julia Heetman’s Heart-Stopping Moment & Passion for Dog Adoption
Julia Heetman experienced a terrifying few minutes shortly after welcoming her rescue dog, Otje, into her life. Just two weeks into their journey together, a simple walk turned into a frantic search when Otje bolted after being startled by the sound of a dropped Flexilijn pulley at her front door.
“It was the biggest mistake I could have made,” Julia recalls, noting the commonality of the mishap. The loud noise sent Otje running, and directly towards a busy road. “I walked screaming on the street, I didn’t know where she was.” Thankfully, Julia’s mother and brother instantly joined the search, while she contacted the Animal Ambulance.
Relief washed over Julia when a kind stranger called, having found otje thanks to the identification tag on her collar. “She had been waiting quietly,” Julia shares, still visibly moved by the experience. “I thought I had lost her.” The incident prompted Julia to immediatly discard all Flexilines, prioritizing Otje’s safety.
Despite the initial scare, the experience only deepened the bond between Julia and Otje. “Otje brings balance, makes me go outside, and makes everything more fun,” Julia says. She describes a unique connection, believing it stems from being the first person to comfort Otje after her arrival. “The bond she has with me is different from the bond she has with others. And I think that is really very special.”
Julia’s affection for Otje has also ignited a passion for dog adoption.Her family had previously owned purebred dogs, but after the loss of their oldest companion, a puppy didn’t feel right.”That’s how we ended up in the world of adoption. And now we’ve all become a bit infected,” she laughs, adding that they now share their home with a Border Collie as well.
Julia extends her commitment to dogs beyond the Netherlands, regularly visiting the Animal Rescue Centre in Bonaire during her travels. She dedicates her time to cuddling the animals, documenting their stories through photos and videos, and providing donations. “It is so significant that people see how many nice dogs are waiting for a home.”
As she celebrates Animal Day with Otje by her side, Julia encourages potential adopters to thoroughly research and consider giving an older dog a loving home. “Give some older dogs the chance too. Otje really makes my life better in everything. I wish everyone such a special bond.”
