My brother was with me and together we managed to get her into the car. I took her home to feed her, clean her up and give her a warm bed. I made an appointment with the local vet and she examined her to make sure she had no serious injury.
I kept her overnight and she slept peacefully with Nella.....happy to be safe, well fed and for a brief moment in time loved.
I did not sleep well that night, I knew I had to hand her over to the right authority, she was not my dog.
Mr P and I talked, if she was not claimed I could maybe keep her.
I live with a practical man, he thinks with his head not his heart. With his arms around me, he asked how could I give her the tlc she needed at his time, when I had so many other issues dominating my life. There was also the fact that if Nella caught a rabbit they may fight over it, and Mr P knew this would upset me. Of course, he was right, he generally is....
With a sad heart I took her to the kennels....I chatted to her en route and told her I would not abandon her. She would be safe but had to trust me. I am sure she understood.
I bent down and gave her a hug, handed the kennel maid her lead, and as I walked away a tear fell, and my heart ached.
I am so happy this story has a happy ending. As you all know, Nella was abandoned.
I have never regretted bringing this little dog home and I know that Julie will love the lurcher.
Abandoned dogs are always so grateful........just to have someone to love them.
We came by our old lurcher this way too - he lived with us (and his canine and feline brothers) for 11 happy years. B Baggins was a rescue dog too, all but two of the animals we've had over the years have been. I'm so glad this story has a happy ending.
ReplyDeleteHi Rowan,
DeletePuppies are beautiful, but there are so many rescue dogs that need a good home. Like you, I have taken four rescue dogs in and never regretted it :)
So glad all ended well for the little dog. Love your first photo - spring is really on the way!
ReplyDeleteHi Jane,
DeleteYes, a good result in the end.
I am pleased with the Spring meadow, it has really worked out very well :)
A little kindness goes a long way...nice ending too. Better than the headlines in our local paper today, Morons shoot duck and goose with air rifles on the canal.
ReplyDeleteHi Shagrat,
DeleteI have no tolerance of animal cruelty.......I doubt they will catch them but I live in hope.
What a nice story to read. And I am happy it ended well. I'll never understand how people can abandon a dog, or a pet in general, without feeling guilty for the rest of their lives.
ReplyDeleteNella looks beautiful!
Alberto.
Altroberde,
DeleteI do not understand it either.....I would not be able to sleep at night.
Nella is beautiful, but tku, that is a sweet thing to say :)
Very gratifying to learn that the abandoned Lurcher now has a positive future to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lucky dog to have been found by you and your brother. I am so glad to hear that someone will take the dog. A happy ending. Mr P was right. Nella looks like she is soaking up the spring sunshine. Your spring flowers look so pretty.
ReplyDeleteIs 'lurcher' a term you use for abandoned dogs? Here we call them 'stray' dogs.
Hi Lisa,
DeleteLurcher, is a breed of dog. Similar to a greyhound.
It is a lovely Spring day. The sun is shining and it is pleasantly warm......enjoy your weekend :)
Oh Cheryl, this story brought a tear to my eyes; I cannot understand how anyone can be so cruel as to abandon a dog. How lucky he was to have you and your brother find him! I'm sure it was hard for you to take him to the kennel, but how wonderful that the story has a happy ending. It sounds like the perfect home for him.
ReplyDeleteDearRose,
DeleteI knew this would upset you. I worried about the little dog for days, but knew that I had done all that I could.
Julie is lovely, and will treat the lurcher with nothing but kindness.
Like you, I cannot understand why anyone would abandon any animal. There are plenty of rescue centres locally.......
Dear Cheryl, I was not at all sure I should read this post at first, I can only read these stories if they have a happy ending, I find such cases so very upsetting....only this week my husband had to remove the front page of the local newspaper before I could see it...
ReplyDeleteI am so very, very pleased that you found the poor dog, it is beyond my understanding that anyone could abandon a living creature. I can think of at least eight!!! separate occasions where I have helped lost dogs, thankfully none seemed to have been in a neglected state physically and all were returned to their grateful owners....four wore collars with addresses and were returned by us personally, two turned out to be farm dogs which apparently 'would have found their way back home'...hmmm.... and we took two others to the police station where they were eventually reported missing by their owners and returned. This was all over a number of years of course, the most recent was last year and was one of the farm dogs which we found roaming around a small Nature reserve. There was no one else there and it followed us all the time we were there and when we left we knocked at the door of the nearest farm house and found it belonged there. I cannot pass by a dog which has no owner with it, I just can't...
I am so very glad the dog you found is going to what sounds like a perfect home and can perfectly understand your and Mr P's dilemma, I would have felt just the same as you but I know you came to the right decision.
Thank you so much for caring Cheryl, sometimes I think my fellow humans are an alien and different species to me then I find someone special....like you...
No Jan, not too long. Such an interesting comment, it makes me feel better just knowing you are out there.
DeleteThe lurcher will be happy, Julie is lovely, sweet and kind.
I have met her several times....you just know when someone loves animals, don't you??
Ah Cheryl, what a superstar you are. Whenever I feel dispair at the state of the human race I can come here and to the blogs of others like you and feel that there is still much to be hopeful about.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad she has a new and loving home lined up. I wish that for all the stray and lonely animals in shelters and on the street.
There is always hope Lucinda. For every bad person, there are ten good, just remember that.
DeleteIf I was a millionaire I would take in animals without any hesitation. I dream of winning the lottery.....buying more land....and opening an animal sanctuary.
Dreams can come true, and I really do live in hope that one day.........
Wonderful, this is exactly what I dream of too! :)
DeleteOh goodness!! That was sooo long...sorry ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteAwwww, I would've taken her! I love Lurchers (well, greyhound/sighthound types) :D
Such a shame you get them being abandoned near you - I've never seen, heard or found an abandoned animal before.
Hi Liz,
DeleteI thought of you. I took to her straight away.....we get so many abandoned dogs in this area, it really sickens me to think that someone can just leave a dog.
Hi Cheryl
ReplyDeleteI am so glad this story had a happy ending, and that you cared enough to make sure the dog was looked after. Many people would simply not have bothered.
Frankie was abandoned by his owner. He had to go to the local dogs home because he was reported as a stray. She wouldn't pay the £35 to get him back. We'd already made our minds up to have him if she didn't. We found out he'd been ill-treated, which explains a lot about his personality, but he has a happy and loving home now.
Dan
-x-
Hi Dan,
DeleteWell done you, Frankie is adorable, I so enjoyed your recent post featuring said theatrical.....
Do you know, I wondered how many people had driven by the little dog, and just ignored her. I confess, it made me pretty angry to think that someone had just left her to fend for herself. She is safe now, and that is all that matters to me.
Enjoy your weekend Dan XX
Dear Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteYour heart is so very kind. It is an honor to know you...to walk this good red earth with you. It is because of you and like minded spirits that our world is a joy to be in. I find many people are absorbed in their own agendas and do not see the needs of other species. An abandoned dog spoke to you...called to your heart,
and you responded. You also care for plants and bees and bugs of all types. You nurture and give your love. It is who you are...and I am so very grateful for you.
Namaste,
Sherry
Tku Sherry,
DeleteI am humbled....
Namaste
People can be cruel and I don't understand how they can live with themselves.
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate for this dog that you and your brother were there to find her and bring her home. I am sure she understood your words, your touch and your kindness and felt soothed.
Mr. P may be practical (like most men), and think with his head, but you have his heart, and it looks to me like it's a very loving and tender heart.
I am glad someone with lots of land and other animals will care for this sweet dog. It reminds me of when I had to take Moby to the farm. It was so hard to walk away and of course, I shed some tears too, but I know he is happy now - much happier than if he were to be stuck indoors in a condo (even if they did allow animals).
What a touching post and I'm glad everything turned out for the best.
Hi Wendy,
DeleteI try not to think badly of anyone.....I do not walk in their shoes but I must confess when children and animals are involved I find that most difficult. We have so many charities that would have taken the little dog in....
I did not realise you gave up a much loved pet to move.
Cats need to roam, it is the nature of the animal.....you did the right thing, although it must have been very difficult.
Bless your heart taking her in, cuddling and coddling here and then ensuring that she was taken to the shelter where she now has found her forever home with a perfect situation. Biggest hugs to you Cheryl. There is just nothing sadder, to me, than abandoned pets. hugs and love to you dear one. You saved this little pooches life in all probability! xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Comfrey cottages,
DeleteI like to think that I did what anyone would do.
I doubt she would have survived for long....she was much too thin, bless her sweet heart.