What is it About Dogs?

In 2003, police in Warwickshire , England , opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog.

The dog had been locked in the shed and abandoned.

It was dirty and malnourished, and had quite clearly been abused.

In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a female greyhound, to the Nuneaton Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, which is run by a man named Geoff Grewcock, and known as a haven for animals abandoned, orphaned, or otherwise in need. Geoff and the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims – to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved.

Jasmine

They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home.

Jasmine, however, had other ideas.
No one quite remembers how it came about, but Jasmine started welcoming all animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It would not matter if it were a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, any other lost or hurting animal. Jasmine would just peer into the box or cage and, when and where possible, deliver a welcoming lick.

Geoff relates one of the early incidents. “We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the center, and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them.”

 

 

“But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them, and it helps them to not only feel close to her, but to settle into their new surroundings. She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs, and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose.”

 

 

 

Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary’s resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, fifteen chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and fifteen rabbits – and one roe deer fawn.

 

Tiny Bramble, eleven weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster-mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the roe deer with affection, and makes sure nothing is matted.

“They are inseparable,” says Geoff. “Bramble walks between her legs, and they keep kissing each other. They walk together round the sanctuary. It’s a real treat to see them.”

Jasmine will continue to care for Bramble until she is old enough to be returned to woodland life. When that happens, Jasmine will not be lonely. She will be too busy showering love and affection on the next orphan or victim of abuse.

Jasmine surrounded by some of her “family” – a super surrogate mother!

Pictured from the left are: “Toby,” a stray Lakeland dog; “Bramble,” orphaned roe deer; “Buster,” a stray Jack Russell; a dumped rabbit; “Sky,” an injured barn owl; and “Jasmine,” with a mother’sheart doing best what a caring mother would do… and such is the order of God’s Creation.

So . . .  what is it about dogs?

I think you all know the answer to that, my friends!

 

                  Update :  Sadly, Jasmine passed away in October 2011 and is sorely missed by both humans and furry friends.

Related Article http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1103645/Meet-Jasmine-rescue-dog-surrogate-mother-50th-time.html

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59 thoughts on “What is it About Dogs?

  1. Oh Barb…I was really moved reading her story. She obviously touched so many hearts. I feel all pets should be given a fair go…you reap what you sow and their gratitude is always reflected in their loyalty and unconditional love :-)

  2. What a wonderful post … and the photos are so … heartwarming .. befriended all those animals and took care of them … what a fantastic story. Thanks for sharing this.

      • Yes, so I understand … thanks for sharing the story – had a little dog many years ago .. very special and his name was “Lilleman” – english “Little Man”. He was a little gentlemen.

  3. What a wonderful story! Sweet Jasmine is doing exactly what she was born to do. Who could do it better than one who has been in situations like those precious ones coming to the sanctuary. Not only does Jasmine have a mothering instinct and heart but she understands the pain those that come have. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story. Bless all those that help these animals and bless Jasmine. Hugs

    • Thank you so much for your wonderful comment Mumsy; I know you feel about animals the same way I do, and this story really got to me.
      Jasmine could have made her heart cold towards people after the cruel treatment she received initially, but she didn’t – she was just born to love, and she proved it daily.
      She will be sorely missed.

    • I love how you said she got to show her wings and glory of love, E.C. It was a blessing she was found by caring people, because she certainly showed her love to the other animals.

  4. Jasmine was a beautiful dog and I will never understand how people can be so cruel to animals! I’m so glad she was finally able to meet people that could actually show her love and that she was then able to share that love with new animals to the shelter. wonderful story!

  5. Great story, Barb. I have actually read about Jasmine before, but this was a more comprehensive coverage. It is indeed sad that Jasmine passed away, but I bet she is busy across the Rainbow Bridge, mothering every critter that crosses the bridge, offering comfort and peace.

  6. What a wonderful, wonderful story. That couch picture is just precious. I’ll admit I got a little teary reading your post. I hope they found the people that locked that dear dog in a shed.

    • I don’t know if those cruel people were ever found, but I hope so, and duly punished. It’s amazing that Jasmine could still show love the way she did after what she went through.

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