ZIGGY THE RESCUE DOG...

Last week I blogged about the loss of my soul-sister dog Kelpie back in October; this week I want to tell you about Ziggy, the rescue dog who is helping to heal the hurt...

When your heart hurts because you've lost your best animal friend, nothing can really fix that; a new pet can't ever replace them. But when you've had two big human bereavements too, that hurt can feel overwhelming, and you find yourself looking around for a rescue dog because you need something to look after, and because your existing dog is lonely and pining.

Why a rescue? For us, it has always been a no-brainer. The dog pounds are filled with unwanted, abandoned pets and the animal rescues are crying out for people to adopt. Why pay hundreds of pounds to a breeder to bring more pups into the world when so many dogs are being put down each day for want of a good home? We started to look on rescue sites for lurchers, and that's how we found Ziggy, a one year old lurcher who'd been neglected, half starved, injured and finally abandoned. After emailing and talking to the rescue to make sure Ziggy was a good fit for our family, we drove across the country to meet her and bring her home.

Ziggy arrived at our house shivering and scared, upset after the long car journey. She met Pepper, our cat, who quickly made it clear he was boss, and Finn, our other dog, who instantly fell in love. Ziggy settled in quickly. Her fearful, cowering manner vanished and a joyful, cheeky, fun-loving nature began to emerge. Within the hour she had bonded with Finn, sitting down with her paws on top of his and snuggling up to him. It took us a day or so to come up with the right name. In her past life, Ziggy had been injured and a broken pelvis left to mend on its own, which has left her with a slightly zig-zaggy gait and an occasional limp... so Ziggy Stardust it was. (And no she doesn't play guitar... yet! She's learning...)

Now she has been with us a few weeks, we are getting to know Ziggy better. She likes to chew... my husband's glasses, my shoe, a packet of Christmas cards. She likes to put her paw on your hand, or even on your head, to say hello. She doesn't mind being bathed (she still has a skin condition which is clearing up really well) and her favourite cushion is the pink fluffy one. Last night after zoomies with Finn in the garden she was drinking from our bathtub pond to cool down, and I heard a splashing sound and went out to see her standing IN the pond, wet through but very happy. She's very clever, and we're told she is part saluki crossed with something fluffy - as her fur grows in she gets more beautiful by the day.

Because of her past injuries, Ziggy may get arthritis and need painkillers in a couple of years; she may not live to see old age as Kelpie did. But already she knows that she doesn't need to be afraid anymore. She knows that she is safe, that she is loved, that she is a part of our family forever. And we know that we didn't rescue her... she actually rescued us.

Have YOU ever adopted a rescue pet? Contact me through the EMAIL CATHY link and tell me all about it for a possible future DREAMCATCHER post... or COMMENT BELOW to have your say!