rescue

In May 200I I drove to Buxton to fetch an elderly bitch - ELSA was a crossbred who looked like a smooth Collie

but with a wheaten coat & a ridge. She was in very poor condition. She failed to settle indoors but enjoyed her new kennel,
clean warm bedding & natural diet so much that her coat grew back, she muscled up & enjoyed running with my dogs,
herding Iain's Springer Spaniels and climbing the styles on the common. She was quite obedient but we went to classes,

she loved agility and even did an exemption show.

We also dressed her up twice with Thomas at the RRWT Christmas parties. I even tried losing her at the summer Chievely
rally, but was shadowed all day! ELSA had the most cantankerous nature, earning herself many nicknames, "RATBAG" being
the most widely known & used, especially when she rolled in cowpats or ate them!! Her zest for life made it impossible to
figure out her real age, but I thought she would last forever, just to hack me off!!

Then in January 2003 she had a heart attack while we were out walking & within days she was unable to eat or pass
anything. My vet was very kind & gentle when we put her to sleep and tears welled in many eyes. I'm glad that I had her
for the last 20 months of her life. Most of all, I miss her watching for me from the kennel at the bottom of my garden,

she did reward me for having her.

At the end of August 2008, I had a call from Carol

about an 8yr old daughter of BEAUJOLAIS.

I didn't know anyone who wanted an older bitch,

so collected her from her foster carer, Deborah,

as I didn't mind having her for the rest of her days.

TULA, aka ELSA, settled in well with the rest of my pack
and enjoys her daily walk, but reserves some energy to
bounce about for her dinner! It has been interesting

having 2 veteran bitches at the same time...

My youngest dog has also learnt some valuable lessons

from her, as she will not run and play endlessly with him

like GLORY does. And on cold/ wet days, she gets to wear
one of BEAUJOLAIS' coats.