Page 18 - Autumn 2023 Newsletter

THE TALES OF BLUE

The Wizard Arrives! Merlin’s new home was a family home with
After Bert passed away, I kept myself busy young children, and as we all know kids can
keeping cats out of the garden and the local be very loud! He also shared it with two
squirrels on their toes, but it wasn't really a very noisy little dogs. Although Merlin’s
job. I needed something to occupy myself, new owners took him with the best of
that's when I met Merlin. intentions, it was totally the wrong
environment for him and that's when the

BTRF were alerted to a Bedlington terrier problems started.
for sale on the Internet. BTRF's policy is not He would disappear upstairs under the
to buy dogs (the Charities Commission beds, and although house trained began
would be particularly unhappy if they did) urinating around the house. When left
and they also do not condone the buying alone he began emptying bins but not for
and selling of dogs on the Internet because food as some were wastepaper bins.
this is so often wrong for the dog and also Obviously, we don't know what went on
for the home that makes the ‘purchase’.
with the other dogs in the household when
BTRF contacted Merlin’s owner and offered left alone, but it was definitely Merlin that
their help to rehome him to make sure he was emptying the bins ...
got the right forever home and a BTRF Merlin's new owners began to realise they
representative visited to advise and help.
couldn’t cope with him and contacted BTRF
At this point our old friend data protection for help. Aunty Trish paid them a visit and
comes into play again, so all we can say is immediately identified stress as the cause of
there were complex family medical and Merlin’s behaviour. The only real solution
financial reasons why Merlin was for sale. would be to remove him from the situation
Before BTRF could help, Merlin had been as soon as possible.
sold and was on his way to a new home.
That evening Aunty Trish and Aunty Kaye
When a dog goes to a new home, they need had a meeting to decide how best to help
time to decompress, time to take a breath him. What he needed was a quiet
and settle in. They don’t need long walks or household, possibly with an older confident
games to play, that’s just way too much for and patient dog to show him the way. But
a rescue dog to cope with who is trying to who did they know that could fit the bill??
come to terms with what has happened to A plan was beginning to form.
them. So, one of the most difficult things for Two days later mum and dad took a day off
new owners to do is absolutely nothing in work and we travelled 50 miles to Merlin’s
the first few days and sometimes weeks if location for a meet and greet. Incidentally it
they have come from a particularly stressful was only 3 miles from where I was born,
situation (except lots of ACE Freework – who knows we could even be related!
more of that another time!)
We met at a local secure park and
Merlin was a very nervous little dog who Aunty Trish was there to oversee
worried about everything, he hated loud introductions. I sensed Merlin was very
noises and raised voices, sudden nervous, so I played it cool. At first, we
movements frightened him. Within a few walked side by side on the lead until Merlin
days of arriving at his new home Merlin was realised I was no threat to him. When
neutered – way too soon while he was still Aunty Trish thought the time was right, we
so stressed. He also had a very bad allergic were let off our leads and I allowed Merlin
reaction to the pain relief administered to approach and sniff me until he was
during the operation, so the little guy was happy. I did the same and then walked away
by now all over the place.
from him and he immediately followed me.

info@bedlingtonrescue.co.uk www.bedlingtonrescue.co.uk