Nell – my shadow
It’s five years today since Nell arrived in my life. I got a call asking whether I would train a spaniel; I was led to believe she had been with her owner for sometime. When I met Nell she was discoloured yellow and smelt of poo. On further questioning of the owner, I discovered that she had just been acquired that day. She was emaciated, fearful and showed signs of a fractured cheekbone. My first recommendation was that this dog should not be separated from the new owner for training but instead be allowed time to bond with him. However, I was not happy with his attitude towards her and agreed to keep her for some residential training.
Poor little Nell was in a bad state. It took five to six days to teach her that she could go to the toilet outside; she was messing in her own sleeping area while she lay there. She feared involvement from people. The first time I threw a ball for her, she rolled over and soiled herself. However, although she had been mistreated, it was important not to dwell on this side of her life. I still told her off if she soiled her bed but made a huge fuss when she finally when to the toilet outside.
Part of the Tessleymoor Pack
I could see some potential in Nell and agreed with the owner to continue to train her. He was racking up quite a bill but only drip feeding payments. Eventually I decided to right off the money and keep her as part of my pack. I had no records for her and didn’t even know her age so created today, May 30, as her birthday.
Nell is now my shadow, never far from my side. She is the only one of my dogs that I have not taught to sit wait away from me. She will lie down surrounded by dummies so that she sees a purpose in being separated from me, apart from this she is always next to me. Of all my dogs, she is the softest and most affectionate. Many of my dogs I train up and sell on but I would never sell Nell, she needs to be with me. I’ll never know exactly what happened before she came to me but I’m glad I took her on May 30 2014.
Posted: May 30, 2019