For the love of dogs

Some of you may have seen the series by this name about the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home on TV this autumn.  Paul O’Grady, an avid animal lover, takes us on a behind the scenes look at one of London’s oldest animal welfare organisations. 

My sons and I are obsessed with watching this show.  My boys and I would love to have a dog, but my husband sees the very practical side and claims that we travel abroad too much and it would be a hassle and expensive to arrange ‘dog care’ every time we go away.  Our consolation is to visit Battersea!

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home was founded in 1860, originally accepting dogs, and by 1883 also accepting cats.  They take in all sorts of strays and abandoned dogs and cats and look after them until they can be adopted by a loving family.  We visit regularly for two reasons:  1. We love to see the dogs in particular and to read the plaques outside their kennels telling their story; 2. We know that the donation we make to enter the home goes to supporting this wonderful organisation.

The work that Battersea does is really amazing.  They provide first rate medical care, and the staff are clearly besotted with all of the animals.  On a recent visit, we asked to see a Labrador called Alfie.  Alfie was brought into the home when his owner had to be moved into a care home, and there was no one to look after him.  As part of the routine process at Battersea, all dogs that are brought in are neutered.  During this operation, they discovered that Alfie had a tumour.  They arranged an additional operation, removed the tumour and surrounding tissue in the area, and had a biopsy done.  It seems that Alfie will make a full recovery, and I am happy to hear that he has been adopted!

In an effort to have a dog in the family, we occasionally dog sit for some friends.  My husband is willing to make this concession, as he knows that the rest of us look forward to having a dog in the house even for a little while.  If you have the time and inclination, it is also possible to become a foster carer for a Battersea dog.  Some dogs find it extremely stressful to be in a kennel and Battersea, as well as other animal welfare charities, often place the dogs in foster homes until they can find a more permanent place to live. 

 

I’m sure that many of you, like us, would love to have a pet.  I highly recommend a visit to Battersea; you may fall in love with a wonderful dog or cat.  There will be a Christmas special of Paul O’Grady:  For the Love of Dogs, airing on Christmas Day at 6pm on ITV1.   But think long and hard before adopting a pet and don’t forget the famous slogan from another dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust, ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas’. 

by Eva Stock

Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs at Christmas: Tuesday, 25th December, 6:00pm on ITV1

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home: www.battersea.org.uk  

Visit the FOCUS website: www.focus-info.org