sorry to be out of contact!

[Vally]

Oh Lynda, yes Mabel is a very lucky girl.

Love Vally & Bingo

[Tamara]

Welcome Mabel! You have landed in a wonderful home! Lynda, I smiled when I read about Dora wondering what she had done. Congratulations to you all, and bless you for helping Dora with her sadness even though it is too soon for the humans.
xoxox
tamara and ashki

[lynda]

Sadly, Mabel had to go back to the rescue kennels :-(
She had a couple of squabbles with Dora this morning – I just thought, oh, they will sort it out. But then we took her for a walk with three of the dogs who also live on the farm – and she picked fights with all three of them. One of them is a Lancashire heeler, a tiny dog who thinks she is a massive Rottweiler…… but even she was being attacked.
Really tragic, and I feel awful. We offer a wonderful home, but there are several dogs here and they need to get on and run in a big pack. Luckily, she didn’t get to meet the smallest two dogs….
The kennels and I agree – she really needs to be in a home where she is an only one. I guess she never really learned to be properly socialised (she certainly didn’t get Martha’s submission!!). Anyway, the kennels are confident they can find her a good home – and we came home with Bally, a 3 y o retired greyhound. Let’s hope it all works out this time! She has, however, met Dora and the three I mentioned, with no problems……

[Brigitte]

Hi Lynda,
Years ago I read a book, the second hand puppy by Lea Benjamin. It was all about adopting rescues. She said something that really stick with me. If you take a dog he that does not fit into your family, you deprive it from going to the perfect home. I other words you kind of have to cut the heart out and choose with the head. As hard as this was, you have done the right thing. You deserve the perfect companion for Dora and your family. Mable deserves the right home. Now that she is back with the kennel she will find it.
I am sure Bally will be happy with you all and get along perfectly with Dora.
Best wishes Brigitte

[admin]

Lynda

It’s just very bad luck that Mabel didn’t fit in. Don’t feel bad – Brigitte is right. When you don’t know their history, it’s hard to understand what makes them tick. The dogs home I supported in the UK had a few “bait dogs” rescued from dog fighting circles up for adoption & there is no way they are ever going to trust another dog – they have to be on their own, full stop, and some can be (understandably) aggressive with other dogs. Sadly, I know first hand that lurchers are often used for this purpose, even though they are not aggressive by nature. This may not be the case of course, but it is possible that Mabel had a horrible experience that she cannot get over unless she’s the only dog in the house.

To you, the most important thing is that Dora is happy with her new friend Bally – you would have worried about her with Mabel & you have had enough worry to last you a lifetime recently. I bet Bally will be of the usual greyhound sweetheart variety! I love ’em. And I love lurchers too of course (in case Ollie is listening!).

Let us know how she’s doing
Love Sheena & the hounds xxxxx

[Vally]

Lynda, oh please don’t feel bad. Brigitte had a really good point. Mabel will find the right home, it just wasn’t going to be yours, just as I hope Bally has found hers, sounds like she’s doing good. Nice name by the way, it’s just a misspelt Vally :)

Love Vally & Bingo

[lynda]

Thanks, Brigitte, Sheena and Vally, for the words of wisdom. Trouble is, I’m such a softy, I had already begun to get fond of Mabel….
Anyway, new greyhound is settling in, although Dora is still doing the “who the heck is that?” routine. Sorry, Vally, but I decided that, since Bally was part of her racing name, I ought to change it slightly (get rid of the past etc): so she is now Bella. Sufficiently similar so as not to muddle her, but a new name nonetheless! We are lucky enough to have an indoor arena for the horses, so letting the two of them loose together in there allowed Bella a chance to run, and got Dora involved too. Later, Dora was spotted lying in the bed right next door to Bella (probably a bit of jealousy involved there, but if it works….). And Bella loves surrounding herself with all the soft toys Shona had collected….

[admin]

Lynda
It is so nice of you to offer your home to Bella. Mabel will find the right place and it takes great generosity to open the heart. I hope you are having a feeling of peace amidst the sadness and that Dora is also feeling like things can be ok. Interesting our new puppy loves one of Sunny’s toys so much. It is bitter sweet but I know Sunny would be smiling just as Shona is smiling.
Your friend,
Maura