We adopted Bushy on 23rd March 2014 after deciding it was the right time to get a dog now that we had taken early retirement and the kids had flown the nest. A home check was completed by Denise Ings and as it was our first dog, Denise recommended a small dog because if all else fails ‘you could always pick him up!’
I fell in love with Bushy as soon as I saw him on your website and I knew he was the dog for me. My husband wanted a larger dog but he could see how smitten I was with Bushy so he came home with us.
Bushy is now a healthy 3 year old Yorkshire Terrier/Chihuahua cross but 15 months ago it was a very different story.
He was picked up having been out on the street, he was extremely distressed and weighed just 2.5 kilos. I doubt he would have survived much longer if he wasn’t found by a member of the public and given a second chance by Mutts in Distress.
Since he has been with us, he has received a huge amount of love, care and attention and put on weight. He is now a healthy 4.1 kilos and the vet says that he is in perfect health after a very shaky start. He is a very settled, sociable dog, full of life and fun. He has two walks a day and loves being outside, except when its raining!
He goes to dog training classes every week, has tried Agility but his biggest achievement is that he recently become a Pets As Therapy Dog. It was Denise who suggested it initially as he is so good with people. He loves all the fuss and attention he gets when we visit a couple of Sheltered Housing complexes in Chelmsford. One is for disabled adults and the other for the elderly. They all adore him and many want to keep him and the staff want to take him home. He is very gentle when taking treats and they love that they can stroke and pet him. He now brings joy to many people lives, not just our own.
Bushy is a testament to Mutts in Distress for saving him and the power of a loving new home can give to a dog.
Tina and Chris Jullings, aka Bushy’s Mum and Dad