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Location: Surrey
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,313
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"My Name is Zebedee and apparently I am a staffie. I have been living in rescue kennels for as long as I can remember. Before that I lived with people. When I was a little puppy I was so popular and everybody in my life loved me. How that changed!
I tried my best but I didn't know what I was meant to do. I loved my people but that wasn't enough. They got bored of me and didn't teach me how to behave. I didn't get to meet other puppies and dogs so now I don't really know what to make of other dogs - they scare me a bit, I don't trust them so I have to warn them to keep away sometimes. I would love to play with them though - I just don't know how. Other dogs think I'm rude because no-one taught me how to talk to other dogs. When they give me a funny look or say I'm rude I do get cross and scared sometimes. When I was younger I had so much energy and didn't know how to use it so my people kept sending me away. I tried my best to be good but nobody taught me how. They would just get cross and say it was my fault. All I wanted to do was play and have big hugs and give lots of kisses all over their faces or look into their eyes and tell them I loved them.
Then one day I ended up on Death Row - it was just a kennel where I had food and water but there was a sadness too. I didn't understand why. Other dogs left with tails wagging and new people in their lives but not me. I was moved to a new place in a new kennel which was the start of where I am now. In this new kennel were some kind people who got to know me and cared for me even though I got cross at the dogs in the other kennels. I had food, water and a comfy bed but most of all I had people who were there for me and they were there every day. Mostly they were busy but sometimes we would play together and that was just so good.
Then I started to go out for walks too - not very often but I really looked forward to it. I used to have a run in the paddock but nothing as good as going for a walk down the lane seeing other people, horses, cows and lots of intersting things. The best trip was to the cafe where I would get a lovely cuddle and a few scraps of bacon. When I got back from my walk I could sit in my kennel and have a good think about all I had seen.
Then I started to meet other dogs and I began to realise that some of them aren't scary at all especially if we don't get to close. I still didn't like them near me in the kennels because it is so noisy and smelly, it all gets a bit too much for some of us dogs.
Then a good thing happened - I became a lucky dog who was going to be looked after by a rescue and they would always be there for me whatever happened and I would never have to go back to that sad place. So many of us never get that chance. I don't know what it means but I am a staffie - some people think that means bad but others know it is a good thing. We staffies love people so much and just want to make you happy - we don't jump up to scare you or bite you - we want to kiss you and lick your face to show what a good dog we are. Once I was an official rescue dog, I got lots of new friends who would come and walk me. Another thing happened which was good and I got moved into a lovely new kennel block where I could see lots of people. This stopped me worrying all the time about the other dogs and getting lonely. Every time people walked past I would get a stroke or a kind word and it made me so happy and relaxed. I was a different dog - instead of trying to get to the people at the kennels when I was in the paddock I just had a mooch about investigating everything. It was fun and I didn't have any worries. I had my kennel people, I had my perfectly situated kennel and I had my walkers who loved me. Life was beginning to feel good.
Now I was less worried my upset tummy went away too and I filed out a bit. All my special people were so pleased with how I was getting on. Once or twice I had visitors but they chose someone else. Then things got a bit scary - I had to move to another kennel. My upset tummy came back and I was worried. I couldn't see the people anymore all day and I missed it so much. My walkers hardly came at all, something about being too far to travel. There were lots of new dogs and people. The new people were kind but they weren't my people I knew. One of my walkers still came to see me and my rescue lady came too. It was nice to see them so I felt a bit safer. Now though I was back to my old habits of jumping in the kennel and worrying. I was sad and not looking well at all so my special people who would always look after me made sure I got lots more to eat and special food that wouldn't upset me. I started to feel a bit better for a while but it got cold and every day seemed to get worse. People were sad when they visited because they knew I was sad.
Then one day my special walker who had been with me since my jouney from death row began took me home. I would like to say I was the perfect house guest but I did try my very best. I had a special safe place called a crate where I had toys, treats and a blanket and I was indoors and warm. Best of all I could see people and dogs going about there day even when I was in my crate. I did some mixing with the dogs too although I did get scared sometimes and overexcited so I had to wear a muzzle just so we were all safe. I had a good run in the big garden but best of all I liked to play with my ball in the snow. I got to play with the children in the family and got lots of cuddles. I really tried my best and made sure I did my business in the garden. I lay down in my crate and was as quiet as a mouse all night every night. The snow was so bad that I had to stay longer than planned but I had lots of lovely food a nice rest and really started to feel better. A walk every day and lots of runs in the garden - what more could I ask for.
But I did have to go back - I went to another kennel where they said I could have a special kennel near all the people. Unfortunately that didn't work out because I couldn't get used to the other dogs near me and got very upset by them. Now I have a quiet kennel at the end where I can't get agitated by the other dogs. I still get upset sometimes and don't feel like doing much at all but I have my own special ball which I love to play with. The people here sometimes play with me which is lovely. I'm still a little on the skinny side because I worry so much. Some of my special friends visit sometimes and take me for walks and everyone says what a lovely boy I am. I do try so hard and if someone would give me a chance and help me then I could be the best dog ever. Lots of love Zebedee"