Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett

Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column

I’M sorry, I’ve told a lie. Three years ago, I wrote about Kaleb and said it was the last time I’d be writing about him (Gazette Sept 16 2019).

That was Episode Seven in the series “Kaleb at the Rehoming Centre”. But I’ve just seen Kaleb again and can’t resist a follow-up.

Just to recap on his story so far. Kaleb is a large Lurcher who came to the National Animal Welfare Trust ( NAWT) rehoming centre from a dog pound.

We first met him in 2016 when he was getting ready to celebrate the Queen’s ninetieth birthday. It was the first party invitation he’d ever received so, like Paddington Bear, he was on his best behaviour.

Over the next three years, we heard about Kaleb having a new winter coat, Kaleb being given a single bed because he was the centre’s longest resident and Kaleb moving into the large pen next to the newly opened café where he noticed people could buy a mug with his photo on.

For three years, dogs arrived and were rehomed but Kaleb received virtually no interest. Then, one day, in 2019, a couple walked into the centre looking for a large dog. Kaleb immediately sat up and took notice – this was his chance (especially as he’d heard one of the visitors was a vet).

And, much to his delight, after several visits in which they got to know each other, Kaleb was taken into their home.

Three years later, at the recent NAWT Open Day, I’ve just seen Kaleb again. He’s now got two sisters – an ex-racing greyhound also rehomed from NAWT and a smaller rescued lurcher. He was looking fabulous. His owners say Kaleb is very patient with his sisters. The smaller lurcher copies everything Kaleb does and enjoys playing tugof-war with Kaleb who always lets her win. Kaleb still loves his toys and also likes being groomed by another member of the gang, his brother, the cat.

Kaleb encapsulates so much that is poignant about animal rehoming. Unwanted and overlooked for years and then someone comes along who sees the beauty of that particular animal.

Kaleb and his friends also highlight the joy rescued animals can bring to their owners.

If you would like to see who is currently following in Kaleb’s footsteps and waiting in NAWT’s rehoming pens, go to nawt.org.uk. Because NAWT is currently extending the car park, if you intend to visit the Watford centre, call first to make an appointment on 020 8950 0177.

Kaleb with his sisters After waiting years to be adopted, Kaleb is very happy in his home