Sophie - A lucky, rescued Maremma

By Heather Walkley

I thought I would take a few minutes to introduce myself. My name is Sophie – some of you may of course have known about me as Honey.

I have spent my puppy/adolescent years in France with my half brother Barney, he is a couple of years older than myself, and a good role model as well as friend and playmate.

Last year my owners found that they were unable to keep us any longer, and Jacqui (our 1st Mum) very kindly offered to rescue us. This took at lot longer than either Barney or I had anticipated as there was a problem with our pet passports, so we had to spend seven months in a kennels in Northern France, which luckily was next to a river, where each evening the kennel owner would walk us. At this stage neither of us knew what would become of us. However one day at the end of January this year Jacqui and Penny arrived with a van to bring us back to England.

Whilst we were delighted to be returning to England, we were very unsure about our future; Barney, I found out had a new home lined up for him in Norfolk with new playmates – myself well I was for the time being going to stay with Jacqui until a new home could be found.

Our trip back to England did not start off too well, the ferry was delayed and the sea was very rough. We had to spend the crossing on our own in the van – Barney unfortunately was a little sea sick, as were the adults, so I understand.

Once on terra firma we started our long journey to Shropshire, making a pit stop in North Devon for us to stretch our legs. Here I was introduced to a friend of Penny’s, Heather. Barney was a little braver than myself and was quite happy to be patted, and made a fuss of, but this was all getting a little too much for me.

Eventually we made it to Shropshire where Barney and I found ourselves amongst a number of other Maremmas. Just as we were beginning to settle into our new life style Barney my friend and companion had to leave me to go to his new home in Norfolk. Me – well soon after I found out that this friend of Penny’s had taken a liking to me and was offering me a home in Devon; so one bright February morning I found myself back in the van for a journey south to meet my new owners.

My new owners tell me I am fantastic, beautifully behaved and a delight (I do try to do as I am told most of the time), but am just happy to be able to run in open fields, chase rabbits on Braunton Burrows, paddle in the sea, which was very scary at first, and play with my new friend Guido. (Unfortunately my new mum tells me she has to phone up and arrange to borrow him at £30 a time!!!!!! I really don’t believe her, and when he arrives his name has suddenly changed to George! ). I am however meeting lots of other new friends large and small every day during my walks, and if all else fails I have a little bounce with Gemma my new owners old springer spaniel who at 15yrs is game, but unfortunately her body struggles. Watching her I am also beginning to learn how to play with toys something I had never done before even as a puppy; her old duck being my favourite because it’s lost its squeak, so doesn’t scare me.

Penny and my new mum Heather have also been taking me to the local ring craft classes, another new experience; not sure I feel totally at ease, but am told that there is some improvement each week which is good as we are off to the Windsor show in June. Last week we even attended a BBQ at the ring craft class, I got a rest, not much food came my way, but Mum on the other hand was over the moon as she won first prize with a photo she had taken of me. All I can say is thank goodness I was rescued!. Looking forward to meeting you all soon.