Today is National Dog Rescue Day. During the month of May, we have been sharing Second Chance stories. Today, I would like to introduce ourselves to those who are new to our blog.
I live in a flat in Chelsea without any outdoor space but we are within walking distance to two amazing London parks – Kensington Gardens and Battersea Park. I am by trade an interior designer, but also as a real estate marketing consultant. In my personal time, I write a blog, and help out with various dog events as passion projects.
When I decided to get a dog, I didn’t know how to go about it. A chance meeting with a woman and her cockapoo in Rutland county pointed me to a breeder in Wales and that was when I saw Darcy (was Lulu) on Jandaz’s website. Having Darcy opened up the world of dogs for me, things I hadn’t known. I had no knowledge of anything dog-related and I had to find my own way.
What made you decide to rescue?
After having Darcy for three years, I thought to get her a companion. Somewhere along the way, I had learnt about dogs in shelters and considered that as an option aside from buying another puppy. But I was quite specific with what I wanted – a white cockapoo girl. I really didn’t know how rescues work and back then Doodle Aid (a doodle rescue group) didn’t quite existed. One day I saw a white cockapoo-looking pup on a Facebook group who was a rescue! I reached out to inquire where he was from. The owner introduced me to Hungary Hearts Dog Rescue. Of course, my naïveté back then thought I could source another one just like that from the charity. I kept looking at their site hoping I would find one and soon became absorbed by their daily stories of dogs they have saved from Killing Stations as well as abandoned dogs.
After a year of donating money, I wanted to do more and offered to foster a little black dog, Bobo, a street dog rescued by local shelters from one of those Killing Stations. If no one had claimed him, he would have been beaten or starved to death because the Killing Stations could save money from euthanising him. After a lot of thought and worry about fostering this little black dog who would otherwise have missed the next transport to London, I finally committed.
When I met him at South Mimms station back in September 2013, ready to foster him and giving him a second chance in life, I had not expected it but he had me at “hello.” On the way home, Bobo was He-Who-Has-No-Name and after a week he made me a failed fosterer and he became George (as in Clooney).
When Darcy passed in early 2022, I was asked many a time if I would get another. “I have George,” was my response.
I was also promised a cockapoo puppy when I was ready. As tempted as I was, I could not get a puppy knowing there are so many dogs in overcrowded shelters. Then one day, a sequence of events happened. I truly believe it was a message from Darcy – it was time to let go and open our home and hearts to another. That morning I had seen on an Instagram post from Harbin Slaughterhouse Survivors about an old dog that needed a home for the last years of his life. I inquired and they said he wasn’t right for me – too old, too big and too far to travel. Was there an old toy poodle in the same situation? Their response, they have over 80 toy poodles and the first photo they sent me was of Cherry.
Cherry’s eyes immediately got my attention – they had the same old soul look, like Darcy did. They showed me a dozen of others. But I kept going back to Cherry. By day’s end, I had decided I would take her. The way Harbin SHS does it is – you foster till you are sure. I told them – I am not going to be another Failed Foster – I am adopting Cherry – and her name is Lulu!
How did you choose your rescue dogs?
As above, George was unplanned but he had me at “hello”. As we celebrate National Rescue Dog Day, I am proud to be a Failed Foster to George. And I owe all this to Darcy who taught me about dogs, and who led me to the world of rescues. As for Lulu, she was a gift from Darcy.
Tell us about the rescue/shelter you adopted from.
Hungary Hearts Rescue is an animal rescue organisation based in Hungary, dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abandoned, abused, and neglected dogs. The organisation primarily focuses on rescuing dogs from Hungary, where there is unfortunately a significant stray dog population and many animals suffer due to lack of resources and care.
Hungary Hearts Rescue works tirelessly to provide medical treatment, shelter, and love to these dogs, with the ultimate goal of finding them loving forever homes. They often work in collaboration with local shelters, veterinarians, and volunteers to maximize their impact and help as many animals as possible.
The organisation not only rescues dogs from the streets but also from overcrowded shelters and other challenging situations. They prioritize the well-being of the animals in their care and ensure that each dog receives proper veterinary care, including vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and treatment for any medical issues.
Hungary Hearts Rescue work with adopters from around the world, including Europe and North America, to match dogs with loving families who are willing to provide them with the care and attention they deserve.
They are completely funded by donations towards getting them out of the Killing Stations, and then to have them spayed or neutered, vaccinated and ready for adoption. Hilda, who founded Hungary Hearts Dog Rescue, lives in the UK and she learnt about the plight of dogs back in her country when her husband gave her a dog one Christmas from a local shelter. That opened up her world and she began helping the shelters. But the dog culture in Hungary is quite different and soon realised that it was safer to have the dogs adopted in the UK.
Harbin Slaughterhouse Survivors (SHS) is an animal rescue organisation based in Harbin, China, that focuses on rescuing dogs and other animals from the brutal and inhumane conditions of slaughterhouses and the dog meat trade. SHS operates primarily in Harbin, where the consumption of dog meat has been a longstanding tradition. Many of these dogs are stolen pets or strays rounded up from the streets.
Once rescued, the dogs are provided with medical care, rehabilitation, and shelter by SHS volunteers and staff. This includes treatment for any injuries or illnesses they may have sustained, as well as spaying or neutering to prevent further breeding.
SHS also advocate for stronger animal welfare laws and regulations in China to end the cruel practices associated with the dog meat trade. Their international adoption program, through which rescued dogs are matched with loving families in countries, including the United States, Canada, and certain countries in Europe.
How easy was it to get your rescue to the UK?
Both rescue centres did all the paperwork and transportation. I was just at the receiving end.
What did you think about rescues before adopting?
That rescue dogs tend to have behavioural issues, the reason they were abandoned or that they had come from difficult or survival situations. And they could possibly have physical ailments or defects. There is some truth in those perceptions. But it is not just rescues that can have behavioural issues.
That all rescues are mutts. And what if they are? In fact, their cross-breeds make them stronger. On the other hand, there are many pedigree dogs that have been used for breeding. And these are at the other end of the spectrum – where many have never walked on grass, or been outside of puppy farms.
Most people are surprised that George and Lulu are rescues!
George is (Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese and Shih Tzu), but people would run after me in the streets and ask what breed he is because he is adorable. And Lulu, is the chunkiest toy poodle despite having lost a whole kg since I got her. Because after DNA testing, I found out she has 2% Bichon Frise which explains her more stocky body and shorter legs than a regular toy poodle. And she steals the show wherever she goes.
What do you think about rescues after adopting? Things about yourself? Has it changed your perspective about rescue dogs?
George reacts towards big dogs and hates motorbikes and large trucks. These are probably because he had to survive on the streets and the big dogs probably always got the food and motorbikes and trucks probably scared him when he was wandering the streets to survive. But with some training he has calmed down and less reactive though he still hates motorbikes and big trucks.
Lulu was a breeding dog and then dumped after she was done and found in a dog meat truck. She is the calmest and most chilled dog. She does react to certain sounds which seems to frighten her and I can only think of her situation. She was calm because she was forced to be under the circumstances, to obey and follow what was required of her.
Their past circumstances are the opposite of each other. One roamed the streets and the other probably never been outside. Their stories are all so different but always it comes back to one thing – their situation is a result of us, humans.
What they bring with them are a bit of a worry, ailments and bad start in life. But the thought of having saved them from those situations supersedes the inconveniences. To think little George survived at least a year roaming the streets and Lulu was abused and then thrown away to be dog meat, breaks my heart and makes me cry whenever I think about where they’ve come from.
Rescue dogs are like any other dog – who just had a rough start in life, through no fault of theirs.
What is your message to anyone who is thinking of getting a rescue?
It will be one of the most rewarding things you can do – to give these innocent lives, due to no fault of theirs, on deathrow or abandoned – a SECOND CHANCE.
It doesn’t sit well with me when I tell their stories to others and they say things like – “And now you’ve saved them.” The rescuers saved them. I am just able to give them a Second Chance, an extension of what they do for so many of the dogs.
What are your favourite things to do in London with your rescue dogs?
Everything I would do with Darcy. We love finding more dog-friendly restaurants and hotels. Most of all I love travelling with them. Due to their sizes, they are a lot easier to transport for someone without a car.
Adopt, don’t shop. Over 75% of the world’s 900 million dogs roam the streets. There are animal charities around the world working endlessly to sterilise dogs to help curb the population growth. And there are shelters full to the brim with dogs who need a second chance. Please consider giving one of those stuck in shelters before buying a puppy.
We recently met Niall Harbison – a most humble and nicest human being whose life had been changed by saving dogs in Ko Samui, Thailand, giving them second chances. People like him inspire me to do more for those in need of a home. Let’s us do our small part.
