~ Bridie's Story ~
We had had our dog Sunny for nearly 15 years, we had got her from Wood Green Animal Shelter when she was about 10 weeks old. Our children were 2 and 3 years old and so all 3 of them grew up together. In 2006 Sunny gradually became more and more ill and in November we made the decision to let her go. As you can imagine all our hearts were broken and we still miss her very much. I knew we would have another dog in the future but didn't know when.
A few months ago I saw an article in the Herald & Post by Lisa Graham asking for volunteer dog walkers, I called but unfortunately couldn't help as I don't drive so couldn't get to the Hound Hotel. A little while after that I found the R.A.T.S website and went to the gallery section to look at the dogs and there was Bridie staring into the camera with the most beautiful 'take me home' eyes. For a few days I kept going back and looking at the picture and emailed it to my husband and that is when we realised we were ready to bring a new dog into our home. Shortly after that an notice was in the Herald & Post for an open day at R.A.T.S in February so we decided we would go and meet Bridie.
After driving around on our motorbike and getting very lost for about 20 minutes we found the right place where many people were coming and going. We were greeted by a tall man with white hair - I apologise for not remembering his name - and explained that we were interested in homing a dog, he asked if we had any idea of the type of dog we wanted and I said that we had seen Bridie's picture - with that there was great excitement from him and he sent one of the helpers to bring her out. On first seeing her I thought 'wow, that''s a big dog'! She was brought over to us and was so quiet and placid and stood, tail tucked in, while we were told her history. It is thought Bridie is 5 years old, she was found by the dog wardens and brought to R.A.T.S 2 years ago. All the staff were very pleased at the prospect of Bridie finding a new home as large dogs are often off putting to prospective owners.
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We agreed that we would like to give her a home and it was arranged for Darren to come and do a home visit and if all was well Bridie would be ours. The visit was fine and Darren's girlfriend Danni generously agreed to deliver Bridie to us as we don't have a car.
The first few days after Bridie arrived were a bit hectic as we were having a bathroom fitted but she coped with it without getting distressed. We got her a new collar with shiney disc with her name and our phone number on it, a great big cushion bed and found out that she likes to take slippers, trainers, socks & gloves and arrange them side by side in the garden, which we all find very endearing. There was a bit of trial and error with house training but we sorted that out by trying different feeding times and walks - she now has at least a half hour walk at 7.30am with me and then one at 7pm with me & my husband, as well as having a run about with Bridie we have both enjoy this time together out of the house - even in the snow and rain!
A few weeks after she arrived my husband had taken her to the park where they found an abandoned, punctured football, blue with white stars, and this has become Bridies favourite toy, I defy anyone not to have a huge grin as they watch her charging round the park with the ball hanging from her mouth. Bridie rarely barks but if she feels you are hogging the ball she will give you a bark as if to say 'it's my turn'.
In the 3 months since Bridie came to live with us she has filled out - being a Greyhound/Lurcher she will never be fat but that slight sticking out ribs look has gone, she has put on muscle too from all the running about. She is a complete member of the family and we are so glad we found her - so a big thanks to Lisa for writing the article or I never would have seen Bridie's picture and fallen for her. I would like to say to anyone who is worried about taking on a greyhound or lurcher that they do not need 20 mile walks 5 times a day, after half an hour Bridie is quite ready to go home and flop on her bed!
A big thank you to all the staff at hound Hotel who do a wonderful job and who helped make Bridie such a joy to be with.
Sam and Steve McCloughlin
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