What a bum shot

 Thank you for such lovely welcoming words for 'Willow' who seems to have, despite all the upheaval, started to settle and know '𝕚𝕞𝕡𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕒𝕟𝕥' things like ... where the treat cupboard is and where her lead is stored.

Today is my first day of being a free and feral dog owner and it is Willow's first day of having to put up with me - her free and feral walking partner - poor girl. So I thought we'd start as we mean to go on and by 9am after as many chores I could stomach, we set off with plenty of poop bags and a treat or two for her and a flask of tea for me. She could barely sit still as I gathered our supplies. 

On our route we met so many new and scary things - as an ex-town-dog she probably never met 𝕊ℍ𝔼𝔼ℙ  or ℂ𝕆𝕎𝕊 before but apparently the absolute worst are ℂℍ𝕀ℂ𝕂𝔼ℕ𝕊 (who knew?!) however, that is all good, I would rather she had a healthy respect for them than see them as something to chase. Besides I told her that sheep and cows EAT dogs, and as for chickens ... well you don't want to know what chickens do to naughty little dogs..... stuff of nightmares 😆

Nearly five miles later, 28 dogs and their walkers, three terrifying foot bridges, two unfathomable stiles and countless gates later, there is a small and exhausted red and white collie asleep in her crate*.

Backstory:

Willow was wanted (originally) by a family with two biggish children who begged for a dog. A pretty farm collie puppy was subsequently bought and brought home to a small terraced house with no outside space to speak of. People who know collies know that they have energy to burn, brains to keep busy and nerves to temper......

Then an unplanned pregnancy meant a new baby who took up more time than anticipated as she was born with a number of health issues. So Willow was sadly relegated to the back of the queue. This culminated into a desperately needy and clingy dog who had short 'comfort break' walks to the nearest patch of green and then marched back as quickly as possible.  

*When she was being a 'bit much' she was shut in a large crate to calm her down and that has now become her safe space. We have put up Moss's crate with the door open, a soft fleecy mat and some toys so she has her own place to go to when she wants time out and so far so good. 

As far as I can pick up she was never cruelly treated, may be shouted at if she got a bit too 'in your face'. She was fed, she was clean and house trained however she is incredibly timid and this will be her biggest challenge. Feeling brave in her own little skin.

But we are working towards that.

The cat however has discovered that with a timely cross stare that Willow will retreat to her crate for safety! 

And if you are wondering why so many dog 'bum shots' ...  it is all I get to see when we are out on a walk - she can not wait to see or sniff or stare at what is round the next corner.