offers fawn rescues using drones. According to its own information, the association successfully secured animals more than 500 times in 2022.
But how is Peanut doing now? After receiving care in Hofheim, he was taken to the Giessen animal clinic. Peanut and Rikke were received “very well and competently” there, the animal rights activists write. “The dog received a pain injection in the waiting area and is now recovering from the terrible night,” it says on Facebook. However, the veterinary clinic didn't think he was stable enough for surgery and put him up for the time being. The Animal Welfare Angel Association also found accommodation for Rikke.
Hope-giving update from the Gießen animal clinic on Peanut
Peanut had to be immobilized at times so that he didn't move too much. Fortunately, he is feeling a little better now. © Tierschutzengel RheinMain eV
Animal rights activists reported on Saturday that Peanut survived the first night in Giessen well. His lungs are still unstable, but are constantly being checked. Then on Sunday (March 24th) the reassuring update: Peanut is breathing better, he wants to move more again, is eating and drinking. He will have surgery on Monday or Tuesday. After that, there will be three more days of monitoring in the clinic before he can hopefully go home in even better condition.
Dog owner Rikke is grateful for the help. She is “completely overwhelmed” and thinks it is “fantastic that something like this can be achieved. And it still goes on!” Other friends in Denmark would also collect donations for them. In Germany there is a network of animal lovers like she has never experienced before, says Rikke. It is almost surreal that so many complete strangers are helping.
Just before the accident, Rikke took this photo at Kastellaun Castle. © Rikke Nelander
The case quickly received a lot of attention on Facebook. “Thank you for posting updates... we all suffer/sympathize somehow,” writes one user, which certainly speaks to the hearts of many animal lovers. If you would like to donate to Peanut, send the amount via PayPal to friends at paypal.me/tserheinmainev, or by bank transfer to account DE58 5185 0079 0027 2007 37 at Sparkasse Oberhessen with the subject line Peanut. 5,000 euros are said to have been raised on Sunday via Paypal alone.
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