To view video click on the bottom image – be armed with a tissue!
Skipe was found living alone in woods in October 2023. He was starving with his ribs and hips standing proud of his fur. Even though he was starving, unsure, frightened and clearly beaten he still found the energy to wag his tail when spoken to kindly in the night-time car headlights that were shone on him. He would circle in a small car park for a while before disappearing out of sight to the comparative safety of the woods he had made home. The fur round his neck was worn away due to having been tethered, probably with a chain. It took some time, and feeding to build up his confidence sufficiently to enable SOS Italian Setter volunteers to bring him into a safe foster environment where he could receive much needed care and medical treatment.
Following a period of kindness, medical treatment and recuperation his strength and weight, confidence and health improved. His blood tests showed he was Leishmaniasis and Brucella Canis negative (If you want to learn more have a look at our Health page). Having been given the all clear medically Skipe was issued with his doggie passport and was cleared to travel to the UK on what we call the Happy Bus! He was going into foster care in Somerset with a family which already had six doggies, three of which were EU rescued English Setters. He arrived in the UK on 25 January and although still very frightened of loud noise or sudden hand movements he settled very quickly into his new surroundings (see photo). He formed an especially close friendship with a Greek rescue English Setter (Paris) the family had, gaining strength of spirit and confidence from Paris who had already travelled the same journey some years earlier.
Skipe still is learning about life in the UK. As his confidence has grown so has his adventuring, and although he has the occasional little misdemeanour in the house they are minor considering everything he has been through. He has so much ingratiated himself with his new family they have now decided that he his family and elected to adopt him permanently.
The reward of having these doggies in your life is beyond understanding unless you have been on the journey yes you may ‘rescue them’, but they ‘rescue you’ right back! If you click on the image you will see a short video of Skipe when he was first found living in the woods – as a warning have a tissue at the ready!
In February 2024 Skye found his forever home when he was adopted by his foster parents. He remains very nervous of raised hands, sudden movement and loud noises but with each new day his fears fade. Whilst he is a fantastic traveller and loves going out in the vehicle when he arrives home he still has to be gently reassured once again and coaxed our of the van. His recall is improving as time moves on but it will be sometime before he will be able to be let fully off his lead. Suffice to say he has made strong friendships and bonds with his other six doggy companions, four of which are English Setter rescues.
