My name is: Flossie
I came from: Romania
Now I live in: Bedford
My favourite things are: Fuss! Being in the woods, and running very fast

Flossie’s story

It’s hard to believe it’s 7 months since this little one became part of our family.

I didn’t realise Flossie was abroad when I saw her adorable face and then I struggled with having her endure a three day road trip to be with us but my gosh she was worth it.

The couriers who brought her were gentle and kind. He opened the truck and as he walked to her he touched every cage and acknowledged every dog to reassure them. Then he put her in my arms and she was trembling so hard but tucked her head into my neck and I was lost!

I had read so much about foreign rescues to prepare myself and to do the best I could to make Flossie feel safe. I had a covered crate in a quiet but central place where she could see everything but where she didn’t have to engage if she didn’t want to. I’d read up on toilet training, on possible behavioural issues and challenges.

We took it very slowly. She was pretty quick to suss out and feel safe in the back garden but it took me three days to get her out of the front door. We went just as far as she was happy with then stopped and tried again next day. She made herself at home. She has slept through the night from day one. She is calm in the car. Flossie is the gentlest creature I’ve ever known.

I’ve had none of the issues I had read about and I do wonder whether all that reading about how to do things slowly mitigated some of the issues I might otherwise have had.

Flossie has two miniature schnauzer best friends, Ruby and Ralph, who have taught her how to be a dog and boy does she love to play! Ralph tries to tell her off but she just looks at him and licks his face. We still a few hurdles. She will walk in a local nature reserve which (safely) borders a railway line and is not fussed at all by a train thundering by, but she’s scared of cutlery, the bin and my mop!

She loves other animals, loves people especially children and is simply a joy.

Today is her first birthday. She is so loved.

- Helen