Tessa's odyssey from Romania to her forever home in Cloughjordan

For Tessa the little Llewellin Setter it really was a long way to Tipperary! She travelled through several countries under and over water to reach Cloughjordan.

In Romania, her home country, as in other rural parts of Europe, working dogs who can no longer earn their keep are abandoned in huge numbers to scavenge for a living. I will never know the exact circumstances leading to Tessa ending up like this.

Thanks to Rufus Setter Rescue run by Sasa Gabor and a group of volunteers, who work tirelessly to help these beautiful creatures, she had all her veterinary needs attended to and was placed in kennels to await adoption, all paid for by donations.

As a life-long owner of rescued Setters, when I had to say a sad farewell to my last one, Herbert, my search began. First in Ireland then UK and finally I found Tessa.

Because of the logistics of travel, the Rufus Setter Rescue usually re-home dogs in the UK only but with the help of volunteer Cathy McCarthy, who was prepared to do a home check, it was agreed that Tessa could come to Ireland.

At the end of January before the first stage of Brexit a convoy of vehicles with their precious cargo of a variety of rescue dogs set off on the long journey.

Problems with the Channel Tunnel caused a delay and delivery of Tessa to Bristol was later than expected. From the first moment she was so happy to see me, as if we had always been together. A good friend accompanied me and while our return ferry was missed, fortunately another good friend in Bristol gave us all a bed for the night.

The next day we set off for home and on that journey Tessa was good as gold. On arrival she made herself at home straight away and for a dog who had never lived in a house she was remarkable.

She now spends lots of time outside, on long walks (thanks to Faye and Ruby) and racing around the garden. I call her my 'Pocket Rocket'. Tessa, like all setters, loves reclining anywhere soft and comfortable but is also partial to sitting on  the window ledge ( she is small for her breed, a little" Setterina") in the sun watching out for bird activity in the garden.

The coronavirus has hit us all hard and during the months of lockdown never before has it meant so much to have a canine companion - you are never alone with a dog in your home.

Tessa is lucky to be here at a time when so many dogs are unable to travel and so are denied a chance of a new start in life but I know I am really the lucky one.

She would have liked to tell her own story but is still learning her new language in her new home in Knockbrack, Cloughjordan!

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Rufus Setter Rescue rescue and rehome abused and abandoned setters from Balkans. Further information is on their Facebook page.