My name is Maeve and I think I'm about 14 or 15 years old, but I'm not sure.
I could be older - I sure feel older anyway :(
I want to tell you a bit about myself - I've had lots of litters of puppies but never watched them grow as they were taken away at a young age. I ended up in a shed a few years back and I wasn't allowed back out again. I think it was 5 or 6 years but time just seemed to blur after a while. Until recently I forgot that the outside existed anymore. My door never opened properly and when it did I would hide away at the back, sometimes food and water would be thrown in and then the door would shut again.
One day my door opened wide and a different person stood there. She was outlined by the golden sun shining behind her and I thought it was my time and an angel had come to collect me to take me over the bridge.
My angel told me her name was Eila, and that she had come for me and nothing would hurt me ever again as I was now under the care of Wiccaweys. Eila carried me out into the sunlight and I was waiting for the Rainbow Bridge to appear, but no, it wasn't my time. Instead Eila put me into a car and took me to stay with foster mummy called Lucy.
My nails used to hurt me as they curled up and stuck in my pads, but then they stopped hurting because I stopped walking around. Lucy & Eila cut my nails and suddenly I could walk without pain in my feet. I have some pain in my back legs due to old age and not using them for such a long time but I'm felt so much better at Lucy's and was able to potter about.
I couldn't believe that I would get fresh water all day long and lots of good things to eat. Lucy gave me lots of meat and nuts and I didn't even have to share them with any of Lucy's other 8 dogs. I couldn't believe it!!
I really thought I'd died and gone to heaven but one night I pinched myself and I was awake :)
Can you believe that, a bowl to myself and a bed to call my own! Does life get better than this I thought?
I was very nervous and scared as I haven't had much human contact but Lucy had lots of goodies and even though I try to hide away I found myself coming forward for treats :) I gave her a wag of my tail and I thought she'd faint she was so happy. I decided I would try to be braver.
One day I heard Lucy tell Eila yes, she'd bring me to the vet and we can see how I am. I have lumps and bumps on my underbelly from having lots of puppies and things. The vet said that I was too old for going under, but he was happy that they weren't life threatening and at my age should be left be.
Eila & Sarah hoped that someone in Eire would come forward to give me a retirement home, but no-one wanted an old lumpy, bumpy lady like me. So one day Lucy & Eila kissed me good bye, tucked me up in a nice comfy blanket in a travelling bed and waved me off telling me to be brave.
I travelled with some other dogs, a few were collies and they were very excited chatting away. They kept talking about new lives and families who would love them and that they all had their paws crossed. I didn't say anything, I just listened to them. I was happy for them, it is right and good that the youngsters should have a chance at a new life overseas in England. I knew that it wasn't to be for me though. I was too old to find a proper home of my own. I couldn't play games or do things that normal collies do. I was still very scared of people so who would understand me and want me? I didn't think that anyone would ever love me. I would die lonely.
I could be older - I sure feel older anyway :(
I want to tell you a bit about myself - I've had lots of litters of puppies but never watched them grow as they were taken away at a young age. I ended up in a shed a few years back and I wasn't allowed back out again. I think it was 5 or 6 years but time just seemed to blur after a while. Until recently I forgot that the outside existed anymore. My door never opened properly and when it did I would hide away at the back, sometimes food and water would be thrown in and then the door would shut again.
One day my door opened wide and a different person stood there. She was outlined by the golden sun shining behind her and I thought it was my time and an angel had come to collect me to take me over the bridge.
My angel told me her name was Eila, and that she had come for me and nothing would hurt me ever again as I was now under the care of Wiccaweys. Eila carried me out into the sunlight and I was waiting for the Rainbow Bridge to appear, but no, it wasn't my time. Instead Eila put me into a car and took me to stay with foster mummy called Lucy.
My nails used to hurt me as they curled up and stuck in my pads, but then they stopped hurting because I stopped walking around. Lucy & Eila cut my nails and suddenly I could walk without pain in my feet. I have some pain in my back legs due to old age and not using them for such a long time but I'm felt so much better at Lucy's and was able to potter about.
I couldn't believe that I would get fresh water all day long and lots of good things to eat. Lucy gave me lots of meat and nuts and I didn't even have to share them with any of Lucy's other 8 dogs. I couldn't believe it!!
I really thought I'd died and gone to heaven but one night I pinched myself and I was awake :)
Can you believe that, a bowl to myself and a bed to call my own! Does life get better than this I thought?
I was very nervous and scared as I haven't had much human contact but Lucy had lots of goodies and even though I try to hide away I found myself coming forward for treats :) I gave her a wag of my tail and I thought she'd faint she was so happy. I decided I would try to be braver.
One day I heard Lucy tell Eila yes, she'd bring me to the vet and we can see how I am. I have lumps and bumps on my underbelly from having lots of puppies and things. The vet said that I was too old for going under, but he was happy that they weren't life threatening and at my age should be left be.
Eila & Sarah hoped that someone in Eire would come forward to give me a retirement home, but no-one wanted an old lumpy, bumpy lady like me. So one day Lucy & Eila kissed me good bye, tucked me up in a nice comfy blanket in a travelling bed and waved me off telling me to be brave.
I travelled with some other dogs, a few were collies and they were very excited chatting away. They kept talking about new lives and families who would love them and that they all had their paws crossed. I didn't say anything, I just listened to them. I was happy for them, it is right and good that the youngsters should have a chance at a new life overseas in England. I knew that it wasn't to be for me though. I was too old to find a proper home of my own. I couldn't play games or do things that normal collies do. I was still very scared of people so who would understand me and want me? I didn't think that anyone would ever love me. I would die lonely.
After a long trip, the transport stopped. I heard voices outside and some of the younger collies started to get excited. "We're here, its Wiccaweys, we're here!!" The doors opened and in the light I could see 3 figures. The man that had driven us and 2 new people. Rushing around the new people were 3 happy looking collies and an older rough collie who told everyone that he was in charge and supervising. The youngsters on the van were very excited. The lady looked into the crates in turn and then got to mine. "Hello Maeve, we've been waiting for you to arrive my love. You're home now."
HOME? A HOME??? FOR ME????
HOME? A HOME??? FOR ME????
The man was called Paul & the lady was called Sarah. The youngsters on the van couldn't wait to get off and stretch their legs. They were dashing around here and there, sighs of relief as they went to the loo and big cheers all round when they saw new beds and breakfast waiting for them! Everyone dived in and soon settled down.
Then it was my turn. I wasn't sure, so I tried to hide in my crate. Sarah just sat with me and spoke very softly. She put a lead over my head, gently lifted me out of the crate and popped me on the grass. I'm ashamed to say that I was shaking so much that I had an accident and my legs forgot how to work. I hid my head away as I was embarrassed. It was obvious that these people would never hurt me, but I just couldn't control my fears. Sarah was talking to me very quietly and she had water streaming out of her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. Very gently, Sarah picked me up and carried me round to the house. Paul led the way, opening the gate and the doors so we could go straight in.
Paul opened a door and 2 older dogs came out. They introduced theirselves as Tipper & Sabrina. Tipper had an Irish burr to his voice and he told me he'd travelled over a few years ago. He told me he had a bad heart murmour and that a little while ago his legs stopped working properly - but they were better again now. Sabrina looked at me and my lumpy bits and showed me hers. She said that she'd been in a pound in England and no-one wanted her because of her lumps and bumps. That was until she'd come to Wiccaweys. Sarah & Paul wanted her and they loved her because she was Sabrina, Brina-Brina Ballerina and that she was home now with them. It didn't matter about her lumps and bumps and that Sarah and Paul saw her for herself and nothing else. She told me it would be the same with me. Tipper and Sabrina told me that at Wiccaweys age was just a number, it didn't matter. I could be myself and take as long as I needed to relax. I wouldn't be rushed to do anything, ever.
The other 3 dogs I'd seen earlier came rushing up and I felt a little shy, so Tipper asked them to calm down and show some manners!! I couldn't believe it when Sabrina told me they were all aged 11 years!!! They were like 5 year olds!! The older rough collie was a bit more sedate, and he introduced himself as Colonel Custard.
Tipper and Sabrina invited me to room with them, so Sarah carried me into the blue lounge and popped me on the floor. I was a bit overwhelmed so I scurried under a table. Sarah put a water bowl near me and some breakfast and left me with Tipper and Sabrina. While it was just me and them, they showed me the dog beds -WOW!! Comfort or what?!! They told me they were made of something called memory foam and I was allowed to sleep on any I liked!! Heaven again!!
Sarah and Paul said welcome home Maeve, you never, ever have to worry again.
So that was a few weeks ago. I'm still scared of people I don't know, but I'm starting to trust Sarah and Paul and I don't feel that I have to hide away everytime they come in the room now. I like to watch what they are doing from my posh bed. :) I have lots of lovely things to eat and 2 very good friends to chat too and who look after me and keep me company.
Best of all - I AM HOME, I HAVE A HOME AND A FAMILY!!!
My previous life seems so far away now and I thank my Angel Eila for saving me from my dark hell hole. I'm a realist and know that I might not have a very long life because of the lumps and bumps, but as Sabrina says we do have a life and a family now - and we will enjoy it for as long as we have.
Love,
Maeve
xxxxxx
