RSPCA Rescue - Spike's Story
by Christine
(Kent, UK)
Corgi Cross Sheltie - Spike
Spike's Story
Spike was one of 78 dogs removed from a house by the RSPCA. The dogs were living in cramped, filthy conditions, resulting in them having mental & physical damage.
At the time I worked alongside the RSPCA in one of their holding kennels. It was around 8pm as we started to unload the filthy, terrified dogs off the van.
Very few could walk on lead (never been out of the house), & lots of them were trying to bite/ messing themselves out of fear.
As morning came we had the daunting task of identifying & trying to clean up these feral dogs. One that was particularly terrified & fear aggressive was number 61 ("Spike").
Always up for a challenge I took immediate interest in this one (with no plan to keep him as already had 3 dogs!).
They were held at the kennels for around 9mths during which time Spike & I built up a strong bond. Unfortunately he didn't want to share his love with anyone else & was still very difficult around strangers.
Luckily for me I have a VERY understanding Mum who can't say no to an animal in desperate need of some extra TLC so Spike came home.
Day 1 - Sick in Mum's car, urinated up her piano & gave her a puncture wound - not the fairytale ending I hoped for but was very early days.
During the 2 1/2 years I've had Spike we had to take each day as it came & were always grateful if no one got bitten, nothing got chewed up (he especially loved shoes) or if he showed even the slightest sign of acknowledging anyone other than me!
His stranger issue still isn't 100% in the house but he now a very loving family pet.
Spike is not the sharpest tool in the box (incl being the only corgi ever to get stuck down a badger hole for 5hrs, and making himself violently sick from eating a fake plant) but he is a real lap dog & a very comical member of our family.
Spike loves outdoor life but his favourite place is his Daddies lap (usually laying upside down, snoring). Out of all the rescues I've had over the years Spike has been the one to make me laugh, make me cry & make me spend a fortune paying to replace family & visitors eaten shoes.
It has all been worth it to see a petrified boy turn in to a cocky little urchin that loves to be heard!
The RSPCA is a UK animal charity and the oldest and largest animal welfare organisation in the world.
