Sixpack

Vivien Beerman owns 6 Keeshonden, even though she used to be afraid of dogs.

They’re all from the same family. Kyoshi is the father, Izzy the mother, and Sheila, Nayomi, Saya and Yara are their pups. Together with their owner, 57-year-old Vivien Beerman from Blauwdorp, they’re quite a sight. “Children often want to pet them,” says Vivien. “That’s because they’re so gentle and fluffy.”

In 2014 Vivien’s Labrottie died. She also had an Akita who missed her companion terribly. Vivien bought another Akita through Marktplaats. “It turned out to be an unpredictable dog. He attacked me. I had 56 bite wounds on my arm; tendons and muscles were torn. I spent 4 hours in surgery and was deeply traumatised. I later had tattoos done to cover the scars.”

Vivien didn’t have any dogs for 3 years. Then she went with her daughter to pick out a Keeshond. “3 months later I decided to get one too – that was Izzy. She helped me overcome my trauma. After a while, dad Kyoshi joined us. And now there are 6.”

Vivien used to work in hospitality but was declared unfit for work in 2007 due to worn spinal discs. She volunteered at Buurtbrök Mariaberg and for VluchtelingenWerk, but after another back injury she had to stop. Working is no longer possible, but walking still is.

She takes her dogs for 3 one-hour walks every day. “It’s good for them, and for me too. We walk in the Jekerdal valley, up the hill or in the Frontenpark, and sometimes through the old town. I always feel safe when I’m with them.”

Vivien grew up in Rotterdam but moved to Maastricht in 2004, tired of the hectic Randstad. “After all these years I understand Maastrichts quite well, but to many people I’m still ‘that Hollander’, because I don’t speak the language. But I think Maastricht is wonderful, even if I’m not really a city person.”