Dog Tales E-Book

Andrea Hayes

• Herausgeber: Gill Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

Written by Andrea Hayes, the presenter of TV3's Dog Tales, these are the inspiring and heartwarming stories of fourteen rescue dogs who rescued their owners right back. Filled with touching stories of love, loss and transformation, Dog Tales will lift your soul as you laugh, cry and fall in love with these amazing animals. We meet Penny the Pit Bull, who was abandoned at her most vulnerable, but found happiness with a couple who take her everywhere – even to work. Read about Skittles, the terrified Shih Tzu, who was rescued from a puppy farm and found love and canine companionship in her new home. We also hear how a three-legged dog called Mick taught Andrea life lessons about living in the moment and thriving despite health challenges. 'Andrea's tender tales of human-canine connection will touch your soul and remind you of why dogs play such central roles in the lives of their human companions. Her passionate advocacy for those neglected, forgotten creatures their owners failed will make you want to open your heart and home to one of your own.' John Grogan, author of Marley & Me

Leseprobe

Dog Tales

Heart-warming tales of rescue dogs who rescued their owners right back

Andrea Hayes

Gill Books

For Dad

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Foreword by Clarissa Baldwin

A message from Suzie Carley

Part 1: My life with dogs

Part 2: Building a dog’s trust

The work of a canine carer volunteer

Penny – The joys of puppy love

Alex – Abandoned, but all is not lost

Bumpy – Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Skittles – From loss to true love

Jano – Everything that’s broken can be mended

Kelly – A lucky escape

Fozzy – Fallout from a puppy farm

Cosmo – The big friendly giant

Ollie – A story of hope out of hopelessness

Kim – Some angels have four legs

Claude – An exquisite conversationalist

Bruno – All the good ones aren’t taken

Ted – New beginnings

Mick – Forever friends and forever homes

Epilogue – Paws for thought

Part 3: advice from dogs trust

Offering a dog a forever home

Adopting a puppy

Adopting an old age dog

Lost dogs

I can’t commit to a dog, but I want to help

Frequently asked dog questions

How to be Dog Smart

Acknowledgements

Copyright

About the Author

About Gill Books

Foreword by Clarissa Baldwin

Andrea Hayes’ wonderfully charming book is an absolute must for all dog lovers. I defy your heart not to melt when reading each of these dogs’ tales.

In 1978, I was tasked by Dogs Trust (then called National Canine Defence League) to come up with a slogan that encompassed all that the charity was trying to achieve. At a time when the charity had very little money, the slogan had to be memorable and used in a format that cost very little money. ‘A Dog is for Life Not Just for Christmas’ was selected, and it has become an iconic slogan which has stood the test of time. Of course, it is disappointing that the message has to be constantly reinforced and I still look forward to the day when it is no longer necessary. However, I fear that the day when everybody understands the full responsibilities of dog ownership is still some way off.

In my four decades with Dogs Trust I have seen the charity grow from a small-scale organisation to one that is thriving, enabling us to rescue over 15,000 dogs a year. The charity is also active in nearly forty countries around the world, teaching responsible dog ownership and supporting charities in their dog management work.

On the whole, as a society we love dogs, but there is a small minority who are extraordinarily cruel. When a dog comes into the charity in a terrible state, either mentally or physically, and, after a huge amount of dedicated work and care from the team, goes to a new home, it is a very happy moment and a time to celebrate.

This book captures the incredible stories of thirteen dogs and their journeys through this period of their life. It highlights the huge amount of work that goes into returning a dog to a happy, healthy state, so praise for the staff involved can not be overemphasised.

In a very moving way, Andrea captures how rescue dogs can change your life just as much as you might change theirs. Take, for instance, the story of Jano, a dog with a broken back who was rescued by a lady with a broken spirit. She had no intention of adopting a dog that day, but fell in love with little Jano. In truth, Jano rescued his new owner.

I do hope you will enjoy this wonderful book as much as I have.

Clarissa Baldwin CBE Former CEO of Dogs Trust Dogs Trust Trustee

A message from Suzie Carley

From all of us in Dogs Trust, but most especially from all the dogs we have helped in the past, those currently in our care and for those who will need us in the future, thank you for buying this book. In doing so you are helping to give a rescue dog a second chance in life.

As you will read, Andrea’s story in animal welfare began in 2005, as did our work in Ireland by educating young children in primary schools about the responsibilities of dog ownership. In 2009, we opened our state-of-the-art rehoming centre in Finglas, Dublin. Today, we are Ireland’s largest dog welfare charity, caring for over 2,500 dogs and puppies a year – wonderful dogs like Penny, Claude, Alex, Kelly and my little foster puppy ‘Bumpy’, whose inspiring and heartwarming stories you are about to read in this book.

The strength of our work and the impact it has made in dog welfare in this country over the past twelve years is down to the dedication, care and professionalism of our wonderful supporters, staff and volunteers. Stories of these lives are beautifully captured and told through the eyes of our newest volunteer canine carer, Andrea Hayes.

As you turn the pages in this book, you will see for yourself how the bond between humans and dogs is something so unique and very special – and something that we will continue to fight for. Our mission is to bring about a day when all dogs can enjoy a happy life, free from the threat of unnecessary destruction.

So from all at Dogs Trust Ireland, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Enjoy our Dog Tales.

Suzie Carley Executive Director Dogs Trust Ireland

PART 1

My Life with Dogs

Dash and Andrea (2009)

A person who has never owned a dog has missed a wonderful part of life.

BOB BARKER

2005: A broken heart

In April 2005 my father passed away and I was completely broken-hearted. My pain was so deep, I felt I might never be the same person again. I felt I had lost a part of me, I felt alone and frightened, my champion was gone and I felt truly hopeless. He had battled cancer for over a year, but in the end, the strongest man in my life became weaker and weaker and finally drifted away from us and passed on from this life.

The months that followed were almost a blur. I was overwhelmed by a tumultuous wave of emotions. I was at sea and not myself in any way. At the time, I couldn’t think of Dad without crying. When I returned to work, I had to make a determined effort not to well up when colleagues offered condolences. But eventually it all became too much and by the end of the summer I decided to leave a job that I loved to explore working freelance.

Society often writes off the death of a parent as the natural order of events, but for me it was completely life-changing. My grief created an awareness of life that I had never experienced before. I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands, and I started to look at my own life and health. I realised that I needed to look after myself better.

I have a well-documented history of living with a chronic illness, but until that point I hadn’t properly explored what was really going in internally with my own body. As my grief and pain were so apparent, my doctors were quick to suggest I needed antidepressants. I took them for a short while, but I knew my pain was something deeper.

The new year of 2006 ushered in a new chapter for me. I knew in my heart that I needed to find joy in my life again. The feelings of hurt and loss still filled my head, but my heart was stronger than I could have ever imagined.

2006: Dashy Dog and Me

A special four-legged Valentine’s Day arrival made my heart grow in love and confidence and beat with new hope.

David and I had been together for almost eight years and he had been my rock through my Dad’s illness and the dark months that followed his death. We had recently got engaged, and our plans for the future were firmly set in stone. Every day I was feeling a little bit brighter and, luckily for me, the love and support of David kept me strong. I was also surrounded by wonderful friends, who encouraged me to get out and about.

I began meeting a friend for regular walks on a local beach with her dog, Boo, and we would often chat about our mutual love of animals. One day she mentioned that a lady she knew had a litter of pups and was looking for good homes for them. She showed me a picture of the mum, who was a Labrador Retriever with lovely shiny golden hair. She told me the owner had successfully found homes for a few of the puppies, but still needed to rehome the rest. I can’t explain it, but instantly I felt I needed to rehome one of those dogs.

Later that day I contacted the owner and we spoke at length. She wanted to ensure that any new owners would be suitable, but she immediately seemed happy with our circumstances. I wasn’t working full-time, so I could be there during the day for a new puppy, and this was really important for her. However, David and I hadn’t any shared experience caring for a dog. She asked me about ‘my situation’. I told her we had our own house and were engaged to be married. I explained that the dog would be part of the family and that, for me, it would be the biggest commitment we had ever made; houses can be sold, but caring for a dog is for life!

I passed the test, thankfully, and the owner felt happy to let us have one of the pups. We agreed a date for us to collect him, and it happened to be 14 February – Valentine’s Day. What a perfect day to start a new love affair! We drove for a long time through terrible rain, but at last we found the house. Once inside, we met the mum and dad and their boisterous bunch of puppies, all scrabbling for attention.

I will never forget walking into this stranger’s home and seeing a larger, shy golden ball of fluff hiding behind his brothers and sisters. This particular pup seemed quieter and less confident than the rest. David reached in and picked him up, and he cuddled into David’s chest as if it was the home he’d always been waiting for. Ever since then, and for evermore, his paw-print is on our hearts and lives.

Leaving behind his mother, littermates, first human family and the only small part of the world he had ever seen was monumental for our little puppy, and he wouldn’t leave David’s chest for a second. So I took over the driving, taking us quietly and carefully back along the roads we had come by, bringing the newest member of our clan home.

Relocating to a new home is a major day in a puppy’s life, but really, it was a huge day for all of us, not least me. After all the excitement, stress, massive change and huge amount of mental stimulation our new little puppy had just been through, he needed to sleep. Soon after arriving home we placed him in his new bed and he put his head on his paws, closed his eyes and drifted off. We just couldn’t help staring at him.

We knew our lives had changed forever when we woke a few hours later to little cries and whines from downstairs. The enormity of caring for a puppy soon became crystal clear. It was a sleepless night for us, but when morning came our frightened little puppy seemed to have found his footing. He ran around the house like a hurricane, sniffing his way through every nook and cranny, sticking his nose into absolutely everything, bouncing up and down and in and out of every place imaginable. He couldn’t stay still, dashing off to the next adventure whenever I tried to get him to sit down. We decided to call him Dash.

Our new four-legged friend eventually stopped and rested in the corner, silently appraising his new parents and watching the world around him, almost afraid to close his eyes in case he might miss something. It was amazing how quickly he became part of our home – it was hard to remember what it was like before his arrival. With Dash, there was a sense of belonging from day one.

In the days and weeks that followed, Dash settled in and we really started to see his true personality shine through. Just like me, Dash has a penchant for nice shoes, as I discovered one Sunday morning when he decided to raid my wardrobe. Puppies explore the world with their mouths, so after Dash had had a good chew, he proudly delivered his work to me – much to my distress! That was an important lesson on the consequences of leaving Dash to roam free in our home of a Sunday morning when I fancied an extra-long lie-in – walls, furniture, shoes; they were all fair game for him to chew on.

To avoid another shoe-gate, or chew-gate, I became obsessed with finding the perfect chew toys. In the end, it was something simple that worked the best: Dash got endless hours of joy from an empty plastic bottle. We spent hours throwing bottles instead of balls, and our new fur baby just loved to have fun retrieving them and then cleverly chewing the lid off and presenting it to us.

We all settled into our new routine, and I really enjoyed watching him learn. I had a rigid schedule for feeding, playing and potty breaks, so it was only a matter of weeks before Dash was fully house-trained.

From the moment Dash came into our lives he enjoyed spending time outdoors, whether it was running around with his four-legged pals at the beach or taking a hike with us into the mountains, he just loved getting out, and that got me out too. I got so much pleasure watching him explore, and he became the joy I had been missing in my life. With Dash by my side, I had a new spring in my step.

They say time is a great healer for grief, but so is a dog. By opening my heart to Dash, I slowly started to heal from the loss of Dad and accept my new reality. I used to joke and say my dad had sent Dash to me, as a cure to heal the pain of loss. Dash’s medicine is fierce loyalty, reliability, nobleness, trustworthiness, unconditional love, friendship, and endless energy for service. From him I have learned the true meaning of unconditional love.

Dash is so sensitive and intelligent; he’s the perfect companion. Over time our bond grew and grew and he seemed to be my protector, always by my side and always close by when I needed him. I began to believe he could almost read my mind! I felt he knew what I was thinking.

One example of this springs to mind. I can often struggle when carrying things and, like most people, I sometimes carry too many things at once. However, due to muscle weakness in my arms and hands from my chronic pain condition, I often drop things, and juggling to open doors when your hands are full isn’t always a good idea. So one day, quite by surprise, Dash jumped up and with his paws managed to press the door handle down and it opened for me! I was actually dumb-struck, because in my mind I had been thinking: I wish the door was open.

If you own a dog, you will know that they are constantly observing you. I wondered if Dash could anticipate my next move.

They say a dog’s behaviour often mirrors the personality of its owner, so I began to explore how to train a Labrador. Armed with my new knowledge, our training began. It was new territory for both of us, so we started with the basics. I wanted to see if I could teach him to open more doors for me, maybe even the front door? Perhaps he could help me around the house.

Training and bonding with Dash ultimately helped me more than it did Dash. While I was teaching him tricks and ways to improve his behaviour, it helped me to assess my own situation and to realise that with him around, I felt safer. Feeling safe is an important part of growing as a person and feeling joyful, and I realised that this was Dash’s gift to me. Through our carefully planned daily routine, which we stuck to whatever the weather, I had a reason to get up in the morning and a focus to every part of my day. I was engaging with the world again, chatting to fellow dog owners on our walks, planning outings, thinking ahead. I suddenly realised I was looking forward to the future. The training required dedication on my part, and was challenging, but through it I learned to be more patient, to show more empathy, to be more loving and considerate, to let things go, to control my temper more effectively and, most of all, to enjoy the moment and to be organised and disciplined. It turned out to be the best antidepressant anyone could have prescribed.

Florence Nightingale, a pioneer of modern nursing, once wrote that a pet ‘is often an excellent companion for the sick, for long, chronic cases especially’. In my case, I can tell you this is perfectly true. Privately, I was struggling with my health issues and although many people would never see me battle with the pain, Dash, my faithful companion and constant support, saw everything – the good days and the bad. He was there when no one else was. He was always with me, one hundred percent reliable.

I remember how he would often encourage me out of bed, even if I was feeling terrible. When he rested his face softly on my shoulder or leg, I couldn’t resist his pleading expression. He seemed to know that I needed extra comfort and love when I was feeling low.

Most pet owners can tell you of a time when a loyal pet lay by their side, attentive and patient, while they were in bed with the flu. Dash seemed to do this daily for me. He offered me immense comfort and because he was so undemanding, I felt safe with him. He would see me cry in pain and would instantly know I needed to snuggle up with him. We had a bond of absolute trust. He became my counsellor with fur, and I would often open up to him about my health fears. He was a great confidant, never judging and ever listening.

Dash became a central part of my journey to wellness. I feel so grateful that he came into my life. He is an amazingly gentle, caring soul who offers me so much comfort and love and I honestly can say that he has changed my life.

When I was exploring the many ways to heal from my own chronic pain, I came across a lot of studies on how just petting an animal can make humans feel better. We all know the canine bond goes back thousands of years, ever since humans and wolf dogs lived in settlements, but now science and research have revealed that petting your dog releases oxytocin, which is a hormone associated with bonding and affection in both humans and dogs. Oxytocin promotes love and trust (which is why it is a key hormone released during childbirth) and is linked to reduced blood pressure and heart rate. So by simply reaching out to your dog, you will experience lower blood pressure and reduced anxiety – simply from sharing your life with a dog.

On a chemical level, owning a pet may also decrease levels of cortisol (a stress hormone that can damage your body) in your blood, and raise levels of the feel-good brain chemical dopamine. This means you will feel better emotionally, feeling happier and more positive. I certainly felt these effects in my own life. Just knowing Dash was around and knowing I wasn’t alone with my pain had a profoundly positive effect on me.

All the while I was engaging with the medical professions and after exploring many options for treatment for chronic pain I was advised to try a pain management course. I signed up for a three-week full-time course in St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin, and after completing it I was in a really good place. Dash was at the heart of what I was trying to achieve. I actually wrote him into my pain management home plan, as undertaking to take him – and myself – for a walk every single day. Previously I had often gone on hikes or walks with him that were totally unsuitable because I pushed too hard and for too long, which wasn’t helpful. Now I identified two suitable walks: a shorter twenty-five-minute one, and a longer forty-five-minute one. They became the paths I plodded daily, with my loyal friend by my side.

I had an incredible feeling of gratitude for my four-legged angel. I knew he was there to watch over me. In truth, he was the love of my life, he was just so kind, loyal and forever loving. I had fallen head over heels in love with Dash, and I wanted to keep him happy, safe and healthy. When he was happy, I was happy too. Dash gave me the joy I had lost in my life. And as the old saying goes, what you focus on expands. Now that I was happier in myself, I was ready to start living again and embrace new challenges. Dash had prepared me re-enter my own life and he was changing too as he settled into his older more relaxed adult dog years.

2009: Auditions and Audacious Actions

In a happier place in my life both physically and mentally, I was ready to embrace the unexpected and my love for Dash would be central to making a change in direction career-wise. I had been working for TV3 for four years, presenting station announcements (continuity). Getting work as a television presenter can be very difficult as there are so many people interested in doing it and not a lot of roles. It had never really been a strong desire of mine to work in front of the camera, as my skills had always been utilised behind the scenes. But after two successful years presenting daytime continuity with one of my human best friends, Conor Clear, our TV gig was coming to an end. My future in TV presenting was uncertain, but I was pretty sure I would only do something I was really passionate about.

As it happened, I wasn’t waiting long before I heard of a job that seemed the perfect fit for me. It involved presenting a new show, which would be far more demanding than the presenting I had done up to that point. The only obstacle now was getting it. Many people were being seen for the role, so I would have to perform strongly in the interviews and audition.

The screen test for the programme was different from anything I had ever experienced before. I was asked to show up at a vet’s office at an allocated time – and that’s all I was told. Normally for TV auditions, first impressions matter hugely. Your appearance, training and skills are all in the spotlight, so when the cameras start to roll, it can be a very nervous and overwhelming experience. But something felt different that day. I was strangely calm about it. I had a feeling that all I had to do to land the job was to be myself. I just knew, deep down, that I would be right for the job, despite having little to no actual experience working with animals. I was so convinced this job was perfect for me and me for it that I did little to prepare. I hadn’t even worn much make-up or dressed up for my moment to impress. I was hoping I would impress the real stars of the show – the animals I was about to meet.

I walked into the ‘audition’ and was asked to interview the vet on the animal I was handed, which happened to be a cute and rather spritely mixed-fur ferret. I didn’t know much about handling these little creatures, so I wasn’t expecting the very friendly and inquisitive little guy to quickly scamper from out of my arms to all around my neck. It was clear the ferret was bright and alert, so I was interested to find out why he was visiting the vet. Luckily, it was a routine visit.

I was so engaged with the brilliant vet, Barbara O’Malley, that I quickly forgot about the cameras, and they just kept rolling. We chatted about his care, diet and lifespan. It felt quite natural, despite the crew around, and we spoke very happily for the next ten minutes. Then we decided our little furry friend would get his nails clipped, and naturally my instinct was to help Barbara and keep him distracted while she got the job done. I felt I didn’t do anything special during the visit, and I wasn’t sure if I was saying what the producers were looking for, but I had thoroughly enjoyed myself anyway.

The news was good. In 2009 I was offered a presenting job on a new show for TV3 called Animal A&E. To my surprise, there were to be two presenters, Michael Hayes and myself. He would be on location working with vets, while my role was as a roving reporter, working on stories around the country. The person at the helm of programming in TV3, Ben Frow, really championed the idea of highlighting the work of animal welfare organisations around Ireland. It was agreed I would do a weekly ‘report’ on this work. My director, Andrew Byrne, and I discussed it in more detail and we looked at linking in with the ISPCA in order to highlight the suffering of animals nationwide.

Although I had never worked in the area of animal welfare in any way, it felt familiar to me. My own day-to-day suffering often goes unnoticed, and somehow that made me feel connected to the animals who were suffering silent abuse, locked away from help, at the mercy of an uncaring owner. I felt a surge of determination. I wanted to work hard to bring attention to any animals in pain. This outpouring of emotion and desire to help surprised me, but it was like, having battled my own pain, I was finally being given a chance to make a difference and help others who were suffering. It lit a fire inside me that’s burning still.

So that’s how it all started. After all those years at home with Dash, spending so much time alone and feeling bowed down by grief and pain, now I began travelling the country and working on a job that I truly loved. It was a huge turnaround for me personally, and I was so grateful for it. The presenting role was a challenge on so many different levels, physically and emotionally, but I relished it. I was afforded wonderful opportunities to work closely with people who were involved in the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of all kinds of animals every year. I interacted with hundreds of sick and injured animals all over the country and seen amazing stories of survival and kindness that I will never forget. Sometimes, I felt like I had witnessed miracles.

Filming the welfare work being carried out around Ireland was uplifting and terribly difficult all at once. The vast majority of the animals I met were often terrified of human contact, not surprising given that many had been treated in an appalling manner by the ones they loyally loved and in whom they placed their trust. An animal’s strongest instinct is to survive – that fight or flight reaction – and self-preservation will always kick in when they are most in need. Sometimes even getting ‘hands on’ with these sick, needy animals just isn’t possible. It requires a massive amount of patience to build up trust, but of course time wasn’t always on my side when working within the parameters of a film shoot. I always wondered how the animals I met along the way were doing after being rescued, and I often tried to stay in touch with their carers or new owners. I had no idea then that my desire to find out the end of these animals’ stories would propel me in a new and exciting direction.

2011: A Growing Family

David, Dash and I made a lovely trio, we did everything together and loved sharing our lives. But after almost seven years of being parents to Dash alone, I became pregnant. Our family dynamic was about to change again.

Becoming pregnant was a big dream of mine, but until it happened I wasn’t sure if it ever would. My health issues were a big factor, so it took a lot of preparation to reduce my medication to be able to conceive safely. So when it finally happened, it was such a blessing. However, the pregnancy, and later the birth, didn’t come without their own challenges. I had to spend a lot of time in bed and resting. But I was never alone – my ‘shadow’, as David often referred to Dash, was always beside me, and he was there as we prepared to meet our new daughter.

While we were planning my hospital bag, the colour of the baby’s room and picking out the perfect travel system for our new arrival, we didn’t overlook our first, four-legged baby. Although my ‘to do’ list seemed endless, I knew Dash was very sensitive to changes in his routine and surroundings, including the new sights and smells of all the baby things that were now taking up space in the house. We were careful not to leave Dash out of the preparations, and his care was planned just as carefully and comprehensively.

In the weeks before my due date, Dash and I enrolled for boot-camp training. He was now fully grown, but we had both let the obedience training slip a little and I wanted to address some niggling concerns I had about the bad habits we had all allowed to go on. I remember at the time that what had seemed like minor concerns until now, such as jumping up on the couch or on guests, suddenly seemed significant. We wanted everything in the household working in harmony when the baby arrived. We had also allowed him into our room to sleep, and I really wanted to adjust that and reintroduce him to his own sleeping space and new, comfy bed so he would be settled into this new routine before the big arrival.

We decided it was best to nip any behavioural issues in the bud, which is why we went to boot camp. This, in fact, brought us even closer as I was working with Dash every day. It reminded me of when he was a puppy, and we were getting to know each other and working out a new routine. It was the first time I had stopped to think: our little puppy is all grown up.

Once I had the house ready and Dash’s manners in check, I needed to give Dash a complete health-check with the vet and some TLC with the groomers before baby arrived. He got a clean bill of health from the vet, who told us he was in tip-top shape, and his ‘pet-icure’ ensured his nails were short, to avoid any accidental scratches!

I remember thinking that everything would be different once the newest member of the family arrived. If I am honest, I was concerned that having a baby might have a bad effect on Dash, with possibly serious consequences if he failed to adapt to having a baby in his environment. Luckily, I had nothing to worry about. Dash was as loving and protective over the baby as he was with me.

The night before she arrived, I was in her room checking that everything was in place and Dash, as always, was by my side. I remember letting him sniff some of the baby wipes, nappies and her newborn clothes, talking to him and telling him that soon we would have a little baby to care for. He seemed to be the one calming me down with a loving nudge and nuzzle, as if telling me it would be okay. And it was.

Our gorgeous daughter, Brooke, was born at 6.05 p.m. on 12 July 2011. While we were still in the hospital, David brought home an outfit Brooke had worn so Dash could get used to her smell. We had planned to have Dash at my mother-in-law’s house on the day Brooke and I came home, so we could get settled before the meet and greet, but life doesn’t always go as planned. We were so happy to get the baby into the car seat, navigate the roads of Dublin, avoiding the bumps on the road, that when we arrived at the front door we remembered Dash was still at home! As expected, the initial face-to-face meeting was more about him saying hi to me than to the baby. He was so eager to see his mummy again that at first he barely noticed a very proud daddy holding our bundle of joy.

To mark the special day, we had a nice chewy bone ready for Dash to play with, and he took it joyfully. After a while he sniffed around Brooke, he was very curious about her for the first hour, but then he went to his bed and relaxed. And that was that – he accepted the new housemate and the new living situation from that moment on.

I was so busy in those first few weeks that it was hard to take time out, but I felt I needed time for me and for Dash, so we tried to get out for a little walk every day. I was extra-attentive at bedtime, making sure to give Dash a big belly rub, to let him know he was still important, still loved.

I found positive reinforcement goes a long way, and it smoothed our transition from trio to quartet. A safe household is a happy household, and Dash has now grown up with Brooke and they are the best of pals. Brooke is now big enough to take him for a walk on his lead, with a little supervision, and their bond continues to deepen. Watching our little family grow, and grow together, brings me so much happiness, and watching Dash grow older every year is a reminder of just how important he has been in my life. He serves selflessly, never asking for his service to be praised or anything in return.

Dash remains my constant companion, and he always has a watchful eye on me. His quick thinking helped me once more when David was away on business. It was just after 7.00 a.m. and I was getting up to wake Brooke and get her ready for crèche. There was only the three of us in the house and when the alarm went off, I jumped up as normal. It wouldn’t be unusual for me to be a little unsteady on my feet, but on this particular morning something happened that had never happened before. As I walked across the landing into my daughter’s room, I collapsed to the ground before even reaching the door and passed out cold in the hallway. I regained consciousness moments later, to a familiar tongue licking me and a familiar nose almost nudging me to become alert. I was still very weak and I was really scared. I actually had no idea what had happened or why. I began to call to Brooke from the hallway to help me, and true to form my daughter didn’t want to get out of bed. Despite lots of calling and coaxing, I couldn’t get her out to the hallway to help me. Luckily, Dash seemed to instantly know I needed him to do something. He began to bark loudly, then ran into her room and barked at her to get her attention, and he did! She reluctantly came out and once she was there, I managed to stand up, but I instantly felt weak again and fell down. Brooke was able to get my phone and bring it to me so I could call for help.

I couldn’t seem to stop this feeling of being lightheaded, so I slowly sat up and began crawling back into my bedroom, and Dash, like my true hero, kept willing me along, putting his head under mine. Just having him by my side kept me calm and I felt safer. I felt he understood.

Shortly after that I had a tilt table test in the Mater hospital in Dublin and I was diagnosed with a condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). For a person with POTS, a change from the supine position to an upright position causes an abnormally large increase in heart rate, which can lead to dizziness and, in my case, a fainting episode. This new diagnosis goes some way to explaining why I collapsed and passed out that morning.

Dash is an incredibly smart dog, and I truly believe he has a type of sixth sense when it comes to my health and me. He knew I wasn’t well that morning, and understood that I needed help. He sees something that most people don’t see when they look at me. I have many chronic conditions – Chiari malformation 1, spinal stenosis, POTS and mild EDS – that all can cause many side effects, not least chronic pain, but sadly they are invisible to most. Dash, however, can read the subtle clues when I am in pain, even when I try to conceal it from him.

I know it’s a total cliché and something that has been written about time and time again throughout history about dogs, but it is so true – they truly are guardians, protectors and, most importantly, (wo) man’s best friend. Dash is the most loyal companion anyone could ever ask for. My shadow, my joy. And you know, you’ve probably seen him – perhaps even admired his beauty – because he always makes an appearance in my TV shows, and if you watch carefully, you will see him running in the long grass during the opening titles for the series Dog Tales. It’s only right, seeing as his part in my life is largely responsible for my career. Without Dash, I wouldn’t have had the courage – or the health – to go for that first presenting job. I wouldn’t have had such a burning passion to help dogs in need. Dash’s love and affection, and the effect that has had on me, inspired me to want to work with animals and to try, in some small way, to make a difference.

2011: The Dark Side of Dog Tales

One particularly upsetting rescue operation changed my mindset and will forever stay with me. It had such a profound effect on me that I began to think the problem of animal cruelty was almost insurmountable, and I knew I needed to take more action to change our current, casual view of buying dogs from puppy farms.

Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to witness in a quiet location in the midlands. I was working with two of the ISPCA inspectors, filming for my first animal show with TV3’s Animal A&E. We went to a house, following up on an anonymous call about alleged animal cruelty. We arrived at a property on an old country road and to the untrained eye, everything seemed completely normal. I remember there was what appeared to be a happy, healthy small terrier-type dog running around in a garden to the side of the house, and we could visibly see an outside kennel with two bowls – one filled with water and the other seemed to be for food. At that point I was absolutely sure we had arrived at the wrong property or that there was some discrepancy in the allegation of neglect, which had often been the case in the past.

The two ISPCA inspectors went ahead and spoke at length with the owner of the property. While I waited outside, I noticed there was a shed to the rear of the property, but I never for one moment suspected the horror that awaited us inside. I could see the inspectors walking with the owner in the direction of the building. There were no windows in the large stone building, but I noticed a number of makeshift runs on the outside.

Suddenly things began to move very quickly and I was asked to help the team. I was told before I went in that they had grave concerns for the vast number of dogs and puppies inside the huge shed. On first inspection they could clearly see they were living in extremely sub-standard conditions and not receiving the basic care or attention they needed and deserved. I was told the kennels were filthy, wet and overcrowded and that the animals were all very scared, so to proceed with caution.

I braced myself for what I was about to see. The moment I walked in, I was struck by the complete lack of sunlight, and the distinct smell. The crowds of animals huddled together didn’t seem to act like dogs, they were almost like robots. I had never seen animals in such bad condition – they were malnourished, sick, with many suffering from advanced chronic skin conditions. I remember the first dog we noticed in grave danger was a Bichon Frise female. She was so weak, and barely moving, clearly in pain and languishing close to death. Sadly, she wasn’t the only one. Almost all of the dogs needed urgent medical attention.

We couldn’t stay in the building for any great length of time because of the overpowering, unforgettable smell. It was absolutely horrendous. The ammonia in the air made it difficult to breathe. In fact, one of the ISPCA’s cameras stopped working because of the extremely dangerous levels of ammonia present from the sheer volume of dog urine soaked into the stone floor of the building.

It was overwhelming, but far from feeling emotional, I seemed to go into action mode. Alongside the ISPCA inspectors, we worked in silence, carefully and slowly assessing the dogs and identifying the most vulnerable, who needed immediate attention. We focused on the work, not really allowing ourselves to stop or think about anything other than getting the animals to safety. More ISPCA staff arrived to help us, and they worked through the night. It was a large-scale operation, which resulted in the safe rescue of well over fifty dogs and puppies. The rescued animals were voluntarily surrendered by the owner and were sent straight to the ISPCA’s national animal centre in Longford to receive the treatment, assessment and recuperation they so urgently needed.

I had read about puppy farms, but until I witnessed it first-hand, I could not have comprehended the cruel conditions. The looks on the dogs’ faces will haunt me forever – they were petrified. The memory of the trembling, the fear and the guttural growls coming from somewhere deep inside those breeding mums as they tried to keep their young safe, will never leave me. Looking into their eyes changed me forever.

After a few days, I had a chance to see the dogs again in a much safer environment during their vet check at the centre. I was struck by the amount of different breeds rescued – Huskies, West Highland terriers, Jack Russell terriers, Shih Tzus, and, of course, the Bichon Frise. The ISPCA vets also found pregnant bitches and puppies that they aged as just a few days old. Thankfully, all made a full recovery over time and are now rehomed in permanent new homes.

These were the lucky ones, but how many more were suffering in silence around the country? That was the first puppy farm I ever encountered, but sadly, it wasn’t to be the last.

The fallout from the rescue operation cost the ISPCA thousands of euro, as all the dogs needed extensive veterinary care. This placed further pressure on the organisation as, like so many other animal charities, they were already struggling to raise funds to look after the animals in their care.

I certainly didn’t realise the far-reaching consequences of the problem. Until then, I didn’t know that Ireland was known as the puppy farm capital of Europe. I guessed that, like me, many people in Ireland simply had no idea just how cruel the business of puppy farms was. It was a tragedy unfolding right under our noses, but no one seemed to be doing anything about it.

Animal A&E was a family show and we couldn’t show some of the footage we had filmed, so to highlight the sheer extent of the problem we went about making a one-hour special called The Truth about Ireland’s Puppy Farms. This lack of awareness became apparent when this special one-hour documentary was shown on TV3, and our viewers came face-to-face with the bitter reality of the neglect and cruelty suffered by many animals in Ireland. It was deeply moving to watch, and I think it helped bring about change.

The public response to our show was overwhelming. When Irish audiences saw the true reality of this deplorable business, they supported the many welfare charities that were calling on the government to stop this from continuing. The programme really highlighted the urgent need for the incoming Dog Breeding Establishments Bill.

Things did change, and the following January the new Dog Breeding Establishments Bill came into force, which was a step in the right direction. However, without rigorous enforcement of the new Dog Breeding Establishments Act the situation continued and still does to this day.

What people often don’t realise is that puppies from puppy farms tend to have physical and behavioural problems as a result of poor breeding. I wanted to help get the message across that people needed to be aware of this, and needed to be extremely selective about from where and from whom they buy a puppy. Most reputable breeders do not sell dogs through newspaper adverts, pet shops, car parks, or through the Internet. Disreputable breeders or middlemen often pose as members of the public selling ‘puppies from unplanned litters’ in newspaper adverts and online. Sadly, impulse buying of pets online creates an enormous risk of attracting unscrupulous breeders.

My message would always be: adopt, don’t shop. It’s easy to be taken in, however, and I remember how my own dog, Dash, came into my life. Luckily, I did get to see mother, father and puppy together. It is a hard message, but if you suspect you are purchasing from a puppy farm, don’t buy it. Many people think they are saving a dog by doing so, but they are in fact fueling the puppy farm trade to continue their vile so-called business. You can easily call the Dog Warden or the ISPCA and let your concerns be recorded for them to investigate.