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WE ADOPTED HANNAH from a rescue centre four years ago.
She was taken in after being found in a distressed state, tied up to a fence and abandoned.
She could barely walk due to a combination of arthritis and abuse. Her two front legs had been dislocated at some point in the past leaving her with a permanently bockety walk.
Hannah would jump in fear if anyone lifted their leg close to her, fearing a kick. She struggled to stand up, and was a little bit deaf and a little bit daft. She was obsessed with bin bags, which suggests she had to scavenge food before.
Nice people, whoever put her through that.
We took Hannah home from Madra rescue centre in Galway, and from the very beginning it became painfully obvious that she should never have been put through whatever she experienced earlier in life.
Despite it all, she was the most loving and gentle dog we’ve ever owned. She never once displayed any signs of aggression (the only time you’d hear her unexpectedly booming Rottweiler bark was if her dinner was late), with her main aim in life being to toddle over, rest her head on your lap, and slowly lean her entire body against you while trying to drift off to sleep.
She adored everyone, and everyone adored her.
Her health deteriorated in recent weeks, coming after months of brief mentions of how we may have to make a difficult decision.
That came last week when we decided it would be best to put her to sleep. Her quality of life hadn’t been diminished completely, but the last thing we wanted was for her to go through any further distress. Early on Wednesday morning we took her to a local vet, and we sat with her while two vets carried out the the procedure compassionately and professionally.
Her life could have been so different.
If Hannah hadn’t been found by Madra, she would probably have been put down a long time ago. A dog warden would have found her, no one would have claimed her, and she would be dead. Abused, abandoned, and then euthanised. Not much of a life.
Last year more than 14,500 dogs came through the pound system in Ireland. Excluding those who were reclaimed by their owners or died of natural causes, almost a quarter were put down.
Thankfully, the remainder were either taken in by shelters or re-homed.
Hundreds of animals also end up in situations like this after cases of abuse. Examples from this year range from a husky whose eyes were removed after he was shot with a pellet gun, to a dog with 11 puppies being kept without food or water.
There was also the unprecedented seizure of 350 dogs from a puppy farm in Co Carlow. Thankfully most have been rehomed by the ISPCA, including Coco (who we took home, pictured below) and who will miss Hannah as much as we will.
Hannah was lucky. She came home to us and spent her final years happy and comfortable, becoming a spoilt old Rottie who we adored and will miss everyday.
If you’re ever thinking about getting a dog, don’t rush to buy one. Check out a rescue centre or visit your local pound first as you’re likely to find an amazing, loving dog like Hannah.
You can follow Madra (Mutts Anonymous Dog Rescue and Adoption) on Facebook here. Also, a massive thank you to David and Richard from Boro Valley Vet Clinic in Wexford.
Nicky Ryan is a reporter with TheJournal.ie who, as you might have noticed, likes dogs.
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Donedeal dog ads should be banned, they turned this cruelty into a huge business. You wouldn’t be able to breed and sell hundreds of puppies out of your car boot at a fair, but with DD now you can.
Genuine registered kennels could always be found through IKC website.
Personally I do not use DD, there are other sites that do not sell dogs.
I totally agree but it’s not just done deal the are many other sites that make it too easy for these dog abusers to make a fast buck
Thing is there must be a demand if they are still selling flat out so I personally think it’s time the ikc got off their backside and try educate people abit about what they are buying and not just using it as a cash cow taking reg payments for new pups all the time
@Gastrophase many puppy farms are licensed and IKC registered too it means nothing in the grand scale of things unfortunately. If Donedeal stop the advertising of dogs there are plenty of other sites that also permit the sales gumtree, adverts.ie and many Facebook pages too. The solution is to ban puppy farms, a licenced breeder should be allowed a maximum of 6 breeding bitches rather than currently you only need a breeding licence for more than 6 breeding bitches. Anyone with an unspayed female should have to pay a huge licence fee and most importantly there needs to be a proper department or entity of the various authorities to enforce the regulations. Banning sale of dogs will not solve the problem plus the money donedeal get from the adds is actually distributed to animal welfare groups. Donedeal is monitored by rescues too who are able to intercept and suspicious behaviour and donedeal are very proactive if you report and adverts for welfare reasons too. Also I might add the buyers are as much responsible as the breeders for the problem if they can’t sell them they won’t continue to churn them out. The port authorities also need to be more proactive with regarding the illegal export of pups they currently are not enforcing the current legislation.
Fair play to adverts.ie I’ve said for a long time. They’ve a pets section but it’s only for adoption. Right way to do it.
@filthypete it’s supposed to be adoption only but click into the majority of the adds and you will see they are for sale.
I recently met the new owner of Done Deal who told me her is planning on getting rid of dog sales on Done Deal. This is great news as that website is hugely responsible for the terrible trade in puppy farm dogs. Let’s hope we see the new change very soon!
Firstly Nicki – so sorry to hear that. I have 2 rescues and adopting them was the best thing I’ve ever done, and I can’t begin to imagine how I’ll feel when I have to make that decision, I’m sure it wont be easy.
@filthypete – really you think that giving dogs away for free is a good idea and that is the right way to do it? Do you know what happens to dogs that are given away “free to a good home”? I’ll tell you what happens, they are innocently handed over to people who swear that their little johnny or janet will be delighted they are getting a new dog, or that their elderly mother who lives on her own and is nervous wont know herself when she has a dog to protect and alert her. What actually happens is that they are thrown into a shed, neglected, abused and used as breeding machines before being strayed or starved to death. Then you have the criminal element who are looking for live bait for dog fighting. They use duct tape to bind the dogs feet together, their snouts shut and over their eyes and then they are thrown in between two fighting dogs to be ripped apart. No animal should ever ever be given away free. People need to stop buying puppies – adopt don’t shop.
Bawling! Thank you for giving poor Hannah such a good life. The decision you had to make must have been utterly heartbreaking but trust in yourself that you did what was best for Hannah. The love and compassion that our furry friends show us on a daily basis never ceases to amaze me. How anyone could inflict abuse on an animal is beyond me. One can only hope they will get what they deserve. It’s annoys me when people refer to an evil or rotten human as an animal as animals
Will only ever show love and devotion whereas humans sicken me time and time again. . Know that you definitely made up for all the rotten things Hannah went through and if anyone tells you to “cheer up its just a dog” then knock them into the middle of next week ;) run free at te rainbow bridge Hannah xx
The number of dogs put down in Irish pounds i should be the source of national shame. It’s improving, but far too slow. Thousands of dogs killed annually!
Please be a responsible dog owner, and do not support breeders. There are so many fantastic puppies and dogs in rescues…
I’m not a soft bloke but jesus this has me in tears, I can’t understand nor comprehend what or why people treat dogs like this ? Remember who ever treats dogs like this, if you ever become blind “an I hope you do” or a loved one, what animal helps an guides you ? It’s not a Donkey !!! Sickening !
Adopt don’t shop. Thousands of dogs are still killed in pounds all over Ireland every year due to irresponsible owners and greedy breeders. Give a rescue dog a home, don’t line these people’s pockets. Support your local rescue, donate, foster, volunteer. Stop the unnecessary slaughter of health animals.
Stories like that break my heart. I was crying at the title before I even read the story! My little dog is the love of my life. Anyone who tortures animals should be put down themselves
Thank you for taking Hannah into your home and heart and giving her four years filled with love and happiness. It’s always a terribly heartbreaking thing having to make that final decision, the ultimate act of love.
The situation of animals in Ireland is still so bad, it’s unbelievable. All we can do is make aware, spread the word, point out … Don’t shop, ADOPT! Don’t buy, while pound dogs die!
Having run http://www.IrishDogs.ie for the last 13 years … this is only the SECOND year when I have NOT been ‘phoned about where or from whom to BUY a puppy for Xmas.
Maybe, finally the message is getting out there … A Dog Is For Life!
Well Done to Everyone who adopts and does NOT line the pocket of unscrupulous breeders or, just plain, Puppy Farmers.
P.S. I have NEVER permitted ANY form of advertising of Puppies/Dogs For Sale on the Site.
That’s great to hear Peter… But just today I saw a big spread in Sunday Independent on Christmas puppy shopping, what breeds are Christmas top 10 etc. with only a small inset on the risks from Dog’s Trust. I was really surprised to see a “puppy shopping guide” in a national newspaper in 2015 but there you go! How thoughtless.
Sorry for your loss Nicky, and any of the Journal staff that are close to Nicky tomorrow give that man a hug. Fair play to you.
Picked my lad up in the pound 3 years ago, we are at a stage now where we only need to use facial expressions and eye contact to communicate, he drags his bed to my bedroom every night, in the morning he drags its back up to the kitchen and sits and waits for his morning treat. Never had a dog like this before to be honest. I dunno if he is half human or if I’m half dog or what the craic is all I know I’d be well lost with him. Fair play to anyone that works with the rescue centres or places like that. I admire you like non other.
Beautiful family and beautiful dog… Sad to say that over 2000 pups were uploaded onto done deal last week just in time for Xmas… While thousands of dogs die in pounds every year… This week alone has seen loads of dogs surrendered to the pound because they were “too old” the mentality in this country towards dogs sickens me.. a good woman in rescue stated that anyone who surrenders their dog to the pound should be made pay a large fee and hold the dog down themselves while being killed all because the poor soul is unwanted…. Help out people by fostering transporting donating etc
The work Madra do is unbelievable.Credit to the brilliant ladies that run the organisation and save hundreds of dogs being put to sleep every year.Well done
sorry for you nicky shes the image of mine also a rescue and a teddy bear.why cant more people check the pounds before spending hundreds on sone deal
I’ve 2 rescued dogs and they can be hard work but they reward me as well with their total affection to me and my family.
Man’s best friend.No doubt whatsoever!!!
And puppy farms, in any shape or form should be shut down, both here and north of the border. They are supplying a constant stream of ill-bred, often sick puppies to an already saturated market with the parent dogs being kept in in anything from poor to appalling conditions. How anything like it can be considered legal is beyond me. Ireland’s shame.
My family has recently adopted a dog from Dogs Trust. It’s one of the most rewarding things you can do. Hopefully with legislation arriving next year that will make it illegal to sell or buy an un-chipped dogs it might improve things for these great pets.
Heartbreaking story…hard decision to make BUT at least she has a good few years with people that loved her…Now the sicko who mistreated her in the first place, I would like him/her to spend some time with my 10st puppy..just to see how brave they think they are…Law far far to easy on vermin like this.
I am so glad Hannah got a few years of kindness and some good memories to take with her! Dogs are so forgiving. I have three rescues, my son and his girlfriend have one. One came off a farm (apparently a useless collie, they said), an old Chihuahua lady from a puppy mill, a young Akita cross from the pound and a Terrier cross. We adopted one from Done Deal, two from the Wicklow Animal Rescue, and from the SPCA. Like Kerry above said, they can be hard work at times, but it is so worth it. We love them to bits. I would suggest to anyone who has kids and think they need pets, to involve them in a Rescue organisation (there are so many good ones – all needing help.). Let them volunteer. Walking, cleaning, feeding. All things they need to do with their own pet. If they keep up their love for them, while having a reality check, by all means let them have their own. At least they will know at this stage what is involved and – hopefully – won’t be bored with it in a few months.
RIP beautiful Hannah. I prefer dogs over people by far, such intelligent creatures, people could learn a lot about their compassion and their endless love.
I’d like to remind people especially your lovely self there Maria I might be half dog.
Fair play to you Nicky, when I had to put our two dogs to sleep the grief I felt was the same when my family members died.
There is no excuse for buying a dog, until every rescue centre and dog pound is empty. Even then I couldn’t do it. Horrible practices behind the scenes. I hope your emotional and well written piece reaches thousands of people.
Such a sad story brought back memories of our little Bicton a few years ago when his cancer returned after 2 years.
So sorry for the loss of your best friend. That’s what your dog is, a best friend. They are just amazing and just give, give, give and look very little in return. I love mine to bits. Good on you for having made a difference. Wishing you a peaceful Christmas.
Beautifully written Nicky.
In the midst of cruelty there is the chance for kindness to shine. But why does it have to be like that? I have had so many rescues over the years, the hardest ones are the “old” dogs handed over by people with truly cold hearts. I have a rottie now & he is the most gentle creature. Please try to engender awareness amongst your family & friends, adopt, don’t buy.
Heartbreaking :’(
I was looking at a dog on dogs trust however he can’t be housed with males as he is scared of them due to ill treatment, the other dog I looked at was going blind and could only be housed with his wife (doggy) and some one would need to be at home most of the day.
There are loads of fights looking for fire vet homes on dogs trust and ispca
Whilst I agree with the sentiment of those commenting here, I wonder how many of you will turn your back on animals’ suffering as you support the absolutely unnecessary death of so many innocent animals over the coming days and weeks, as you feast on the body of a dead animal who no doubt have suffered so much just so you can ‘Celebrate’ Christmas. Out of sight, out of mind. Here’s a link to a YouTube video highlighting the reality of dog pounds in Ireland. Don’t buy…. Adopt. http://youtu.be/7H-hdTGr6z8
I adopted my lurcher boy from MADRA 2yrs ago. Love him so much. MADRA & other dog rescues do fantastic work. It’s heartbreaking how widespread animal cruelty in this country is.
Astonishing how many dogs die a year I have a dog and I couldn’t imagine her going threw as much pain as Hannah did she could have been a great friend and ddog to anyone who adopted her
I took a little Yorkshire Terrier from the pound this day last week. The most beautiful gentle little guy. It broke my heart to leave, knowing the other 30+ dogs might not be so lucky. The pound was full, overflowing with the most beautiful dogs.
Can’t understand why more people can’t rescue these poor dogs with sad eyes……
Well said Nicky Ryan. A very heartfelt and compassionate piece of journalism, I think. Pity that one other regular Journal contributor wouldn’t adopt the same level of human empathy in his economic lectures?
As a recent student again I’ve had to cut down on 90% of my expenses, but Dogs Trust and Madra are the ones I’ve kept. I’m in no position to adopt from them yet, but giving something for the incredible work they do is a no brainer. Well done Nicky and sorry for your loss, take care.
A kind heart is a blessed heart.
I got a puppy a few years ago (free to a good home ) was in the shop window 1 peek & I was there’s still have him 7 years on donedeal ain’t the problem people are.
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