Maria Daines: MUSIC

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Ebru in happier days at the Hotel Marmara.



Picture by Engin Gercek





Ebru suffered terrible injuries and sadly the elderly street dog passed away 48 hours after emergency surgery.





Flowers for Ebru


WHAT HAPPENED TO EBRU?

EBRU CONTINUES TO INSPIRE


Justice for Ebru: The dog of the Marmara Hotel, Taxim.

'Ebru has been for nearly 12 years a symbol of this emerging City, Istanbul.

A pure Istanbul stray, Ebru was "adopted" as a puppy by the Marmara Hotel in
Taxim, the square that many consider Istanbul centre.

For over a decade, Ebru
has been a fixture of this emblematic location. This kind and affectionate
dog has been greeting and extending her paw to countless personalities
visiting our beloved city. Ambassadors, Heads of State, businessmen, tourists
from every corner of the world, Ebru was always there, standing or lying
right by the Hotel Concierge, a symbol of hope, kindness and tolerance in a
city that in recent times seems to have forgotten the meaning of those
abstract concepts.

Ebru has been featured in some of the worlds most prestigious publications,
Time Magazine, Newsweek, Paris Match, even Wallpaper, the monthly design publication, put this amazing animal on its cover.

Ebru's life just took a dramatic turn on Friday night.

Ebru, the wonderfully
kind old dog was brutally attacked by one or more individuals who, presumably trying to emulate their favourite footballers, proceeded to mercilessly kick her in the stomach, one, two, three, multiple times. The attack
was savage and of a brutality typical of animal abusers. Worst of all, it
happened in the centre of Istanbul's busiest square, and in plain view of tens,
possibly hundreds of people who did nothing to stop these merciless thugs.

Ebru stood there, looking into the eyes of evil. They kicked her with their
full strength time after time. She suffered as they walked again, leaving her
bloodied and paralysed on the Taxim pavement. Never could Ebru have felt more alone than late last friday night.

A bloodied and inert Ebru was rushed to one of Istanbul's best veterinary
clinics where an emergency operation had to be performed.

Multiple fractures in the thoracic box, perforated lungs, a fractured
diaphragm. Ebru's intestines were pushed up by the force of the blows and
reached the heart area. The skilled veterinary surgeon had to re-compose Ebru internally, much like a puzzle.

The diagnosis: Critical.

The fear and confusion she must have felt will forever leave an impression in our minds. Of all the cases we, at Let's Adopt, have worked on this one has
touched our souls in a profound way.

A Nation's treatment of its Heroes is a reflection of its values.

We must, therefore, reflect about what the story of Ebru (and countless animals victims of abuse) tell us about ourselves.

Let's Adopt will track down witnesses, collect available evidence, prepare necessary reports and prosecute the culprits. But first we have to find them
and for that we need your help.

Let's Adopt will offer a USD 2000 reward to whomever provides information that leads to the conviction of those who commited this despicable atrocity.

If you witnessed, or heard of anyone who witnessed the events of Friday the
29th of May, please contact:

V.Larkhill@googlemail.com

Kind regards

Viktor


LET'S ADOPT WEBSITE





Ebru

Thank you for believing in me
For twelve long years you stood by me
Thank you for the days that we shared
I was a star wasn't I, I knew you cared

I waited by the hotel door
I met your guests, made them feel at home
A street dog with a smile and a paw
Such a shame I can't be with you no more

Oh people, people I miss you all
They hurt my heart but they can't kill me
I know that I live on in your soul
You are there, my friends are with me

Thank you for the times that we knew
I loved my life, I wasn't just a dog to you
You kept me fed on happiness and food
Don't wanna leave you but you know this world is blue.

Oh people, people I miss you all
They hurt my heart but they can't kill me
I know that I live on in your soul
You are there, my friends are with me

I knew sometime the good times would end
That's what it's like when you're a dog friend
You have to take what pain comes your way
Just live your life, take life the hard way

Ebru was my name, I was kind
Many people loved me in my lifetime
I didn't pass away in my sleep
I gave the angels up above my precious soul to keep

Hey, Hey

People, people I miss you all
They hurt my heart but they can't kill me
I know that I live on in your soul
You are there, my friends are with me
Oh people, people I miss you all
They hurt my heart but they can't kill me
I know that I live on in your soul
You are there, my friends are with me.


© Maria Daines/Paul Killington
All Rights Reserved
(mcps) ASCAP
8th June 2009




*A poem for Ebru*


Goodbye my friends I'm never far away
Just by the hotel door, a happy paw
I'm here just like I was so many years before
Lying peaceful near the visitors that come to call
I smiled and wagged my tail on many sunny days
And now I've gone away...
Goodbye my friends I'm only half asleep
With one eye on the folks who loved to see an old stray dog
That was me, old Ebru, I was part of you, you gave me hope
Goodbye my friends I know you tried to save me, it was not to be
This is the end and yet beginnings heal you see
Together we can mend a world for dogs like me...
Goodbye my friends don't let the sadness hurt your heart
For we are one in spirit, never less apart
Goodbye and never wonder for I am at rest
Care for those I leave behind and do your best.
Goodbye my friends.


Maria Daines
2009