Bluejay's Story (Ephraim Edan)

Bluejay was one of the 32 Sloughis taken into the care of the RSPCA in 2002.  He was kennelled with Flare (now Sid ) at Bath Cats and Dogs Home, and they were both walked by the same volunteer dog walker, Ruth, every weekend.  At first she said they were both very timid and shy but over time (and with the aid of plenty of dog biscuits!), they both gained trust in Ruth. 

Unfortunately one day Bluejay and Flare had a serious fight and had to be seperated.  Flare went onto be looked after by another dog walker while Ruth continued to walk Bluejay.  One day her husband went with her to the home and after meeting Bluejay they both decided that they would like to give him a home.  He went home to them over the Christmas holidays in 2003 and became great friends with their existing dog, a greyhound named Stephanie. 

Bluejay settled in very well into his new home and, of course when he is not out on his walks, spends his time snoozing on the sofa!

Bluejay and his family moved to Germany in early 2007, we hope to have more updates on Bluejay and his progress soon!

Update October 2007

Bluejay has cuddled up to me on the sofa, as usual, as I write this. It always surprises me, how well he has adjusted considering the bad start in life he had.

I remember the first time I laid eyes on him in BCDH ( I used to walk dogs there every Sunday) ,after he had been rescued from Sue Harper and Rodney Read in Paulton. He and Flare (now Sid) were so frightened, they barked und would not let anybody near them. The animal carer - I think it was Nicky - would not let me into their run, because they seem so aggressive. But the following Sunday she would let me sit with them in their run.

Bluejay and Flare would still bark awfully and were very frightened. I just sat there and did not look at them. After I let them get used to me for a while, and they thought I was no danger to them, I went halfway down the run and put some dogbiscuits down, went back to my place again and sat down. Loving their biscuits, they thought it safe to come halfway and pick them up. Everytime I put some biscuits down they were a little bit nearer to me. And so it went on. It took only one hour for them to trust me enough to take a biscuit out of my hand, but I still could not touch them; that took me another hour, when I came back the following Sunday. That all happened in September.

Christmas, the same year I went with my husband to BCDH to take the dogs there for a walk. My husband took a shine to a white greyhound, but were told, that he was not good with other dogs. So, he said to me, why dont we take Bluejay, you always talk about him. Soon after Christmas Bluejay came home with us. He got on fine with our greyhound Stephanie, but then she was the most laid back dog I ever had.

The minute Bluejay came into our home, he stopped barking almost altogether, was clean in the house and also was fine with strangers - a complete turnaround.

Bluejay also took part in one sponsored walk and two mutt strutts; and he was absoluteley brilliant with people and dogs alike. Just before we moved to Germany, we went to Bath to do some street collecting for GRWE. Since my greyhound Stephanie had died, Bluejay became the honorary greyhound. It was just before Christmas and Bath was teeming with shoppers, but Bluejay just stood on the corner with his yellow coat on and enjoyed the attention given to him. He let everybody stroke him, even children (he is usually a bit nervous around them). On all accounts a very successful day.

Now it is a bit more quiet here in Germany. No other greyhounds or sloughis in this particular neighbourhood. But you never know. People always come up to me and very politely mention how ´slim` they are; but they are always taken with those beautiful and soulful eyes.

Bluejay goes for long walks with me along the miles of winding deichs that run beside the river. Or he runs around the garden and plays with his two greyhound girlfriends Banshee and Colette.

Bluejay is just looking up at me with those eyes - yes I know - and tells me it is time for his last walk before bed. So it is bye for now from Bluejay        

Written by Ruth Francq

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