I thought this week I'd introduce you to another long term resident who will probably be with us for the rest of his time.
Mac's story is a very sad one, but also one that shows just how special the work we do is.
Mac had a great life, all he needed he had. He lived rurally out in the west of Northumberland with his owner who he adored and went with everywhere. There was just them and the great outdoors.
Everything was perfect.
Then one day his owner didn't wake up and Mac lay beside him for days, not knowing anything else. This was where the the problems that would effect him for the rest of his life began.
Somebody from the village eventually broke in and found Mac with his dead owner. Macs instant reaction was to protect and let nobody near him or the body. When that didn't work he did the only thing he could do. Bite then run away.
Eventually he was cornered into a large green house before he was caught and put into the rescue system.
At the time we were full, so a brief stay at another rescue highlighted his lack of socialisation with people, until eventually he came to us.
Mac is a very complex little character. He has known nobody in his life apart from his previous owner. Not being around others has made him fearful of people and, perhaps more worryingly, he doesn't trust anyone. He is defensive and hesitant, independent but happy in his own little way.
He loves playing in the outside exercise area, chasing a frisky. He even let's you pick it up to throw for him, but only after he gives you the signal that it is ok to do so.
It's so sad because once he had everything he wanted, then through no fault of his own it was gone.
I don't think he will ever have that bond again, but he enjoys his life with us. We have learnt to respect his ways and try all we can not to put him under pressure. In Rachel, he has the nearest thing to 'his person.' He even let's her brush him. Such an intimate interaction for a dog, but it does show he can drop his guard.
I'm not sure that he would have survived anywhere else, or whether people would have had the patience to give him the special treatment he needs or deserves. What I do know is that we will he around for him for as long as he needs us.