Juliet’s Story – I’m glad the rescue centres turned me down

Juliet Thomason explains how rejection turned to joy

Juliet and her dog MABEL

I’ve been a volunteer with other charities in the past, in particular with the Meals on Wheels service, but working for Our Special Friends is quite different. That’s because the aim of our CEO and founder of the charity, Belinda Johnston, was to create a community of animal lovers who help each other as well as the clients. And from personal experience, I know how this does work both ways.

Firstly, I would not have my lovely Border Terrier, Mabel, if it were not for help from OSF, and second, because one of our volunteers and now a good friend, Carole Langton, kindly looked after her for six weeks after I had a shoulder replacement operation. My right shoulder had smashed when I fell while walking Mabel and since I’m right-handed, and live alone, life would otherwise have been difficult. I really appreciated the help.

I used to live on a farm just outside Newmarket and when I lost my Border Collie I thought I would ‘downsize’ for my next dog as I intended to move to Bury St Edmunds within the next few years. I contacted several rescue centres and was turned down as being over 70 and too old, even though I was fit. I didn’t want a puppy, neither did I want an old dog as I’d been through the distress of losing one to cancer. A lifelong dog owner, I was desperate for canine company again.

Thankfully, friends introduced me to Belinda, who found Mabel for me. Then three years old, Mabel had been returned to her breeder due to a marriage break-up, and the breeder interviewed me to ensure the dog was this time going to a good forever home. The right age, and easier for me to manage than a large Collie, she’s proved perfect. And it seems that she’s thanked OSF in her own way, by becoming a visiting AAA dog, while I’ve been rewarded by making several new friends.

Mabel and I have now been visiting a bedridden elderly lady in Bury St Edmunds for two years. She so enjoys our visits as otherwise all she can do is watch TV all day. She has dementia, but so did my late husband, so together with my years of delivering meals to lonely elderly people, I understand and empathise with them.

In the five years I’ve been a volunteer with OSF, I have regularly visited other people with Mabel, walked the dogs of clients who are not mobile, and have occasionally helped with pet care and providing transport. Relationships do not necessarily end when the initial need has been met. I used to visit a lovely, very bright lady and take her old Spaniel for a walk, but now that the dog is reluctant to walk I still call in to see the owner. I enjoy whatever I do for OSF, everyone is so friendly.

As for the rescue centres that turned me down in 2019, I wish they could see me now on my hour-long walks with Mabel.

“And it seems that she’s thanked OSF in her own way, by becoming a visiting AAA dog, while I’ve been rewarded by making several new friends.”