[singlepic id=2049 w=320 h=240 float=left]Just over a year ago I adopted a neglected Westie from you called Mac. He was thin, had needed an all over body shave due to mange and a flea allergy and was very shy. He had been with a foster family for about a week when I met him and fell in love with his big brown eyes! I suffer with ME and getting a dog was part of my recovery process, which I’m pleased to say: worked! I’m much healthier and Mac has helped give me back my life. I couldn’t have asked for a better reason or reward for getting better.

The first week I brought him home he was very quiet and tried to stay out of the way. He was so meek to begin with he wouldn’t even play. Although, whenever I left the room he began to follow me and wait for me outside the door of wherever it was I had gone! He still does this, and can often be found in the hallway of our apartment whenever I’m in the bedroom or bathroom.

After a year of living in such a loving home he is now a delightful pet and I can’t imagine my life without him! It took him a few nights to settle in, but with a nice comfortable bed and lots of places to go on fun walks he now seems much happier. He also loves getting attention, and almost immediately began the habit of pushing his little cold nose under any available hand in order to be stroked! (And who could deny him?!)

He thoroughly enjoys going for his walks, and is especially fond of paddling (though does NOT like to swim!). We have various squeaky toys for him and he really enjoys playing fetch and tug of war…his tail wags incessantly at such games. He’s also learnt a few new tricks – not just sit, down and roll over, but also ‘fetch’, ‘this paw’, ‘that paw’ and ‘find’ (a fun game where I hide a treat under one of three yoghurt pots and he has to find the right one!).

We’ve developed a regular routine and if we don’t stick to it he will happily remind me that we’re overdue for a walk or I haven’t yet fed him his dinner! His favourite place over the summer is on the patio sill, waiting to see who (or what – cats, frogs, birds, squirrels etc.) passes by; he likes to know what’s going on! But, now it’s getting a bit cooler we often find him tucked into his new basket – sometimes even eating breakfast in bed!

We have had a few issues with his fear/dislike of horses and bigger dogs – I believe it’s referred to as ‘small dog syndrome’ – but these are improving with time. And we’ve discovered he has a problem with recurrent ear infections. But, all in all, I wouldn’t give him up for the world. I’m so glad that we decided to rescue a dog from the RSPCA – whenever I mention to people he’s a rescue dog they’re amazed anyone could give up such an adorable fellow.

I’ve attached some pictures from the first week we adopted Mac and from more recently this summer. As you can probably tell – he’s full of life and character now, and has filled out really well. He gets a short hair cut every three months, to save me from having to bath him each time he jumps in the mud, which is another hobby of his! Bath-time is not is best activity, but he certainly enjoys rubbing his chin and belly dry on the rug afterwards!

Thank you so much for saving him from whatever neglect he was suffering and for giving me a chance to re-home him; you’ve not just made Mac’s life better, but as a result made mine happier too.

[nggallery ID=429]