rescue

In May 200I I drove to Buxton to fetch an elderly rescue bitch but had no idea what I had let myself in for... ELSA was a
crossbred that looked like a smooth Collie but with a wheaten coat & a ridge. She was in appalling condition (Alopecia) and
when she shook, she shed what coat she had left all over the car! It was a long journey home, watching her in the mirror as
she watched me. She failed to settle indoors but enjoyed her new kennel, clean warm bedding & natural diet so much that I
can only deduce that what she had before was inadequate care. Her coat grew back, she muscled up & enjoyed running with
my RR's, 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 ELSA shadowed me 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.