Home News & Happy Stories A Turkish Delight and Rice Pudding Friday…

A Turkish Delight and Rice Pudding Friday…

Ruby’s Perfect Life

A festive photo of an Orange and White Pointer, about three years old. Called Domo, she looked out nervously from the screen at me, asking for a safe, loving, forever home. She touched our hearts, and we felt we could help her.

Within just a couple of weeks, home check complete, she arrived at 4.00 am one cold Sunday in January, having travelled overnight from her foster home in Manchester.

Four large adult dogs on a dairy farm was certainly going to be a challenge for all. We had no idea how it would go! We had not met Domo, but she had such glowing reports. Her kind, agreeable nature helped us all gel quite quickly. I sat most of that day on the sofa with my own pointer on one side and Domo on the other, both sound asleep. The change for her was massive, but we have nothing but admiration for how she adjusted to her new name, Ruby, and her new life.

It must have been overwhelming for her. Desperate to fit in and make it work, she used her obvious intelligence and lovely nature to become part of the family. She weighed up each new situation and was able to find just the right way to handle it. She tried so hard not to be naughty, and we tried to reassure her that all was well.

Clearly, she had no desire to run off – in fact she feared being lost or left, which made us wonder what had happened to her previously. It was not too long though, once we were sure she knew her new name and came to it, that we were able to let her run free, which had been a strongly felt wish of her Foster Mum.

What a joy that was for her,  and for us to watch – Ruby’s speed and agility, her pure pleasure – she had so much freedom and space to run and explore.  She is a very keen hunter with a strong but controlled prey drive. Fortunately, we have ideal conditions with thick hedgerows, woodland and grassland to keep her busy, well away from busy roads.

Ruby gradually gained a bit of weight, aided by Friday rice pudding breakfasts for everyone: her favourite!

She mastered the “lingo”, having come from Turkey, and has become a super loyal and loving friend who is treasured by all.

She doesn’t like me to be too far away, and is always nearby, whatever I am doing. She loves the car and trips out, preferring that to staying at home.

Night time seems to heighten her need to be close, and we are always mindful that she becomes more defensive if surprised in the dark hours. She has been with us nearly two years now, and this anxiety is much diminished .

She truly blossomed when two Labrador puppies joined the family quite recently. She had obviously had puppies herself at some point, but we did not know how she would respond.

Clearly, cats were never going to be her thing, or chickens! So we did have a few concerns about introducing small things into the house.

She took to them instantly, with endless patience and mothering skills. It was remarkable. She revelled in all the soft toys, squeaky balls and chewy objects. It was as if she was enjoying a puppyhood she’d never had. Her kindness and generosity of spirit with them was a joy to witness. She always knew exactly what was needed in every given situation. It can get rather noisy with Ruby‘s sound track, but it’s good for them to have such a friend, and they have clearly brought her a lot of pleasure .

As is so often the case with rescues, Ruby is clearly so appreciative of the new life and home she has been given, and shows it each and every day. We are also so grateful  to know her and have her in our lives. It’s a win-win situation.

A huge thank you to Pointers in Need for all the good works they do to help this very special breed, and for bringing Ruby into our lives.

Adopted by Jane Shipton

Published in
Published
3 February 2025
Last Updated
3 February 2025