Curley

On April 12 2008 I lost my beloved German Shepherd Toyah suddenly, because of a massive heart attack at the age of 11. I had another dog called Howie, but always said that when I was left with one I would look at homing another fairly quickly.

However it was apparent that I needed to home another dog sooner rather than later, as it turned out that Howie was complexly deaf. I had my suspicions that he might have been, but as he always barked whenever Toyah barked and took her lead with everything, I was never a hundred per cent sure.

Browsing the Blue Cross website I saw a gorgeous German Shepherd called Curley who was six years old. Her photo stood out immediately; I wanted to get a slightly older dog as I was thinking about compatibility with Howie too. I arranged to go and see her at the Blue Cross centre in Bromsgrove.

I fell in love with Curley the moment I saw her. She was very playful and let me take her for a walk around the large fields. As she had kennel cough I couldn't introduce Howie to Curley for a few days, but I went up to see her whenever I could and phoned to check how she was every day. She was always very happy to see me whenever I visited her!

Finally I could introduce her to Howie and they got on like a house on fire! Howie had been very listless and not at all himself since Toyah died, but he perked up no end when he was introduced to his new friend. 

Curley settled into her new home straight away; she loved all the new toys she had and was constantly playing with them, throwing them around and enjoying the squeaky ones, and Howie got his bark back as when she barked he did again.

A month after I brought her home it feels like she has always lived here. I work from home so she constantly sits by me in my office. She loves her fuss and attention but when it is time for me to work she settles down with Howie next to me on her blanket.

I will never forget my Toyah, but Curley is certainly a character and I love her to bits! I can't thank the staff at the Blue Cross in Bromsgrove enough for all their help.