Victoria's Story (Kamet Rheanna)

In June 2005 I was rescued from living in some sheds with my other Sloughi relatives and taken to Bath Cats and Dogs Home.  I was already 11 years old and I was pleased that I was taken somewhere clean and warm with lots of friendly people to take care of me and feed me.  I was very lucky that somebody came to take me to a new home quite quickly - I liked all the people at Bath but it was nice to have my own home comforts at last. 

Unfortunately one day I was taken back to Bath Cats and Dogs Home, I dont know why and although I was initially very happy to see everyone again I got tired quite quickly and started to feel very depressed.  I couldnt even eat my supper anymore and couldnt be bothered to get up in the morning. 






On Saturday 17th June 2006 my nice carer came to get me and said I had visitors.  I trotted out of my kennel and saw a familiar face in front of me.  I gave him a sniff to be sure but yes, it was Leo one of my best Sloughi friends from my old life!!!  I was so happy to see him I wagged my tail for the first time in days.  We went to the enclosure together and I was happy to follow him around.  Some nice people were with him who wanted to pat me lots and tell me how beautiful I am.  After a while I was taken back to my kennel, it was quite hot so I needed to have another sleep anyway. I was a bit sad to say goodbye to Leo and the nice people. 

Imagine my surprise when a short while later the nice man came back again with my carer and took me back out of my kennel.  I was a bit scared as to what was happening so decided that I would take one step at a time. Literally.  Eventually I saw Leo coming towards me again with the nice lady and as he was so happy and relaxed I realised there was nothing to be scared of and trotted after him.  We went out to a big car and had a short ride to what I later discovered is to be my new home.  And guess what, I get to live with my darling Leo!!! 

I also get to live with rather a dashing younger man, a Lurcher by tne name of Suma.  What a lucky girl!  I was so happy to have a new home that I regained my appetite immediately and had a nice big dinner.  I also found that if I stood in the kitchen long enough looking cute, the nice people fed me ham.  I tried out all the beds in the house, I particularly liked the big quilt in the garden.  I think I'm going to be very happy in my new home. 

Update Feb 2007

Well I've been in my home now for 9 months and it feels like it's been my home forever!  My new family love me so much (well the humans do, Leo and Suma my brothers are a bit mean sometimes when I try and play with them - they ignore me - how on earth could they ignore a beautiful girl like me?!).  Thankfully the humans make up for it by giving me lots of attention and cuddling me loads.  I also show up Leo for the lazy boy that he is by always wanting to go for my walks (AND I'm 2 years older than him!), he sometimes refuses and feels he needs more quality sofa time. 

I like to potter around off my lead so that I can smell all the exciting things in the park but if I feel a bit nervous about something I go and stand with the humans and it makes me feel safe.






We have also had lots of fun with the children we live with and all their friends.  Everyone agrees that despite our hard start in life, that Leo and I make fantastic family pets as we are so good with everyone, young and old alike (although Leo still likes to bark at old ladies from the window sometimes.  If he can be bothered to get off the sofa of course).





I'm such a happy girl now, I think people are amazed that I am going to be 13 this year, I still have a real spring in my step and am completely adored by my family.  And rightly so!

Written by Tony Hickman

For more pictures of Victoria click here

Victoria's 13th Birthday, 9/9/07, written by Caroline Mathews

As I was expecting a hectic summer I’d booked a long weekend by the coast for me and the dogs, our usual holiday spot which is a wonderful house right on the beach in West Sussex. I’d asked Tony and Rachel if they’d like to bring the dogs down for the day on the Sunday – and not realised that this day was actually Victoria’s 13th birthday. It seemed an easy trek down on the map from Bath. It actually took 3 ½ hours in hideous traffic for them……

However once they arrived they felt it was well worth the effort and the Hickman dogs were very excited by the new sights and smells. The 4 of them piled into the garden, a quick sniff around and then straight over the garden wall onto the beach lead by Victoria.

I was completely amazed by this old girl, she powered down the shingle to the sea and had a dip before scouring every inch of the beach that she could. The other dogs returned to us in the garden but Victoria was off exploring – every now and then we’d call for her and she’d come back to see what was going on – look utterly perplexed as to what we wanted her for given quite how busy she was and then off she’d potter again.

We then decided that we would take a walk up the grassy strip that runs parallel along side the beach. Victoria was at the front, making sure she didn’t miss anything. We did manage to lose Leo temporarily. When I say ‘lose’, I mean he stopped to sniff something while we wandered on about 20 yards. Then he looked up to find us and decided that the 3 humans plus 6 other dogs he had come out with had morphed into one lady going the other way and he charged off after her.

When he realised his mistake he looked completely panicked and then immediately relieved to see us waving and shouting at him in the distance. It was the first time I’ve really seen Leo run, boy he can move when he wants too! Not that he wants too very often……

When we finally got back to the house we set up lunch in the garden. Jack, Oscar, Jake, Streaky, Suma and Leo hung about in the garden wondering if there was going to be any snacks on offer (Leo was most put out that pulling his saddest face still didn’t get him anywhere near anything edible).

However Victoria chose to carry on her exploration of the beach. All the other lightweights chose to rest and yet this wonderful old girl on her 13th birthday was still on the go, not wanting to miss a single thing!

After our late lunch the tide had gone out far enough for a walk on the sand so off we went again up the beach. Oscar, Jake, Streaky and Suma had a race up the beach whilst Jack, Leo and Victoria pottered along with us enjoying the sunshine. On the way back Victoria finally showed signs of slowing down (and given that she hadn’t stopped since she’d arrived a few hours earlier I was amazed she was still on the go to be honest!).

Everyone had another rest in the garden when we got back while obligatory ice-cream was served (well we were at the seaside after all!), Leo was ever hopeful but sadly disappointed yet again (until Rachel got the dog treats out when he perked up quite quickly!).

Victoria was yet again the first up after a quick rest and decided that she hadn’t quite explored the garden enough. Then she realised that there was a large hole that needed digging in one of the bushes. She was most put out when we told her it was not really on to be digging a hole in someone else’s garden. She disagreed and carried on regardless (enthusiastically helped by Streaky).

Finally she was coaxed out and persuaded to have a rest while she let me groom her. She seemed to enjoy the fuss and I was really happy to have some quality time with her on her special day. Then it was time for the Hickman gang to make their way back to Bath. It was a most enjoyable day for me, but marked especially by the fact that I had been honoured to spend it with such a wonderful girl as Vicky on her 13th birthday.

Victoria is the mother of Effie, and grandmother of Streaky and Twin

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