02 Apr Herby’s story

I hadn’t meant to get another dog—–our current GSD, Poppy, was a pain in the proverbial; —variable in her interaction with other dogs, & had recently been classed as a menacing dog. ( for chasing stock, never biting, but enjoying the chase)–that was her only amusement at her previous owner’s yard. Anyway, I had a large bag of dog food and she had gone off that brand after I had bought it. So, I went out to the SPCA, on a closed day so that I wouldn’t see an animal that I felt sorry for.

I dropped the bag at the door & was just making good my escape—when Jess came round the corner, thanked me for the gift & offered a free tour of the new kennels. So, much against my better judgement, off we went to see the new block full of big barking brown dogs — I knew I didn’t want any of those! Feeling relieved, we got to the end & I turned to go back when Jess opened another door, saying “This might suit you”!

A blur of white shot past yapping furiously & hurtled up the alley stirring all the dogs up, however he came hurtling back as soon as Jess called him. Jess had found out that we had a rat problem, & planned to let me have this JR X “on a weeks free trial.” I was very dubious, but she told me his sad story. His owner was a handicapped lass, who loved him dearly—but he had growled at her toddler niece (who had tried to cut the dog’s ear off), so her brother said that the dog should be “put down”.

When I heard this I was shocked, so I brought him home with a new name & the hope that the GSD & my husband, would both be ok about it. He had been called Guzzymoto, as his body was cobbled together from bits of other breeds, his tail was very cute & never stopped wagging. I called him Herby, as he seemed to have a similar character as Dysney’s little yellow car.

We arrived home just as Poppy & my husband were getting out of the truck. Poppy ran to the back door & stood in the dooorway, legs spread, teeth barred growling and my husband said “what’s that!” I was inspired, “It’s a RATTER!” I yelled, as Herby shot between Poppy’s legs and made himself comfortable on her bed!

Poppy’s dumbfounded look said it all—it was like, Wwwhere’d it go, Wwwhat happened? Herby was so full of himself, that he wasn’t at all put out by Poppy’s glares. He couldn’t fit on her bed with her, so we got him a pet fleece mat to sleep on—it was ok by day—but at night it didn’t work at all, & he howled for hours–& kept it up for 6 weeks!!

Also, once he discovered that he wasn’t going to be allowed to stay in the lounge, & sleep on the couch—he started sneaking off & hiding as soon as he saw that we were getting ready for bed! He always waited until we weren’t looking then cleared off. My husband & I tried to get to bed before each other—so that the unlucky one would have to crawl round looking for Herby! It would have been funny if we weren’t so tired from lack of sleep! I was a full time Midwife at the time & had a lot of night call outs too.

In the end, I suggested that we get him a bed to snuggle into—my husband snorted & told me not to spend a fortune. So, he ended up with a kid’s Bob The Builder hi foam toy holder, which I folded down, so that he could jump into it & just drape an ear over the top—so that he could hear what was happening. Ta Dah!! It worked & he never uttered another yowl! What a relief!!

There are many other Herby tales, or should it be tails—but, I think they will “Sit” for another few newsletters.

Marion Preston