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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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A young dog found trembling and alone on the side of a road in Cyprus is now beginning to discover safety—and the first hints of joy—after being rescued from a life where she had been “invisible.”
Annabelle, believed to be around a year old and weighing barely 25 pounds, was discovered in August lying against a roadside near a village, her ribs visibly protruding and a wound beneath her neck. She had no microchip, no collar and no indication that anyone was looking for her.
A passer-by who spotted the frightened puppy took her to a local vet, where her fate rapidly became urgent. Without intervention, Annabelle was set to be transferred to a municipal pound, places where, according to local rescuers, dogs frequently receive little food, no medical care and are routinely euthanized.
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But her story changed the moment Stronger Together Animal Rescue (STAR) was contacted.
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'She Didn't Expect Anyone To Stop for Her'
Cyprus has a reputation for being home to a large number of stray dogs, with many rescues working hard to save and rehome animals in need.
Linda Demetriou, trustee of STAR—a charity registered in England and Wales that has been rescuing stray dogs from Cyprus for nearly a decade, told Newsweek how Annabelle was rescued.
“On the 24th of August a young man found her in a village, her ribs were showing, she weighed only nine kilos (19 pounds) at the time,” Demetriou said. “She was very scared, with a wound under her neck. If no one helped, she would’ve been taken to the municipal pound, where dogs are constantly euthanized. Her best chance of survival would have been to end up in a filthy cage for the rest of her life.”
STAR immediately took Annabelle into private boarding, where she received medical care, food and safety—things she may never have known before.
Demetriou explained that Annabelle’s behavior suggests she may have been born in a cage or endured long-term neglect. When she first arrived at the rescue’s boarding facility, she hid from humans, trembling whenever anyone approached.
“She is very timid and nervous due to her past traumas,” Demetriou said. “She hides because that’s all she’s ever known. Slowly this sweet girl is discovering that humans can be kind.”
Her confidence is gradually returning, thanks largely to the presence of other dogs.
“She adores other dogs and finds safety in their company,” Demetriou said. “She now comes forward for gentle head scratches, cautiously wagging her tail, as if she’s learning what joy feels like in small pieces. There isn’t a single bad bone in this little girl.”
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A Second Chance
Annabelle is now preparing for the biggest step of her new life: transport to the U.K., planned for December 14, 2025, where she will be ready to meet potential adopters.
Before any dog is rehomed, STAR conducts full medical checks and a behavioral assessment. The charity also provides lifelong rescue-back-up to adopters, ensuring each dog always has a safety net.
Because of her sensitivity and trauma, Annabelle will require a very specific kind of adoptive home.
“There isn’t a single bad bone in this little girl,” Demetriou said. “Because of her timid nature she must have another kind, confident dog to guide her. She needs a quiet, calm home, no children, rural, quite area and a secure garden is essential.”
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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