Then there were three
‘And then there were three’ – five words posted yesterday on my friend Anne’s Facebook wall. Five words which tell a tale of new beginnings and lives changed. Behind the words lie deep emotion and a dedication to doing the right thing for three dogs. Dogs who were, for different reasons, reliant on the kindness of strangers to make their lives safe.
Yesterday Anne and her husband Steve adopted Alfie. He’s an eight year old dog whose previous owners could no longer keep him. They did the right thing and asked for help. That came in the form of Gilly. She is a wonderful person who runs Starfish Dog Rescue, a small, foster-based rescue in Gloucestershire.
Starfish Dog Rescue
It’s the dogs who others won’t help, who Gilly is most committed to helping. She keeps her operation small and personal. She gets to know her potential adopters thoroughly, and the dogs even better. Working with a small number of dedicated fosterers, Gilly stays within the limits of what she can do properly. This way, the animals get the very best chance at successfully moving through the rescue system and into permanent new homes.
I got to know Gilly in the early days of the pandemic. Schnauzerfest was just starting to work as a registered charity. Since then, our relationship has strengthened. I’ve come to see and understand more of the excellent work done by Gilly and her team. Many of the dogs they help come out of the breeding industry. The dogs arrive in appalling states, often terrified and confused. Those who have never known kind human interactions, nor lived in a home, within days are understanding their lives are better. Fears start dissolving and trust begins forming. When medical needs are taken care of – pleasingly Gilly doesn’t hang about getting this underway – and assessments done, applications open.
Alfie
Yesterday, Alfie left Starfish. Today he is spending his first full day of the rest of his life with Anne, Steve and their dogs Mabel and Bella.
Alfie is settling in well. He had a good first night and his walk this morning introduced him to new people, dogs and his local area. He appears unfazed by the transition from foster home to his new permanent one. Meanwhile, Alfie is respecting his new sisters. They equally seem untroubled by the new boy on the block and in their bed aka the sofa.
Where Alfie has come from a family home, his new sisters had to learn everything in the past few years about living in one. Bella and Mabel started life in grim breeding facilities aka puppy farms, leaving the industry traumatised and with numerous medical needs.
Like many dogs from breeding kennels, Mabel is highly dependent on other dogs for her sense of security. She is closely bonded to Bella. Bella is mildly more independent, indifferent to most dogs. Her indfference however, rests on the security of having comfort from Mabel when she needs it.
Bringing Alfie into the family was a big decision. Throughout it all Mabel and Bella’s needs and personalities were front and centre. Anne’s Facebook post yesterday explains more:
Three dogs from different backgrounds, melding together to form a new family dynamic. One that will enrich the lives of all involved. A family where the joys – and heartbreak – of sharing our lives with dogs is understood and cherished.
Then there were three.
