Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett

Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Welfare Bazaar, continues her column

IN his Dogs Trust notes, it says Hewie can live with a female dog once home ‘but this is not essential’. It’s always important to sort out the essentials from what is optional.

With regards to owning a dog, what is essential is that the dog’s owner should love them and everything else should follow.

Hewie has had a difficult past and is looking for a kind, patient owner who is going to love him and who he can love in return.

He is a six to 12-month-old Jack Russell Terrier Crossbreed so he’s got his whole life to look forward to. Dogs Trust produce lots of information to help people understand the essentials of dog care.

They include making sure you have time for your dog.

Hewie has lots of energy and loves to play so needs someone who is around most of the day. He needs owners who will spend time building a bond with him – someone who is going to enjoy being with him.

It is also essential to make sure you can afford a dog.

Costs to consider include food, vet bills, insurance and training classes.

Hewie is clever and already knows basic commands but he would benefit from more training.

Coming from Dogs Trust, Hewie will already be microchipped and neutered but these are important costs for owners to remember.

Microchipping is a legal requirement and so is making sure that, when in a public place, your dog can be identified by wearing a collar tag with the owner’s name and address on it.

Other essentials of dog ownership include making sure your dog is under control at all times and is not a nuisance to others and ensuring that if your dog fouls in a public place, it is cleaned up.

Nobody wants to put their foot in it.

If you think you can give Hewie the essentials he needs, plus a liberal helping of optional extras, you can meet him at Dogs Trust, Harvil Road, Harefield.

Going back to who, like Hewie, you wouldn’t mind living with, if you’re thinking of getting married and want something different to wedding favours, Dogs Trust provide an option for you to celebrate your day with Dogs Trust wedding keepsakes such as lapel pins and exclusively designed wedding cards.

For details, see dogstrust.org.uk.