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Northern Tails, Feb 2016

Angel’s Story It’s cold tonight, I’ve found a place to sleep hidden away where no one can see me, I’m so tired and hungry, I hope it doesn’t rain. Some nights I can sleep but others I’m too scared to close my eyes so I just lie there, cold, hungry with a hope that my family find me. I’d lost my family, I don’t know what I had done for them to abandon me because I loved them, so now I just wander the streets, fields and hedges looking for warmth, comfort and food. It’s Tuesday morning, I’m sat by the road having my usual scratch to ease the itching minding my own business when I was approached by a lady, she picked me up and put me in a cage in a van, I was so scared, confused and too exhausted to put up a fight. I was taken to Cheshire Dogs’ Home where I was greeted by two people, they were kind with gentle voices, they looked at my ears and my skin which was very sore with bald bleeding patches, well I have been scratching quite a lot! They said I had fleas and a skin allergy, my patches of coat that remained were matted with dirt and twigs, I had bald sore patches and I couldn’t see as my fur was covering my eyes, they were very sore, I had corneal ulcers you see, my hair had been pricking my eyes for so long that they were both damaged, they put some drops in and they felt so much better. I still was unsure how to react but I gave a little wag of my tail to show my appreciation. The kind lady then picked me up and put me in a kennel, she gave me a bowl of food, fresh water, and a warm bed with lots of blankets, I was so tired that I climbed into bed and drifted off. The next morning I woke suddenly to the sound of barking, lots of barking with excitement, I climbed out of bed and to my delight was given another bowl of food, I wagged my tail and ate every last bite. The lady came back later, picked me up and told me everything was going to be fine Angel (that’s my new name), she gave me a cuddle, cleaned my kennel, put fresh blankets on my bed and teddies for me to play with. I was in heaven compared to the past months. I spent eight days sleeping and recuperating waiting and hoping that my family would come for me but they never did. On the ninth day I was taken to see the vet again, I was given a special bath, clipped, more medication and a lovely walk in the woods. I woke up today feeling much better, I was given my breakfast and told that I was available for adoption, I didn’t understand but wagged my tail at my new friend and carer. She came back later and took me out of my kennel, there was lots of people walking around and making a fuss of me. She took me into a big room, there was a family who seemed very excited to see me, the lady picked me up and gave me lots of kisses and cuddles, it felt wonderful, she put me on the floor where I was greeted by another little doggy friend, we sniffed each other, wagged our tails and ran around with excitement. The family said that they wanted to foster me and care for me whilst I was recovering, they signed some paperwork and took me home. That was three months ago and I am happy to say they have adopted me and I am now a member of a loving family in my forever home. My fur has grown back completely so no baldy bits and I don’t scratch until I bleed, life is good. I still remember my old family but after experiencing life with my new family, I realise that it was no life - but it was all I knew at the time. I would like to say thank you to all the people who cared for me at Cheshire Dogs Home. Whilst being cared for I witnessed the amazing work the staff and volunteers do there. The dogs who arrive, if not claimed (I was one of them), have been dumped by humans for whatever reason. Many come in sick, scared, confused, aggressive, matted, under weight, terrified, missing eyes, damaged limbs the list is endless. From the moment we enter the home we are loved, treated with kindness, we are given a warm bed, fresh food and comfort, it’s far from being a forever home but it’s the closest thing we’ve had to a safe warm home in a long time. The staff and volunteers are dedicated to all of us and have spent weeks and sometimes months preparing and rehabilitating us for our life with our new family. The staff and volunteers work endless hours with us because they love us and they care, so when you go to choose a dog as a new addition to the family please don’t forget that the dog you adopt is healthy, happy and wags it tail because of the vets, staff and volunteers at the home for which I am eternally grateful. Angel xx Written by Jacqueline Devereux FROM SADNESS TO SERENITY N O R T H E R N TA I L S W I N T E R 2 0 1 6 7


Northern Tails, Feb 2016
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