Why we do what we do
By Elizabeth McDonagh - founder and trustee, Penny Jones Animal Hospice
Many (many) years ago - maybe 25, maybe more - I saw an article in the local paper about a lurcher who had been seized by the RSPCA. The owner had been taken to court and the outcome for him was a lifetime ban from keeping animals which showed how severe the cruelty was. The outcome for the poor dog was a worry: he was old. I immediately contacted the local RSPCA office and offered a home to this dog with no name. The RSPCA officer knew of me and of my love of animals, and both he and the dog arrived.
The dog was given a name, PHOENIX, and this dear boy was reborn. He put weight on and started to grow hair. His mind was all over the place but with patience, love and the will to live he transformed into a beautiful, happy dog for about two years. He gave me so much joy and knowing I was trying to do the same for him the bond was incredible, as was the transformation.
This is when I wondered, what happens to all the old dogs no-one sees, the ones deemed too old to be rehomed/cared for?
When dear PHOENIX passed away I promised him I would carry on helping the forgotten dogs, the old dogs, dogs that were a burden and dogs that carried so much baggage or suffered from so much trauma... in remembrance of him.
Since that day hundreds and hundreds of dogs (and other domestic animals) have passed through our doors, and over time many will be mentioned here. Every dog is special in their own way, but some I will highlight for them to be seen as not being just a dog but a very special soul.
Max (Sherpie)
I was asked if I could help a black, disabled dog (in Romania). This was quite a few years ago, and sadly people's outlook has never changed. Black dogs are taboo abroad and disabled ones even more so. This made the chance of MAX getting a home nil. He would end his life in the inhumane dog shelters where there is no love, no care - nothing - just constant howling and crying of desperate dogs slowly losing their minds.
So MAX arrived, and because we had a MAX (or two) he soon was called SHERPIE because he was a Sherpie X.
Yes, he is black and yes, he has deformed back legs. He also has tiny, titchy ears and huge lips. He runs with a lop-sided gait and tries to lick us to death with his big slobbery mouth, and on top of all that he is the most amazing boy.
I say to him: "God ran out of ears and long legs SHERPIE, but he gave you the biggest heart and the most loving soul", and his whole body jumps up and down with love. He runs(?) in his fashion round the garden every day with his friends and there isn`t an ounce of aggression in him. We feel humbled and privileged to be part of this wonderful boy's life.