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Love at any age. The story of Renfield

Five years ago we adopted Renfield from you. Unfortunately he passed away yesterday after a short but serious illness, from the first day he came home with us he was a wonderful friend and companion. As Renfield was the servant of Count Dracula we called him just that, “Renfield Servant of Dracula”. His colour and one ear up and one down also gave him a bat like appearance. We will miss him dearly. There is no way in a few words you can describe the joy he brought into our lives. As we have had such wonderful experiences with rescue dogs (he was not our first) we tell anyone looking for a dog to go to rescue shelters such as yours to find the best pet you possibly can. As I write this the tears are rolling down my face. Renfield was an older dog when we got him so our time together was short, but it was such a wonderful time. People should not be afraid of adopting an older pet the joy they bring cannot be counted in years.

David and Shelley Flegel (March 2010)

Abbie, our heroine. A love story.

We adopted Abbie (nee Kumar) from Good Dog Rescue in April this year. Our precious Zoë had died of a stroke in December and we felt that we should have a companion for our little Walker hound Ranger, and for that matter for us as well.

We didn’t have any type of dog in mind other than one who needed a good, loving home. Mind you we were thinking of a medium sized dog, weighing about 45-50 pounds a suitable size for home and car.

Our friends, who are volunteers, suggested that we pop out to Good Dog Rescue, take a dog named Kumar, who had a broken toe, and look after her for a bit while she healed. We did just that, but instead of taking her for a bit we adopted her on the spot…it was love at first sight. She just decided that she was going to be ours and once the papers were filled out she leapt, broken toe and all into the car with Ranger. Our fate and Abbie’s was sealed.

She wasn’t quite what we expected - she was described as “not that big” - and she grew rapidly, weighing in at present at 84 pounds. But her size wasn’t an issue as she didn’t think she was a big dog and her boundless energy, love and enthusiasm for everything around her was instantly endearing. We changed her name to Abbie because people thought she was a male and her size was rather was intimidating. We even bought her a more feminine collar so when we were walking her, people felt at ease putting their hand on her head and giving her a pat.

Shortly after she came to live with us, I was carrying a water dish down the back steps, missed a step, falling and spraining my arm. I lay still for quite a few minutes trying to determine what damage I had done to myself. The time I was on the ground trying to get myself together Abbie lay beside me and comforted me.

I realized then that I had not only a wonderful dog but a protective companion….but that was just her first test.

Two weeks ago on a sunny Saturday afternoon we were resting after a morning of gardening when we heard a loud bang on the front door. I raced down to see who was there, following Abbie who was barking and racing to the door. I looked out I saw a car in our driveway but no one at the front door. Abbie was still barking which was unusual as she doesn’t make a fuss when someone comes to visit, she greets sweetly and welcomes people to our home, but on this occasion she continued to bark.

She then raced through the kitchen to the living room area and that was when we were confronted by a huge stranger who had come into our home through our unlocked balcony door. I totally panicked and screamed to my husband, “there is a man in the house”. Abbie stood her ground between me and the intruder, barking the loudest barks I had ever heard. When the intruder saw her he turned and fled, he actually closed the door behind him, which I thought was a bit odd at the time. The police later suggested that he was not taking a chance that Abbie might follow him out.

When the police arrived Abbie greeted them as friends and they instantly fell in love with her as she was my protector, attentively sitting by my side as if she knew that she was my heroine and had come between me and what could have been a nastier situation had she not been there for me.

Because of this experience I am nervous when alone in the house but having Abbie gives me much courage and security that I would not have otherwise.

I didn’t think I could love her more but somehow at that frightening moment I knew were totally bonded and that she was mine in body and spirit and our love was truly mutual.

Today I am going to the police station to see if I can identify a “suspect” they have apprehended. Unfortunately Abbie will not come with me, but as my husband has pointed out Abbie has had enough drama in her young life and it is now up to me.

Carol (November 2009)