'ralphie's A Character And The Dogs Trust Gave Him A Chance'

***DoozyDog*** · 01-22-2006, 08:47 AM

22 January 2006

TERRIER-CROSS Ralphie was a bundle of bones when he arrived at the Dogs Trust rehoming centre.

But thanks to the charity his shaggy dog's tale has a happy ending.

Four-year-old Ralphie was nervous of people and cowered in the corner when anyone came near his kennel at the centre near West Calder, West Lothian.

But he soon struck up a friendship with the centre's handyman Bert Hunter... and the rest is history.

Bert, 45, of Mid Calder said: "He just shook all the time so I went over to his kennel to have a wee chat.

"I asked about his history and discovered he had also spent time in an SSPCA centre.

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"He had been rehomed but was handed back because he was no good with children and was afraid of the car. I knew he would always be homeless unless I got him used to travelling so I would take him for a run in the car every day."

Bert's old dog Harry died a few years ago and he and wife Irene, 49, swore he would never have another one. He said: "Harry wandered into our local police station with two broken paws and every medical condition under the sun. We took him in and he lived with us for 14 years.

"He was our baby and it broke our hearts when he died."

But one day the centre was full and another dog brought in so Bert was asked to take one of the current dogs to the boarding kennel.

He said: "That would cost the charity money so I said I would take Ralphie home for the night.

"Irene and I knew there was no way we could give him back and I went in the following morning and adopted him.

"He is such a wee character. He has made friends with all the neighbours and is getting his confidence back.

"Thanks to the Dogs Trust animals such as Ralphie get a second chance in life and I hope the public continue to support them."

mailfile Dogs Trust

The Dogs Trust is the UK's largest dog welfare charity caring for 12,500 stray and abandoned dogs a year.

573 dogs were destroyed by Scots councils last year because the owners could not be traced.

To find your nearest Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre, call 020 7837 0006 or log on to: www.dogstrust.org.uk

01-22-2006, 08:47 AM	#1 (permalink)
*DoozyDog* All Smiles Admin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: California Posts: 705 Blog Entries: 2 Rep Power: 75	'ralphie's A Character And The Dogs Trust Gave Him A Chance' 22 January 2006 TERRIER-CROSS Ralphie was a bundle of bones when he arrived at the Dogs Trust rehoming centre. But thanks to the charity his shaggy dog's tale has a happy ending. Four-year-old Ralphie was nervous of people and cowered in the corner when anyone came near his kennel at the centre near West Calder, West Lothian. But he soon struck up a friendship with the centre's handyman Bert Hunter... and the rest is history. Bert, 45, of Mid Calder said: "He just shook all the time so I went over to his kennel to have a wee chat. "I asked about his history and discovered he had also spent time in an SSPCA centre. Advertisement "He had been rehomed but was handed back because he was no good with children and was afraid of the car. I knew he would always be homeless unless I got him used to travelling so I would take him for a run in the car every day." Bert's old dog Harry died a few years ago and he and wife Irene, 49, swore he would never have another one. He said: "Harry wandered into our local police station with two broken paws and every medical condition under the sun. We took him in and he lived with us for 14 years. "He was our baby and it broke our hearts when he died." But one day the centre was full and another dog brought in so Bert was asked to take one of the current dogs to the boarding kennel. He said: "That would cost the charity money so I said I would take Ralphie home for the night. "Irene and I knew there was no way we could give him back and I went in the following morning and adopted him. "He is such a wee character. He has made friends with all the neighbours and is getting his confidence back. "Thanks to the Dogs Trust animals such as Ralphie get a second chance in life and I hope the public continue to support them." mailfile Dogs Trust The Dogs Trust is the UK's largest dog welfare charity caring for 12,500 stray and abandoned dogs a year. 573 dogs were destroyed by Scots councils last year because the owners could not be traced. To find your nearest Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre, call 020 7837 0006 or log on to: www.dogstrust.org.uk

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