Working with rescue animals, surrendered, stray or otherwise - you are presented with truths in the nature of those animals that others often don't get to see. Many of the dogs I have worked with have come from truly traumatic or devastating hardships, you might be excused for expecting these animals to become defensive, reactive or otherwise unruly once removed from those environments with memories of abuse locked into their character. But that has often not been my experience, grab a cup of tea or throw on some Macha and let me tell you some stories of remarkable resilience in dogs.
Kenji
All the way from the countryside in Bulgaria, Kenji was the first animal that leapt to mind when I pondered on the word - resilient - his life was hard, but this boy never allowed it to make him harder. In fact, Kenji might have been softened by the whole ordeal of his pre-kennel life.
Kenji, the chow-chow cross, is 3 years old - still a baby at heart. His past was filled with unfriendly handling from thieves who stole him more than once from his home back in Bulgaria. After some events that I wont get into, mainly to ensure I don't misremember the details, he was rescued and placed in transit by a kind-soul who ensured he was moved onto safer shores and away from nefarious people.
Having gotten to know Kenji from day one of his new life in the UK, I was fully expecting him to be somewhat troubled. Having some defensive nervousness would have been completely understandable for a boy who was routinely mishandled and mistreated by the worst humanity can offer (before his guardian angel got him safe passage to the UK). But instead, Kenji greeted me with open arms and a personality so warm and playful that it reminded me of just exactly why we are here. Kenji went from being chained up in a yard in a dangerous environment, to joining me on long forest walks spotting Squirrels and birds fluttering about in the Essex woods. His exercise time has become the highlight of his day with regular play and cuddles that make my day just as lighter as his own, Kenji is a bastion of resilience and a testament to how animals never want to give up. He just needs to find his forever family now and his revival will be complete, I know you hear this all the time from rescue workers, but whoever takes this boy home will be gaining a friend for life unlike any other.
https://www.loveunderdogs.org/our-dogs/profile/1336
Cleo
Another world traveller, Cleo was rescued from horrific conditions in Egypt and transported to the UK for a chance at a life away from abuse or mistreatment. While she has been more nervous at times than Kenji, understandable considering her past which I will discuss shortly, Cleo quickly became a little attention seeker around the team at the charity. She routinely leaps up onto our laps at break time, if you as much as look at the girl you will be greeted with little tippy tapping feet and when she gets going - this girl will play like any bouncing dog.
Cleo was rescued from Egypt, a country not known for its care of dogs for one reason or another. When Cleo arrived in the UK she was treated for an embedded chain that has damaged the skin around her little neck, unfortunately this is a fate suffered by thousands of dogs across the world. Cleo has some scarring left behind but otherwise has bounced back to become one of the cuddliest dogs I have seen in rescue work. She came back emotionally from a situation that would have broken any human, let alone any animal.
In similar fashion to Kenji, Cleo is ready for her life to start. At six years old she needs to be loved by a family who can appreciate her affectionate nature and comfort her when things get scary. I would recommend anyone that thinks they are capable of being that family to look at her profile on the Love Underdogs website, Cleo is waiting.
Peggy
Finally we have Peggy, the 3 year old lurcher cross, that arrived at Love Underdogs earlier this year after spending almost six weeks on the run. Peggy arrived from Spain and, unfortunately like many unprepared dogs being transported directly to homes from abroad, escaped from her expecting home within days of arriving. She was scared, alone and sleeping rough for weeks before a rescue volunteer team could trap and bring Peggy safely to our door. Those first few weeks she was scared and trembling as the adrenaline of running stray life fell away from her. Fast forward to now and Peggy is a bouncing, dog-friendly, playful and opinionated little princess.
She has a massive following online who know exactly the hardships Peggy went through, none of which she could be blamed for having been mishandled and terrified. Now Peggy has made countless doggy friends at the rescue, spends her afternoons bombing around fields/forests and sunbathing in the staff areas while the world floats past.
Peggy will make someone extremely happy, her nature is wonderful and will fall in love with any dog she is rehomed with as her heart is wide open. Find her at the link below and if you think you've got that space in your heart - and on your sofa - for Peggy to slot into, contact the charity.
Dogs are some of the toughest animals on the planet, they experience some of the worst abuse humans can unleash and yet, will always come back to a loving set of arms. These three wonderful dogs; Kenji, Cleo and Peggy, are just a few examples of the brilliance I have seen from animals not willing to give up. They are waiting for a family to show them that homelife is what they deserve, that love is not something to be feared and that the rough days are far behind them.
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