5 things I learnt about myself and humans after rescuing my Lurcher

It's a wonderful thing to be able to do if you're in a position to do it, but rescuing a dog can be hard and people should be more open about that!

No Plan B...

It became apparent to me very quickly that if this didn't work out with my new dog, it was all on me/us. Our situation was slightly different in that we didn't get Penny from a rescue centre, so there wasn't really a 'fall back' like many people have. (Most of the time, people rescue a dog with the clause they can return it to the rescue if it 'doesn't work out'.) If it didn't work with us, we could have surrendered her to a rescue or foster her until they could find another suitable home. But that wasn't an option for me. The way I see it, you don't birth a human child and then when it arrives say 'this one is actually quite difficult to manage, I'm going to put it back where it came from and give a different one a go instead. Hopefully it will be an easier experience'... so I sure as hell wasn't about to do that for a dog. I was going to do everything in my power to ensure that this dog who had just come from a TERRIBLE life would now want for nothing and that we'd all learn to live beautifully together.

I think there are a lot of people who want a dog and want to do a wonderful thing by taking home a rescue. But many people in this category underestimate how much work it really can be - before Penny I was quite adamant I wouldn't likely rescue at this stage in our lives. Mainly because I couldn't afford to get it wrong. I had a specific set of requirements in terms of temperament, trainability, and how a dog would fit into our lives. Most rescues do their best with what they have, but all too often I read stories of people handing dogs back to rescues for no good reason... 'Too boisterous' (it's a young dog that's had no training), 'separation anxiety and I need to be able to leave it alone' (when it's only ever lived in kennels and is now being left in a house alone)... All things that are workable with time, investment and commitment. And all things people could still experience if they went out a bought a puppy. But they hand them back to the rescue and try again with a different one. It makes no sense to me! As far as I was concerned with Penny, there was no Plan B! We had plenty of contacts who could step in if things went wrong, we had people in the wings offering to give her a wonderful home... it was scary but so worth the journey!

I cried, a lot!

In the first few weeks, I cried. Probably more than I’d like to admit! For lots of reasons… I was sad for her. She was in a terrible state, and it was distressing to see her be so weak that she’d slip over so easily on the hard floor and squeal in pain. She was nervous, I cried because I accidentally startled her and she was so terrified, she wet herself. One night I sat and cried for the past I could only image she had to endure. And I also cried because I was so scared that I’d fail her and be yet another human who had let her down. No matter now much people tried to tell me ‘you’ll be fine, she’ll get there’ they just felt like words. Past me would be so damn proud of where we are now!

Everybody becomes an expert

And 9 times out of 10, it’s meant with love because they want to help. They want to be part of the success story, do their bit and they want to support her which is SO lovely. But sometimes, all you need is your intuition and your vet. And a bloody good dog trainer (not some ninny who just claims to be a behaviourist after doing a 6 week short course). And maybe your mum or good friend to come round and make you realise you’re not going absolutely insane - it’s just a bit difficult right now. 

I’m quite a nosey person

I love to know what’s going on, a bit of curtain twitching and all that (this wasn't a new learning)! But since having a dog of my own, I now have even more of an excuse to wander around the local area doing more people-watching (I love to people-watch, and so does Penny now!). I love to walk along roads looking at the types of houses that are around. I imagine what kinds of people live there, what jobs they might do… You learn the funny little quirks and routines of certain neighbours that you otherwise wouldn’t have noticed as you’re now walking the dog at similar times of the day. I love the little narratives I build in my head for these total strangers! Tweed jacket man, curly haired lady with the nice new render and Barry round the corner who takes his dog for a carry because it's too old to walk now. I know none of them, yet I know them all!

Not enough people challenge their own Beliefs

What I mean by this is they’ll take one look and state the obvious (and usually quite abruptly)... “She’s a bit too skinny...” The sarcasm was bubbling away within, let me assure you! She was at least 4kg under weight when she got here. Let me give you an example of how it could go with that voice in your head before you speak…

Inside-your-head-voice: ‘That dog looks a little on the skinny side. I wonder if she has a health issue, or perhaps she’s a rescue dog? I’ll ask the question to understand what the situation is…’ That would be perfectly reasonable.

I’m quite secure in the fact that I knew I hadn’t made this poor dog look like she did, but to just pass a comment and just assume like the first one that is rather daft! Luckily it was the few rather than the many! (They also quickly retreated once I showed them the 'before' photo of Penny. They couldn't believe it was the same dog standing in front of them)

Most people do actually love dogs

(Cat brigade, stand down - I like cats too!) Seriously though, I walk down the street with Penny (now) happily trotting along politely beside me (she has this little happy bounce to her walk these days) and I’m not exaggerating when I say everybody glances down and smiles. As mentioned above, I have always people watched so I often mentally noted when I was walking those same routes without a dog that I’d only occasionally receive a polite nod or smile. But with Penny, it’s a different story! She’s a white dog anyway which a lot of people look twice at - I don’t think you see many completely white lurchers around. But she has this pure energy about her. Golden, avid observer of life and a glint to her that is totally contagious. People cannot help but smile and a little ooh, hello escapes from under their breath. It makes me smile every time. 

Penny has inspired me to photograph dogs independently after years of doing the odd canine commission... To register your interest please see here!

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