Feel Good Story - The Arrival of Cracker

Everyone here at Animal Friends is committed to spreading the Feel Good Factor, and today we’re excited to present to you one of our very own team members who has gone the extra mile in helping animals around the world by rehoming the lovely Cracker! He’s a fun loving, boisterous little dog, with a very eager attitude and a love for making new friends. We’re talking to the lovely Laura who will tell us all about the process of taking in a rescue pet, and what kinds of trials and tribulations she’s faced up to now.

The day I rescued Cracker was the day I gave up the rights to my new home! However this was the best decision I made, and this is how it all started…..

It was a Saturday afternoon and my partner Gareth suggested we go and have a look at some dogs with the Dogs Trust.  I was adamant until this very day that I would NEVER have a rescue pet, simply because I always wanted a puppy who I could train up from the early stages.

However when we went to the rescue centre I fell in love with many dogs, but there was one who caught not only my eye but also my heart. His name was Cracker.

We started off by taking him for a walk; he was very excited and very jumpy but at the same time he was also very affectionate and did exactly what we asked him to do, like sit before crossing the road, or giving his paw to receive a treat! Obviously working where I do I was checking him for any obvious conditions such as skin conditions or lumps and bumps and any visual scars, cuts or bruises. He passed his inspection!

So after walking him we had to take him back to his kennels which believe you me it was very difficult. Considering I said I would NEVER rescue a pet I was failing as I wanted to take him home that very minute!!  But for obvious reasons we couldn’t, we took him inside and had to walk away from the typical puppy eyes and tilted face! We then had some information given to us, like his vet’s history and any previous problems which may occur, there were none! So before the Lady could say would you like to come and walk him again some time, I jumped in with…”WE WILL TAKE HIM!” the delight on her face was visible!

So from then we needed to come walk Cracker three times before the day of the visit to our home. This was just to make sure he would know who we were and he got on well with his new owners. On the day of the visit I was running round the house cleaning and scrubbing every area from top to bottom, including changing all bed sheets etc. Anyone would think I was adopting a child! But it just so happens when the two inspectors from the Dogs Trust arrived all they were interested in was the garden and the area he would spend most of his time, so they could make sure the fence around the garden was high enough and there were no holes for him to escape out of.

They were there for ten minutes maximum, and found it amusing how I had made such an effort thinking it was a matter of pass or fail! All they wanted to do was make sure Cracker would be safe when coming home with us.

 

So the following day was Saturday, the day we got to bring Cracker home! Now normally they ask for a donation of £80 when taking a dog home but for me, my donation was a little more than they expected. As I Work for Animal Friends Insurance, I thought I would do a little hunting around to see if there was anyway we could donate some extra money to Dogs Trust as I could see where it all goes and the passion all the staff there have for all the dogs. After speaking with my manager and Elaine the Managing Director, we had decided to donate my £1000, which I had won the previous week, to donate to a chosen charity of my choice. I was ecstatic with this and couldn’t wait to present the cheque; the lady who signed the documents actually started crying, so I could see I had made the right choice!

When we had settled the cheque and signed the adoption forms we had to sit with a small group of other new owners so they could tell us the daily requirements and how each pet likes certain things certain ways. For instance, Cracker likes his food at certain times and loves lots of long walks, including playing games such as chase the ball or run as far as he can until we shout him back!!

After the talk they bought Cracker round the front with his shiny clean coat, gorgeous brown eyes and wagging tail, he knew instantly who we were, came directly towards us and sat by Gareth’s feet waiting for us to take him to his new home; this was my favourite part.

When we got Cracker home we were advised not to introduce him to too many people at one time as he may become scared or frightened and frustrated. We took him home, let him wander around the garden and see his new bed (which lasted all of a week!) and play with his new toys. We just wanted him to know this is his new safe, friendly and loving home. He settled in like he had been there years!

Since having Cracker he has met many other dogs on his trips down to the beach; that’s his favourite place.  He loves meeting new people, in particular Gemma who lives with us and also Works here at AFI, he has also taken a shining to Charlotte who works in Marketing and his other friend is Elaine because she takes him for ventures round the departments where he gets to meet all the staff!

Cracker is 15 months old, very energetic and loves chewing through things that don’t belong to him which I know in time he will stop with the right training.

Cracker was found abandoned in Scotland on Christmas day, hence why his name is Cracker. Yes changing the environment for another time has made him a little frustrated but in just over a week he has settled in nicely, I think he knows this is his permanent home and he knows that Mummy, Daddy and Aunty Gem love him very much!

Rescuing Cracker from The Dogs Trust was the best choice I have ever made!

 

We’re so happy that Laura and Cracker have bonded so well, and it’s fantastic that her perception of rehoming has changed – this story shows exactly how special adopting a rescue pet can be. Cracker is such a lively dog; he’s visited the office plenty of times and is such a happy, excitable dog, and is always pleased to meet everyone. Please remember this story when thinking about getting a pet, and we suggest that you keep in mind that there are plenty of loving rescue dogs out there who need to be rehomed, so don’t forget them when decided what you want; you may find that a trip to the rescue centre will change your perceptions completely!