MONTY’S Blog Nov 22. 2010
Just turned seven and there’s a curtain of greasy rain falling as Monty and I head out for our morning muddy trudge through theWiltshire countryside. We live close to Salisbury city centre, yet, quite amazingly, it takes only six minutes to be crossing the first field that opens up to hundreds of miles of public and permissive footpaths.
But first we must pass maybe a dozen houses where two things are happening; there’s a blue glow in the front window - the TV is already on and in the back garden there’s a dog barking mad in the darkness,. It has heard the tinkle of Monty’s collar medal as we pass. That dog won’t be going anywhere today or tomorrow or any another day. Yet he is captive within a minutes of dog-walk paradise.
It’s said that we Brits enjoy a long-standing love affair with their dogs. This month celebrates the 150 years since Battersea opened its doors to cast-aside dogs (and cats) and in that time they’ve rescued 3 million animals. The other voluntary rescues are desperately over-loaded. So surely something has gone very wrong with that love affair.
We daily walk for between two and three hours in beautiful countryside. Yes, even in the rain. Yet - and I’m quite specific about this - we rarely meet more than one dog (a Jack Russell) and his owner.
Last year, I regularly encountered a woman who was clearly keen on fitness and walking. Articulate and intelligent, she admired Monty and asked me about Staffies. “Intelligent, robust, great fun and best friends,” I said. “They are not dangerous dogs"
She explained her husband was about to retire and wanted a dog. “Lots and lots of them waiting in rescues for the right home,” I said.
Weeks went by and then I met the retired couple by the Avon . They were throwing sticks for a young labradoodle, the designer mongrels which cost up to £1,000
Rescue dog? “No,” she said. “Got him in south Wales. Pretty expensive, but a lovely little dog. Very nice, helpful breeder too. Met us in a car park to save us getting lost in the Welsh hills. He’s sending on the papers...”
What a pity they missed out on the joys of a dog like Monty. Unfortunately some people are still scared of the idea of rescuing a dog as if buying from a breeder somehow guarantees their history and makes them predictable. In fact every dog has a special personality and those who have had a bad past often appreciate their new owners more and become so rewarding to look after. Can't wait until we have a garden so we can have our own staffy!
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