I received several calls over a fortnight, asking me to help a thin, sick dog who had appeared in a village forty minutes away and was being subjected to violence there. Nothing could have prepared me for what was waiting for me, when I did find the dog, after two weeks of searching for it there. 

A large, adult female, emaciated to the point of death, trembling from fear and starvation; covered in ticks and fleas and with infected eyes and ears. 

I didn’t need to muzzle her, she showed no aggression at all, after some initial growling, and with the help of some boiled chicken it only took thirty minutes to get her in the van. I will never, ever forget the feeling of her wretched body, or how trusting she was, once I’d held her. Despite having practically no fur everywhere else, her muzzle was soft and velvety and, unbelievably, she nuzzled my hand. This broke me, to be honest and, not for the first time, I wondered how any dog, so damaged by humans, so broken in body and spirit, could remain so gentle, so loving? 

We went straight to the vet and blood tests showed remarkably normal organ function but she had anaplasmosis as a result of the ticks and she tested positive for heartworm, both of which are eminently treatable but at that time heartworm eradication took six months. She tested negative for the standard canine diseases and whereas I had been prepared to have her humanely euthanased, her clinical results indicated that she could do really well in a safe, caring environment with intensive nursing. Additionally, I’ve learned from experience that really sick dogs recover best when with other, friendly dogs. Because she had nothing infectious, I took her home with me, to my doggy crew: all rescues with horrible back stories of their own and the best therapists / nurses for other damaged dogs.

I named her Ruzha, ‘Ружа’, a beautiful old Bulgarian name, meaning ‘Rose’, because of the gorgeous, rose gold, velveteen fur on her muzzle. 

Over the next seven months all her medical conditions were treated intensively and ultimately cured. Initially she was too weak to even walk more than a few steps but her strength slowly built up and we started tiny walks on the lead and eventually she joined me and her foster dog family on our long walks through the forests every day. 

When she was strong enough she received the standard immunisations and once she was in rude health she was spayed. Not one single time did she display any aggression with me, my dogs, my friends or their kids and to this day I’m at a loss as to why she was subjected to such violence and cruelty before I saved her. She always was and still is, the gentlest, most affectionate girl.

Whilst Ruzha was with me, I rescued a little pipsqueak of a puppy, Pip (check out his story), and they both flourished together at home with me and my crew.

Two wonderful families in the UK, all friends of mine, offered Ruzha and Pip loving homes and they travelled over together and both are living their best lives, healthy, happy, adored and safe. 

This is Ruzha now:

more golden than ever. ❤️