sloughi rescue

Troy as he’s now called, formerly Watti, and then Ra came to us from Ashley Heath Animal Centre, Ringwood on March 30 2007, and what a day to remember.

We’d been looking for another dog as a companion for our collie x Libby for some time but had been unable to find the right dog.

We had met Tony at Alice Park on several occasions with Leo, Vicky & Suma so had become familiar with Sloughi’s and their history and watched as Leo and Vicky became more confident over the weeks

Tony told us that they were having a get together with some of the other Sloughi‘s at Alice Park on the following Saturday. So off we went with Libby to see them all. Libby had a great time with the dogs and then we were told that another Sloughi from the same cruelty case had been returned to Ashley Heath Animal Centre, Ringwood after being homed for a year with a couple whose relationship had broken down.

Rod works in the Bournemouth area on regular occasions and was due to go down that way the following Thursday, so we decided that it would be a good idea if he called in to see Ra as he was then called. We looked on the West Hatch web site and found the details of the cruelty case, the shock of how these dogs were treated really affected us and the decision to adopt one was sub consciously made.

Rod called into Ashley Heath on the Thursday and spent some time with Ra ( Troy) in his kennel and took him for a short walk around the centre under the watchful eye of the kennel maid. To be able to adopt we had to visit him as a family, including Libby twice within five days. So we all went down to see him on the Saturday, Gills first reaction was “he’s a big dog I don’t know if I could manage him and Libby together” Jon our 16 year old son fell in love with him, so it was down to Libby and how the two of them got on. So off we went to the paddock to let them socialise. They were fine and had a good rough and tumble play, so we decide to try and adopt him. This meant we had to visit him again the following day to conform with the adoption rules, so we did, still with some reservations regarding his size, but we were all smitten by this big softie.

The next step was a home check from Bath Cats and Dog’s home, this went without a hitch and soon we had the call from Ashley Heath to come and collect him.

So the day arrived when Rod brought Troy as we had now decided to call him arrived, a life changing day for all of us, things just haven’t been the same since.

Troy has settled into the house really well, after a few nights sleeping on the floor in our bedroom he decided that the sofa in the front room was far more comfortable, this is now his bedroom.

He will come up to our bedroom in the night sometimes for reassurance, so Gill takes him back to the front room (his bedroom) and settles him back to sleep, it's just like having a baby again..

Like other Sloughi’s Troy is frightened of most things, skip lorries, flags, banners, some men, scaffolding, pushchairs, builders, the spooky list goes on, so going walkies becomes a military operation as he’s a very strong dog, so Gill will soon have muscles like Popeye or arms down to her ankles.

Once we get to Alice Park he’s at ease and ready to play with any dog that will oblige, some will, some won’t and tell Troy in no uncertain terms to BACK OFF as does Busta when we meet him. He plays with Libby and his best friend Blue, a spaniel, but has to be put in his place when he goes over the top, but once he’s been told he’s OK for a while. We often see Streaky, Leo, Vicky, Suma and Busta in Alice Park; though he has an unhealthy relationship with Leo, but Leo will sometimes tell him “THAT’S ENOUGH“.

Although he’s hard work sometimes, at home he’s perfect and Libby gets on so well with him. He’s such a loving dog apart from nearly knocking you over then whipping you with his tail when you come home. But all that said he deserves a better life than he’s had previously and we love him to bits and would never be without him and Libby.

Troy at the park

Troy has been with us a year now and what a joy he is to have around. He makes us all laugh on a daily basis. He's still very frightened of the outside world but we manage. Here is an account of a fairly typical day in his life told by him.

I get up each morning, bound upstairs to make sure everyone is awake and to have my first cuddle of the day. Then the lovely Libby joins us on the bed, she's the one that had the final say about me living her.

Libby and Troy It's then time to go downstairs and have a rough and tumble with Libby while Rod and Gill get ready to take us to the park. Do you know they even make us go out when its raining, Libby loves it but I'm not keen on getting wet even in my nice coat. I feel safe in the park there are lots of sniffs and other dogs to play with although only a few want to play with me. Gill says I can be a bit over the top, I don't know what she means. We sometimes see Streaky, Leo, Vicky and Suma and I'll have a run with Streaky and be naughty with Leo. It's back home for breakfast one of my favourite times of the day.

Troy admires his reflection

Rod goes to work, Jon goes to college and I follow Gill around waiting for her to put the radio on. I get very excited when this happens as I know she is going out and I'm going to get a chew, Libby isn't bothered about having a chew, I can't understand her. Lunchtime we go out on the green behind the house for a comfort break, then a couple of biscuits, yummy! Another rough and tumble with Libs then it's another nap.

Geroff it's mine!!!

When Jon comes back from college he makes a big fuss of us and sometimes he'll bring a friend who I can terrorise with my barking until they sit down and give me a biscuit. I get very excited when Rod comes home, knocking into anything that gets in my way of getting to him. Libby just lays there till he comes to see her, she really is strange. The outside world is quieter now builders, rubbish lorries etc., have gone so we go for a nice walk but I'm still anxious till we get to a field then I can relax. Back home and I know tea isn't far away so I'm restless and wander in and out of the kitchen trying to hurry things up it never works though.

Relaxing on the sofa After tea we get another walk then its sofa time and I do some serious sleeping. My new family say they have never heard such a noisey dog as apparently I groan a lot, it's because I'm contented. About 10 o'clock they wake us up to do our business then its back in for suppertime biscuits and back to bed, bliss.

Could life get any better, I don't think so, well perhaps a bit more food might not be bad but they say I've got to keep my figure , oh well you can't have everything.