Animal Rescue with Marion Garnett
Dedicated animal expert Marion Garnett, founder of the Ealing Animal Charities Fair, continues her column
HAVE you ever dived into something and then, after it’s too late, realised you’re in it up to your neck and can’t get out.
I’ve just done this with a Covid Risk Assessment but I also saw a dog do it on Sunday.
Straight into the water at the Italian Gardens in Hyde Park and then realised that, without a sloping bank to climb up, it was easier to jump in than climb out. Had to be hauled out by her owner.
Fortunately Fudge had no such problems when he went on his day out last week. The day had started like any other. Woke up early, barked a bit, waited for his first walk and breakfast. He knew the routine by now. After all, he held the honour of being the longest resident in any of the six National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT) rehoming centres. Not a particularly sought-after status, admittedly, but it shows he can excel at something.
Fudge could sense today was going to be different. Partly because, today, Ashley and Matt, who both work at the centre, and who he trusts completely came to collect him from his pen, together.
And, as he keeps his own personal record of the staff rota, he knew they should both be on a day off. The next thing he knows, as well as his muzzle, he’s wearing a yellow collar which indicates to others, to give him space. He must be going somewhere special. And then, to cap it all, he’s strapped into Matt’s car.
When Fudge saw the enormous reservoir, he knew it was going to be a day to remember. In his little life, he’s not had many days to remember and, certainly, not ones he’d want people to read about.
He was as good as gold at Aldenham Country Park – walked round the reservoir, stopped for a drink, and said thank you to Ashley and Matt at the end of the day.
Yes, Fudge has behaviour issues. He’s dived in a few times, when it would have been better if he hadn’t. But his fabulous day out showed, with the right care and control, he can behave. NAWT are hoping there is an experienced owner somewhere who, with support from NAWT, can give Fudge another chance. If this could be you, see Fudge’s details at nawt.org.uk.