Sadly, lovely Meg is one of those dogs who really makes you wonder what she must have been through. She has come into the care of Starfish Dog Rescue because her owner was no longer able to keep her and is now safely living in an adult foster home with other dogs in Gloucestershire.
Meg is a 7-year-old Labrador lady who has never really experienced life as a family pet. She spent her younger years as a working gundog and has also been used for breeding. Sadly, her life has not been an easy one after being kennelled with another bitch who repeatedly bullied and attacked her with the scars to prove it. Her neck has also a significant amount of old scarring. When she arrived, she was understandably very worried about other dogs and lacked confidence. She was so run down that she also needed antibiotics initially.
Meg is still worried about life, but she is so much more comfortable than when she first arrived, and there are tiny signs that she is discovering that perhaps life is getting so much better, especially on her walks. She has started to sniff and take an interest in the world around her. She doesn’t do it all the time and she still often walks with her head down, but that little bit of curiosity is so promising. She has lived with fear and you can still see the worry in her eyes. But underneath that worry is the most wonderful temperament and she craves love.
Now Meg is never far away and she wants to be near you, to know where you are and to feel safe. She has absolutely no nastiness in her and is simply desperate to learn that people can be kind and that she doesn’t need to be frightened anymore.
Meg understandably struggled with the other dogs when she first arrived and if they came too close she would growl, particularly with the bigger dogs. Now this has almost stopped as the other dogs have simply ignored her, given her the space she needs and she has gradually relaxed. She now happily sleeps alongside a young Collie in the utility room at night. Meg would like any canine companion in her forever home to be gentle and respectful; a smaller, calm dog would be a better match than a boisterous or pushy one.
Meg needs someone who understands that she is going to need time, patience and a huge amount of love. She isn’t the dog who is going to arrive in your home and immediately want to explore everything. She may be glued to your side for the first few weeks while she works out where she is and finally starts to believe that she is safe. She is already taking those first baby steps.
Meg is enjoying her walks more, beginning to sniff, beginning to relax around the other dogs and beginning to understand that she doesn’t need to live in fear. Meg would be happiest in a quiet, loving adult home, either as an only dog or with a calm, gentle canine companion. She needs someone who isn’t looking for a dog who is immediately confident and outgoing, but who will take enormous pleasure in watching her blossom.
There is nothing complicated or difficult about Meg’s character. She is simply a very gentle girl who has never been given the chance to learn what being loved feels like and, with the right person, Meg will gradually find her confidence and discover the happy life she should have had all along.
Meg will be spayed before leaving and has started her vaccinations and is flea and worm treated. She is also clean in the house, travels well in the car and is walked twice daily. She isn’t looking for an exciting life, rather looking for a safe one and, after everything she has been through, she deserves nothing less.
Watch Meg’s video with her bear here and lots of other lovely photos here.
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If you have the loving and understanding home for adorable Meg, please contact Starfish Dog Rescue as follows:
Email: starfishdogrescue@hotmail.co.uk for an Application Form in the first instance.
Please mention that you saw Meg on the Oldies Club website.