It was a case of love at first sight when dog-lover Clare Allan spotted a Staffordshire Bull Terrier on the Dogs Trust website.
Clare immediately felt two-year-old Ruby, who was being cared for at Dogs Trust Merseyside, could be her ideal canine companion but she became even more certain of that when she went on to read all about her.
Author and journalist Clare, who lives in Islington, says: “Of all the dogs on the website, it was Ruby’s photo that drew me to her. Then I read her profile information and couldn’t believe it when I learnt that she only had three legs.
“My dog Meg, who died last April aged 14, had had to have a leg amputated and lived a very happy life. I really felt I had the experience to help Ruby live her best life, and luckily the Dogs Trust team agreed.”
Ruby had arrived at the Huyton-based rehoming centre last September, just 15-months-old, with a fractured leg. In a bid to save the leg, the Dogs Trust team operated, pinning her leg. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts the leg didn’t heal as hoped and the only option left was amputation. The final operation took place in November and once she had made a full recovery, Ruby was ready to find a new home.
Just a few weeks later, Clare spotted her. Having spoken extensively to the Merseyside team she then jumped in her car and undertook the 200-mile journey to see if she and Ruby were a match made in heaven.
Clare says: “It really was love at first sight. We took to each other straight away. We spent a lot of time together, playing and just getting to know each other. The team were amazing and we discussed everything that Ruby would need. I was so relieved, and excited, when they said I could adopt her.
“I went back to the centre the next day and we headed home. She was brilliant on the journey, and she has settled in really quickly. I work from home so we are together all the time, which is lovely. She is a dream.
“She will be having physiotherapy, but we do lots of fun things every day involving lots of praise and tasty treats, to help her strengthen her legs and core muscles. She steps on and off a little platform, she has a wobble cushion and when we go for walks I encourage her to step over things like small branches as it all helps. She loves to search for treats I hide around the house, but I will have to become more inventive as she is clever and finds them quickly!
“She loves her walks, especially splashing about in puddles, and has been brilliant with everyone and every dog she meets which, given everything she has been through, is fantastic. She is an absolute sweetheart.”
To find out more about dogs still waiting at Dogs Trust Merseyside to find their special someone, please go to www.dogstrust.org.uk/merseyside
