A scruffy, light-colored dog with a yellow band on its front leg sitting on an examination table at a veterinary clinic.

Adoption listing photos of Maru, sick, little pup rescued by Sarp

Maru

Maru’s journey to our family began in the summer of 2020, when our dear friend Sarp shared a post on Instagram: “She’s very sick and needs time to recover, but we’re searching for a home.” At that time, Olga’s parents were on holiday in Ayvalık. When Olga saw the post, she sent it to them right away, saying, “Doesn’t she look just like our Lucie?”

Lucie had joined the family in 2014, adopted from a shelter. Over the years, all of Lucie’s cat and dog siblings had crossed the rainbow bridge, and she was now the only dog in the house.

The moment Olga’s parents saw Maru’s photo, they felt it in their hearts—“When we come back from Ayvalık, we must return with this little girl.” They immediately reached out to Sarp. Since the family has always opened their home to shelter animals and cared for street dogs, Sarp trusted that they would give this sick, fragile pup the care she so badly needed.

And so, the very next day, Olga’s parents began the journey back from Ayvalık to Istanbul—with Maru by their side.

A man smiling while holding and grooming a small, scruffy white dog indoors.
Two white dogs lying on a dark gray ottoman near a window with white curtains, with a yellow cushion and a black object in the background.
A man smiling and holding a small, scruffy white dog with a yellow collar, indoors with framed pictures on the wall in the background.

Maru and Lucie

Maru with Sarp

Maru’s healing took time. At first, she and Lucie lived almost in quarantine from one another. But slowly, Maru gained strength. In 2021, the whole family—Maru included—moved to Amsterdam, where she’s been living her happiest life ever since.

When she first arrived, Maru weighed just 8 kilos. Her fur was patchy, and she was still so weak. Today, she’s a healthy 18 kilos (though the vet says she’s a little chubby—something Olga and her family prefer to kindly ignore :)), with a full coat of fur and a joyful spirit. She loves running through parks and gardens and absolutely adores her big sister Lucie. Wherever Lucie goes, Maru wants to be close by.

Maru is wonderfully expressive. Whenever she wants a cuddle or a treat, she gives gentle boops with her nose, making sure everyone knows exactly what she’s asking for.

She has become an irreplaceable part of Olga’s family, filling their lives with joy—and they love her so, so, so much.

A small white dog lying on a gray pillow on a dark gray couch, with a multicolored woven blanket on the armrest.

Happy doggo, ready for belly rubs.

A woman with short dark hair holding a light-colored, fluffy dog in a cozy indoor setting.

Maru and Olga

White dog lying in green grass with a blue and white ball in front, in front of a wooden fence and some bushes.

That little smirk!

Two women standing on a grassy park with two dogs. The woman on the left has long dark hair, sunglasses, a black coat, and a blue top. The woman on the right has short gray hair, sunglasses, and a black coat. Both women are holding leashes attached to the dogs, which are cream-colored with shaggy fur. The background features trees with budding leaves and a sunny sky.

Maru, Olga, Lucie and İnci

A man in a black beanie, sunglasses, and leather jacket holding a cream-colored dog with a blue harness near a body of water and grassy area.

Maru and Tim