Over the years I have worked to save many dogs lives and find them new homes. Sometimes it has proved very difficult either the poor dog was so poorly I had a big problem to save their lives or because of the type of dog I have struggled to find them a home they so obviously deserved.
I have been helped tremendously by our Veterinary Dr. Maria who can be relied on to make a sick dog better and also to foster the dogs that are difficult to home. Little dogs are of course much easier to home but the bigger the dog the harder it is. I have also been helped by the many people who take these dogs in, give them lots of love make them sociable and then bravely give them up when a forever home comes available.
JoJo was one dog I was concerned about. He was a feral dog that had survived on his wits for many months. Julie began offering him food and gradually he learned to trust a human. She called me and asked if I could help. I was very worried as he is a big dog not popular with people. Despite this it was apparent that he had a nice temperament and I agreed to offer support while we looked for a home. I visited him often while he lived as an outdoor dog on Julie's patio. She couldnt let him in the house because she has a little older dog. I treated him for parasites, provided food and a bed. Julie asked if parc would pay to neuter him as she thought he would be easier to home. Again I was concerned because he had to survive outdoors wearing a collar and post operative. Dr. Maria kindly agreed to neuter him and kept him overnight. Amazingly he was very well behaved and coped admirably with being at the clinic. He wandered around the garden and surgery and played with the children. We returned him to his 'home'. Sadly Julie had a problem within a week and it was necessary to move him. I was panic stricken not knowing where I could place a big dog. Kathy called me and asked me for a cat. I was so distressed and worried about Jojo I told her the story and she insisted I take him to her. I laughed afterwards and enjoyed telling people that this dear woman asked for a cat and got the biggest dog I have ever homed. Kathy and JOJO got on brilliantly and he was soon sleeping at the foot of her bed. She works and he had to cope with being left on his own in a house within a couple of days. He did! He was happy. Kathy said she had never had such a well behaved dog. He learned quickly and followed instructions. Kathy was wondering how she could give up this lovely dog but knew she needed to before she starting working ten hour days in the summer. A lovely couple came forward they had recently lost their beloved dog and JoJO went to their home. He settled in immediately. He enjoys life to the full. He plays, eats, loves people and other animals. Kathy will stay involved with JOJO offering to foster him for holidays etc. My sincere thanks to everyone involved in rescuing this wonderful dog. Whenever I have a bad day I think about JOJO and all the other dogs and cats that I have had the pleasure of saving. Long may Parc continue.
