Last April, I had phoned Colette to tell her that Meg, my old KWT dog had died.  We chatted for a while and she told me of her last trip to Yorkshire and how she had brought home this dear little old man with a grey beard who had sat for the entire 6 hour journey, as quiet as a mouse, in the foot well. Little did I know that he was to become one of our family members just a week later!  Having gone to see a 1yo bitch (she was too lively) I walked along the rows of hopeful faces and in the next kennel block I met "Rusty".  I was taken with him immediately; he was so quiet and gentle, looking at me with those big dark eyes.  He had the most awful flea allergy and was very tatty looking but I just had to take him out for a walk to meet my other girl and my friend's dogs.  He was so pleased to be with us and appeared to be cat friendly too.

The first few weeks were pretty lively!  He chased the cats, jumped onto our neighbour's roof to get at them, was totally disobedient and generally caused chaos.  Several phone calls were made to the Trust and I was on the point of taking him back as he wouldn't leave the cats alone.  However, my old blind cat decided he had had enough and stuck 20 claws in him at once!  That was the turning point.  He still ran off but we worked on that and that too improved over time.

I now have the most loyal, intelligent and obedient little friend that anyone could wish for. He is an absolute joy to own.  He is a poppet and we cannot imagine life without him!

Thank you to you all who looked after him for that week.  I will be bringing him down to meet you once the longer days are with us and I hope you will be heartened to see what can be done with a little love, good feeding and patience!