About Us

The name TAJDO is a combination of the names Tajana and Dollar (or Dog). That's us, Dollar and Tajana, an unbeatable team from Switzerland to Zanzibar, from the mountains to the Indian Ocean.

Tajana Bieri

My name is Tajana, I am 24 years old now, and I was born and raised in Switzerland. Since 2024, I have been living in Zanzibar, Tanzania, with my dog Dollar, where I now devote all my heart and soul to helping stray dogs. I grew up in a loving family with my older sister and younger brother. My father is deaf and my mother is hard of hearing, which is why I grew up partly in the world of the hearing impaired and with sign language. This unique upbringing taught me early on to treat people with openness, empathy, and understanding. These values continue to shape me to this day. My love and deep connection to animals, especially dogs, has been with me since childhood. Over the years, my desire to have a dog of my own grew stronger and stronger, until my dog Dollar finally found his way to me from a shelter in Italy. For over eight years, we have been walking through life together, filled with trust, adventure, and unconditional love.

Despite my deep passion for animals, I completed my training as a care specialist for people with disabilities and continued to work in this field. Taking on responsibility, supporting people, and fostering a sense of community, joy, and compassion has always filled me with a deep sense of fulfillment. When I traveled to Zanzibar for the first time, I immediately sensed something special. For the first time in my life, I felt like I had truly arrived. As a young woman, feeling safe, welcome, and at home in a foreign country was indescribable. But alongside the island’s beauty, I also saw its dark side: countless stray dogs suffering daily from hunger, disease, injuries, and a lack of care. Out of love for our four-legged friends, a desire to take responsibility, and a deep need to bring about lasting change, TAJDO was ultimately founded.

TAJDO is more than just a project, it is a part of my heart, my story, and my vision to make Zanzibar a better place for both people and animals. And none of this would have been possible without Dollar, who has been by my side faithfully from the very beginning.

Dollar

I’m Dollar, now about 15 years old in dog years, which is roughly equivalent to 100 human years. My life began on the streets of Italy, where I struggled to survive for a long time until an animal shelter finally took me in. There, I spent five years alongside many other stray dogs, waiting day after day for my second chance.

As fate would have it, I finally found my way to my mom, Tajana, and from that moment on, my life changed forever. For eight years now, we have been sharing our lives together, filled with love, trust, and unforgettable adventures. Together, we have traveled to many countries in Europe, always side by side and, of course, by car.

Until today, my mom did not know exactly how old I really am. Still, we set out together on the greatest adventure of my life: the trip to Zanzibar, the final, special stop on my journey on this earth. Now I get to spend my final years as a proud dog grandpa on the white beaches of Zanzibar, surrounded by warmth, love, and the soothing sound of the sea.

As you can probably tell, I have gone blind now. Age has taken its toll but the warm, salty sea air, the island’s tranquility, and being close to my mom give me a sense of well-being and security every day.

I am not just a dog, I am the origin of TAJDO, and that is why I will continue to be a source of emotional support for my mom, Tajana, for as long as I can.