'I feel guilty for leaving Ukraine': British teacher and his dog flee the country

David Culling is an English teacher from Redcar, North Yorkshire, and has been living in Kyiv with his Large Munsterlander dog, Hannah, since 2018.

He moved to Ukraine after falling in love with the country and its people following holidays there.

The duo used to enjoy coffees in the park with friends and go for long walks in the countryside, with Hannah, 11, helping them make friends wherever they went.

They were taking a break near the Romanian border when Russia invaded. This is their story:

While the military build-up was happening, very few locals believed this was anything serious.

My car is an import so I have to leave Ukraine every 12 months, so I took a few things and drove to the mountains for a few days break then was coming back to Kyiv.

But two days before we were due to return, the invasion began. I was ready to sit it out in Chernivtsi but then cruise missiles landed in the next town and there was no way I could drive back through the mountains, as planned.

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I packed up and went straight to the border with Romania, driving back to Kyiv would have been stupid.

I left because of Hannah, although a dog wouldn’t complain as long as they’re with their owner, if something happened to one of us and the other left – especially for her – it would have been tragic.

Had I been alone I would have returned without hesitation and would have liked to get my hands on a Kalashnikov, but that wouldn’t have been fair to Hannah.

‘Apparently, I’m now a refugee’

It wasn’t too bad getting out from where I was, lots of people were crossing the border – no questions asked or documents required for Hannah.

It then took me six days to find a dog-friendly place to stay and my car’s rear suspension then snapped so I couldn’t move.

Friends in the UK found connections nearby and they were like angels, my car was fixed free of charge (because apparently, I’m a refugee now) and I found a place to stay.

There are Ukrainians everywhere, their plight is worse than mine, they’ve left everything, their families and birthplace – they had little, now they have nothing.

Munsterlander community helped out

I’ve always posted pictures on the Munsterlander Facebook page as people like to see our trips. When I posted about what was happening, someone started a fundraising page for us and within hours they’d raised £500 for us – it was very kind and reassuring.

I’ll keep that for Hannah as Munsterlanders are such active dogs so emergencies can happen quickly.

She is the most wonderful companion and we are never apart, she’s also a great traveller so this hasn’t phased her, which has helped me.

‘I feel I’ve been disloyal and a coward’

I feel desperately sad that I’ve left, I’ve left my friends who couldn’t leave and feel I’ve been disloyal and a coward.

I had so many voices pressuring me with different opinions but eventually, I had to shut them out and make my own decision.

I’ve left behind the happiest days of my life, and also my possessions in my lovely apartment, I’ll have to see if I can go back there.

This is a country I love, not because it’s modern and affluent, but because of its people, culture and character – but I had to leave to protect Hannah.

What has been done to the Ukrainians and their land and heritage is beyond comprehension, and right now they’re messaging me from bunkers – it’s unbelievable.

‘Please keep helping Ukrainians – it gives them strength’

I don’t care what the level of destruction is, I believe there is a purpose behind this for a better future and a more beautiful country built on a new hope and determination, not to be beaten.

The fact they will defend Ukraine with their lives just to start all over again, will, I am sure, elevate them to a unique place in the world.

Friends have been saying to me “we will win” – I always tell them they already have. I try to message them constantly to assure them of our support and connect my UK friends with them as it gives them strength and resolve.

I am sending money to a friend who has organised her cafe into a medical relief and children’s emergency centre – she is overwhelmed by the support and love from England.

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Please, spread as much positive information to them, build support for government action and pray for them.

As told to Alix Culbertson, political reporter and Large Munsterlander owner

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