WICKLOW RESCUE DOGS AND THEIR STORIES
Wicklow SPCA’s Sharpeshill Animal Sanctuary in Rathdrum does fantastic work, taking care of dogs and matching them with new owners. Many of these pooches head to new families after being spotted in the Adopt a Pet section of the Wicklow People. Our report
BRIDGET BYRNE and her husband - Brendan have adopted nott one, not two but four dogs from m Sharpeshill Animal Sanctuaryy over the past 12 years.
Bridget said that more than 12 2 years ago her husband Brendann and herself used to visit Sharpeshill on occasion, bringing up donations of food and blankets. s.
‘One day we went up there and we saw Freda and we just fell in love. After that we were hookedkd and then we took her home.
‘She was about six years old when we got her so she was on the old side and she died two years ago. The second dog we got was Charlie but he’s passed away now too.
‘Eighteen months ago we took home Holly and we brought home Milo six weeks ago.
‘We are total animal lovers in this hhouse’,’ laughed Bridget who said that the couple and their 11-year-old daughter Sophie also have a number of pet cats at their Barndarrig home.
‘Sophie is 11 years old so we’ve always had animals since she was born. She’s a total animal lover. She’s mad about them and has never known the house without animals.’
Bridget said that Holly and the Byrne’s latest addition Milo are very muchm part of the family. ‘Holly and Milo are completely part and parcel of the family. They are here now in front of me lying ono the mat playing with a crisp bag.ba They are allowed on the sofa, theth beds, anywhere really. ‘Holly was delighted with her newne buddy when we got Milo and theyth get along great. She absolutely madem up with him.’ Milo has only been a member of the Byrne household for six weekswe but the 11-week-old Springer SpanielSpani is already a firm favourite and is after making himself very much at home there. Bridget cannot speak highly enough about Anne and TJ in Sharpeshill and said the couple are excellent at matching dogs to people. ‘After Freda died we were up in Sharpeshill and we didn’t know what to do because we had and still have cats so we needed something that would fit into that dynamic. TJ and Anne were absolutely brilliant and they recommended the right dog for us.
‘ They find about what your lifestyle is like and your requirements and they match up the dogs with the right owner.
‘For example, an excitable pup mightn’t be the best fit for an elderly person because pups are a lot of work but they figure all that out for you and help you pick out a suitable dog.’
While Bridget isn’t sure about the background of some of the dogs that they have owned, she said that their second dog Charlie came from a puppy farm and was nervous initially. ‘But he was grand here. He settled in great and didn’t show any nervousness.’
While there are plenty of pet shops out there with an abundance of lovely dogs for sale, Bridget said that she was always keen to get dogs from an animal sanctuary such as Sharpeshill. ‘‘It was definitely something that we always wanted to do. “Don’t shop, adopt” is our motto’, she said.
Bridget also said that for those thinking of adopting a dog you don’t have to live in the countryside with acres and acres of space.
‘We live in a village and we often take the dogs up to places like Kilmacurragh and places like that.
‘Also because we have the two dogs they are always playing with each other which keeps them active as well.’