Going to the vet for a routine booster became a new chapter in our lives. Asked if I knew anyone who would re-home a TT I said I would enquire around the Club and report back. Imagine my surprise when mentioning this to my husband he turned and said "We'll have her!!" Bear in mind at that time we had an elderly black Labrador and two Miniature Schnauzers. I was also awaiting the arrival of a Newfoundland puppy, yet to be born! Having re-homed a yellow Labrador as a six week puppy many years before, we were not concerned that this venture would cause any problems.
To continue, "Little madam" had already been to one home but this had not been successful so she was back yet again in the kennels. All we knew about her was that she spent a lot of her time in kennels. She was spayed, coat clipped out, five years old and "BARKED!" Having arranged to collect her on a Tuesday this was brought forward to the Friday because a trip to a UK show had been cancelled as the boat was not going due to bad weather. We had agreed to have her unseen!! Yes, we can hear you saying "How silly".
We arrived at the kennels early Friday afternoon. As we waited I did wonder for a moment "What have we done?!". As she came down that path at, I hasten to add, breakneck speed our hearts went out to her. She was barking madly, wagging her tail and so happy to see us, it was if she had known us all her life and we had come to collect her from her "holiday". We were handed her lead and a plastic carrier bag containing all her worldly goods. We thanked the kennels and made our way to the car. Before I had time to say "I'll sit her on my lap" she had jumped into the back seat, sat down and said "OK then, let's go!" Having looked through the contents of her "suitcase", Jerry said "That's really sad, I'm getting rid of all that when we get home, she's having everything new".
We reached home wondering how everything would work out. Our arrival with a new member of the family caused no amount of noise and great excitement. I cannot imagine what the neighbours thought! Whilst this was going on my vet telephoned to ask how things were. Well, politeness forbids me to print exactly what I said but it ended with, "Can't hear you, I'll phone you later". At this point I should say the vet is a close friend!
The afternoon settled down and all was quiet by teatime. By Saturday afternoon, Libby, as we decided to call her, was well ensconced in her new home having turned the little boys out of their bed making it hers. Needless to say there were beds for all. During her settling in time over the weekend it became apparent there could be a problem with teeth. She continually licked her lips, rubbed her face and she had bad breath! Visiting the vet on Monday we knew what the problem was, we were right, bad teeth! An appointment was made for cleaning and whatever else was needed, expecting possible extractions. Imagine our surprise when we received a telephone call to say she was ready and twelve teeth had been extracted! The surgery was so sorry but there was nothing they could do but extract. There had been a long history of neglect there. How the poor little thing must have suffered. Well, we collected her and one would have never known she had undergone surgery; she bounced all over the place, barked like crazy and chased the others around. Talk about a tough lady.
Libby is now 1. She is a very great part of our family and keeps all the others in their place, including "Himself" the Newfoundland. So far as they are concerned what she says goes!! We will always be grateful to our vet for letting us know about this bundle of fun and we would never hesitate to take in another re-home. Yes, she is noisy and barks a lot but she gives so much love. As the old Chinese saying goes, "When you save a life it is yours forever". At least I think that's it!
As a point of interest, I did register her with the Club and made everything legal. I also contacted her breeder and was pleased to have done so as she always keeps in contact with all her owners but had lost touch with two puppies, Libby being one of them.
