Memories of the past, a vision for the future
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It has been three years since I wrote that post up there introducing myself to everybody. I remember that day like if it was today, I was siting in front of my computer, with Fulya across the table and I kept on asking, isn’t this too personal? Why would anyone care about who I am or what I do in my spare time? - It’s important, Ivan, she answered. You cannot be just a Facebook Page, people need to understand the man behind the voice to connect. You must be a real presence, not just a virtual one. And so I wrote a introduction post in which I addressed some very personal questions people used to ask me. The first thing I did was to tell everyone my real name is not Viktor Larkhill, it’s Ivan Jimenez. Viktor is a pseudonym necessary when you work in a environment where you are trying to make change by disrupting the system. I needed to give my loved ones a level of protection against the attacks of the nasty and villainous people our work as an organisation would expose. It was, and it remains, necessary. Even today, my real name is not widely known, and I’m convinced this has shielded my family against those that would wish to silence me. Viktor Larkhill is also a brand, a brand that I fully intend to pass on to someone one day. The brand was built on the basics that everyone is essential to the group, that this is not a one man show and after I’ve gone into retirement (that day will come), there will always be another Viktor taking over where I left it. As for the rest, in essence much remain the same. But Let’s Adopt! changed, evolved and grew into something bigger than I ever thought it would be, and this is just the beginning. From a seed of two people, Fulya and myself, Let’s Adopt! has grown into a sizeable network growing at a consistent rate. Our work has not stopped a single day since that 8 of January 2008 when in a cold and rainy Istanbul morning we gave ourselves a name. And what a name!… from the beginning it became clear we were going to build something different, it was either that, or nothing, and we started with the name. Here is a list of some of the many Turkish animal organisations: ASKOD Let’s Adopt! You get the idea… it was very obvious, from the beginning that we were going to be different. We started operating in Istanbul, and shortly afterwards, at a time when it was basically Fulya and myself, and just a few people that were beginning to get to know us, we had our first big case, the killing of Ebru, the dog of the Marmara Hotel. What ensued was probably the most publicised case of animal abuse in Turkey, and it did so, because I had the idea of offering a Reward to find the killer, something that had never been done in Istanbul. Very few people know about this, but the killer was found a few months later. It was a kid, one of the thousands of kids living on Istanbul streets. He was barely 15, and addicted to sniffing glue. I was devastated, I decided never to tell anyone…
The group continued growing, and in those days we took the decision to focus on the most difficult cases. On blind, handicapped and severely ill animals that truly had no chance, whose treatment was out of the reach of an ordinary person. The kind of dog or cat that would never get adopted, just because of the effort it would entail to get him back to health. From our hands and homes have passed thousands of animals, the majority of them broken or handicapped in some way or another. At this point I could make a list of names, and upload pictures and videos, but instead I will show you ONE video, one that represents everything this group stands for, our essence. The rescue of Gulumser… Where are we going from here? I would be a fool to tell you I know, I don’t. But what I can assure you is that we are not going to shy away from challenges. At the moment we are focused on solving some issues we have in Canada and the USA, something we should have dealt with long time ago, but we didn’t, instead we decided to ignore until it reached the point where it couldn’t be ignored any longer. I am aware some of you may not like me, and that this personal dislike is extended by default to the organisation composed by many wonderful people. To those of you that feel that way I want to apologise. I can assure you nothing I have ever done or said, had the intention of hurting anyone, on the contrary, all our efforts have always been to minimise conflict, give people a chance to correct their actions and put a stop to whatever act of cruelty or corruption they may been involved with. From the Mayor of Istanbul that for years has authorised the covert mass killing of tens of thousands of animals abandoned in the forest, to Tanya Fusco, the now discredited individual that for over a year has been waging a slandering campaign against our organisation and that using dirty tricks as low as using her teenage daughter as a human shield has attracted some of the darkest and more despicable assembly of characters in a demonic conspiracy to damage the group. Not everyone understood our goodwill. Some people just want to watch the world burn… We are approaching our Fourth Anniversary, and it is very likely that I will forget to mark the date on the day, but if you read this now, know that our team and myself remain more determined that ever to make Let’s Adopt!, the best animal rescue in the world. Something that many believe we already are. It’s impossible to do something like this alone, but every journey starts with a single step, and that step is always a lonely one. In my case I had Fulya in whose support I have always been able to count, and that remains until today. As you take the journey some people will join you, some will accompany you a stretch of the way, others will remain with you until the end destination. We are all an essential part of this story. Let’s Adopt! is their journey as much as it is mine. And that is life. With much love, and grateful to have you with us, day after day, in Let’s Adopt! Global. Nothing could have happened without you. Thank you Viktor Larkhill (Ivan Jimenez)
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You are my hero! Keep up the great work!
Nothing good in this world ever comes easy, so it is not surprising that over the years people have tried to discredit you, slander, stop you, etc. That’s human nature, there are good people and there are bad people. It’s that simple. There are also those who will stand up for what they believe in, no matter how unpopular that may be. I think it’s pretty safe to say that Ivan is one of those people. Without those who are willing to let their voices be heard, we would never have change. So although at times this voice can be very loud, at the end of the day, I think we are all happy that this voice is here.
What I am grateful for is the day that Ivan and Fulya decided to create LAG. That is a defining moment that has forever changed thousands of lives, human and animal. The world is a much better place with Let’s Adopt Global in it.
Hi Viktor (or Ivan),
Whom ever you are, you are doing a fantastic job. But I’m sure you could not have done it alone. You must be surrounded by fantastíc people. We are trying to “copy” some of your work, but it takes a lot of effort to find people you can trust and rely on. We are going to take our first dog out of this god forsaken country, and I’m terrified. I know the dog will be bettter of in Scandinavia, but can I really trust that the adoptee will pick her up??? And for some reason its a never ending story with the abused animals. What are people thinking when they throw out a 2 month old puppy of their car in motion? I dont know if I have the guts to see this through, but then I turn to you and your organizasion ad I feel good again. Look at all those great stories?
Thanks for listening
Lone, you must have people you trust before you put any animal in their hands. People always fail to deliver and you must never fully trust anyone until they prove to be trustworthy. If this is your first case you don’t want to learn from a tragedy. Trust only in yourself. If you have a bad feeling about the adopter, CANCEL. If it’s only normal doubt and worry, that’s ok. It will help you in making sure only the best is done for the dog. To limit any danger to the puppy during transport PLEASE do not ship, or let him fly alone. Find a flight volunteer. Someone you would send your own children with. That is always the level at which you must operate. Always ask yourself, “is this a situation I would put my own loved ones in?”
Well, good luck and let us know if we can help. We’re always here and encourage anyone to do what we do.
Thank you…
We thank you, Viktor, for your dedication and example. Many times we in Let’s Adopt! Bulgaria have felt nothing less than humbled when we’ve opted for the easy way, for a break, for a holiday, for a day off, for a night with friends – knowing that most of those times you are on the battle front, inundated with pleas for help, rescuing, saving lives.
Stay strong and stay safe. The rest we will deal with together.
https://www.facebook.com/LetsAdoptBulgaria
Man you look(ed) hot !!
)…
You are one of my two great heroes and mentors. I love you, Ivan.
I’VE GOT YOUR BACK BROTHER
I’ve always been hot, I’ll be hot until the day I die, of heat stroke in some tropical beach, as I said, hot.
Thanks Mariya… yeah I need to join you in your next holiday
Let’s take those Ducattis and trace some curves!
xxx
Lone, when we send an animal we don’t send it to a country, we send it to a family. There are wonderful and horrible people everywhere, it’s the family we focus on.
Raciel said it right. The standard is the same. Is this person someone I would send one of my animals to? If the answer is yes, then do. If you have an inkling of a doubt then don’t.
As anything that involves human there is a margin of error and I think it’s unavoidable. It’s how you deal with those errors that in the long run will make a difference in the kind network you have, as well as in your own reaction to problems.
Glad to have you with us…
xx
Viktor :-p
One last thing… yes.. it’s impossible to do something like this alone, but every journey starts with a single step, and that step is usually giving alone. In my case I had Fulya in whose support I have always been able to count, and that support remains till today. As you take the journey some people will join you, some will accompany you a stretch of the way, others will remain with you until the end destination.
And that is life.
You are amazing and an inspiration. A rose by any other name………………..
yes you are ny hero and the animals heroes as well. we all love you.
Keep up the good work LAG !!! Is doesn’t matter what you real name is the important part is what has been done for the last three years.
I applaud you. I often wonder how I can help or make a difference. I continue to share and hope that someone out there helps one animal and gives them the love and homes they deserve. I wish I could do more. I thank God that there are people out there like you that are helping them.
Rescue work is a lonesome and tiresome journey. You can have people around you, helping you, but in the end you do it all by yourself. I am alone when I bottle-feed orphaned kittens 6 times in 24 hours. I am alone when I carry a streetdog with a broken pelvis into a taxi to find a vet. I am alone when advocating animal welfare to ignorant people online, or tell mothers off who let their sons kick a pregnant cat downtown. I am alone when the dehydrated pet shop kittens have to be put down, and I am alone when the kittens who survive curl up to me under my blanket at night, giving thanks with their tiny purrs. I am alone, but then I find LAG and I realize we are all alone – but together in spirit. Thank you.
Thanks Viktor for everything. My dog, my kittie for all the adorable work you and all your volunteers are doing. I’m sure you inspire a lot of your supporters and because of the work of LAG more and more people get interested and involved in animal rescue.
Memories of the past…
When you live through it you don’t realize many things… importance of the events like a butterfly flaps its wings, a hurricane strikes miles away.
Many things have changed in this country so fast that we couldn’t realized the butterfly effect we had on all of this. LA shaked so many stones, broke down so many walls and by putting your (Ivan) face in the front, you magnitized the hate comes out of it. Being a foreigner in this country & trying to change the flow of the water needs guts.
By scratching the memories in the past, sadly I remember my personal mistakes I made many times, some of them you warned me but I was unable to hear. Saving animals is very hard task and you never want to have regrets. I was so lucky that I was surrounded by fantastic people in this Group that helped me find the light when I needed the most.
Thank you Ivan for this touching post…
Hugs
Thanks to you Cenk…
We’ll carry those memories forever..
Ivan,
Just few words… You came and changed many things! You were like a teacher and with the lessons ı have learned from you, ı could adopt many people.
First lesson was buying a good camera and attending photography courses!
I am proud to know you
Big hugs and kisses
Ivan,
It’s Jenn from Long Beach. Please write to me, as I am trying to figure out what it is true…
JEEEEEEENNNNNN… droping you an email from my Viktor Larkhill’s account..
What is true? What is true is that we have 38 people sued in the USA for slander… THAT’s what is true.. emailing you now..
xx