Red Dwarf
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Many years ago I was driving along a rural section of the A650 one winters evening when I needed to stop for a ‘comfort’ break, turned off the main road into a deserted lane and found a suitable spot. As I was about to get back in the Land Rover I was aware I wasn’t alone. Tied to a tree with a length of thin rope was an old one eyed golden retriever, not making a fuss. I went over to him to say hello and gave him a scratch, as you do, only then wondering what he was doing there on this cold night.
After a short conversation with myself and the dog, I untied him and took him home. He was no trouble and appeared to enjoy the ride, he certainly enjoyed his dinner! The cat wasn’t overly chuffed, though neither made a fuss. I phoned the RSPCA and related my tale to them, the guy told me the dog was certainly dumped, a couple of weeks before Christmas was normal for this apparently, especially for an old dog. I felt sure that such a well behaved and friendly dog must have a worried owner somewhere, so the man came and took him to the kennels. I told him that if no one claimed the dog, I’d take him.
A week later I was on my way to the RSPCA to collect Nelson (named by them). My work at the time involved me driving around the dales visiting farms, my new friend would be my copilot.
I’ve had a few dogs, non as bright as Nelson though. If he wasn’t curled up on a huge old cushion in the back of the Land Rover, he’d ride upfront with me. This dog would read the road ahead, bracing himself left or right as corners came into view, even putting a paw up to the dash under braking! All in all he was a thoroughly good dog and a great mate. We did many miles together and he got on with everyone. I never heard him growl, he didn’t have an ounce of aggression in him.
The following autumn he slipped away while asleep at home, curled up on his bed. There hadn’t been any indication of illness, I guess he was just old. I’ve often wondered how such a lovely old dog could have been abandoned, well behaved, friendly, never used a lead.
I have another tale to tell about him, it happened on Christmas Eve, maybe I’ll tell it this coming Christmas....
After a short conversation with myself and the dog, I untied him and took him home. He was no trouble and appeared to enjoy the ride, he certainly enjoyed his dinner! The cat wasn’t overly chuffed, though neither made a fuss. I phoned the RSPCA and related my tale to them, the guy told me the dog was certainly dumped, a couple of weeks before Christmas was normal for this apparently, especially for an old dog. I felt sure that such a well behaved and friendly dog must have a worried owner somewhere, so the man came and took him to the kennels. I told him that if no one claimed the dog, I’d take him.
A week later I was on my way to the RSPCA to collect Nelson (named by them). My work at the time involved me driving around the dales visiting farms, my new friend would be my copilot.
I’ve had a few dogs, non as bright as Nelson though. If he wasn’t curled up on a huge old cushion in the back of the Land Rover, he’d ride upfront with me. This dog would read the road ahead, bracing himself left or right as corners came into view, even putting a paw up to the dash under braking! All in all he was a thoroughly good dog and a great mate. We did many miles together and he got on with everyone. I never heard him growl, he didn’t have an ounce of aggression in him.
The following autumn he slipped away while asleep at home, curled up on his bed. There hadn’t been any indication of illness, I guess he was just old. I’ve often wondered how such a lovely old dog could have been abandoned, well behaved, friendly, never used a lead.
I have another tale to tell about him, it happened on Christmas Eve, maybe I’ll tell it this coming Christmas....