Ronnie – the better half of The Twins!
Sam had to be put to sleep on New Year’s Eve, 2011 – a terrible Saturday which rounded off an abysmal year. As always, I vowed I would not have another dog.
We started 2012 with no jobs, an empty house and not much to look forward to. With no income, we escaped the silent rooms by going for long walks – all of which seemed somewhat pointless. Three is definitely not a crowd when he is a Sprocker.
As usual, by degrees I realised that life without a dog was not an option, and began checking the rescue websites for possible strays to home. I was mindful of the fact that with two people at home, hunting employment, anything was possible in future… and as a result was determined not to jump into anything without much thought.
Nor were there many possibles on the Sprocker rescue scene – although I had noticed another old chap, Ronnie, at a rescue centre in London.
A long way away from South Yorkshire; and like Sam, he would be almost nine years old on arrival. One of my few regrets with Sam was that I had had him for only four years, having gotten him so old. This time I had really hoped for a younger dog.
I spent a few weeks looking at Ronnie, on the website of the Mayhew Animal Home – unable to make up my mind.
The decision was all but made for me by a bizarre intervention – a friend had invited me out for a rare drink. As we sat discussing our dubious future prospects a lone woman appeared and approached our table. I have never seen her before or since, but she said she thought I was thinking of getting a dog and had one in mind… adding that I should get him before it was too late.
I told my girlfriend about this and said I felt we ought to look at Ronnie. A trip to north London was quickly arranged – and just as well, for just days after I said I would take him, another adopter had appeared on the scene!
We arrived by car at the Mayhew in north London, at exactly the moment that Ronnie appeared on the street, dragging his handler along on his lead. We discovered that he was a Cockney from East London, and in his hbome was a second Spaniel… Reggie! It seemed both had had to be given up to the Mayhew.
Ronnie, it seemed, did not appreciate Reggie’s company and on arrival at the Mayhew had behaved in gangster fashion to all the other dogs. As a result he was now with a kind-hearted fosterer – a student in South London.
On this morning, she had brought him in to the Mayhew on the tube, for us to meet him! This game little dog seemed totally unfazed by riding on the underground in a crowded capital, and within minutes of meeting him, the fates had decided his future life lay among the fields, woods and rivers of rural South Yorkshire.
As a responsible rescue, the Mayhew first had to thoroughly test our credentials though, so it was a few weeks before a second trip to London saw Ronnie ensconced in the back of the car, heading north. The date: February 18, 2012.
Ron was sent north with a proviso… he had to wear a Hannibal Lecter mask whenever out, because of his hated of other dogs. He would ignore all other canines ans show no interest in them… but if they approached, he would instantly attack in the style of his illustrious namesake!
The mask didn’t last more than one walk – when Ron was found hanging from a bush by it! After that, he never wore it again, but I was careful to train him to ‘wait’ upon sight of another dog, to be put on his lead.
After about three months, Ron was suddenly keen to meet other dogs – and after a few months of this on the lead, he was gradually allowed off it. Within six months he was a ‘normal’ dog again. The only fights he has had have been when he has been attacked, on his lead, by other dogs.
I now know exactly which dogs will push his buttons (he HATES border collies!!) and is now as ‘safe’ as the next dog. In fact, his only bad habit is jumping up at people to fuss them – especially when filthy – and this gets him put on his lead in advance, much more than meeting other dogs nowadays!
