In the space of 9 days I have become a mad dog woman. I’m constantly finding dog treats in my pockets, hair on my clothes and our new pup, Maya is occupying approximately 90% of my thoughts.
The crazy thing is, a short month ago I didn’t even know she existed, which seems bonkers now as I can’t imagine our family life without her.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve wanted a family dog for the last decade (before we even had a family), but it was on my regular Sunday scroll through the Wild at Heart Foundation ‘adopt a dog’ page that I stumbled across the image above of Maya and I was frantically filling in the adoption application form quicker than you can say ‘hook, line and sinker’.
I thought it would be easiest to jot down my answers and thoughts to the questions we’ve been asked a lot about Maya and the whole adoption process:
What breed is she?
No idea. All I know is we wanted a mixed breed for a multitude of reasons and I’m happy not to know. It doesn’t stop every single member of the general public feeling the need to hazard a guess. From spaniel to collie. I DON’T CARE. (We do know she’s half labrador).
Why did you decide to go for a rescue dog?
It’s 100% a personal choice, but I didn’t feel comfortable buying a dog when I was fully aware of all the amazing dogs that needed loving homes in pounds and rescue centres around the world. Plus, I wanted a mixed breed – so it made sense.
Did you meet her before you chose her?
No and that was really, really hard. When you’re bringing a dog into your young family home with a resident cat I admit, it’s a gamble. However, we saw lots of photos and videos and asked a million questions about her. We were also confident that as a 4-month old puppy, with a lot of training, she would adapt to our family and lifestyle. We have invested in some 1-2-1s with a dog behaviourist to help her settle in with good habits from day 1 and we’ve committed to a 30-month dog training programme, too – as much to give us confidence as her.
What was the vetting process like?
Just as rigorous as I’d expect. It included emails back and forward, an hour and a half long Facetime and a series of phone calls. It’s not just about ‘interviewing’ us as suitable candidates but talking through the logistics of getting Maya from Cyprus to rural Devon. Luckily WAHF are utter pros and handled it all – her vaccines, vet visits and pet passport – as well as the transportation and pet courier.
Where did you collect her from?
Recounting it makes it feel all a bit surreal – I went to a service station in Bristol at midnight and met the pet courier, who literally handed me a totally exhausted, shell-shocked puppy. We arrived home at 2am and just stared at each other for an hour.
What was the first week like?
Exhausting – for everyone. We totally underestimated how mind-blowing it was going to be for Maya. Away from her siblings, in a foreign environment – not only a new country but her first time in a house, on grass/carpet… she ran into the French doors on the first day as she’d never seen glass before. Rain still freaks her out. Everything confused her and you could tell she was utterly overwhelmed. Not to mention exhausted after her journey. We kept all visitors at bay and restricted her access to just a couple of rooms and the garden for the first few days so she could gradually find her feet.
Is she good on walks?
To say she’s never had a collar/harness/lead on before – she is incredible. She is super nervous of other dogs but her confidence is coming on leaps and bounds. Having lived her whole life in a concrete pound – I can only imagine that the woodland/beach walks she’s been on so far must be a sensory overload! We’ve found that routine helps with her confidence, so going in the car everyday has made it feel less daunting for her, for instance.
Any regrets?
Zero. It is a decision we have been thinking about long and hard for years, so we knew it was right but Maya has blown our expectations out the water. She was made for our family and the bond she has already with our eldest makes my heart burst.