When I suffered a bereavement at the end of 2010, my husband suggested I get a dog to help me recover. I had always wanted a Yorkie and in 2011, found an eight-year-dog called Jodie. We went to ‘view’ her first to see if she was suitable. She rolled on her back and was very affectionate. We took her there and then. Jodie lived to the grand age of 16. The heartbreak of losing her was too much, and we said we would never get another dog.
Nine months later, we got an 8-week-old Yorkshire terrier puppy whom we named Tilly. Having missed out on Jodie’s younger years, we felt it would be nice to have that experience. We did not know what we were letting ourselves in for. Being on the wrong side of fifty, having a little bundle of fur that got up at 5 am, and still eager to play at 9 pm, was not easy! That hard work eventually paid off, as she is now a beautiful three-year-old dog who gives us pleasure every day.
It was my husband who decided he wanted another dog and suggested a spaniel. I knew spaniels were energetic, and that we weren’t. I suggested a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel instead. They are said to have good temperaments and are gentle and docile. Not wanting to go through the puppy stage again, we opted for an older dog and approached a charity. After having a home check, we waited and watched their Facebook page for one to come up.
The police raided a puppy farm, and the charity owner brought back two Cavaliers. These were born to breed and held in poor conditions. After being checked over, they were spayed so that they couldn’t have any more puppies. It thrilled us to be accepted for one of them. They were given names and were virtually identical. One was Faith and the other was Daisy, and for no reason, we chose Faith.
I still remember the day three years ago when we went to collect her. We walked in and this frightened little dog, who couldn’t look me in the eye, wandered in. I crouched down to talk to her, but as she wasn’t used to being spoken to, and didn’t know I was addressing her. She had no collar and no lead and looked unloved and belonging to no one.
She spent the next few days sitting like a statue, afraid to move. When she did, it was from one bed to the other. She was afraid of my husband, which made us think she had been mistreated by a male. Gradually, and with a lot of love and patience, Meggy, as she is now known, came around. These days she is the most adorable, loving, and funny dog I have ever known. And a beautiful companion for Tilly.
Here they are and if you would like to see more photos of my dogs, join me on Instagram.
If you would like to know more about rescuing a dog, click here.
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