April 1997

April 1997

July 1997 - Gargrave canal bank

When George arrived he didn't wag his tail, walked with his head down and jumped at the slightest thing. Putting a place mat on the table and washing flapping on the line caused him to 'shy' away because he thought he was going to be hit. One afternoon he saw Stuart outside the shed with his wax jacket and cap on and growled ferociously at him - only stopping when he removed his cap and jacket and George saw who it was. We took from this his previous owner wore similarly clothing so Stuart generally wore something different when working outside in the rain.

It is believed he was used for hunting, maybe deer or other wildlife as he could leap a farm gate or hedge with no problem and the damaged flesh on his chest was thought to have been caused by jumping hedges and sleeping on concrete.

We had one scary moment when we first let him off the lead in the field because he just ran - straight for the hawthorne hedge, which he jumped with no problem and was half way across the next field before our calling him made him stop and we were able to coax him back. We don't know why he did it because he never did it again.

Slowly, the shyness and apprehension began to disappear. We encouraged him to walk with his head up and showed him how to wag his tail again. What a wonderful day that was when he first did it himself. Slowly he realised he had freedom to sit in the garden and enjoy the sun, run in the field, cuddle up on his favourite sheepskin rug, visit friendly people and go for walks. Slowly he realised there was 'love' around him and that we wouldn't hurt him, his ears lifted so they no longer hung limp by the side of his head and he started to enjoy life again. People began to commenting on how well he was getting on.