A little love for Larry on National Rescue Dog Day
The love of a good rescue dog, the importance of the right rescue for you and tips on taking it steady
When you have helped rescue a dog in a field, seen the state they are in and followed their progress recovering in kennels, it is hard not to feel somewhat responsible. A few pictures shared from a friendly dog-rescuer and a one-sided discussion with my husband later - Larry was the new love of our lives.
Mid-August: the fields were hot and there was a white dog crying in the corner of a field. He had been spotted by a hen-party staying locally but they couldn’t get close enough to see what was wrong. Sister Kirsty, Emma from Dog’s Lost and I spent hours creeping around field edges spreading mackerel and even cooking tempting BBQs - to no avail. After continued efforts from Emma and the lovely Chey from Pawprints Dog Rescue, Larry finally came close enough to pop a lead on.
Adopting a dog when you have children at home is not always a straightforward affair. We didn’t know his background (though we suspected coarsing) and that means extra caution. Thankfully the rescue were keen to take things slowly. A whole series of visits to see Larry on his own terms at the rescue site. He came closer and closer and let himself be petted by Matt, my husband, and the children before me! We had close supervision by Kathryn to check his was comfortable and not stressed.
A home visit, a couple of months of fostering, with Kathryn on text for behavioural queries, and Larry was finally ours.
Pawprints work extremely hard to take on a whole range of dogs (including some that vets pass on at the last minute). And work magic matching dogs with fosterers and then homes for life. The support they offer and the way they care for their dogs is second to none. (You will find a whole range of their fund-raising events packed with ex-adopters).
National Rescue Dog Day is the 20th May and I would ask anyone who is able to, to consider rescuing if you can. There are an awful lot of dogs looking for their people and the right rescue centre can make a great match.
Claire’s top tips on bringing your rescue home:
Bring home something from the rescue: even a manky old blanket can add a little feeling of security
Give them space: tuck their bed in a safe corner with no through-ways. Let them come to you when they are ready.
Keep a blanket (that smells like them) to hand at all times: pub floors, bench stops, car journeys - it means they have a place to belong.
Patience: people talk about the 3:3:3 rule but Larry was a lot slower than that. 18 months in, he started to get excited when he realised I came home every day. It was worth the wait.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help: from the rescue centre, behaviourists, friends / family. Everyone wants to support you. Your pup will take time to settle into their own ways. And everyone has a wobble! Give it time.
Pawprints Dog Rescue obviously has a special place in our hearts but there are other rescues our family has used too: Dogs Trust in Kenilworth and Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue. Just make sure you ask what they know about the dog’s background, have a few visits if you can and ask about how they can support you post-adoption. Enjoy! And please, please, please - come into the store or drop us an email to tell us all about your dogs, planned dogs, or soon-to-be dogs - we want to hear all about them ❤️
