Forever Sunday

Hello my name is Lucy, my partner Cliff and I have been lucky enough to give Sunday her forever home. We live in Henley on Thames in Oxfordshire surrounded by countryside and ten minutes walk from the river. I had a Dane some years ago and Cliff and I had discussed for some time the possibility of getting another one.  We called Daneline on Wednesday and spoke to a lady called Sue who then referred us to the wonderful Lissi. We discussed all possibilities, described ourselves and our circumstances and asked her advice. She suggested that we look at Sunday on the website. We were back on the phone within ten minutes; it was love at first glance. There were tears from Lissi who had known just from talking to us that a match was potentially imminent.

The next step was a home visit with a lovely lady called Vivien who thankfully lives only fifteen minutes away. Vivien arrived accompanied by her two beautiful Great Danes, one bitch that she had bought as a puppy and a real character dog called Dudley that was a rescue dog perfectly matched by Lissi. Vivien could not speak more highly of Lissi and her uncanny ability to match dog to owner. The visit was great fun and very relaxed. I believe Vivien has a photo of me in a football kit being jumped on by her two. Cliff and I sat back with fingers crossed when Vivien left. Actually, not strictly true, Cliff sat back and I harassed both Vivien and Lissi by phone.
Thanks to Vivien’s recommendation (crucial for the process to continue) we were invited to meet Lissi and Sunday at her home in Bristol on Friday. I was unable to sleep and subsequently Cliff wasn’t allowed to either. We were both very nervous as expectation was so high and at that point based only on instinct. We arrived at Lissi’s beautiful home whilst she was in the middle of taking in another rescue dog called Saffy. She invited us in, explained the situation and asked that we come through and bear with her. Nerves got the better of us and we walked into the wrong room and sat side by side on the sofa like a pair of naughty children. The next thing we knew there was a thundering down the corridor and two harlequins (Eddie and Clarissa) burst in followed by a naughty little dachshund (Chilli Pepper). They left and another Dane with grey colouring popped her head round (Saffy). Cliff and I were confused as to which one was our Sunday. I looked out of the window and Cliff said softly "here she is". I turned round and my heart stopped, there was no doubt. Lissi then came flying in and laughed at us for going into the wrong room, we were supposed to follow her into the kitchen to meet everybody.

Sunday lay on her bed and looked suspiciously at us whilst the other dogs were not backwards in coming forwards. Eventually Cliff nudged me and I looked down to see Sunday had snuck under the table and was lying next to my feet. The day got better from there. Understandably Sunday is suspicious of men in her home environment but throughout the course of the day she and Cliff bonded to the point where he was even allowed to sit in her bed with her. We went to the park, met the amazing vet, Robert who saved her life and rebuilt her poor body and drank copious cups of coffee with Lissi in order that we all got to know each other. All the time Sunday gained confidence and a wall of mutual trust was built. Finally Lissi agreed that we could have her special baby but we had to come back the following day.
We left on a high but also sad that she wasn’t with us. Ten ‘o’clock Saturday we were back, sleep deprivation taking its toll on poor Cliff. Sunday was waiting and stood next to me as if to say "come on, lets get on with it". We had a coffee with Lissi and ran through food, medication etc. again and sorted out Sunday’s going home pack. It was an emotional time for Cliff, Lissi and I but Sunday was fine. Sunday trotted out with us and Lissi tested her ability to get in and out of our car. She settled straight away in the back on a duvet and we waved goodbye to Lissi.
Life at home with Sunday has been amazing; we are in awe of Lissi and what she has done with Sunday in just eight weeks. We have had no signs of stress from Sunday; she is fantastic with other dogs, adults, children and the car. Already she is a celebrity in Henley, we feel guilty going out without her because people are so disappointed. She has frequented a few local hostelries and visited friends. We are planning a charity celebrity cricket day in the summer to raise funds for Daneline, Sue Ryder and the new cricket pavilion. Needless to say Sunday is going to be Henley Cricket Club’s mascot. Every day we have an adventure with her but she lets us know when she needs to rest, however we see her getting better and stronger all the time. She has a real personality and constantly makes us laugh; have never seen a dog play football like Sunday!

She bought with her a pink squeaky pig and a pink rabbit with who she is very strict. One has to feel sorry for them at times! She has a perfectly good duvet and sleeping bag but prefers the most expensive chair in the house, the pink fabric sets off her colouring and matches her collar! Sunday is a kind, gentle soul with a great sense of humour and amazing strength, we could not be happier, she brings a smile to everyone’s face whilst melting their hearts and we are so proud to have her in our lives.
We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to Lissi, Robert, Vivien and Daneline for the incredible work that they do and the integrity with which they do it. The whole process was done with love and genuine care. If only more rescue organisations could work in the same manner. The pictures are of last Saturday at Henley Park with my daughter Freddie, my Son Sebastian and Sunday’s new friend Teddy then at home. We will update you in the near future.