Mungo arrived into our lives a few weeks ago... confused and scared, he had been rescued from a puppy farm, where he had spent the first five years of his life as a stud dog - without care, kindness or even a name of his own. His escape from this grim life was probably because he needed some expensive veterinary care, which he was unlikely to receive, unless he was surrendered into rescue - and fortunately for Mungo, this was the path that opened before him, thanks to the lovely folks at Friends of Animals Wales...
Following the removal of 33 teeth, funded by the wonderful Schnauzerfest charity, who supported all his veterinary costs whilst he was in rescue with FOAW, he then spent the first eight weeks of his new life with a kind and patient foster family, who began to teach him what it feels like to be loved... Fast forward to the end of February, and this little boy had yet another huge upheaval when he moved yet again... this time to his forever home, with two little Lhasa sisters to show him the ropes. However, it is very clear to us that although he is completely free from that old life, the abuse and neglect has deep roots, and he is still beset by the demons of his past... To begin with, he wouldn't eat. I wasn't too worried at first, because of the stress of his move, but after a couple of days he began to taste - and then he stood back and just stared at me. I suddenly got the message - he didn't like the bowl! I turned his meal out onto a plate, and he devoured it ravenously; so now, Mungo eats from a plate... and not just any plate - he has three rather beautiful Art Deco plates that we bought specially for him. For all of us, it's a journey of interpreting feelings and needs... the tilt of an ear, the twitch of a tail or the droop of a head can tell us so much when we are prepared to pay attention. Unlike with people, there is no story to listen to, and be hooked by - we can only imagine what he has been through. Just like many people though, when we do not have the self-worth to believe that we deserve to have our needs met, it was clear to us that Mungo felt deeply unworthy of many things in his new life. It's an incredible joy when he responds... the first time he came towards us and stood to have his head scratched... the first time he lay down next to us on the sofa... the first walk, with tail and ears up, and eyes bright... all of these things mark a small rite of passage for him - the sign that he has given himself permission to accept this part of his new life and, in doing so, hopefully also to release part of the old. But here's an interesting thing. We chose his name because we liked it, and because it fit with our previous boy schnauzers (Theo, Hugo...). In an idle moment, I looked it up, to find out the meaning. It turns out that St Mungo is the patron saint of those who have been bullied, which is actually pretty perfect, and his feast day is 13 January. As Mungo didn't have a proper birthday either, that seems pretty perfect, too, just like Mungo himself... Mungo's Teachings:
8 Comments
Catherine
2/4/2021 03:41:04 am
That’s beautiful and emotional Joanna it made me cry with tears of sadness and happiness all at the same time ❤️
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Fiona Reynolds
2/4/2021 09:30:43 am
Thank you, Joanna. I hope Mungo develops sooner rather than later into the happy lad he was always supposed to be, but for those mercenary bastards who didn't give a damn about his well-being.
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Jenny Churchll
2/4/2021 11:03:00 am
Love the name Mungo ... May this boy grow in confidence a little bit each day. He has learnt so much already and will thrive much more now he is in his life home . I wish his human family the best in your journey with him.
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Mark Moore
6/4/2021 04:23:41 pm
Mungo couldn’t have a better home than with you. A home filled with love and compassion.
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Janet Thomson
6/4/2021 04:56:08 pm
Oh how wonderful. Lucky Mungo, he has certainly fallen on all four paws with his new home being with you. So sad that his previous life was so awful. The strength of his character is shown by his willingness to learn to trust again and this will build slowly but surely. Only happy days for him now. Best wishes to you all.
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Lett
6/4/2021 05:46:06 pm
How wonderful & dear Mungo - kindness & patience.
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Yanina Saunders
27/9/2021 04:43:56 pm
Oh my goodness. What a read! These poor little darlings. My heart goes out to all of them. Much admiration for those who succeed in their rescue and persevere with their new lives in much happier homes.
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Angela Farley
6/12/2021 02:30:09 pm
Thankyou for sharing a story with a happy ending
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Joanna Taylor
...and the Canine Members of Staff Archives
October 2021
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