Life with Mick.

Our journey to find an Afghan started in 2003. We contacted Shirley approximately in May with a view to adoption, we explained to Shirley that we had two cats and that if we took on a rescue he would have to be used to cats. It was not long before Shirley found us the perfect Affi…. Mick.

The story that Shirley had managed to get from the couple who put Mick up for adoption was very sad. They had rescued him from a back yard in Stoke on Trent where he had been living with students. Mick was barely alive and was rushed to the vets where he spent 2 weeks on a drip. His companion, a Greyhound had unfortunately died and had been left in the yard with Mick. It was touch and go as to whether or not Mick survived. The student who had owned the dogs was never traced! The couple who had found Mick fell in love with him and kept him for 18 months. Their daughter was then diagnosed with asthma so they felt they would have to find homes for Mick and their cat, that is why he ended up on the Afghan rescue register.

I remember the day we went to collect Mick, he was a great hairy hound and my first thought was how huge he was but also what a lovely looking boy. I was overcome with emotions and just could not wait to get him home to start his new life with us. After a short walk we said our goodbyes and Mick jumped straight into our van. Off we went back to Devon; he did not whimper or cry all the way home. Looking back he was depressed and it took him some time to adjust to his new surroundings. The first thing we did was to give him a bath; his coat was filthy and very dry. The water was black and he had a lot of dry flaky skin and several matted areas.

I don’t think that Mick had ever seen green fields before or had been used to much exercise. I had been told not to let him off the lead but I believe that any animal has the right to feel free so I let him off after he had been with us for a couple of weeks. I allowed myself plenty of time in case he ran off but he was fine, a little difficult to catch at first. As time went on he was let off the lead more and he realised that he had no need to run away. Mick began to repay our trust by coming back and of course a little cooked chicken breast helped. We started by letting him off in the corn field, he did get tired quickly to start with but he quickly improved. We built it up to 3 to 4 walks daily and a run in the corn field twice a day. I find that I have to brush him 3 times a day as his coat is full of hedgerow etc. but we love him and it’s worth it.

Mick has made lots of new friends, dogs and people alike. Everyone says he is so handsome and has such a wonderful nature. The first holiday we took with Mick was in Cornwall, we went at the end of September because we knew he could go on the beach then. We choose Sennen Cove, it has the most beautiful soft white sand. He was in heaven; he ran all over the beach, the sand on his paws must have felt so wonderful and so soft.

Mick’s life is certainly different now; he has his walks on the beach and over the Devon countryside. He is loved and adored by all who meet and know him. His fame spread when he appeared on the famous LAAD calendar. One of his favourite tricks is rolling in cow pats and manure heaps! He has had a tough time recently with health problems and has an enlarged heart which will require medication for the rest of his life. He is also on a strict diet much to his disgust. He has always been a greedy boy and will steal food whenever he can. He has a liking for raw potato!

Mick is everything we could have wished for and more. He has transformed our lives and has given us so much joy. We feel very privileged that he loves and trusts us as we love and trust him. We love him so much and can never imagine life without him.

Rachel.