When Arthur came into my life he was still holding on to his past wounds. His previous ‘family’ had abandoned him, having failed to love him and set the limits he needed – as in any healthy relationship. Instead of patiently training him, they hit him. Instead of loving him, they dumped him on the street to fend for himself.
Someone – a decent human being – realised that the dog had been abandoned and without hesitating took him to SPAZ, where he got his second chance at life. The organisation’s dedicated team did all they could to look after Arthur: they cleaned him up, microchipped him, and neutered him. Most importantly, they didn’t stop looking for the perfect home for him.
Then they found me.
At first it was difficult. Arthur was demanding and suspicious of me; he would become aggravated and bite me, sometimes badly. But my reaction was always the same: I remained calm and consistent. I have to say that the SPAZ team was always by my side, supporting me. They answered all my questions with professionalism and compassion, ensuring Arthur’s transition was as smooth as possible.
Five months on, and his transformation is clear to see. At home he’s the perfect flatmate: he doesn’t destroy anything, bark, or eliminate inside. On walks he is well behaved around other animals. When he puts his head on my lap, when he jumps for joy, I know that my love has given rooted his soul. No, I didn’t ‘save’ Athur. He saved me. He taught me patience, compassion, and the power of devotion.
Arthur is living proof that kindness can heal the deepest wounds.
If you are unsure about adopting an abandoned animal, think of this: every ‘Arthur’ waiting in a kennel or on the street is just looking for a home and family, not a hero. Given some time, he will devote his all to you.
A big thank you to all the SPAZ volunteers who don’t count the tireless hours they work. They turn pain into hope, and abandonment into a new opportunity.
