Pets Corner

I think it's time I introduced myself, my name is Milly and I am a Jack Russell. I didn't get off to a very good start in life, I was born in Ireland and I don't know what went wrong but I found myself at the NCDL place in Kenilworth. I wasn't there very long when I was taken by this couple to live in Bulkington. It's nice living here and there are lots of "posh" dogs here. What my new owners did not know is I don`t like other dogs, little kids, motor bikes and I am absolutely petrified of fireworks - my owners leave the wardrobe door open for me so I can hide, and I feel a bit safer in there.The best part of the day is going for walkies, just down the road there is a fat cat always sitting on the doorstep,and no matter how much I growl and bark it just sits there looking at me, how frustrating is that? Also there is a couple of them German Snousers that fancy their chances with me, if he would only let me go I would show them what life was all about. I am not too keen on the way they walk, you know what I mean. Last summer he took me to the park and this Staffy got too close for comfort. I managed to slip my harness and set about it, I had it on its back and was about to finish him off when my owner grabbed me by the scruff of my neck and pulled me off. My owners don't realise I am not a little dog really, I am a big dog in a little dog's body and it doesn't help having to wear this silly pink collar, I would have preferred one of those with studs all round. My owners haven't quite forgiven me for tearing my bed up one day when they went out, I didn't tear it up, it just came apart in my mouth, honest. So now they leave the radio on for me and something to chew on. My one aim in life is watching the gate because I know someday someone will forget to shut it, and you know where I will be, going straight down the road and sort that fat cat out once and for all. Sometimes my owners tell me lies, they shout "Milly come and have a sweetie" and when I come running in they grab me and put me under the shower! How unfair is that? Not to worry, it doesn't take me long to get round to smelling the way I want to. Well its time to give the old guy the old sad eye and get a Pringle (it never fails), and then a quick kip, I hardly ever get a treat from the old gal because she says I am getting fat, that's not fat it's pure muscle. Anyway got to go and don't forget, Milly rules ok.

What a beautiful post. I loved it.

That's brilliant, I love it ! Are there any more hard done-by pets out there who want to share their stories about mischievous owners?

Norm, that was absolutely brilliant!! Thank you - really cheered me up

Brill.

A memorandum to Milly. Just remember it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog what counts Seriously though, that was a winner! Apart from our cheeky poppit Sunny that we had from a puppy, we rescued a dog that came from Kenilworth. Some neighbours from our village had him from Honiley but their lifestyle just didn't suit the dog and we used to dog-sit him and eventually we managed to get him signed over to us from Honiley and it has taken two years to settle him down. He never liked being left like Milly and chewed stuff and managed to wee under our duvet without getting the top wet, a feat which I was in awe of Not that that I want to may I add Hates the hoover and just wants lots of love. I'll find a photo. I am aware that you can inherit some problems with some of the rescue dogs but most of them seem so appreciative once they settle down, some are only from a home where there has been a divorce or a bereavement and need a settled place to live. He is very loving and we wouldn't want to be without him.

Milly might not have got off to a good start in life, but it sounds as thought she is happy now. Thank you for the story - brilliant

Hi there Milly, Charlie here, let me just say I admire your guts, for a Jack Russell that is. The thing is you have to let them - them being the ones who house and feed you, know who's the boss and you have to make that clear from the very start. The secret is in the 'look' - the pitiful look that is - once you have mastered that you are home and dry. Mind you you may have to give way on the 'sit' bit, you get more that way. Look me up some time. ps. You can call me Chas.

Tasha's story. Tasha is a cross Rottweiler and when we had her was 2.5 years old. The RSPCA was her home for a time before she came to us. Our old dog Trixie who was a Collie cross black Lab had been put down in the September due to illness, and we said we would not have another as it broke our hearts to let her go. But within a month we took a ride up to the RSPCA to look around. The first kennel was where she was. This quite large dog walking back and forth, not barking like the others, and so thin, all her ribs was showing. In fact the head didn't match the body in size. We had no plans to have a Rotti but after walking with her around the field and the temperament she had, we sort of fell in love. We took her home after the warden came to check our house out. It took some time for her to get used to the cats, and likewise them to have a new dog in the house. The local dog walkers in the park would look at us as if we were being cruel to the dog and not feeding her. But as time has gone by, the weight has gone on. The training has got better, and she looks like a Rottweiler should look. We don't know all about her history. We do know that she was locked in a room, may have been beaten, has never seen a tv and was not trained in the art of sit, stay, wait, etc. Now she does all this and more (when she wants to). Dogs give unconditional love and I think she is happy with us now. She even plays with one of the cats, and has never bitten or hurt them. To end this story of Tasha, can I just say, puppies are nice little dogs that grow up very fast, don't give one for Christmas. The RSPCA is full and so are all the other kennels. Please remember, A DOG IS FOR LIFE, NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS, and if you were to go up to the RSPCA with a few cans of dog (or cat) meat before Christmas, they will be very thankful.

That's a good idea Baz, the RSPCA would welcome food and blankets I bet.

After reading Baz`s story I find I must write about another rescue. My wife's sister has just rescued a Bichon Frise from the place on Coundon Wedge Drive, so last Tuesday we decided to drive to Rugby and see their new dog. I was so shocked when I saw it, it was just a bag of bones, the kennels had trimmed all its hair off because it was so badly matted, its legs are brown instead of white, they told her not to try and wash it out as it is staining due to the conditions that she had been in and that it would eventually grow out. When they asked about the dog's history it appears that 3 of these dogs had been kept locked in a cage and just kept for breeding. When taken for a walk she keeps sitting down and cannot go any further because her muscles are wasted away. A court case is pending on the previous owners, the kennels have photos of the dogs before they gave them any treatment, but they would not show them because it would be too upsetting for them. Baz, I am no softy but I swear the look in that dog's eyes will haunt me forever. We cannot wait to go to Rugby again and see if she is making progress and get a bit of wag in the tail instead of hanging straight down. Thanks for posting

Oh NormK, it breaks your heart to read it, I am just grateful to hear that the dog will be in a caring home now and will surely make progress in such an environment. Our dog took ages to look happy and didn't wag his tail either, took about a year I reckon for him to settle a bit and get some confidence back, not that he was underfed or unhealthy in the conditions like those poor creatures. I hope the other two caged dogs are as lucky in finding a home. Keep a progress report for us on here please.

Your Charlie certainly looks a cheeky little fella!

He had his summer clip yesterday so he looks like a little Jack Russell now, well for at least a couple of months.

Ok, I can't resist, here's a pic of our two.... Toby on the left, and Tasha on the right (as we look) Toby likes to think he's the boss - but Tasha knows she is really!