THE LONG SEARCH FOR A HOME FOR GERMAN SHEPHERD NINA WAS FINALLY SUCCESSFUL WHEN SHE WAS ...
NINA, an 18-month-old German shepherd, certainly didn't mind being sent to Coventry. For it was here that she found a new home with Roy Swalwell and his partner Clare Grady - and she couldn't be more contented.
Nina, known previously as Nula, had originally been in kennels at Liverpool, but unable to find anyone to adopt her there, was sent to Coventry in the hope of finding a family to love her here.
Fortunately for Nina, Roy and Clare, of Ferndale Road, Balsall Common, were looking for a dog.
And as Roy has had German shepherds before and Clare has always liked the breed, they were hoping to find a German shepherd at the RSPCA animal shelter.
They didn't have to look far. Clare explained: 'I spotted Nina from the office window and fell in love with her before I'd even met her!'
Roy also liked her immediately, and once they had taken her for a walk and discovered how good she was on a lead, he also fell for her.
'Roy was the one who picked her up from kennels initially,' said Clare. 'So Nina associates him as being boss. She's Roy's shadow.'
Roy continued: 'When I brought her home she was a bit nervous. But she soon settled in. She's an absolutely brilliant dog.
'She's quite barmy and runs around all over the place but she's great.'
Clare added: 'She's a very loving dog and she's been very good. She hasn't wrecked the house, although she does like Roy's socks, my underwear and sleeves!
'We also had to change her name. She just wasn't responding to Nula at all, so we changed it to Nina and after two or three days she was answering to that perfectly.
'She's a very intelligent dog and while Roy is used to German shepherds, I'm not. So Nina and I are going on a beginners training course at Knowle Dog Training Centre.
'It's important that Nina understands my commands too. It will be a new learning experience for the both of us and I'm really looking forward to it.'
After the eight-week beginners course, Roy will be joining Clare with the training sessions.
Like Clare he is looking forward to seeing just what Nina can do.
'Nina has certainly changed our lives - we haven't got time to rest now,' laughed Roy, adding. 'But we are absolutely over the moon with her.'
Cat charity's 'tough and tender' approach
TOUGH and Tender is the theme for Cats Protection Week which starts today.
Tender refers to the Cats Protection League's 5,000 volunteers who are so dedicated that they help to rehome more animals than all the other animal welfare charities in the UK put together.
The organisation's 250 volunteer branches are responsible for 90 per cent of the 165,000 cats helped and the 70,000 rehomed yearly by the charity.
Tender also describes the organisation's strict 'no kill' policy. If for some reason a cat doesn't find a home, it remains in care until it does. Cats are never destroyed - except on the advice of a vet.
Tough represents the strict standards for cat care followed by Cats Protection League branches and shelters. Tough cat care also involves neutering, microchipping, medical treatment etc. Tough also refers to a strict set of cat care guidelines set out by the charity on matters of hygiene, feeding, accommodation and health - the line followed by every one of the league's 1,000 voluntary foster homes.
Tender is also the tale of the Helpline team that takes over 400 calls a day from members of the public on problems ranging from lost cats to advice on cat welfare.
l For further information, contact the Coventry branch on 024 7625 6524.
lHave you given a home to an unwanted animal? Has it changed your life for the better? We want to hear your happy stories. Telephone Ann Evans on 024 7650 0353.
l The RSPCA Animal Centre in Coundon Wedge Drive, Coventry, is open six days a week (closed Tuesdays) 11am-4pm. Tel 024 7633 6616.
l The NCDL Animal Shelter is based at Honiley near Kenilworth. They are open every day except Fridays 12-4pm. Tel 01926 484398.
l Contact numbers for the Cats Protection League are 024 7647 0263 or 024 7625 6524.
TILBY is a 10-month- old female cross breed who came from kennels in Liverpool. Staff have found her to be very friendly and playful. She is not destructive in her kennel and she seems to like other dogs.
LUCY is a three-year- old cross breed. There is little information on her as she came from Liverpool RSPCA. Staff have found her to be very friendly and aching for affection. She loves to walk, so will need an owner who can match her energetic nature.
SALLY is a five- month-old cross- breed. She is very nervous and needs time to build up her trust in people. Ideally, she would be happier being the only animal in the house. Given time, Sally will make a lovely family pet.
THESE two adorable little kittens are hoping to find a home together - but a very special home.
One kitten is blind and the other, also with sight problems, acts as her eyes.
The kittens, named Rosie and Jim, were found dumped in a cardboard box under a hedge. They were taken to the Cats Protection League where Jacky Cashmore hand reared them back to health.
Jacky, of Jobs Lane, Tile Hill, Coventry, said: 'They had obviously been there quite some time as they were soaking wet and not at all well. They were only about 10 or 11 days old, not even old enough to leave their mother.
'Jim was very ill with cat flu and an eye infection and on several occasions we feared we were going to lose him. To make matters worse he wouldn't feed from a bottle, so I had to force feed him with a syringe every two hours.
'Rosie developed a horrendous eye infection which has left her blind, although we think she can tell light and day and can see large shadows. We are hoping as she grows the scar tissue will stay small and her sight may get a bit better.'
With lots of tender loving care from Jacky and her grandchildren Charis and Stefan Jardim, the kittens are now in perfect health except for their sight, and ready to go to a loving home.
Jacky added: 'Although Jim wouldn't feed from a bottle in the early days, he now loves a bottle and will lie on his back with the bottle between his paws!'
These kittens, who are now seven weeks old, are hoping for a new home which must have a secure area as they will never be able to roam freely. Ideally, they would benefit from an owner who has had experience with partially-sighted cats.
JESSIE is a 10-year-old German shepherd dog. She is very well trained and would suit a family with older children. All she needs in her twilight years is a small amount of exercise and a large amount of TLC.
Please consider her. She will reward you with lots of love and loyalty.
