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Patch's story
This is Patch’s story and although it dates back to 1995, the relationship between him and his owners defines the human/dog interaction so perfectly that his story has to be told.It was Russ and Emma’s third heart rending visit to their local dog rescue centre when they found the dog they had been looking for, a small rough-haired mongrel with soulful eyes. It was love at first sight. As far as they knew, he had not been ill treated but his owner had died and Patch was left alone and bewildered in his kennel at the rescue home. Little did he know then of the love and affection that would be lavished on him by his new owners, a young married couple living in a small village in Gloucestershire.
I first met Patch at the local pub sitting quietly on Russ’ knee gazing adoringly into his eyes, and was immediately drawn by the enormous character of this little dog. Naturally, as a fellow dog owner, I was soon drawn into conversation. The pride and joy this couple felt for their canine friend was apparent within the first few minutes.
“If anything happened to our marriage,” Russ said laughingly, “there would be a court case as big as Kramer v. Kramer over Patch. He comes everywhere with me, even to work on the building sites where he climbs ladders and jumps through windows. I know it doesn’t look like it at the moment, but he’s full of energy.”
“He comes to work with me too,” Emma chipped in, “I teach infants and some are quite scared of dogs but Patch soon makes them feel at ease with him. He’s a very popular dog. My grandfather’s blind, so I take Patch with me to the home and it gives Granddad so much pleasure to have something he can touch. Other residents like him too. One lady can really be quite difficult, but she’s a different person when Patch is around.”
Patch had the courage and tenacity of a terrier, the loyalty of a collie and the loving looks of a lurcher – all the best features of his ancestry. If Patch had any debt to pay to society he certainly seems to have paid his one hundred fold.
Sadly there is no photograph of Patch, but the beautiful dogs in this photo are in the same predicament as he was before Russ and Emma found him. Afton and Finn were handed into the Dogs Trust Rescue Home at Hillingdon, Hayes in October following the death of their owner. They are so close that they desperately need to find a special home together. In addition to being given plenty of love, they will also need to be put on a strict diet and given plenty of exercise. If you are the perfect someone they are looking for, there is no doubt that they have as much to give in return as Patch gave to Russ and Emma.
Call Dogs Trust Harefield on (01895) 453 930 or visit the charity’s website www.dogstrust.org.uk
For more stories click SPECIAL HUMAN/DOG RELATIONSHIPS
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